texasglock23

iTrader: (1)

I bought my T/A last friday with 80k miles. Now I plan to install LT's (made a thread on which to go with) and get a tune. Is it really worth the extra cost of a dyno tune? Or will a custom mail order be fine? Should I do any fluid changes? I will be doing the oil along with fuel filter this weekend. The car hits about 210* at idle, and from what I read that is about normal correct? What else should I look into? Seafoam?

mcalus

iTrader: (14)

If I were you I would wait on the dyno tune if you plan on getting other mods, mail order would be good for now but If you know your not going to do other mods then spend the money on a dyno tune and get the most hp out of your mods.

Its always a good idea to change your coolant/oil/filters when you buy a new car.

210 is normal.

Hope that helps, its just IMO

DVS99TRANS

iTrader: (7)

+1 to that. That's good advise. There are several good tuners in the VA Beach area, some are sponsers on here if you go the dynotune route.

texasglock23

iTrader: (1)

The only other mods I may do within the near future would be intake and TB. No H/C or stall anytime soon. Actually not within the next two years. Once my contract is up I will be heading back to Texas.

2_wacko

iTrader: (2)

You should do plugs and wires while doing the LTs. Some also do motor mounts.

texasglock23

iTrader: (1)

2 wacko, I will be doing plugs and wires, not sure on motor mounts yet. There is a sponsor who is selling MSD and NGK's for $65

Grn4fbody

iTrader: (2)

Why motor mount's? Never heard of that

ghardester

Just do an all round basic tune up. Oil & filter, fuel filter, plugs & wires, air filter, look at belts. Just so you know it's all been done and you have your own base line to start from. Unless you are sure that the tranny and rear end fluids have been changed, then find a time to do that too. Then you won't have to wonder when the last time they were serviced. Forgot coolant change, do that too

I would put Seafoam in the gas and run out the tank before doing any fuel filter or plug change, and put it in the oil and drive for a couple hours before changing the oil. But there are multiple opinions on that treatment.

texasglock23

iTrader: (1)

I plan on the basics, but I am holding off on plugs and wires until I do my headers next month. Tranny and rear end I am unaware of and will most likely get to it real soon.

bobbyd

iTrader: (10)

alot of people have problems with their y-pipes hitting hte floorboards and the motor mounts keep the motor from moving.

its not a requirement but many people do that while doing LT's.


and easy fix for the above problem is to put some heater hose between the y-pipe and the floorboard

slow1999blackz28

a lot of people do motor mounts specifically because the headers are out of the way and they could be taken car of in the process. it does help the whole ypipe bang situation but i have never had an issue with that.

ZFan88

iTrader: (4)

get a full dyno tune. it's usually cheaper to go back to a shop for small changes after you've had the initial tune done. so spend the money right and get what you can out of the car..

Grn4fbody

iTrader: (2)

I did that on my old LT1 car LAWL

texasglock23

iTrader: (1)

Gotcha! I appreciate all the help so far. My wife and I are taking vacation time next week to visit home in Dallas. After that I will be ordering my LT's, wires and plugs. I am now debating if I should do anything else like a intake/TB for added power. If I am going to spend the money getting the dyno tune I might as well get a few things now. But I think I read somewhere that I won't need to retune if I do an intake swap. Is this correct?

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Rear diff fluid change is recommended evert 30K on these cars so consider that.

krazy4

iTrader: (5)

Definitely get it dyno tuned! Mail order tunes will never put out as much power as a good dyno tune.

jebuzws6

iTrader: (5)

dude you should just get the mounts they are only like $50 bucks from some of our sponsors... and no I would also wait for the tune... but the first thing a would do is go back to Texas...lol...

udienow

iTrader: (18)

Here is my recommendation which of course is just IMO.
I would NOT get a dyno tune... with just headers it seems like a waste of ~$500 bucks. Only thing u might wanna do is get codes deleted so u dont stare at a check engine light... I never tuned after my headers, and the car seems to be running great!

210* is indeed normal.

Last, I would change pretty much every fluid in the car. Dont forget clutch fluid if ur a manual. Tho im not sure if its a good idea to change trans and rear end fluids if they havnt been changed ever for 80k miles.

Also i highly suggest to do plugs/wires AND motor mounts when you do the headers. Its just the best time to do both.

ZFan88

iTrader: (4)

Collect all the parts, install everything at once and do a tune up. It won't take more than a weekend taking your time. Then get it dyno tuned. That simple. Mail orders are just ok, a dyno tune will put down more power and have the car running better. Seems like a no brainer to me, and I went with a mail order tune before. Waste of money IMO

ealucero1

I agree, the tune will give you gains and make your car run better, you can have the rear o2's deleted if your scrappin the cats tool. My car was running super rich after installing the LT's so it was well worth the money for the tune. Basically my car ran shittier after installing headers and obviously that wasn't what I was going for.