Most performance for the $$$?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 297
Likes: 44
From: South East Michigan
Most performance for the $$$?
Hey all,
Been learking hear for a while now, hardley ever post though. I've already searched, and I couldnt find what I am looking for so i'll get to the point.
I recently purchased my first Vette, a '96 Auto/LT1. Obviously one can never have enough horsepower, though 300 is still plenty. The car is all stock with exception of an SLP cold air intake, and an MSD blaster coil (both were on the vehicle when I purchased it). So, in the quest for more power I figured this would be the best place to go. For now I have about a $1000 budget that I am willing to work with. I was curious what you all felt was the best combo of parts I could do with that budget to achieve the best performance...
I am relativley open to all ideas with the exception of Nitrous. (just not into it.) I would like to include exahust into this, as it is extremley quiet stock.
Thanks much, any input or questions would be much apprecitaed.
Been learking hear for a while now, hardley ever post though. I've already searched, and I couldnt find what I am looking for so i'll get to the point.
I recently purchased my first Vette, a '96 Auto/LT1. Obviously one can never have enough horsepower, though 300 is still plenty. The car is all stock with exception of an SLP cold air intake, and an MSD blaster coil (both were on the vehicle when I purchased it). So, in the quest for more power I figured this would be the best place to go. For now I have about a $1000 budget that I am willing to work with. I was curious what you all felt was the best combo of parts I could do with that budget to achieve the best performance...
I am relativley open to all ideas with the exception of Nitrous. (just not into it.) I would like to include exahust into this, as it is extremley quiet stock.
Thanks much, any input or questions would be much apprecitaed.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
To make the car quicker, a lower gear ratio (3.54/3.73) and a higher stall TC (2400-2600) would be the best option. It'll feel like a whole new car after those two are done.
Doing both would put you over budget though.
Doing both would put you over budget though.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls tx
congrats!
I started with a similar setup on my 95(slp claw) The first thing i did was new rear end gears, i went with the 3.55's from ikerds(a supporting vendor) great results. I would get in on the group purchase of the stainless works headers that is going on now, a great looking product(i just installed them with a magnaflow mufflers and 3" pipe) those 2 items really made a big difference in mine. Those 2 items are an easy bolt in performance gain without tearing into the motor. Hope this helps!
I started with a similar setup on my 95(slp claw) The first thing i did was new rear end gears, i went with the 3.55's from ikerds(a supporting vendor) great results. I would get in on the group purchase of the stainless works headers that is going on now, a great looking product(i just installed them with a magnaflow mufflers and 3" pipe) those 2 items really made a big difference in mine. Those 2 items are an easy bolt in performance gain without tearing into the motor. Hope this helps!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Now answer the guy's question.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 50
From: Angier nc
First off find out what gear ratio you have.3.07 is good but a 3.45 is the most I would run with a stock auto.
A torque converter will give you the seat of the pants feel.
You could do muffler eliminators pretty cheap or do a magnaflow axle back for $320 or so.
1.6 roller rockers and new valve springs are a good upgrade.
A dyno tune may not be in order yet but a pcmsforless mail order tune is an idea.
Unfortunately $1000 doesent go far in the vette world.Drive it for a while like it is.Then do your mods one at a time to moniter your progress.
Let us know how it turns out.
A torque converter will give you the seat of the pants feel.
You could do muffler eliminators pretty cheap or do a magnaflow axle back for $320 or so.
1.6 roller rockers and new valve springs are a good upgrade.
A dyno tune may not be in order yet but a pcmsforless mail order tune is an idea.
Unfortunately $1000 doesent go far in the vette world.Drive it for a while like it is.Then do your mods one at a time to moniter your progress.
Let us know how it turns out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Toledo Ohio
I did gears (3.54) and a shift kit (Trans Go) for a 1k. That included all parts and labor. Big difference!
If your just looking for a little more rumble from your exhaust, do some muffler elims. Should run ya about $100 from a decent exhaust shop.
If your just looking for a little more rumble from your exhaust, do some muffler elims. Should run ya about $100 from a decent exhaust shop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
A lot depends on your mechanical abilities. If you can do it yourself, I would do the "Hot cam kit" (includes 1.6 roller rockers, cam and LT4 springs), headers and an X-pipe. Or skip the headers and put in a lower gear.
You probably should save up another $400.00 or so to get a dyno tune after you make any internal engine mods.
If you need the work done at a shop, go for the gears and the X-pipe or muffler eliminators.
You probably should save up another $400.00 or so to get a dyno tune after you make any internal engine mods.
If you need the work done at a shop, go for the gears and the X-pipe or muffler eliminators.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
Get ready to spend more than $1,000 because when you do one thing, then you are happy for awhile, then you get to wanting to do something else. etc.
Before long you will have a corvette you love and could never part with.
I already feel that way about mine and I could still spend another $10,000 on my corvette.
When I am done it will be worth almost $6,000.
Before long you will have a corvette you love and could never part with.
I already feel that way about mine and I could still spend another $10,000 on my corvette.
When I am done it will be worth almost $6,000.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 8
From: Sumter South Carolina
kind of a queston in a question. Everyone does muffler eliminators. Why not just cut the suckers off? is it just for looks or is there a performance difference. Cause cutting them cost $0 and then you can use that $100 toward something else. if you hate the look just keep the muffler in place and like shove a tip where you cut so it points exhaust down then you wont tell that anything is different. I guess there is something I'm missing.
great for LT1's
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Sumter South Carolina
Best two mods I've done so far are longtube headers, which I spent about $500 on and did the work myself (Hookers -$250, Jethot -$250) and my gears. The headers will solve two issues for you. First, if you don't need emissions you can get rid of the cats and then you'll have a louder car and second, you'll gain a lot of hp for the money. After a great tune from PCMforless and the headers, I took .4 of sec off the 1/4 mile. Also, gears aren't that expensive, but the install is where most of the money comes from. If you did the work yourself you would probably have money for the headers, gears and a tune from PCMforless.
If you're looking for someone else to do the work, be prepared for your $1000 to go out of your wallet very quickly. Look at people's signatures, read about which road you want to follow for your car, and try and pick an end result. Then once you have the end goal set, start buying parts as your budget allows. Don't do what some others have done in the past and just buy parts on a whim; you will only waste your money and not see big gains. I hope this helps.
If you're looking for someone else to do the work, be prepared for your $1000 to go out of your wallet very quickly. Look at people's signatures, read about which road you want to follow for your car, and try and pick an end result. Then once you have the end goal set, start buying parts as your budget allows. Don't do what some others have done in the past and just buy parts on a whim; you will only waste your money and not see big gains. I hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 297
Likes: 44
From: South East Michigan
Wow, thanks!
The gears definatly sounds like a great option. I did that on my previous car ('82 Olds Cutlass Supreme, had a hot rodded small block) I put in 4.11 gear posi and a 700R4 and wow it helped.
After doin other research I think I will go with the magnaflow axel back mufflers. However, they dont eliminate the resonator in the center, is that easy to do? Or is it not really worth it. It seems all I would need is two pipes to fit in there after I replace it.
I also would consider my self able to do most of my mods myself, so I do save $ there.
I will definitley keep you guys updated. Thanks again.
The gears definatly sounds like a great option. I did that on my previous car ('82 Olds Cutlass Supreme, had a hot rodded small block) I put in 4.11 gear posi and a 700R4 and wow it helped.
After doin other research I think I will go with the magnaflow axel back mufflers. However, they dont eliminate the resonator in the center, is that easy to do? Or is it not really worth it. It seems all I would need is two pipes to fit in there after I replace it.
I also would consider my self able to do most of my mods myself, so I do save $ there.
I will definitley keep you guys updated. Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Hey all,
Been learking hear for a while now, hardley ever post though. I've already searched, and I couldnt find what I am looking for so i'll get to the point.
I recently purchased my first Vette, a '96 Auto/LT1. Obviously one can never have enough horsepower, though 300 is still plenty. The car is all stock with exception of an SLP cold air intake, and an MSD blaster coil (both were on the vehicle when I purchased it). So, in the quest for more power I figured this would be the best place to go. For now I have about a $1000 budget that I am willing to work with. I was curious what you all felt was the best combo of parts I could do with that budget to achieve the best performance...
I am relativley open to all ideas with the exception of Nitrous. (just not into it.) I would like to include exahust into this, as it is extremley quiet stock.
Thanks much, any input or questions would be much apprecitaed.
Been learking hear for a while now, hardley ever post though. I've already searched, and I couldnt find what I am looking for so i'll get to the point.
I recently purchased my first Vette, a '96 Auto/LT1. Obviously one can never have enough horsepower, though 300 is still plenty. The car is all stock with exception of an SLP cold air intake, and an MSD blaster coil (both were on the vehicle when I purchased it). So, in the quest for more power I figured this would be the best place to go. For now I have about a $1000 budget that I am willing to work with. I was curious what you all felt was the best combo of parts I could do with that budget to achieve the best performance...
I am relativley open to all ideas with the exception of Nitrous. (just not into it.) I would like to include exahust into this, as it is extremley quiet stock.
Thanks much, any input or questions would be much apprecitaed.
There is always nitrous though...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 934
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland OH
Your question mentioned "performance", not just "power". Think about the suspension. For about $1000, you could upgrade the springs, shocks, front sway bar, and bushings. I did that to my 94 and the difference is night and day. I couldn't be happier.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: PA NJ
1. Long tube Headers (cat back is just noise, I personally like my quiet stock cat back)
2. Cam
3. Head swap
Extreme:
Stroker 383, 396+
Super Charger!!!
Gears are great too, but an auto with numerically higher gears might be slightly more of a fuel burner. I have a ZF, so not much info i can give in regards to that.
Also, other than what is listed above, will add virtually no power. For a street cruiser the stock ignition systems are good.
The best bang for the buck: cam
2. Cam
3. Head swap
Extreme:
Stroker 383, 396+
Super Charger!!!
Gears are great too, but an auto with numerically higher gears might be slightly more of a fuel burner. I have a ZF, so not much info i can give in regards to that.
Also, other than what is listed above, will add virtually no power. For a street cruiser the stock ignition systems are good.
The best bang for the buck: cam
Last edited by MyFatNutz; Jan 24, 2008 at 10:08 AM. Reason: additions
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
Funny how we forget about that.
If you are going to be running on a road course, you will see the most gains in suspension mods first.
If you are going to be driving you corvette as a sports car, suspension first.........
I do, and I didn't.
Looks like I have even more to spend than I thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Also, how about a C5 brake upgrade. My stock 12" shuttered after the 3rd run down the 1/4 mi. At least hi-performance pads and braided lines. 