So I just put my first mod in my 95 Camaro Z28, only a CAI, weak
I know, but a start. I have $1000 to put into this car an I want it to be able to be fast and able to compete straight line. What to add? Cam? Headers? I'm not sure. If you could, name what you would recommend and even link if you're feeling generous. Thank you very much.

 

With $1000 get a good nitrous set up with all the proper safety equipment.

 

I would do gears and headers with true dual or atleast a off road y pipe since you already have a cai. Then if you have enough money left, get a set of drag radials since you're wanting to drag race. You should be able to go 8.70s in the 1/8. If you do the "free" mods you might hit 50s. Also don't overlook your rear suspension. Tires and suspension on a stock car could get you in the 8.80s. Obviously n2o is best bang for the buck, but you have to be careful on a stock engine, I personally would not do over a 100 shot and that's pushing it, but I play it a little on the safe side.

 

C5 brake conversion was a great mod, followed by SFCs. and more with your budget like a tune and catback

 

Well, you took the "straight line speed" comment a little too seriously. I want to make my car faster for fun with friends on the streets. I just want to know easy "bang for the buck" mods.

 

A cam swap cost more than you have and you should have a lot of supporting mods FIRST so forget that idea for now.

Might start with a full tuneup and taking a look at things like shocks and frontend geasable chassis parts for wear.
Headers/exhaust would not be a bad place to start
OR
Gears can make a huge difference
If you are hellbent on going into the engine some cheap LT4 springs and a set of roller rockers will let the stock engine pull well to the rev limiter instead of falling off on the topend.

You have a small budget and LOTS of options.

 

Figuring out what is in your budget also depends on how much of the work are you comfortable with doing yourself. If you have to use a shop for anything...there goes part of your budget. So assuming you are able to do everything yourself, I would start with headers, trick flow elbow, and an airfoil (for now. Get a better tb later). Then get some quality plugs/wires. Depending if you want to do any engine work, get a hotcam (or a similar mild cam), and some 1.6 rockers. Above all, find a good tuner in you area! If your willing to watch forums for some used parts, you can do this for under 1,000 (or close). I know because I've done it myself. I spent a lot of time scouring the sale sections of message boards and eBay. If you don't want to do engine work, some better gears would help you as well. Hope this helps.

 

I believe gears and headers will be your best bet. And you can do a cam but it takes more to get max potential out of it. Here's the thing, you're taking more air in, you need to make sure that all the air and fuel is getting burned and then out as quickly as possible. So before you get a cam, do all the easier supporting mods and you'll have a strong combination.

I'm stock also, with the exception of a flowmaster muffler and catalytic converter delete. I'm doing my rear suspension and gears first with some tires. I'm wanting to run my car down into the 8.80 range before I go into the engine.