New and In need of Guidance

[GordyZ96]

Just joined the site and looks to me like theres alot of knowledge around here. I just picked up a stock 96' Z28 and am looking to drop $1,500-2,000 so I can help the cause and put more pony cars to shame. Can you guys help me out with what part types and brands to go with to get the most outta my LT1? Any Advice is appreciated, thanks

[FRMLAV8]

The best place to start is inhaling and exhaling.

Get a cold air kit.............$179
Cat-back exhaust............$300-$600
160* Thermostat.............$15
TB Bypass..................$15
Ported MAF ends...............$80-$100
Headers..................$400-$600
Gears....................$500

Those right there will make it feel like a brand new car. Then you just have to work on the suspension so you can get all the extra power to the ground.

Randy

[NorthernSS]

Is it auto or manual?? If auto look into a shift kit and tranny cooler with a higher stall torque converter and if it is manual a short throw shifter will really improve the feel of the shifts. All suggestions in the other post are perfect starter mods and will really wake up your car.

[scotts94_z28]

deffinitly headers and exaust i installed headers with y pipe, 3" cat, and 3 inch exaust and took .55 sec off my quarter mile for about 700. After that i would go with a cold air intake and gears 373 if its auto, 410 if its a 6 speed. Also if its auto go with the shift kit.

[GordyZ96]

Alright, thanks and a couple more question to go with it. Ive been reading older posts and hearing that Flowmaster exhaust gets good sound but loses HP, ive been thinking about pickin up Borla's but want some expert advice. And im assuming just go with good ol fashioned K&N cold air. On headers i've got no clue since just about everything ive looked at is illegal in California, Regulations=Bad. Any suggestions? Plus the other parts im not sure what brands, any tips would really help, but at least I know what to look at.

[GordyZ96]

Ive got an auto, i learned to drive stick pretty well a month too late.

[Black97]

Ive been reading older posts and hearing that Flowmaster exhaust gets good sound but loses HP, ive been thinking about pickin up Borla's but want some expert advice.

A lot of people here like the Borla or the SLP Loudmouth. Both are very good and come with a very good warranty.

The Borla is almost twice as expensive as the LM but it's sound level can be adjusted with orifice plates or even an electrical cut-out.

The LM is as it's name says LOUD, but a lot of people don't care and just love it.

I would like to get the Borla for the fact that I can adjust the sound, just in case the local law has a problem with it.

Also check out www.ws6.com for some good dyno results on various mods.

[GordyZ96]

thanks alot, dyno results for mods is just the thing i need

[GordyZ96]

wish i could find a site that tests all brands and gives dyno tests, any such thing or do companys that make weak exhaust keep that type of stuff from happening?

[GordyZ96]

just keepin the thread alive, anyone else have any insight?

[FRMLAV8]

I had the Borla on my 93 Formula. I loved it, it sounds incredible, but like they said it is about $600. I also had the electric adjuster on it so I could adjust the sound from in the car - that was my favorite toy.

I have the SLP LM on my 99 TA, and to be honest I like it even more than the Borla - as far as sound goes. The borla does have better tips though.

Since it is an auto definitely think about a shift improver. B&M makes a module that plugs into the tranny and lets you switch between normal and performance shifting.

Also, like they said, with an A4 you want 3.73 gears.

Also if you do make all those upgrades I would look at having the PCM reprogrammed to compensate for the mods, and the tranny can be programmed to shift the way you want - so you won't need the B&M shift module.

Randy

[GordyZ96]

yea, the adjustments sound like a nice option but I dont care if my cars silent or eardrum piercingly loud as long as the exhaust pulls out the most power. So far im feeling pretty good about buying the stuff, but On the Ends and Headers, are there any brands that happen to stand out among the crowd and pull higher RW gains?