View Poll Results: Which One First
Full Exhaust
18
33.96%
Torque Converter/Shift Kit
35
66.04%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll
Which Bigger First Mod
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa, Florida
Which Bigger First Mod I have a lid, I have a cutout, I have DR's......
So now its time to drop some real dough. So do i go Full exhaust? (Pacesetter Headers,TSP ORY,Magnaflow Catback/TSP Rumbler Cat) = ~$900
or
Fuddle ~3000 TC, Transgo shift kit, Cooler ( 600 parts,400 labor)
Both are going to cost the same give or take, If i get one now, I'll have to save for a while to get the other one.
So now its time to drop some real dough. So do i go Full exhaust? (Pacesetter Headers,TSP ORY,Magnaflow Catback/TSP Rumbler Cat) = ~$900
or
Fuddle ~3000 TC, Transgo shift kit, Cooler ( 600 parts,400 labor)
Both are going to cost the same give or take, If i get one now, I'll have to save for a while to get the other one.
Last edited by Ls1Envy; Jan 18, 2006 at 08:57 PM.
Definately get a converter. Much better bang for buck. Depending on your future mods, you may want to get bigger then a 3000. Make sure you talk to Fuddle Racing and be honest with yourself about what you plan to do. (I am on converter #2 - never thought I'd mod beyond the first converter 
)
) 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,643
Likes: 2,571
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Go for the TC, but not a 3000 stall speed if it's going to see the track often. Get at least a 3500 minimum if you plan to drag race on sticky tires, or you are very likely to regret it later.
Trending Topics
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 14
From: England
Originally Posted by Ls1Envy
I have a lid, I have a cutout, I have DR's......
So now its time to drop some real dough. So do i go Full exhaust? (Pacesetter Headers,TSP ORY,Magnaflow Catback/TSP Rumbler Cat) = ~$900
or
Fuddle ~3000 TC, Transgo shift kit, Cooler ( 600 parts,400 labor)
Both are going to cost the same give or take, If i get one now, I'll have to save for a while to get the other one.
So now its time to drop some real dough. So do i go Full exhaust? (Pacesetter Headers,TSP ORY,Magnaflow Catback/TSP Rumbler Cat) = ~$900
or
Fuddle ~3000 TC, Transgo shift kit, Cooler ( 600 parts,400 labor)
Both are going to cost the same give or take, If i get one now, I'll have to save for a while to get the other one.
I'd mix n' match them.
Get the torque convertor. But if you get the shift kit as well you'll probably need a tune, because the shift points probably won't be quite right, also you'll likely have issues with torque management. So a tune will cost money, and you'd probably want to buy some software like HPTuners/LS1Edit or the like so you can make future adjustments. - Basically it's gonna cost more.
So I say:
Get a lid (TSP/SLP)
Port your own TB (PM me if you want a guide how to)
Do the Free Ram Air Mod (FRA)
And the bump stop mod for the TB (again PM me if your not sure)
Get a nice cat back (for the noise and grin factor)
And a good Stall & cooler.
Once that's done, save up for some LT's and mid pipe, plus a LS6 intake if you're pre 2001 and a good rolling road tune. And some suspension/chassis stuff (no point in having all that power if you can't make proper use of it). Check out companies like Spohn and UMI for LCA's, SFC's, PHR, uprated sway bars, torque arm and so on.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
I'd get 'er tuned and do LT headers with True Duals dumped if you have a lot of mileage on the transmission and especially if it's a '98-'99. When my tranny grenaded, it took my $850 TC with it. At least with Exhaust, you don't have that risk factor and you gain some good power. That TC sure did wake my car up, though. It's a tough decision IMHO.
Trouble is, with full exhaust, you won't realize the power gains nearly as much until it's tuned 'cause it will run rich as hell.
Trouble is, with full exhaust, you won't realize the power gains nearly as much until it's tuned 'cause it will run rich as hell.
Last edited by JEB99TA; Jan 19, 2006 at 05:36 PM. Reason: Added comment
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 14
From: England
Originally Posted by Ls1Envy
So if i get a Converter can I wait on the shift kit? I dont have that kind of money to get tuning software and a dyno tune.
I too have been looking at the shiftkit and I so nearly ordered it. But I've read as many bad reports as I have good ones about so I'm still out on it.
The tranny shifts more than firm enough as it (well will light the rears up on the 1-2 shift and that's with 2.73 rear and STOCK power).
As soon I get the exhuast & lid on mine the torque converter will be next. If you need some advice have a word with the guys at Yank Converter (a couple of them post in the automatic forum).
Administrator
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 45,841
Likes: 5
From: Earth
Originally Posted by Ls1Envy
So now its time to drop some real dough.
Stick with the torque converter. That is an absolute must for
an A4 LS1...3500rpm would be nice.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa, Florida
I have a 00' Z28 w/2.73's so i don't need to delete Torque Management?
If i do get a verter im going to go with the fuddle 3500, probably a ~2.0 str w/the bigger clutch ,Im getting gears later 3.42's/3.73's so that's coming into play with my TC selection. Transgo does seem a bit complicated, but if i don't need it right away i wont get it. Shift points will have to be fixed in the meantime. sound on track?
If i do get a verter im going to go with the fuddle 3500, probably a ~2.0 str w/the bigger clutch ,Im getting gears later 3.42's/3.73's so that's coming into play with my TC selection. Transgo does seem a bit complicated, but if i don't need it right away i wont get it. Shift points will have to be fixed in the meantime. sound on track?
Most people will probaly disagree with me but a set of Qa1's and a new set of Nitto never hurt anyone. I bought my 98 after it had 80,000 miles on it and that is my best mods so far. You would not believe the difference that replacing those worn out shocks will make and the Nittos lets just say damn. If you can't hook up and get gone your going to see tail lites before long.
Just remember, if your tranny goes, with metal churning inside, most likely your converter will go with it, as well (IMO). Then, you'll have to replace both tranny AND converter. That's what happened to mine ... cost me a bundle.
Do you have a Series-4 carrier (rear)? If so, 3.73's and a 3600 verter are about the best all-around street-n-strip setup there is ... if you're absolutely sold on a TC. Looks like you are, so, that's the route I'd go.
Do you have a Series-4 carrier (rear)? If so, 3.73's and a 3600 verter are about the best all-around street-n-strip setup there is ... if you're absolutely sold on a TC. Looks like you are, so, that's the route I'd go.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa, Florida
Originally Posted by JEB99TA
Just remember, if your tranny goes, with metal churning inside, most likely your converter will go with it, as well (IMO). Then, you'll have to replace both tranny AND converter. That's what happened to mine ... cost me a bundle.
Do you have a Series-4 carrier (rear)? If so, 3.73's and a 3600 verter are about the best all-around street-n-strip setup there is ... if you're absolutely sold on a TC. Looks like you are, so, that's the route I'd go.
Do you have a Series-4 carrier (rear)? If so, 3.73's and a 3600 verter are about the best all-around street-n-strip setup there is ... if you're absolutely sold on a TC. Looks like you are, so, that's the route I'd go.