Whats First
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Registered User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 114
From: Butler IN
Whats First
Hi, I own a 1995 pontiac trans am i have not yet done anything to it performance wise accept a cat back magnaflow exhuast I have a cold air intake on the way and will be ordering a underdrive pully soon WHATS NEXT???????
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,444
Re: Whats First
Originally Posted by Bersaglieri
Dont waste money on underdrive pulleys yet. Electric Waterpump, Madwolf PCM tune, Longtubes, 1.6 Pro Mags, free mods, gears and tires come first.
I don't like UD pullies, too many power problems on my old car when I used them.
But there are a lot of people here who swear by them.
EWP will net you 10rwhp, there are several dyno sheets floating around this site proving that one.
A PCM tune is a great way to pick up a few more ponies without breaking the bank.
Headers will really wake the car up, along with a high-flow cat to compliment your catback.
Requires a little more work, but it's well worth it. Be sure to use good gaskets and locking bolts
so you don't have to go back and do it again later.
1.6:1 rockers will increase valve lift and give you another nice boost.
(That one requires removing the valve covers and setting proper valve lash)
The TB coolant bypass is a free mod that can pick up more power for you.
Gears and sticky tires will get you better ETs at the track and make the car a
lot more fun to drive
A higher stall torque converter is a great addition as well if you have an A4.
Last edited by user 647483; Aug 24, 2006 at 12:33 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,499
From: PORTLAND, OR, MULTNOMAH
Re: Whats First
That's a loaded question---it all depends on how much money you have and your ability to do your own work and what your goals are.
I would say that the very first thing to do is a tune up including plugs and maybe wires.
Then, I would work on the valve train. If you aren't ready for upgrading your lift to 1.6 RRs, I would at the minumum, get some good springs which would support higher lift whether for RRs or a cam---your springs are probably tired and they don't offer much in the way of protection against float which can hurt your top end.
I.e, work on getting the stock condition in good condition and then work toward including the quality and integrity of your components including new, stonger springs.
Then it's on to cams, headers, heads, etc. I wouldn't screw around with Drag Radials since the stock, 10-bolt rear ends are not stong enough to last through many clutch dropping envents before they break.
The best mind set is to consider those things which will make your car better, which does not include fuzzy dice, stickers or giagantic audio systems.
JMHO
I would say that the very first thing to do is a tune up including plugs and maybe wires.
Then, I would work on the valve train. If you aren't ready for upgrading your lift to 1.6 RRs, I would at the minumum, get some good springs which would support higher lift whether for RRs or a cam---your springs are probably tired and they don't offer much in the way of protection against float which can hurt your top end.
I.e, work on getting the stock condition in good condition and then work toward including the quality and integrity of your components including new, stonger springs.
Then it's on to cams, headers, heads, etc. I wouldn't screw around with Drag Radials since the stock, 10-bolt rear ends are not stong enough to last through many clutch dropping envents before they break.
The best mind set is to consider those things which will make your car better, which does not include fuzzy dice, stickers or giagantic audio systems.
JMHO
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,312
From: Aurora, IL
Re: Whats First
I would definitely do headers and a mail order tune. Those will wake your car up drastically. I would save your money on the underdrive pulleys, they are not worth the money in my opinion. Gears are a good mod as mentioned and if you have an automatic tranny, a higher stall torque converter will make a big difference.