Horsepower : Best bang for not much $$ ?

[shadyphi]

I'm looking to start under the hood soon..... after I get the appearance wrapped up.... so, I'm looking for ideas.

I don't want to spend a fortune, but I'd like to get the most bang for the buck. Any suggestions?

Thanks ahead of time!

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Nitrous................

[MN6WS6]

+1 for nitrous. Cheapest initial cost, only have to refill the bottle. Power only when you need it, no affect on gas mileage.

[shadyphi]

Nitrous................

I guess nitrous just worries me... I don't want to tear up the engine, gears, etc....

of course, I don't know much about the effects of nitrous ... so maybe someone could fill me in, or point me to a good link.

[MN6WS6]

You can either do a nitrous search on here, or PM Injuneer. He is the nitrous guru, and everything I would tell you about it is the same thing he would, except he has a lot more experience with it. He used to run a dry kit just like mine on his car for a while, and when he went into the motor to build it, you could still see crosshatching on the cylinder walls. Nitrous problems are not the fault of the nitrous, but the fault of the installer and the user. Properly tuned nitrous systems with the correct safety features installed will not hurt your car.

[Rhode Island Red]

may not be a power upgrade but have you ever thought of changing your gear ratio? Everyone that I have ever talked to that owns an F-body, of ANY of the 35 years they were made, has sworn that they really wake up the car

standard gear ration change should cost no more than $600 tops for parts and install tops

I plan to go this route... along with a 12-bolt (after I meet reality and pay off the car!)

[Kevin V 2002 SS]

The 4.10 gears was the first performance mod I made and definitely gives you the most performance for the buck.

With the 6M, the 4.10's really wake up the car, a definite noticeable difference.

[SSMOKEDU]

Although I haven't changed mine, I had a buddy who swapped in 4.10's, and he was very happy with the results

[Joe 1320]

Except nitrous, Headers and gears are next in line.

[thenuge876]

Headers and a new Y, and gears. You would definately feel a difference.

[MN6WS6]

I think we all could agree that gears help the situation, but putting money in the stock 10 bolt is like peeing in the wind. The rear is not going to last, especially if you plan on modding much, which it sounds like you are. I would stick with what I had, and spend the money on more power until the rearend pukes it guts. I've had nitrous on my car for 4 years now, still on the same rearend (broke my original one on motor). Long tubes and y-pipe will cost about the same as nitrous, and you will get MAYBE 30 HP gain whereas nitrous, even on a bone stock motor, can get you 125-150 shot all day long, 175 peak.

All I can say is this. If you duplicated my nitrous setup, with all of it's safety and convenience features, you MIGHT have $1,000 invested at retail price. My car, 1996 WS6 Formula with K&N, flowmaster muffler, and the nitrous kit (total retail value of about $1200 in mods) ran 12.36 in the 1/4. You aren't going to run that number with headers and gears.

[Joe 1320]

Long tubes and y-pipe will cost about the same as nitrous, and you will get MAYBE 30 HP gain whereas nitrous, even on a bone stock motor, can get you 125-150 shot all day long, 175 peak.

All I can say is this. If you duplicated my nitrous setup, with all of it's safety and convenience features, you MIGHT have $1,000 invested at retail price. My car, 1996 WS6 Formula with K&N, flowmaster muffler, and the nitrous kit (total retail value of about $1200 in mods) ran 12.36 in the 1/4. You aren't going to run that number with headers and gears.

True...... but keep in mind that nitrous is an on demand power adder only. An exhaust would add effeciency in cruising mpg, add HP and increases in sound quality. Not everything is a simple WOT gain. This is something that can be enjoyed daily and without having to refill a bottle or internal damage. Some things cannot be measured only in dragstrip figures.

[Z Ya Later]

And, since nobody else has said it, I might as well. Upgrading your suspension to handle this HP you want is also something you should consider. LCAs with relo brackets and a new panhard should be the first on the list. SFCs are not a bad idea either. No use in having the power if you can't control it

[thenuge876]

True...... but keep in mind that nitrous is an on demand power adder only. An exhaust would add effeciency in cruising mpg, add HP and increases in sound quality. Not everything is a simple WOT gain. This is something that can be enjoyed daily and without having to refill a bottle or internal damage. Some things cannot be measured only in dragstrip figures.

Thats kind of what i was getting at. I agree that nitrous is the best overall solution if all you want is refillable power at the track. But if you want to get an increase in sound/ performance that can be felt/ enjoyed all the time there are other things that need to be considered as joe has stated.

Also suspension is a must to help stick that power to the ground whats you get everything set up.

[jerrysta]

I am in the process of installing a nitrous system in my car as we speak. I already have 3.73 gears installed but have to admit I am looking forward to the day that I have to pull the whole rear and get a twelve bolt or some other aftermarket rear. It's clearly the weak link in the drivetrain.

However, I think if the car is stock right now and you are going to start with bolt ons spending 500 bucks to do gears, even if you are intending to do more later, is not too bad. You can normally re-sell them too, as long as you haven't broken them. I was so happy with my gears that I can't imagine a whole lot of single mods that will make you happier.

Changing the exhaust should be mentioned, too, since the sound of your rumbling v8 is a joy unlike many others. It may not be the best bang for the buck, but for everyday use few mods will make you smile more.

Just know that when you start, one mod will lead to the next and before you know it you can picture yourself spending thousands of dollars on mods that you have planned. I started just happy to have a TA, and now, five years after buying the car I am putting more and more into it. I NEVER would have thought of putting nitrous in my car! After talking to the guys and having them explain the safety equipment I am a lot more confident that I will not break anything because I am taking all of the precautions. Once you go to the track though, it can be very addicting. The 12's are sounding very , very nice right now!

I think from a pure performance standpoint, its hard to beat nitrous, but I expect my car to run 12'2 after the install is complete, and right now my best has been 13.79. Many times it seems that spraying is the quickest way to be fast!