Hey everyone, new to the site, just bought a 97 z28, has 144,000 miles and is an automatic, need some advice/help with my build and I need any and everything you can offer. I've been looking at exhausts and I've decided on the gmmg system, what would the best headers to use with it, I've read some good things about kooks and was planning on going that direction but I've heard a lot of different opinions on ceramic and stainless, also long tubes and shorties? If I run LTs does it delete the cat/remove or change O2 sensor.

I plan on upgrading as much as i can but I'm new to the camaro and don't have too much knowledge on it, with 144k should i start replacing/upgrading some internals first before doing anything else, basically I'm needing to know the best parts to use and what parts to use, money really isn't an issue and I'd prefer to not use knock offs, so any info anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated, info on the ignition system, throttle bodies, intakes, shift kits, cams, suspension etc etc


Thanks

 

Welcome to CamaroZ28.com !!

Appears your "build" is "bolt-ons" and not an engine rebuild. First step should be a high qualtity cold air intake - K&N, Moroso, SLP, Callaway, AS&M. Some of those you would have to buy used, because most companies are abandoning the LT1 market.

For exhaust, its a matter of budget, and what local emissions regulations you need to meet. If you live in California, you can't run headers unless they ahve a CARB-EO exemption number, on a plate welded to the headers. Other state also use the CARB list as a reference. Some states/areas do nothing - so where do you live and what type of regulations/inspections do you have?

Budget becomes important. Low budget go with the Pacesetter long tubes. Yes, long tube relocate the cats (your car has two) which makes them illegal with regard to emissions. As noted, not all states enforce this. You have to keep the pre-cat O2 sensors. The after-cat sensors can be deleted if you have no cats, but those sensors wouldn't be on the headers anyway. You have to determine if you need AIR and EGR systems functioning, which both connect to the headers. Then there's the issue of whether you plan to lower the car. Long tubes cause difficulties with ground clerance.

If you have big bucks budget, the Kooks are excellent. Stainless solves the rust problem, but that's all. A high quality cera-metallic coating eliminates rust, helps extend tube-metal and weld life, reduces under-hood temperatures, and helps add a little more HP by keeping the heat in the exhaust gas, increasing primary velocity and increasing scavenging.

So... what emissions, what's the budget?

 

Supercharger!!!!!



(:

 

I live in indiana, I'm not too sure what the emissions laws are here, I'm pretty sure they don't enforce anything here, as far as budget.....I have roughly 6,000 right now to dump into the car and that will continue to increase and decrease as I go

I actually already ordered the gmmg exhaust yesterday, found a company that has the k&n intake available so I went ahead and ordered it as well, got a bbk throttle body ordered as well. Im definitely gonna go with the kooks LTs and the kooks ypipe but I have no clue which ones to order cause I've actually seen a couple different ones advertised, as far as the headers what steps do I need to take to get from A-B

I was thinking of upgrading the ignition but I heard aftermarket opti arent very reliable and to stick with GM, are the msd coils a good investment?

I have no plans on lowering the car at all, just upgrading to a better suspension set up
Honestly I'd like to do as much as I can to get as much power as I can without going crazy so any other advise to accomplish this would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

While the craftsmanship on the Kooks is nice, they are also almost 3x the cost of headers which have invaded eBay. Believe it or not, they are getting some good reviews. If you are capable in making small adjustments (dinging a primary, sliding the steering column, etc.) and don't mind that type of job you can save $600+ since they are selling both headers AND y-pipe for right around $400. Look on eBay for "LT1 headers." They come in stainless steel, have thick flanges, are stepped 1 3/4" to 1 7/8". If you are interested MAKE SURE they are stepped in those diameters. Some of them are stepped down to 1 1/2" inches.

I have never had problems with my MSD coil. In hindsight, a working stock-type coil would probably be enough. Fact is the stock ignition is extremely capable. I'm running MSD wires, stock opti, MSD coil, stock ICM with great results.

If you are planning on doing any serious drag-racing with the car, spend your money NOW on a good 9", 12-bolt, or S60 rear end. The peace of mind is well worth it.