What to do first?

[Justin_85Z]

Hello everyone,

So i just bought a 1985 Z28, and was wondering what is the first performance mod that i should do ... as of now, the car is entirely stock and is in mint condition. Its got the 5.0L 4bbl 305, with a 5 speed manual.

Any ideas??

[95TransAm]

Being that it's a bit older, I suggest some wise first investments should be tune up/restoration. Plugs, wires, shocks, brakes, etc....anything that should be replaced. Maybe using some seafoam to clean out carbon deposits if it has a good amount of miles on it.

Simple things like a 160 degree thermostat and a manual fan bypass are good.
A nice exhaust set up is also a good way to start as well. Ceramic coated headers, 3" exhaust, etc... many brands out there to choose from at good prices for third gens also.

Rearend gears are also a nice mod. Since you have a 5 speed, 4.10 would be nice. If you don't want that low of a gear (numerically high), then you could go with 3.73 rear end gears.

Suspension upgrades are always good too. I recommend a set of subframe connectors (nice difference, especially on a third gen). Panhard bar, LCA's, poly bushings, etc...

Hope this helps

[Benm109]

Hello everyone,

So i just bought a 1985 Z28, and was wondering what is the first performance mod that i should do ... as of now, the car is entirely stock and is in mint condition. Its got the 5.0L 4bbl 305, with a 5 speed manual.

Any ideas??

There plenty of mods you can do, just depends on your wallet .

For a cheap first mod, first thing I would do is an nice open element air cleaner or a dual snorkel air cleaner. Both of those can give you a decent gain for little money. 14"X3" open elements cost about $30 at any auto parts store. You can even add a high-flow air filter, like a K+N, if you want for about $50.

But, honestly, the best first mod is headers/exhaust, by far. The stock exhaust on 3rd gens is pretty restrictive, trust me, I know this for a fact. Just get some nice shorty headers with a matching Y-pipe (the Hooker 2055s are probably the best), a 3" high flow cat or "test pipe", and then a 3" cat-back exhaust system (some good companies are Hooker and Flowmaster).

Also, make sure you check out www.thirdgen.org . It's a site dedicated to 3rd gens, and if we can't help you, they can. Good luck.

[Trash man]

frist mod? i had an 83 t/a LG-4(150hp stock) 305 5spd car. frist thing i did was a set of TES, then catco high flow cat, and a flowmaster exhusat. it was a lil raspy but did it ever sound madd

[alenstein]

First thing like previously stated regular tune up ,then free up the intake and exhaust. When I had my 84 TA, I was looking into the edelbrock intake manifold set up they had.

But I would have the 4bbl rochester rebuild with fresh gaskets, sensors, float etc,the years add up so does the gunk. The electric choke was prone to failure. Other than that they are damn Reliable carbs. I would also replace all the vaccum lines on that car, seems like there are miles of them but its worth it.
My AIR tube to the cat rotted away, damn thing would throw all the codes on the list. ..... memories.. that 5.0 is not fast but reliable .

Good Luck!