IdiotwithZ28

Alright, I've got the little PITA problems fixed, now I'm ready to get started with some mods. I've got a 96 Z28 6 speed. The car is pretty much stock exept for flowmaster exhaust, SLP CAI, and SLP shifter. I've got $2000 to spend, and I was wondering what the best way to spend the money would be. The car is a daily driver, so I don't want to kill the gas mileage. I was thinking something like headers, tires, and nitrous. What brands would be a good value? Also, I'm pretty good with a wrench, but I don't think I could handle installing something like headers myself, so I've got to keep installation in my budget. Maybe dump the Flowmaster and get a glasspack. What do ya'll think?

Kataklysm

4.10 gears.

iNF3RNo

Get more for your money. Or at least don't spend 2k on just gears.

Headers is the next step, you can find many guides here about the install. It's nothing technically difficult, but it will be aggervating work. I would recommend it to people who are just working on a car the first time.

If you like to launch hard, when you put some DR's on, you'll be taking your 10-bolt out. If the Flowmaster is just the muffler, you'll need a catback. Add 4.10's. Scrape up a little change after that and get a mild heads/cam setup.

IMO.

Silvershark

I would suggest lloyds head/cam package and some headers. You will see insane amounts of power compared to what you have now.

How many miles are on your motor? There is always a chance that you may spin a bearing. So it depends if ya will have more cash down the road.

TransAmGT94

I would look into a good port job on your heads a cam and a set of headers. Or another good set up would be 4.10 gears headers good set of tires and some nitrous, and save the rest for a rainy day

magicvega

headers gears and rockers... save up for the rest ...heads and cam are expensive!

Kataklysm

Heres a good one, don't put it all into the car?

BiGGinZ

Agree 100%

AronZ28

I'd say go for the headers and gear, but I wouldn't want to tear into a motor that has 100,000 miles. I'd definetly get some sub-frame connectors, and some bigger swaybars, and if it has 100,000 miles, I'd get some new shocks, maybe some lowering springs. Also, you might want to get some different and bigger wheels and tires, I really think the salad shooter wheels are ugly myself

Kris93/95Z28

Trade in your car + $2000 and get an LS1

1984camaroz28

go with a heads and cam packahe LE3

TraceZ

BINGO!

My thoughts exactly. If you drop money on mods, it does not help the value of your car. If you want a faster car, you are better off selling yours and buying one that is faster. That is the only way to keep the car worth close to what you have in it.

If you trade up to a LS1 car, the new cars value will actually reflect your investment. Plus, it's kinda fun to get a new car! Take your time and find something that makes you drool.

magicvega

Hell if you are gonna trade your car in for a faster one get a cobra lol. He would need more then 2000 i would think to trade to get a ls1 especially since why would he only trade up to a 98, might as well go for a 01 or 02 .

stereomandan

Well, if I were starting over with $2000, and your current mods, I would do:
35mm front sway bar: $180
Bilstein HD shocks: $325
Sub frame connectors: $130
Coated MAC Headers: $560
Hooker or Magnaflow catback: $280
1.6 Roller Rockers: $250
LT4 springs, retainers and locks: $50
Hardened pushrods, if you need them: $35

That leaves you with about $200 for any install costs. A lot of these installs you can do yourself.
Those mods will put you close to 300 rwhp, and the sway bar and shocks will dramatically improve the ride and handling. I very nice set of tires would compliment these mods well, but I would wait until your current set is worn out.

Dan

mebanditws6

Get LT headers, preferably coated Pacesetters for the best bang for the buck, and get 2.5" true duals with an X pipe dumped at the axle if you don't have emissions. Summit sells their own X pipe kit and one from Hedmann. Also, you'll need a tune from madz28 or pcmforless.com to compensate for no smog equipment. With your other mods, this is pretty much a guaranteed method of getting 300+rwhp on an LT1 if it's running right, and keeping up with stock LS1's on the highway. You'll still have 1,000+ left if you do the work yourself. Take $500 of that and put it towards future repairs (opti, water pump, etc) and put the other 500 towards a rebuild. good luck

Jason