I want to lower my ETs and im wondering the best way to go. First off no nitrous (yet) or blower or turbo. Looking to spend a little under $600. I already have the few mods in sig, car runs a consistant 15.07-15.19. Now before people jump on me saying it should be faster than that, you dont know what your talking about. In a town where DA is usually around 5200 feet on a glass track, i think i did pretty damn good. Anyway, what do we think? if you say cam it, what cam should i use? or should i go a different route, like an intake and which way would make more power?

 

Stay away from "off the shelf" performance computer chips, "underdrive" pulleys , "drop in" K&N Air Filters, throttle body "air foils" , performance mass air flow sensors and throttle body "spacers"...They do NOTHING for performance.

 

If you want cheap, look at a later lt1 cam with matching springs for a decent pick-me-up. Pull off your intake and port the crap out of it (or grab an Stealth Ram for a little but more).

 

What I've always been told is that you can't make power if you can't move any air - and (from what I've read), the TPI intake is the first/biggest limiting factor on a 350, as it was engineered with the 305 in mind.

With that in mind, I'd probably look around on our "parts for sale" board (or the one at thirdgen.org) & see if you can find a used StealthRam intake for sale. That'll probably cost somewhere around $350, or $400. You can use what's left to buy a reasonable set of 1-5/8" headers.

(Keep in mind that the HSR doesn't have any provision for an EGR valve, so if emissions are a concern where you live, you might be better off buying a cam that works with the TPI, & looking for legal exhaust mods.)

Now the total cost on getting the headers & intake installed is almost certain to go over your $600 budget, maybe by $100 or so (sorry). But you'll wind up with a significant SOTP power increase, & the car will be a lot more fun to drive.

Hope this helps.

 

^^^ i totally agree...tpis can't breath biggest problem with them....pull the heads and u can polish them urself...maybe even do a decent porting on them, get sum long tube headers and for sure a diffrent intake. even if u have to get a ported stock intake it will help. and i've seen those go for as low as 20-30bux....thats a friken steal

 

Did you guys read his sig that said he already had headers?

$10 lt1 cam > duplicate set of headers.

 

DOH!! Reading > me...

Looks like he can get the HSR and the misc. parts needed to install it then...

 

a list of cams

http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/mods3.shtml

 

Gear (3.42 or 3.73) and drag radials. I think that will give you the best results (ET and sotp) for $600 or less. Use the torque you already have. Work on the top end as you get more money

Matt

 

ya forgot about that, upgrade your gears thatll knock off a couple tenths, and maybe invest in a new torque converter with a little higher stall or get a trans brake.

 

Yeah, for best ETs go with gears, stall converter, and tires.

 

3.73's and a TPI in an automatic car...NO WAY.
3.42's yes.

With 3.73's w/ an automatic your going to be between 5500-6000 in the 1/4 mile where the TPI makes ZERO power.

I say if you dont have emissions,buy a stealth ram then save up for a cam swap.

 

I'd start with suspension and drivetrain then worry about the engine when that's beefed up. Gears, torque arm, LCAs, Relocation brackets, street slicks for traction....most mods to the engine will break your budget of $600......anything major will require a new tune for the computer.....

 

I don't understand why everyone is afraid of gear....with 3.73 and an A4 trans you will be doing just over 112mph in third gear at 5500 RPM with a 245/50/16 tire. That is about perfect for a lightly modded L98, as that is enough mph to get low 13's or high 12's depending on traction.....

I say go for gears and tires/suspension, then a torque converter. Then tear into the motor if you still want more.

- Justin

 

Never said I was afraid of gear,I have 3.73's in my car.

I just dont see the point of spinning a motor that high where it doesnt make any power.