I have $1000

[xxemoxx]

I have a bone stock 1995 T/A with 56k on it, i want to know what the best mods for $1000 would be keep in mind i have to pay shop labor rates as well............ so help me out guys.

[TraceZ]

simple.

Get a cold air kit and a catback exhaust.

Next time you get some cash, get headers, then some gears.

[Mirroredshades]

Yep, just what Tracey said. Plus somewhere on the list should be 1.6 Roller Rockers.

[redbird94]

if you change the rockers will the valves get out of the way in time and will everything work out or is there other mods as well

[Dave M]

going with 1.6 rockers will not cause any valve interfearance if you're running stock, unmodified heads.

I agree that you should do cold air intake and exhaust. If you go with a flowmaster cat-back or something similar in price you could probably get it and have it installed for under $500. An intake is going to run you about $200 and you can put that on yourself. Just a few bolts and screws. No matter how bad you are witha wrench you shouldn't need to pay somebody to do that. That'll leave you with about $300 to play with. You may be able to get someone to install some gears for you at that price or you could go with some suspension pieces. At the very least some polyeurethane bushings all around. It's all a matter of what you're looking to do with the car (acceleration, handling, etc...).

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by Dave M
going with 1.6 rockers will not cause any valve interfearance if you're running stock, unmodified heads.

I agree that you should do cold air intake and exhaust. If you go with a flowmaster cat-back or something similar in price you could probably get it and have it installed for under $500. An intake is going to run you about $200 and you can put that on yourself. Just a few bolts and screws. No matter how bad you are witha wrench you shouldn't need to pay somebody to do that. That'll leave you with about $300 to play with. You may be able to get someone to install some gears for you at that price or you could go with some suspension pieces. At the very least some polyeurethane bushings all around. It's all a matter of what you're looking to do with the car (acceleration, handling, etc...).

I was figuring a grand for a borla catback and a SLP CAI, but if he wants to go with cheaper parts you are right, He'd have some $$ leftover. Personally, I'd go with the best and spend the extra $$.

[DWS'95Bird]

induction and exhaust are good starters.......

the key is to take your time, ask questions and do your homework.......there are effective mods and there are some that most folks do not see any performance improvement.....a lot of solid expertise is on this board, so make good use of it...

of everything I've done, though, adding 4.10's were the best mod on my M6.....if auto, go with 3.73's......gears totally wake up the car and give it a different personality....SLP's Loud Mouth exhaust is great on a LT1, and it is loud.......a lot of folks say it is too loud, but I like it because it takes me back to my young & stupid days growing up in the 60's.....

that's right, Wolfman is not the only card carrying AARP member here

[Joe 1320]

Originally posted by DWS'95Bird


that's right, Wolfman is not the only card carrying AARP member here

LOL!

Seriously, a cold air induction can be installed by you for under $200 including purchase price. A cat back like the Hooker can be installed for $300 including purchase price, others being slightly more all the way to big bucks. 3.73 gears and install kit will set you back $250 and another $250 for the install. Those 3 mods will make the car into a completely different feeling ride.

[xxemoxx]

Thank you for all the advice so far, at this point i have done the TBI bypass, i am getting a CAI and i am torn between a electric cut out, or flowmaster 40's on 3in pipe. Also what do you guys think about getting a 52mm Throttle Body, I know i can order the throttle bottle and a SPL CAI for like $599 shipped and niether of those 2 can be that hard to install, i am going to get a 160 degree thermo today.

Also when it comes time for me to get headers, which from what have read are a tough on the lt1........ shortys or longtube?!

Can anyone recommend a good place to get the CAI from cause i know there has to be a few sites that have em cheap.

[TraceZ]

Wait to do the 52mm tb until after you have headers, catback and a CAI.

Dont do the 58mm tb unless you are doing ported heads and intake manifold.

[xxemoxx]

Trace

I was not going to use a 58mm as i havent seen anything saying the gains on a mostly bolt on motor worth it....... so is slp the best CAI?! and as for headers whats the best way to go for lets say like under $500 cause i know $500 in labor is what i will paying to get those in the car....

I want the slp exhaust i know that or maybe a flowmaster 40 series.

Anyway links and advice is helpful cause i want to spend my money today.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

I think you should do CAI, Exhaust, Gears, Rocker arms in that order. Then if you are bored with it spend the big bucks on cam, heads, and headers all at the same time.

[xxemoxx]

with rocker arms what exactly must be done to my valve covers as i heard somthing needs to be modded in order to fit 1.6 roller rocker arms.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Originally posted by xxemoxx
with rocker arms what exactly must be done to my valve covers as i heard somthing needs to be modded in order to fit 1.6 roller rocker arms.

Although I've heard that too, I was able to use the stock valve covers with Crane golds - there was no interference. I believe others have had to trim the baffles & supports because they had some rubbing. They're probably all real close to touching, and it may just come down to production tolerances. I later switched to the LT4 plastics which have more clearance for a bigger cam and are rumoured to absorb some of the clatter and preventing false knock. So far - so good.

[2gen454]

With all these performance goodies don't forget to tie the frame together with some good subframe connectors. I've seen some of my buddies cars get twisted at the strip without these and it's not pretty. They just make for a good solid foundation and really let you feel all that power you will be making.