What's happening fellas. If all goes well, i'll have enough saved up this october for a mid 90's LT1 manual camaro, most likely a 94/95 with just under 80K or around there..cause in my area they sell for anywhere from $6-9K.

Now i've searched this forum and pretty much came up with the best things to do first is ofcoarse a full tune up...plugs/wires/fluids/filters/brakes and maybe change the alt and batt for good measure. All that i would do first before ANY mods. I want to make sure she's runnin top notch, and will run it like that for atleast 6 months to get used to the camaro, handling and such.

My question is, what's really the best things to spend $$$ on to get good gain from..? Is it basically intake/high flow headers/catback exhaust and GEARS yay...? What would that gain like 20hp i'm guessing..? How about straining the engine/tranny less and taking some weight off the car..? Can alot of weight go if you remove everything from the front seats back..making her strictly a 2 seater and is it worth it..? I do like the fact that LT1's produce torque way down in the rpms but i see that as a possible problem on launching...but i'm sure i can learn..

PS, i don't want to go nuts and do internal stuff to the engine, just bolt ons like what i mentioned...any guesses as to what my 1/4 times would be with the mods..? I believe stock is low 14's..? I can't wait to blow away my buddy's 91 5.0 mustang. Friggin guy alwas say's "mustangs get a 2 car jump on the camaro's but camaro's catch up alittle"...i always call BS on him with that sh*t. This will be done at the drag track in NJ, i don't street race. His fox has got mac headers/full exhaust and 3.73 gears along with the t5 tranny and short shifter.

 

I would recommend searching, honestly this topic has already been covered.

- Z28WannaB

 

the mustang is called the 5.slow for a reason. 95 is the best year and the miles aren't as big of a factor as how well it was taken care of and maintained. The LT1 is a very strong engine and can last a very long time when properly maintained. The weak links are suspension and exhaust so that's where I would (and did) start. I won't be doing any internal engine mods until everything else is up to par, including my driving skills. No reason to get ahead of yourself. Definitely search this and the other forums on here as they are the largest source of information you'll find. Also, I might be selling my Z in a few months so if you're interested, check out my cardomain page and let me know. I have to update it though.

 

things i would look into right off the bat:

-Throttle body coolant bypass (free mod)
-Cold air intake
-some sort of exhaust: cat-back or cutout, possibly both
-headers down the road: headers really wake up LT1s, 15-30hp at the wheels gain is not uncommon
-gears: manuals like 3.73s or 4.10s, autos like 3.42s and 3.73s
-SUBFRAME CONNECTORS: helps handling, rigidity, and eliminates squeaks and rattles

i have pics of everything above in the sig (except gears) if youre looking.

 

I would go ahead and replace the opti spark and ign coil along with the stuff you mentioned

 

The alternator is $140 + core for a reman. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As for the opti, as long as the optical portion is still functional, just order a Delteq kit and call it a day.

 

My opti works just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The only reason I would replace it would be if the MSD comes out this century. (Look that up for more info)