I have a 96 SS 6-speed with 4.10s and I want to spend about $800 dollars on it. I want more than just boltons what would be the best bang for the buck. I also just bought some nitto drags so I don't need tires. I was thinking the lt4 hotcam kit but would like to know what horsepower numbers you guys are seeing from it . thanks, shawn

 

I have a similar setup but with alot more traction componets. I would invest on some traction before anything else. SFC, PH bar, control arms/relocations brakets, tourqe arm, strut tower brace, shocks. I have no regrets with the order of mods that i did. MY CAR RESPONDS VERY WELL.

 

I'd say the best bang for the buck for $800 would be nitrous. Hotcam kit is definitely up there, but you can get alot more out of nitrous.

 

For $800 I would stick to bolt ons, if you stick a cam in it you won't have any of the supporting mods and you will be disappointed. I would do:

homemade CAI - $60

LT headers - $530
or
Shortie headers - $400

cat-back, hooker or Flowmaster - $250
or
dual exhaust for LT's - $200

My suggestions

 

Bang for the buck, no contest. Nitrous, rwhp gain...... 138 w/150 shot for $700 = $5 per HP. Case closed!

Go to: ws6.com/bangbuck for dyno results.

 

maybe, but with the proper safety equipment a good nitrous kit is going to run you $1100 or so. Running without the proper safety equipment (window switch, WOT switch, etc) is asking to blow your motor up.

 

get the hotcam kit! hey maybe you could even run across a set of used headers of some sort to help exhaust with your left over money! ...or just use it on the cost of tuning that is often overlooked when doing a cam install
i'm kinda in the same boat you are, i have a 97 completely stock even to the 2.73 gears! i plan on doing a mild cam, homemade CAI, and some midlenths or longtubes...oh yes, and since this car in an a4 i plan on doing a TC. then when i figure out that i can't get off the line i will work on a plan to hook it up.

Michael

 

I would not get the hot cam kit its just to small. somthing like a cc306 is nice. Cmotorsports has some nice cam kits that are way better. It all depends upon what you want, streetabilty, gas, emissions, and most importanly can you do the work yourself. If it where me id save another 500 bucks and do the heads and cam. One or the other is not that great of a gain. Dont forget all the power is in the heads.

You need to give more info on your goals.

 

i agree with this statement. what are your goals?
the reason i want a mild cam such as the crane 210/224 is because it's VERY streetable, and there are guys running mid 11's with it on stock heads while getting 25mpg highway. yeah, they're only dynoing around 330rwhp but there's more power and torque under the curve, and that is my goal...not a monster cammed car that makes 400rwhp, at 7000rpms and gets 10mpg and still only running 12's
don't get me wrong, if you want a car that just sounds completely mean and is extremely fast, you can do it with a cc306 and bigger as many people here are doing, but i just haven't noticed a very high % of people running quick et's with those cams.

 

NX kit with a cutout.

 

Ya i agree for sure, i was just saying somthing like a cc306(there are some members runing great ets with this cam). I would run my cam if i where na too. Very streetable and great on gas, pefect idle. 224/236 @50 501 516. I love big cams though kind of like blower wind . I guess what im saying is hot cam kit is no way best bang for buck, but the easiest way to achive "SOME" power.

 

nitrous

after bolt ons-

cmotorsports.com 's cam kit