L98 poor mans build?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
My family car is a 2004 PT Cruiser Turbo. Bone stock it was rated at 180HP. For less than a grand I added a Stage I chip upgrade, Borla exhaust and external blowoff valve. With the upgrades it puts out around 235HP. A completely stock GT Turbo model Cruiser puts out 220HP.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
The Cruiser just reminds me of a 47 Ford I owned 46 years ago (equally ugly to some):
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 1
From: Nesquehoning PA
If your ultimate goal is to have a 383, decide how realistic that is. If it is something you are actually going to act upon, then try thinking about this:
1. save your money for that. If your L98 is solid right now, baby it and if you HAVE to do any mods, do the free ones...ALL of them, it will satisfy your need to tinker and still net you some results.
2. If you HAVE to spend some money, research your ultimate goal and spend money ONLY on the things that will make that work better. ie Exhaust, Gears(rear change) removing weight, brake upgrades, then you won't be pissing money into an engine that you won't be using anyway.
3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Decide EXACTLY what you expect of the car and figure out what it will take to make it happen. The internet is a great tool, so is going to car meets, races, and talking to the gearheads you work with. Take everything with a grain of salt.
4. READ! Everything you can get your hands on. The textbooks are the best resources and they are available at huge discounts when you buy them at the used and out of print sections at Borders.com or Barnesandnoble.com! Get the ones about blueprinting, building horsepower, heads, cams, etc. or whatever you feel applies to your project. There you will learn what needs to be done, the proper procedures, the proper equipment required, and the things you can do yourself to save boatloads of money.
5. Make sure you find a competent Machine shop/engine builder whatever route you are taking. Don't go local just because it is convenient.
Good luck with your project.
1. save your money for that. If your L98 is solid right now, baby it and if you HAVE to do any mods, do the free ones...ALL of them, it will satisfy your need to tinker and still net you some results.
2. If you HAVE to spend some money, research your ultimate goal and spend money ONLY on the things that will make that work better. ie Exhaust, Gears(rear change) removing weight, brake upgrades, then you won't be pissing money into an engine that you won't be using anyway.
3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Decide EXACTLY what you expect of the car and figure out what it will take to make it happen. The internet is a great tool, so is going to car meets, races, and talking to the gearheads you work with. Take everything with a grain of salt.
4. READ! Everything you can get your hands on. The textbooks are the best resources and they are available at huge discounts when you buy them at the used and out of print sections at Borders.com or Barnesandnoble.com! Get the ones about blueprinting, building horsepower, heads, cams, etc. or whatever you feel applies to your project. There you will learn what needs to be done, the proper procedures, the proper equipment required, and the things you can do yourself to save boatloads of money.
5. Make sure you find a competent Machine shop/engine builder whatever route you are taking. Don't go local just because it is convenient.
Good luck with your project.
