L-98 Performance

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Jul 19, 2008 | 11:12 PM

BlueDemon88

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

L-98 Performance

Hey guys I was wanting to increase the performance of my 1988 L-98 but not burn a hole in my wallet any suggestions would be great.

Jul 19, 2008 | 11:40 PM

teufelhund

Racer

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 281

Likes: 0

From: Urbana OH

The standard upgrades. Just do a search but a few are:

1.6RR or RT rockers - $75-$200
Headers
Exhaust - Got mine custom duals no cats with an H pipe for $120
PCMforLess chip
Pullies
More expensive but WELL worth it is if you don't have the 3.07 rear end "GET ONE" more seat of the pants feel than anything.

Just do some searches there is plenty to do just depends on your wallet size.

I have all the above except the headers and pullies and I am running fine and getting 30MPG with a car that has 289K miles on it. No lie will take a pic of the odometer to verify if I need to

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

Jul 20, 2008 | 02:30 AM

schrade

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 3,816

Likes: 0

From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O

Pull the intake, and clean the plenum, the runners, the the intake. I guarantee you have leaks, and that leads to more carbon buildup coming back to the intake through the EGR, and the PCV is contributing it's share too.

Mods outta' theass won't do much for a dirty burn.

Jul 20, 2008 | 10:05 AM

dan0617

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 936

Likes: 2

From: Tyrone PA

First and foremost, considering it is all tuned up and running well, is the exhaust. LT headers, dual midpipes with no cats or high performance cats, then a catback from an LT1 car. Roller rockers for the engine. Don't go into the engine any farther yet unless you have a decent amount of money to spend. Make sure you have the 3.07 rear, if not, buy a used one and swap it in. Consider a B+M shift improver kit. You really don't need a tune at this point, will only give you a few ponies. If you really are ready to step up the power for low cost, buy a Zex nitrous kit.

Jul 20, 2008 | 10:44 AM

vader86

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 62,126

Likes: 1,727

From: Athens AL

C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021

C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019

read my website, click my name

Jul 20, 2008 | 11:55 AM

widebodyzr-1

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 113

Likes: 0

From: Pueblo CO

i rememeber when i was working with a stock l98 a cam upgrade gave the best kick for the dollar.

Jul 20, 2008 | 12:46 PM

65Z01

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 90,675

Likes: 304

From: SE NY

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Hey guys I was wanting to increase the performance of my 1988 L-98 but not burn a hole in my wallet any suggestions would be great.

Try some of the popular "free mods":
-K&N filter w/ cut lid
-160deg T-stat & fan switch
-toss the "frisbee" from the WP pulley
-cut back stock style AC Delco spark plugs
-lose the spare & jack hardware

If you can spend some $$ do the exhaust:
-true duals w/ FL headers, hi-flow cats and hi-flow mufflers is most effective; 2 1/2" pipes is adequate under 400chp
-for stock style exhaust:
--mandrel-bent 2 1/2" front Y, hi-flow cat, hi-flow cat-back

To enhance performance go further down the drive train:
-2,400rpm stall TC
-TransGo shift kit

Jul 20, 2008 | 03:10 PM

staugur

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,339

Likes: 2

From: port charlotte fl

Don't waste $250 on a custom chip.It won't help a stock car. A 160 stat just means your heater won't be as efficient come winter.Quite honestly there's not a lot you can do to improve things without spending some bucks.Gears would help but you're looking at big labour costs.For the same cost as a new rear you could go headers and custom exhaust which is probably the biggest bang for the buck.There just are not any bolt ons that work except for nitrous which makes no sense to me on a road car.Just make sure everything you have is 100% and remember whatever you spend is gone forever and you won't see it back.It might make more sense to save for a later model and leave yours well alone.