I just got a 98 Z28 convertible for my 18th birthday. I have alot of friends with fast 4's(turbo civics, integras, CRXs in the 12-13's) and I don't want to be the one guy with the V8 that can't catch up to them, LoL. It is an a4 with a 2.73 rear end (I'm pretty sure, could someone tell me the codes to look for?) and I was thinking of getting a nitrous setup. I was planning to just have it when I need it, a 100 shot maybe, along with other mods. Exhaust and intake stuff mostly. I was just wondering how much will the stock rear end take, and what can I do to extend its life? What about the tranny? I can't really afford a new rear end, but maybe I can get a gear set that could withstand more? I'm really new to this V8 stuff, lol. Didn't have to worry about this stuff with my CRX, lol.

 

Just get a good quality high stall torque converter, cooler, transgo shift kit. Something with stall torque ratio of around 2.5 and stalls 3500 to 4000. Then put a good free flowing cat back, lid and super sucker ram air on it.
My car went 12teens @ 111 with this combo. Your heavier car could/should run 12.5 or so.

 

Thank you. You mentioned something I saw before but forgot about, lol. What exactly does a stall converter do? I think I have a good idea, but I don't want to end up getting something that ruins the daily driveability of my car. The super sucker ram air, that is the one that runs from a hole in the shield under the front bumper, right? If I was considering leaving the stock headers in place and doing a cat back system, what would you suggest? Cheap if possible, lol. I really don't want anything loud, I love the sound of the stock exhaust(I think I'm the only person in the world), but I do want more power. Insurance is killing me as it is, I don't think I can afford attracting the attention of local law enforcement. Cops in my town are getting extremely bad about loud exhaust tickets, and here in GA, its strictly a matter of their opinion. Thanks again

 

you're not the only one that loves the stock exhuast.. i still have mine on my LT1, i recommend dynomax, heard a lot of good about em- flows better than a flowmaster and is a good bit quieter. far as the transmission im still havin to play with mine cause it just busted the mount and a rear seal... but for 130k miles and that bein my only probs i can not complain a bit. but... whats a super sucker ram-air? i dont think its the thing that goes under the fender cause thats what i have and it doesnt look all that "ram-air" to me... looks more like it just pulls in any air that happens by it which i dont think is quite as good as the ram-air setups out there... but since i havent got my ultra Z hood yet... (still waiting for it from ups lol) ive left it on there, but as soon as the Z hood arrives im ordering the best ram-air setup i can find... but anyway good luck gettin into the 12's and showin those 4 cylinders what a lightly modded V8 can do to a super modded 4-cylinder . definately have to agree on teh transgo shifter kit though, thats always a good thing- even saves a little wear on the auto clutch cause it doesnt slip as much between shifts.

of course what do i know, im an LT1 fan/addict/driver :-p

 

Could I install the transgo shift kit or torque converter myself? I consider myself a fairly competent mechanic, but I haven't done ANYTHING with the camaro, yet. I do have access to a lift. I don't think that what you have is what I'm talking about with the ram air. You know the little shield thing that sticks out under the front bumper and constantly scrapes stuff? I'm not sure if it is the super sucker, but the system I have in mind places a long rectangular inlet there and directs it into the airbox from underneath. I think this would prove very effecient. Also, my other question went unanswered, how exactly would a 3000-4000 t/c affect daily driving? Does it just stall up the engine when the brake is engaged, or everythime you hit the gas?

 

I would just get a good lid, torque convertor, long-tube headers, and catback, maybe some gears as well. An aftermarket lid is going to about just as effective as the "super sucker-intake" that you are talking about. I would suggest possibly the WS6's radiator support, as it allows a little more air into the box from the front, as well as cutting the lower portion of the box out. That should give you all the airflow that you need. The LS1's that I have heard with headers and a catback aren't too loud unless running a cutout or Loudmouth exhaust. As far as the torque convertor goes, have you ever pulled a transmission? If you have done this in a FWD car before, then you should find the A4 in the Camaro easier to remove, except for the top bellhousing bolt possibly, but not too bad if you have a long enough extention, just do a search for any install guides on here, you will find something. There are different types of 3k-4k stalls out there, some are more street/strip designed where as others are more race-only type. A TC and Drag Radials will REALLY help your 60' times, especially in an auto. A friend of mine is running a 4000 stall Yank with DR on the stock 3.23 rear and only lid and 4" catback and cuts 1.8 sec 60', and feels he has another .1 sec less in it. It is streetable, but if it is a daily driver, I would probably go with a little less stall, maybe 3400 or so. Finally, those 2.73 gears have got to go. To tell if it has 2.73's then does your car's shifter have PRND21, or just PRND2 ? I believe all 2.73 cars have the PRND2 pattern. There is a free fix for this as well that will allow you to put into 1st. Gears will really wake up the car, I would suggest 3.42's for a daily driven stalled A4 or 3.73's if you can stand the higher RPM's/less gas mileage.

These are my suggestions, with these mods in an LS1 convert, you should be very comfortably in the 12's.

 

Thanks, yeah, mine has PRNDD21. That just means its NOT a 2.73? I average about 19-23 mpg. I'd rather not use drag radials. I've always said what I run at the strip is what I'll run on the street. And yeah, I've never pulled a tranny, so would I be better off if I paid someone to do it? Do you know how much (average) that kind of install would cost? Sorry for all the questions, I just need to know because I'll be getting $1500 shortly and can't decide what to spend it on. This stuff is probably going to have to wait, because I just got the car and I don't want to mess it up trying to make it go faster when it is pretty fast for me right now...I'll probably just end up with replica rims or the xenon kit...

 

Well, a good TC and install will take up a good chunk of that $1,500, with about $300 for the install, and the TC cost varies depending on what you go with. It is not too difficult to pull a tranny, but A4 is more difficult and time consuming to pull than a T56. If you have PRNDD21, then you have 3.23 gears. I would say go with a decent aftermarket lid, torque convertor, shift kit, and if you can afford it, coated long-tube headers. This will put you in the very high 12's I would say with your car, if you can get your 60' low.

BTW, you already have a mid-high 13 sec car bone stock, and even though a convertible is heavier than the other F-bodies, you probably won't have too much trouble with the 4 bangers. Especially if you do the above mods I would say. Another good source of info for your car is LS1.com, and you may want to find out if there are any local F-body clubs in your area. Where are u located?

 

I do visit ls1.com frequently, but I haven't registered there yet. There is an f-body club close by (Warner Robins, GA), but they aren't exactly my kind of people, lol. I have been to one of their meetings. Thanks for the info, I need to go do some research now...