Hello all!

I will be getting my 96 Z28 on friday. As you can imagine, I am eager to give it my own touch :P
Eventually I am going to get it painted and other visual things, but I am looking at performance first.

I wanted to know what everyone would recommend be the first things I do to increase performance on the car? Lets say budget is $1000-$1500. I was thinking at least new exhaust but I am curious to hear what the experts say!

It is an automatic.

Thanks!

 

Performance first

CAI- used, all will do about the same minus the ebay one $100
Long Tube headers- should give you a good SOTP difference $450
1.6 roller rockers - 10-15 rwhp increase - stepping stone for a cam swap.
$400
Madz28 or other tune $125
B&M tranny cooler - help keep that 4L60E alive- 100

The biggest improvements you can make are nitrous and gears.
If you can select "1" on the shifter console then you have 3.23 gears. If not you have 2.73 which should be swapped pretty soon.

Just my .02

 

Everything mentioned above is great things to do. Just one little thing to add though for the long tube headers is the y-pipe which will be about another 130.00 and maybe a decent catback to go with those new headers. The Madz28 tune is definitely the best 125.00 you can spend, I just found this out first hand last week.

 

Yeah, my bad, forgot the rest of the exhaust. My car came with a Flowmaster catback and me and my dad just made our own Y-pipe so I kind of took that for granted.

 

Thanks so far for all the great ideas.

What is this madz28tune everyone is talking about?

 

Check out www.madz28.com, you can learn all about him and his work. Also, do a search of past posts, you will find tons of positive feedback on him.

 

Thanks all for all the great help so far, this forum is awesome

i'm sure ill be posting in the next few days as I get closer to getting the car and ordering some parts

 

What they all said. Intake and full exhaust. If its an automatic do a search for Ion's thread on the easiest (and cheapest) 12 second automatic LT1 buildup.

 

I have the exact same car, do everything the guys have told you. Check my sig out. I have tons done already and can asnwer alot of your questions.

 

torque converter if it's an automatic,headers, exhaust,cai..good luck with the car

 

Full exhaust (longtubes and unrestrictive exhaust system)
-cold air intake
-stall
-1.6 roller rockers

But, if you plan on racing at the strip, the first thing you need to get is a 12-bolt rear end.

 

His is an automatic so a 12 bolt isn't necessary right away.

 

I've got the same car too.
Do yourself a favor and replace the temp sensor in the drivers side
head. I'm pretty sure that is what let go on mine on the expressway.
Bad news.
It is a fun car to drive, as I'm sure you will find out.

With CAI, a flowmaster aftercat and Pro Dyno tune I got it to run
13.14 @ 101 mph

Go have some fun !

 

LT's, Plugs, Wires, Ignition Coil, MSD, TB, CAI, Elbow, 1.6RR's, catback exhaust my recommendation

 

I'd do everything everyone has said, but with an auto the first thing I'd do would be a 3000 (or so) stall torque converter and a shift kit