best mod for $500
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 681
From: Marlboro country MA
Seeing that you have a 1998, and therefore an L98 engine, gears probably aren't the best mod. Seeing that you have a manual, then a torque convertor is also not in the picture. I'll agree with BADDUCK - headers, as part of a restriction-free exhaust system, will give you the best bang for the buck.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
The most logical solution will be to go with a set of headers! Although you will also need the Y pipe to complete the process. Therefore a little extra money will be needed. Possibly a good set of drag slicks could be in order if you take it to the track! And you could probably throw in a custom tuned chip from PCM for less for all the $500!
Thanks,Matt
Thanks,Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 397
From: Lakeville MI
Edit: just checked your profile disregard my original response.
With true duals already and an LT1 intake, maybe its time for a bumpstick. Cam, timing chain and valve springs ought to be doable for $500. How about the hot cam kit including rockers?
/* original response */
For $500 maybe a manifold-back exhaust instead of headers would make sense as a first step.
You could convert an LT1 style exhaust or go with one of the true duals kits supplied by mid america, corvette central and others.
Maybe even the new stainless works 2 1/2" kit that Corvette Kid was talking about, if it is available? Don't know about pricing/availability yet.
Add an x-pipe and some nice mufflers, while your at it.
This would make it easy to add headers later.
With true duals already and an LT1 intake, maybe its time for a bumpstick. Cam, timing chain and valve springs ought to be doable for $500. How about the hot cam kit including rockers?
/* original response */
For $500 maybe a manifold-back exhaust instead of headers would make sense as a first step.
You could convert an LT1 style exhaust or go with one of the true duals kits supplied by mid america, corvette central and others.
Maybe even the new stainless works 2 1/2" kit that Corvette Kid was talking about, if it is available? Don't know about pricing/availability yet.
Add an x-pipe and some nice mufflers, while your at it.
This would make it easy to add headers later.
Last edited by tequilaboy; Jul 31, 2006 at 04:11 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
CAMSHAFT CAMSHAFT CAMSHAFT CAMSHAFT!!! ($250)
Valvesprings, of course. ($100-$125)
Chip/Tune. ($125-$150)
Gaskets. ($25-$50)
Exhaust/headers would be the quickest and easiest mod for some noticable power, BUT the right camshaft will be worth TWICE as much power as ANY exhaust mod. 'Down the road' you can add better exhaust, bigger TB, rearend gears, and other bolt-ons. You won't need to have the chip 'retuned' until you add bigger injectors, higher compression, or ported heads.
Valvesprings, of course. ($100-$125)
Chip/Tune. ($125-$150)
Gaskets. ($25-$50)
Exhaust/headers would be the quickest and easiest mod for some noticable power, BUT the right camshaft will be worth TWICE as much power as ANY exhaust mod. 'Down the road' you can add better exhaust, bigger TB, rearend gears, and other bolt-ons. You won't need to have the chip 'retuned' until you add bigger injectors, higher compression, or ported heads.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tampa,FL
Originally Posted by MTVette
Seeing that you have a 1998, and therefore an L98 engine, gears probably aren't the best mod.
Since when did the LS1 get kicked and the L98 get put back into these 98 models??!! Wow am I outta touch. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 397
From: Lakeville MI
There are many to choose from that should work well in this application. Here's a short list I would choose from:
LT4 Hot Cam 218/228 112
Voodoo 60121 219/227 112
Comp 466 218/224 113
Comp 305 220/230 114
GM 846 222/230 112
Comp 503 224/230 112 (I have a 503 in my car)
Tpis ZZ-9x 225/240 112
Tpis ZZ-409 226/226 112
Comp 467 230/236 113
Comp 306 230/244 112
LT4 Hot Cam 218/228 112
Voodoo 60121 219/227 112
Comp 466 218/224 113
Comp 305 220/230 114
GM 846 222/230 112
Comp 503 224/230 112 (I have a 503 in my car)
Tpis ZZ-9x 225/240 112
Tpis ZZ-409 226/226 112
Comp 467 230/236 113
Comp 306 230/244 112
Last edited by tequilaboy; Aug 1, 2006 at 02:15 PM.