So I am just about done with the cosmetic portion of my 1994 Z28 (needed buffing, window motors, headliner and some other small stuff) and I am ready to focus on the engine.

My goal for this project would be to make my car perform as fast or faster in a straight line as one of the 5th gen 6.2L models, budget would be (hopefully) under $3,000.00.

Engine currently has 29,500 miles, and one thing to keep in mind is my oil pressure, which I cannot figure out is an issue or not (see below, on other forums I have gotten wildly varied opinions).

VID 20131016 165926 - YouTube

Right now the only mod I have is Magnaflow exhaust.

Question is what would you guys do based on my situation, goal, and budget keeping in mind I am not capable of doing myself, I will need to find a qualified shop to hopefully do this over the winter.

Any input is appreciated, thanks.

 

Did I post in the wrong section?

 

Not to sound like an ***. 3000 is not much of a budget considering your going to have to pay for install. Is this a m6 car or auto? Auto car would need a stall for sure and depending on clutch abuse may need on down the line if your going to drive car hard--Id start with--headers/y-pipe/some gears/ that alone eats up your budget--- with paying someone for install-- then next would be bigger tb/ported intake to setup for a cam swap then that intails different springs/rockers/pushrods(potentially)/injectors depending on cam choice and def a tune--your really looking at id say 4-6000 range depending on shop and how much you get parts for-- Chip away a little at a time man hope that helps-my car before motor full bolt on car m6 with 12bolt 4:11's put down like 290/330 and i was running 13.2-13.3----

 

No problem, this is information I need. I am a complete newb and need to be steered in the right direction, if my idea of a budget is insane I need to know that and am not offended at all.

How about this, after exhaust and cold air intake, what would my next best bang for buck be, what should I be looking at? Any advice is appreciated.

Car is automatic.

Are there any lists of good wrenches so I can find a reputable shop in my area (Chicagoland / NW Indiana)?

If I have to pony up 5 or 6 for a decent (I don't need crazy fast, just a little extra) setup that could work?

 

I wouldn't include a larger throttle body that requires porting of the intake manifold (58mm). The stocker is probably adequate with just a cam, and a 52mm would match the stock manifold bores and support a cam and ported heads. A 58mm is overkill.

I had my engine on a fully instrumented engine dyno, and at 500HP (normally aspirated/no nitrous) it was only pulling enough air that my 58mm TB was only 77% open. Opening it further did not increase engine HP. Back-calculating, a 52mm at 100% open would have met the air flow requirements at 500 HP. The guys in the shop are still laughing at the 58mm TB .

 

I recently had a stall , 1.6rr & springs installed in my car
1300 dollars parts & labor for the 1.6rr , springs and a tune
1100 dollars parts & labor for the stall and some seal ? that I still don't know what it was for ???
I paid 700-800 dollars for the stall.
I.M.O. I would find out what stock gears your car has if you have anything smaller
than 3:42 gears I would change them to 3:73 gears. buy some ceramic long tube headers nothing
fancy budget ones will do you fine ... Do the cam , springs rockers and a tune at the same time
most people will recommend a stall around 2800-3600 the cam stall and gears all need to work
together so do your homework !!!!!!!!

 

I decided to add cold air intake and tune from pcmforless to my magnaflow and see where that gets me.

I fear a lot of what you guys are talking about is meant for track or street racing, I am just looking to have a cool car with some *****, not trying to race anyone...

If anyone has any suggestions for what else I should do for a cool "regular" driving car I am all ears, otherwise I will save my money for future upgrades....thanks for the input.

 

There nothing crazy fast about what I suggested
Best bang for the buck headers,C.A.I stall and 3:73 gears.
Maybe you should look in to some new wheels. that should give you a few more cool points

 

Read my mind, black rims next on my list....

 

so you want it to outperform the 6.2L 5th gen's. youre gonna need 5 or 6 grand. idk the specs of the 6.2 but youre gonna want headers, catback, cai, gears, and a stall converter. and idk if youd be close to your goal. youre gonna wanna do a cam too once the bolt on's are done. then probably do a tune after that. because it would be next to pointless to tune after cai and catback only to have to tune again later on