Need Advice For My Chirstmas Gift :)

[TruckMuddr]

allright, I got some money to spend on my car

I wanted to do the lt4 conversion, but I don't really wanna spend $2300 on my car at this moment(unless someone knows where to get it cheaper ). I'm thinking more like $1000-$1500 range. I'm 90% sure I'm gettin 3.73's, my 2.73 suck. I was thinking maybe CC306 cam also. (I think thats it).

Car is stock(heads milled) with 95,697 miles, but runs strong, no smoke or anything like that.

EDIT: I also have a CSI(CSR now) electric water pump thats sitting on the shelf.

What do you all think would be good??

Most of you know know LT1 better then me

[Nightrage]

I want an LT4 upgrade kit too but if i ever get the package (maybe in 2 years or so) i'm gonna have the LT4 stuff ported, polished, have the guy that's assembling the motor balance everything out and what not. The problem is, a lot of things say that the LT4 will get you around 425+ horsepower. Wouldn't that require thousands in upgrades to handle the power? Upgraded fuel pump, injectors, ignition, rear end, stronger clutch and flywheel maybe even a stronger tranny. Not to mention you'd need some computer tuning. I'm not even sure how much the stock driveshaft can handle. Now i know i'm probably wrong about a few things there but i know that at least the clutch and flywheel would have to be upgraded. Aren't our stock rear ends relatively weak too?

[TruckMuddr]

hmm, yeah


Anyone else have a thought???

[Joe 1320]

There are a few things to think about...... you can increase power and still not run well. The stock suspension needs serious upgrades before you plan on trying to put any newfound power to the ground. I think you would be far better off with LCAs, Torque arm, relocation brackets, shocks and gears. At least then when you add more power, the car is capable of handling it. It's also a whole lot cheaper than a top end package. Maybe even a torque converter and shift kit for the trans.

[raroZ28]

I have LCA's, panhard rod, and torque arms. I just have to go pay for them, I got ramchargers gift certs. to use Buddy gives me his discount too.

Aside from that I have about 1000 saved for my lt4 conversion kit. I'm saving FAST. I have half what I need, and I am still WAY before my "have money by april" deadline. Think I'll have a hard time putting power on the ground with the above susp. mods?

Oh yeah, I was going to just sell the hot cam and go with a more aggressive one. What will my car run with just the conversion kit? 1/4 mile wise. Should I just go with the hot cam?

TruckMuddr... Check this out.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...ber=pk12550630

About $2100, complete. Good deal. Tbryne.com will beat any price, so ask him about it, you might be able to get it cheaper.

My machine shop will beat any online catalog or any competitors price. I will take that printout to him, and he'll probably give me the kit for under $2k. You might want to see if you have a shop like that around. Last time I bought something from him, there was a set of lifters online for $70 for a whole set. He gave them to me for 61, w/out even asking to see the site or the name of it. Pretty good, considering he wanted 11 bucks per lifter, and I needed 8 of them.

NightRage, I don't think you have to convert the injectors or ignition. I heard the stock ignition works fine, injectors as well. Bigger fuel pump would def. be a good idea.

I would think stock injectors are fine. Upgrade the pump and maybe go with 3/8" fuel line, and maybe a higher flowing filter? I'll have to look more into it, but remember, it's not about PSI or injector CC's... Well, it is, but it's more about VOLUME. Bigger pump, bigger line, better filter... You should be set.

[TruckMuddr]

GMPartDirect will rape you on shipping

[raroZ28]

GMPartDirect will rape you on shipping

So I heard. I also heard they'll take their sweet time. That isn't the point... The point is, print that page out, and take it t somebody. A lot of places will be willing to match/beat that price. Like I said, I would either go to tbyrne or my machine shop.

[Injuneer]

You have to be careful with the "425HP" claim for the LT4 conversion kit. That is based on an engine dyno buildup done by MORE Performance in maybe 1997 or 1998 - they got 429flywheelHP. The buildup was documented in a magazine article (which has been reprinted in other magazines at least two times since then) and the article mentioned that they used a bit more than the parts that come with the LT4 conversion kit, including things like LT headers and a larger throttle body. What they failed to mention, among other things, was that they were tuning the engine with a $2-3,000 aftermarket computer. An LT4 conversion kit needs all those extras (or a high quality tune on the stock PCM), and that is going to cost you more like $3,000. Add to that the cost of upgrading the drivetrain and the suspension. I always say allow 50% extra ($1,500 in this case) for those modifications. Now you are looking at $4,500 for the finished product. And that assumes you can do all the work yourself.

I've kept very careful records of my modification costs, and you will never realize how much is all costs unless you keep those records.

[raroZ28]

Fred is right, he's been there, so that makes sense. Looks to me like he even lowballed it for ya, so you didn't get too discouraged. Just be sure you know what you're getting into. When you're done, you could have probably bought anoth LT1 camaro

This is what I came up with for me, a while ago. Don't know how accurate it is.

LT4 Conversion kit $2000
Spec Stage 2 Clutch $450
Long Tube Headers w/Off Road Y pipe (Pacesetters) $400
4.10 Rear End Gear $220

Lower Control Arms $100
Panhard Rod $100
Torque Arms $200
SubFrame Connectors $300
Intrax 2" Drop Springs $250

Flywheel Resurfaced $25
Heads Ported $???
Intake Match ported $???

Add it all up and you'll see I'm around $4,050 bucks, and that isn't even counting port work. Those are estimated prices anyways. I am ready for it. Once I get my LT4 kit, that will be motivation enough for me to save the rest. That's half the battle, get that, and you're halfway home. I'm also going to drop about $300 for dyno tuning at my shop. I've never done that before, and they just got their dyno last year. $290 for a couple runs or something I guess.

It isn't cheap, but when you see a z06 in your rearview mirror, it's all worth it.

And another thing, I would def. upgrade the clutch if I were you. You don't want to slip, and if you're making around 400 HP, 450 ft lb's TQ, you're going to want something that's gonna hold. Imagine the torque you're making at 5000 RPM. Hate to see the stock clutch explode through the floor and take your leg.

I actually have a fear of that, I might go with a shatter plate for my trans.

[Nightrage]

Hate to see the stock clutch explode through the floor and take your leg.

Wow, cars are really dangerous. You can get injured just because your car makes a lot of power. Exploding clutches, driveshafts can pole- vault you into the air, the frame can twist up like a pretzel from too much torque....man, i think i'm gonna hang my keys up for a while. Ah the hell with it. If you're gonna go, you're gonna go. Might as well enjoy it

By the way, what can ourstock transmissions/ rear ends/ driveshafts handle as far as power goes? Sorry if it's getting redundant.