Need a good suggestion for a performance mod.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Need a good suggestion for a performance mod.
Hello everyonr,
I got a Stock 94 and I am looking to drive out to Summit tomorrow and waste some money.
I'm looking to spend up to around $1,000 and want to buy some stuff that will gain a decent bit difference in performance. I want to get stuff that I can install myself over our nice long weekend off. I used to be a mechanic and built many of my own older cars in my days. I dont want to get into digging into the cam and heads and so on...
I just want some stuff I can bolt on or swap out.
Any good ideas to what to get?
Thanks
Ryan
Pic of my Vette.
I got a Stock 94 and I am looking to drive out to Summit tomorrow and waste some money.
I'm looking to spend up to around $1,000 and want to buy some stuff that will gain a decent bit difference in performance. I want to get stuff that I can install myself over our nice long weekend off. I used to be a mechanic and built many of my own older cars in my days. I dont want to get into digging into the cam and heads and so on...
I just want some stuff I can bolt on or swap out.
Any good ideas to what to get?
Thanks
Ryan
Pic of my Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
gee...
a lot depends on your emission laws.
I would consider ordering your stuff from Summit, cause they ship free to your area, and you won't have to pay Ohio sales tax.
As for options... roller rockers are a nice choice. But they require a spring change, and that's a pain, since you don't wanna go digging.
I was going to suggest the LT4 Hot Cam kit with 1.6: Roller rockers. That would be worth a lot of power.
Headers and highflow cats would be another option.
Electric waterpump.
a lot depends on your emission laws.
I would consider ordering your stuff from Summit, cause they ship free to your area, and you won't have to pay Ohio sales tax.
As for options... roller rockers are a nice choice. But they require a spring change, and that's a pain, since you don't wanna go digging.
I was going to suggest the LT4 Hot Cam kit with 1.6: Roller rockers. That would be worth a lot of power.
Headers and highflow cats would be another option.
Electric waterpump.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 8
From: Hiram GA
High Stall Torque Convertor?
What exactly is that? What does it do so that you feel it in the
seat of your pants? How much does it cost? Does it work on
an automatic?
Lastly, are there any tuning, compatability, etc. problems that adding
such might cause?
Sorry to be such a novice, but my last mod was to add clothes pins and baseball cards to the spoke of my bicycle....
What exactly is that? What does it do so that you feel it in the
seat of your pants? How much does it cost? Does it work on
an automatic?
Lastly, are there any tuning, compatability, etc. problems that adding
such might cause?
Sorry to be such a novice, but my last mod was to add clothes pins and baseball cards to the spoke of my bicycle....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Originally Posted by Amazing1
High Stall Torque Convertor?
What exactly is that? What does it do so that you feel it in the
seat of your pants? How much does it cost? Does it work on
an automatic?
Lastly, are there any tuning, compatability, etc. problems that adding
such might cause?
Sorry to be such a novice, but my last mod was to add clothes pins and baseball cards to the spoke of my bicycle....
What exactly is that? What does it do so that you feel it in the
seat of your pants? How much does it cost? Does it work on
an automatic?
Lastly, are there any tuning, compatability, etc. problems that adding
such might cause?
Sorry to be such a novice, but my last mod was to add clothes pins and baseball cards to the spoke of my bicycle....
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Yes my car is an auto and yes I know a torque converter helps a lot for getting off the line.
I currently own a 71 Challenger with a 440 balanced and blueprinted with aluminum heads and solid cam with a 3800 stall converter, 21" wheels tubs with 31x18.5.15's
This is my first newer vette so I just wanted good ideas for this type of car.
I currently own a 71 Challenger with a 440 balanced and blueprinted with aluminum heads and solid cam with a 3800 stall converter, 21" wheels tubs with 31x18.5.15's
This is my first newer vette so I just wanted good ideas for this type of car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
dont have my catalog handy,but off hand for a $1000 bucks at summit,I'd go for the mezeire electric water pump if your car has near 100k,that way you can also change your optispark distributor which is probaly on its way out anyway.I'd also get a set of performance spark plug wires,& coil.I had the MSD 8.5's and coil on my LT1 TransAm,worked well.with whats leftover,you can get a K&N,a pair of new cats,(catco)and some 40 series flowmasters.what gear ratio does your car have?if you have the 2.59's,i'd definetely get the 3.54 richmond summit carries.others mentioned a torque converter,which along with a shift kit like a transgo,which short of forced induction,or head/cam will give you the most increase in performance.give us some more info,how many miles does the car have on it?
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 11
From: Savannah Ga.
Originally Posted by bobmic93
hey dont waste are time, you dont know what a converter is but you want us to tell you what to burn a grand on that you can install. Give it a 1000 dollar car wash and wax.
Wrong Guy )???????????
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Got juice? 
A good nitrous kit, a 100hp shot will do wonders, then throw in a purge kit and a bottle warmer and a window switch and a low fuel pressure safety switch and your there for about a grand.
Some people in here are either scared of nitrous or frown on it for what ever reasons.
But I find that still getting the stock depedability and 28-32mpg on the highway when Im not at the track to be a great thing. 
A good nitrous kit, a 100hp shot will do wonders, then throw in a purge kit and a bottle warmer and a window switch and a low fuel pressure safety switch and your there for about a grand.
Some people in here are either scared of nitrous or frown on it for what ever reasons.
But I find that still getting the stock depedability and 28-32mpg on the highway when Im not at the track to be a great thing.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
Got juice?
A good nitrous kit, a 100hp shot will do wonders, then throw in a purge kit and a bottle warmer and a window switch and a low fuel pressure safety switch and your there for about a grand.
Some people in here are either scared of nitrous or frown on it for what ever reasons. But I find that still getting the stock depedability and 28-32mpg on the highway when Im not at the track to be a great thing.
A good nitrous kit, a 100hp shot will do wonders, then throw in a purge kit and a bottle warmer and a window switch and a low fuel pressure safety switch and your there for about a grand.
Some people in here are either scared of nitrous or frown on it for what ever reasons.
But I find that still getting the stock depedability and 28-32mpg on the highway when Im not at the track to be a great thing. 
I will drink to that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,305
Likes: 2
From: Havelock NC
Well, If I were you with a completely stock black beauty like you have and 1 grand in easy mods, I would buy ........(these are straight from the website)
Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust System ($569)
JET Powr-Flo Mass Air Sensor ($299)
JET Stage 2 Computer Chips/Module ($249)
Accel 300+ Digital Ignition and Coil Kit ($239)
Taylor ThunderVolt 8.2 Spark Plug Wire ($57)
CSR Billet Aluminum Electric Water Pump ($169)
Accel Kool Blue Air Filter ($61)
The Nitrous Works Billet Atomizer Nitrous Oxide Kit ($449)
Energy Suspension Hyperflex Bushing Kit ($175)
Well, that was kind of fun. An imaginary shopping spree. So, there's a good list of bolt ons that would keep you busy for quite some time!
Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust System ($569)
JET Powr-Flo Mass Air Sensor ($299)
JET Stage 2 Computer Chips/Module ($249)
Accel 300+ Digital Ignition and Coil Kit ($239)
Taylor ThunderVolt 8.2 Spark Plug Wire ($57)
CSR Billet Aluminum Electric Water Pump ($169)
Accel Kool Blue Air Filter ($61)
The Nitrous Works Billet Atomizer Nitrous Oxide Kit ($449)
Energy Suspension Hyperflex Bushing Kit ($175)
Well, that was kind of fun. An imaginary shopping spree. So, there's a good list of bolt ons that would keep you busy for quite some time!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
It's completely stock except new shocks i put on from summit I think they were KYB or something.
Hmm wow it has the 2:59 rear end. I just looked that up from the GM1 code in my center console. Maybe some 3:73 would be good or 3:55 maybe. I dont do much highway driving. I do plan on road racing it at a track we have around here.
Its an automatic with 106,000 miles on it. I am the 2nd owner and the person previous to me took very good care of it.
How much difference does the electric water pump make? And if I change that where should I buy the opti from or is the one from summit fine?
Which air filter is better? K&N or the Accel Blue
Which exhuast setup is the best one to go with? Not a complete $1000+ system, just a cat back or whatever...
Is that Jet Stage 2 chip better then the power programmer? Or is the power programmer in the complete waste list? :p
Since 2 of you mentioned Taylor wires. Which is better then 8.5 or the 8.2 Thundervolt?
I had a car with nitrous is was to much fun and to expensive to get the bottle filled all the time so I dont want to go that route.
Hmm wow it has the 2:59 rear end. I just looked that up from the GM1 code in my center console. Maybe some 3:73 would be good or 3:55 maybe. I dont do much highway driving. I do plan on road racing it at a track we have around here.
Its an automatic with 106,000 miles on it. I am the 2nd owner and the person previous to me took very good care of it.
How much difference does the electric water pump make? And if I change that where should I buy the opti from or is the one from summit fine?
Which air filter is better? K&N or the Accel Blue
Which exhuast setup is the best one to go with? Not a complete $1000+ system, just a cat back or whatever...
Is that Jet Stage 2 chip better then the power programmer? Or is the power programmer in the complete waste list? :p
Since 2 of you mentioned Taylor wires. Which is better then 8.5 or the 8.2 Thundervolt?
I had a car with nitrous is was to much fun and to expensive to get the bottle filled all the time so I dont want to go that route.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 1
From: Washington DC
Originally Posted by bobmic93
hey dont waste are time, you dont know what a converter is but you want us to tell you what to burn a grand on that you can install. Give it a 1000 dollar car wash and wax.
Future00, best first mods are to open the intake and exhaust. I would drop a thousand bucks on a Corsa exhaust. My $0.02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,305
Likes: 2
From: Havelock NC
There's no need in changing the opti until it dies, just don't get it wet if you swap the water pump, just my opinion.
The water pump is surely good for 2-5 horsepower since it takes the mechanical load off of the motor.
I forgot, get a set of underdrive pulleys also.
The K and N and Accell are both oiled cotton and are reoilable so I don't know of much difference except about 20 bucks.
For exhaust, I have muffler eliminators and 1 cat, but I have heard plenty of people who are pleased with the Flows. I wouldn't suggest spending all of your cash on a $1,000 system. Again just my opinion.
As for the chips, some say they are junk, others say they work. Either way I know they will offer new shift points on WOT, cooling fan controls, and things like that.
The water pump is surely good for 2-5 horsepower since it takes the mechanical load off of the motor.
I forgot, get a set of underdrive pulleys also.
The K and N and Accell are both oiled cotton and are reoilable so I don't know of much difference except about 20 bucks.
For exhaust, I have muffler eliminators and 1 cat, but I have heard plenty of people who are pleased with the Flows. I wouldn't suggest spending all of your cash on a $1,000 system. Again just my opinion.
As for the chips, some say they are junk, others say they work. Either way I know they will offer new shift points on WOT, cooling fan controls, and things like that.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
A really good reflashed ecm (not talking hypertech here) would be good for a easy 15rwhp along with timing tables to really help it get off the line, nicely reworked fuel tables, shift points, fan speeds, etc. It shouldn't cost you 1/8th of your budget and you shoudl have some left over for a K&N panel filter and exhaust.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by bobmic93
hey dont waste are time, you dont know what a converter is but you want us to tell you what to burn a grand on that you can install. Give it a 1000 dollar car wash and wax.
Instead of getting all snippy, perhaps EXPLAINING the function would be useful.... that is if you can.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Future00
Its an automatic with 106,000 miles on it. I am the 2nd owner and the person previous to me took very good care of it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Originally Posted by redcorvettedave
Wrong Guy )???????????
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Alma AR
A nasty guy too. By the way, when you say don't waste ARE time you really mean OUR time. Also the first word of a sentance is supposed to be capitalized. I'd suggest that you might use any extra money you get to either get a grammer text book or go get that GED you've always wanted to get.