What should I do?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21
From: Appleton, WI
What should I do?
I recently purchased a 1987 GTA with a 1988 L98 in it. I was wondering what I could do to it so I could see about low 13's high 12's. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks a lot for the help. Josh
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,048
From: South Lyon, Mi.
Are you going to keep the TPI? If so I'm not the best person on this subject, I have done a lot of work on LS1's and carbuerated engines but I would have to suggest some drag radials, a cam, maybe a port job on the heads as well as new 1.6 rocker arms and definately a new computer chip, throw in a shift kit in your tranny and you should reach your goal. It all depends on how many miles are on the engine, if the engine has high miles you should rebuild it (possibly 383 stroker if you have the cash) If you add a lot of power to a weak bottom end it won't last long. Or you could add nitrous and have some decent times before you blow your engine. suspension upgrades will also help you. Good luck, those GTA's are nice cars.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 107
Well if you are talking normally aspirated then besides exhaust and induction I think you would also need heads and cam. I am running a L98 motor in my 87 with a comp 270HR cam and 305 heads that have had larger valves installed and have been unshrouded. I have not taken it to the track yet but I have run it against my freinds mid 14 second Formula 350 and can put quite a few cars on him by 80. I would bet I am at least high 13s. With addition of higher flowing heads like AFR 195s or something similiar it would probably be low 13s.
The intake is the part I am not to sure on. I have temporarily ditched the TPI and am running a carb until I figure out what TPI set up will work to the 5500 rpms I am turning without costing more than my motor did.
The intake is the part I am not to sure on. I have temporarily ditched the TPI and am running a carb until I figure out what TPI set up will work to the 5500 rpms I am turning without costing more than my motor did.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21
From: Appleton, WI
Yeah, I am planning on keeping the TPI, the motor had 55,000 on it before, and now it has 12,000 on a rebuild, so about 67,000 miles. Any other ideas? It already has a shift kit and a k&n air filter. Should I think about getting an MSD ignition or is that not really necesary? Also, how much are those heads you mentioned? And how much is it to get them ported and polished? Thanks
Last edited by 1968firebird; Nov 5, 2002 at 08:37 PM.