I have $500 to spend and want to finally get some performance upgrades for my car. I was just wondering what you guys think would be the best bang/bangs for the buck?

 

1. Hooker exhaust system (appr. $290 through www.thunderracing.com)

2. 1LE Intake bellow (appr. $55 incl. s&h through www.gmpartsdirect.com)

3. Moroso Cold Air Intake ($189-$215 and comes with K&N filter)

There ya have it. Even just with those mods, you'll feel a noticeable difference in the seat of the pants.

 

Cutout-$65 (installed)
Used CAI-$125
TB bypass-free
Nitto Drag Radials-$300 (mounted)
GRAND TOTAL-490

Ohh, and believe me, drag radials are very important.

 

dont waste your money on the 1LE intake elbow unless your stock one is ripped.

SLP/Moroso/K&N Cold air intake - $170-200
BMR Boxed Weld-in Subframe connectors - $160
BMR Shock tower brace - $90

 

wow in 6 years of reading this board that is the first time i've seen some one mention an intake bellow as a "first power mod"...

if you want to improve the feel of the car i would look into the sfc

but if all you want is some hp gains, start with the obvious...the car has to breath better..

ie...intake in the form of a cold air induction...most brands are the same power wise, go with the one you can get cheapest or the one you like the looks of. and the second thing is exhaust. since you have the $500 budget, you'll probably only be able to get a cat back for now. hooker or flowmaster systems are cheapest but tend to be slightly more restirctive. if you get one of those go ahead and get a cutout installed, that way you'll have great flow and sound when you want it but a nice "relatively" quiet car for everyday driving.

or you could look into the SLP loudmouth which is basically a straight pipe system with no need for a cutout.

depending on how much these cost you, you could look into an offroad pipe as well to pic up a few extra ponies by ditchin' the cats...i think they are only about $100...

www.thunderracing.com
www.tbyrne.com
www.bmrfabrication.com
www.fasttoys.net
www.lmperformance.com
www.slponline.com

 

NX wet kit.

 

Yes! You're absolutely right! WHY would you want a smoother air pathway, right?!

That's pretty funny, because when I put my 1LE elbow in, the car felt MUCH SMOOTHER, as well as felt "somewhat" stronger on the top end! Don't get me wrong, it didn't turn the car into a rocket or anything, but I did feel a difference.

NOW, let's see what we're doing! This way, we've changed the exhaust (better breathing), gotten a CAI (more air= more power!), and we've also ditched that damned silencer and created a smooth pathway for air (assists with....BETTER BREATHING). More air= more combustion in the engine= MORE POWER! Combustion comes from air, mmmmmmkay?

Sure, roll your eyes all you want. I'm sure that you are just the automotive genius running around LT1 Tech.

On top of what you're telling this person, ditching the cats will cause some serious emissions problems if he is in a state that does emissions testing (Real smart on you're part, eh? ). Not to mention, he could probably also receive a fine (Wanna pay his fine, Wonderboy?)

Second of all, most people seem to be VERY HAPPY with their Hooker exhaust systems, and have picked up quite noticeable power gains with them! I have an SLP Loudmouth, and I like it a lot, but the Hooker sounds 20x's better, and probably flows just as well.

Let's get back to the 1LE elbow. But first, please explain how you're gonna plug up that big-*** hole in the stocker! Ducttape? Tennis ball? Tin foil? I can't wait to hear your reply (This oughta be good!)!

And the 1LE is one of the easiest/cheapest things you can do to your car. It's only $55, and will create the better path-flow of air, like I said. Get the exhaust, get a Y-pipe, longtube headers, cold air intake, remove air silencer.....you'll have one hell of a free-breathing car for about $800 in parts....total.

 

...Pwned.

 

If you have a $500 budget and are in no hurry, use the forsale section of this and other boards to find your parts. I got my Moroso CAI for $75, and they usually go for around $100 shipped in the forsale section every so often. Do the TB Bypass mod which is free along with the catback for a few extra ponies.

A reputable exhaust company is Magnaflow, lots of people on the board have it and it can be had for pretty cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2427127599

Another cheap exhaust is Hooker which is highly liked as well. Its a quieter exhaust with a real smooth sound to it. It goes on Jegs for ~290.

With the extra 100 youd have left over I'd say get some subframe connetors. Theyll tighten up your ride. Or, you could just

Id say dont spend the money on the 1LE bellow. I just dont think its worth 2 cents unless your stock elbow is torn. Ifyou really want to smooth the stock bellow out, just pull the donkey dong out of it and plug it with something. I've heard of people using shampoo caps, but I'm sure you can come up with something to plug the hole.

 

ya dont have to be all mean about it, dang..

you can use a shampoo bottle top to cap it off with and put a hose clamp around it, fits in there perfect and the top of it is smooth. Also MBA makes a plug for it for like 10 bucks, same idea just 45 dollers cheaper

 

Yeah i wouldn't worry much about the elbow right now. I have the trick flow elbow. While it is a little louder i didn't really notice any difference. I also just bought the 1le elbow because my trick flow was getting really hot. But it doesn't fit with the slp cai. It is too long. So if you really want one i can sell you mine for real cheap and i even have the reciept showing when i bought it. But i would just get a cai from the forsale section. Then a cheap catback like hooker(which i'm very happy with) or magnaflow. Then do the tb bypass. I would save the 100 untill you get another 100. With 200 you can get a short throw shifter, or sfc's. Or you can just save some more untill you can get some headers.

 

Well, sorry if I came off being a bit "mean," as you put it, 93Z. However, this guy wants to at my suggestion for what? Because I said something he doesn't agree with? The dude really shouldn't be making smart-*** comments for no reason. Nobody ever directed anything towards him. He had no reason to give the attitude.

This man says he's got $500. Well, in this day and age, when it comes to performance, $500 isn't going to take you very far. Any little thing will help.

My experiences were positive with the 1LE elbow. I definitely noticed a difference in the smoothness, as well as the throttle response time. Even up on the top-end it seems to feel like it's freed some power. I found it to be a very well-spent $55.

 

Im going to agree.

Best bang for the buck for $500.00 hp wise is:

NX Wet Kit

 

It'll be a "BANG" for the buck....I'm sure.

"Oh no, my poor motor!"

 

Jet hot Long tube headers.... Nuff said.

Best HP gain for the dollar imo. LT1's need to breathe!! No use in a nitrous kit if you dont have the exhaust to back it up. I would do intake and exhaust before you even think about nitrous.