Adding Horsepower
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 2
From: EOF ★ Kaliforniastan ★
St. Jude Donor '10
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 833
Likes: 1
It sounds like you're not wanting to get into any major engine work, so you're probably looking for bolt-on performance upgrades. On your 86, I would start with the exhaust. This is probably the best upgrade for the money. Long tube headers, x or h-pipe, and your choice of mufflers. Don't be fooled by any intake air foils or aftermarket cold air intakes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Or, have all 3 with this little piece of magic!
Note: According to the installation instructions, you need to install heads, cam, and headers to release the added power this incredible invention provides.
(Oh, dayam...Where did my link to the air foil go???)
Note: According to the installation instructions, you need to install heads, cam, and headers to release the added power this incredible invention provides.
(Oh, dayam...Where did my link to the air foil go???)
Last edited by Paul Workman; Jan 21, 2012 at 07:19 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 39
From: Southern Indiana
I gots to gets me one of those!!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: seabrook tx
Long tube headers. I did 1.6 rockers. map relocate,air foil,new fuel injectors. dual exaust w/o cats w/factory manafolds. And with all of that. long tubes made the biggest difference. 14.11 quater mile with factory manafolds. 13.62 with headman long tubes. This the best bang for the buck. Headman headers $ 175.00 $ 50.00 to tie them in. $ 225.00 is dam good for 1/2 a second.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Post Falls Idaho
Hypertech chip, k&n filter, cut out the metal cover on your air filter, gut your catalytic convertor, bypass the coolant going through your throttle body, 180 temperature thermostat, new plugs and wires, new cap and rotor, remove any unnecessary weight(crap in the hatch, water bottles, any tools, remove the air pump and put a pulley inplace.). Roller rockers are pretty cheap. High stall converter could help on your launch.
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Found one of those things in the intake tube of my Buick Reatta when I bought it last year. Took it out and threw it somewhere. What a waste of money. 
To the OP, Rarely is adding horsepower cheap....Depends on how much you want to spend.
