Mod Confusion
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 130
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From: Atlanta GA
Mod Confusion
I realize I'm opening a large can of worms with these Q's, but after hanging out at this forum for a few weeks, I've become totally confused. On a small budget, and wanting limited gains (mostly street), what are the first mods to do? I live in Atlanta, so I HAVE to stay street legal, but would like to snap heads just a little. I have an '88 Z-52 with the Nash 4 + 3, all totally stock. I am definately going with the K&N air filter system, and modifying the MAF, all the freebies, but what next? Exhaust seems logical, but which one (I like a little rumble, but not overboard)? I have also heard good and bad things about the Streetrunner chips. Do or don't? I really was not planning to go into the engine, so no cams or rollers for me, but a rear end change isn't out of the question. If so, which one?......btw, just turned over 63K orig. on Sunday, a beautiful day here in the south. Thanks in advance for input.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Re: Mod Confusion (Metamando)
A Cat-back system is always a good easy way to start off. Headers will usually give a nice boost too, but having no precats could cause a failure for emissions. One of the biggest problems with L98 is the intake. Changing over to a superram or miniram really seems to help out. This will also help with more powerful upgrades later on down the road. With the 4+3 I don't think yoiu have to think too much about gears (not sure what the z52 has stock) unless your really dialing in a drag car, but a lot of people like to go that way.
Be careful power is addictive.
[Modified by C4-Wolf, 4:43 PM 3/8/2004]
Be careful power is addictive.
[Modified by C4-Wolf, 4:43 PM 3/8/2004]
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
Re: Mod Confusion (Metamando)
Dont buy any chips.
Dont buy any of the junk in the Ecklers or MidAmerica mags that says it gives 20hp.
Buy a catback and headers. Hooker 2149s and whatever catback you like. I like the Power Effects, but they are currently backordered.
Borla, B&B, Flowmaster, all are good, but they do have resonance.
No gears needed for the 88, TPI doesnt need them.
Dont buy any of the junk in the Ecklers or MidAmerica mags that says it gives 20hp.
Buy a catback and headers. Hooker 2149s and whatever catback you like. I like the Power Effects, but they are currently backordered.
Borla, B&B, Flowmaster, all are good, but they do have resonance.
No gears needed for the 88, TPI doesnt need them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Re: Mod Confusion (Metamando)
I realize I'm opening a large can of worms with these Q's, but after hanging out at this forum for a few weeks, I've become totally confused. On a small budget, and wanting limited gains (mostly street), what are the first mods to do? I live in Atlanta, so I HAVE to stay street legal, but would like to snap heads just a little. I have an '88 Z-52 with the Nash 4 + 3, all totally stock. I am definately going with the K&N air filter system, and modifying the MAF, all the freebies, but what next? Exhaust seems logical, but which one (I like a little rumble, but not overboard)? I have also heard good and bad things about the Streetrunner chips. Do or don't? I really was not planning to go into the engine, so no cams or rollers for me, but a rear end change isn't out of the question. If so, which one?......btw, just turned over 63K orig. on Sunday, a beautiful day here in the south. Thanks in advance for input.
I'll only comment on the things I've put on my car, since I haven't got experience with others yet, and have no room to talk... Flowmaster's are a cheap way out for exhaust, but the resonance will drive you :crazy: , unless you mount your tailpipes out past your rear bumper(which I've heard helps).
Good luck :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 0
From: 1,000,000,001 Posts
Re: Mod Confusion (vader86)
Dont buy any chips.
Dont buy any of the junk in the Ecklers or MidAmerica mags that says it gives 20hp.
Buy a catback and headers. Hooker 2149s and whatever catback you like. I like the Power Effects, but they are currently backordered.
Borla, B&B, Flowmaster, all are good, but they do have resonance.
No gears needed for the 88, TPI doesnt need them.
Dont buy any of the junk in the Ecklers or MidAmerica mags that says it gives 20hp.
Buy a catback and headers. Hooker 2149s and whatever catback you like. I like the Power Effects, but they are currently backordered.
Borla, B&B, Flowmaster, all are good, but they do have resonance.
No gears needed for the 88, TPI doesnt need them.
Vader,,,, what kind of junk do these magazines sell :confused:
Have you personally tested all of this junk???? Are they all proven not to give 20 hp on every set up out there... you say no gears that a TPI doesnt need them,,,, a buddy of my swapped out his 3.07's for 3.54's and dropped .6 off his 1/4 mile time,,, i would think that is a hell of a mod,,, and besides headers and cat back i would say 99% of the people on here would say it would be the next best mod...
Try not being so negative about mods you havent tested personally :leaving:
And I have also seen you have a chip in your car
[Modified by 1990CORVETTE, 6:15 PM 3/8/2004] :confused:
[Modified by 1990CORVETTE, 6:22 PM 3/8/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Re: Mod Confusion (vader86)
I like the Power Effects, but they are currently backordered.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 445
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Mod Confusion (1990CORVETTE)
Has anyone actually documented gains from the retail performance chips made by Jet, Hypertech, etc?
It seems like an obvious first place to go for someone who is just starting to play around with their Vette. However, I've seen plenty cases where the car actually dynoed LESS horsepower with the chip in than without. Maybe the people just aren't posting the dyno slips with the gains?
It seems like an obvious first place to go for someone who is just starting to play around with their Vette. However, I've seen plenty cases where the car actually dynoed LESS horsepower with the chip in than without. Maybe the people just aren't posting the dyno slips with the gains?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Re: Mod Confusion (Metamando)
Sorry guys, I really didn't want to start a war here; just please post your opinions and let everyone else have theirs..........thx, MM
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
Re: Mod Confusion (Jbaker)
I like the Power Effects, but they are currently backordered.
Corsa's are not backordered. MAD & ZIP both have them in stock, ready to ship. I got mine within 4 days of ordering. Prices have risen a bit, but they are readily available. :yesnod:
Corsa's are not backordered. MAD & ZIP both have them in stock, ready to ship. I got mine within 4 days of ordering. Prices have risen a bit, but they are readily available. :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Mod Confusion (vader86)
There seems to be a bunch of disagreement on here as to what's best and where to start.
The 2149 Hooker headers are smog hook up, long tube headers. If you can sacrifice the pre-cats, that is a good ploy, BUT, with your projected future modifications, you would be much better off with headers that have 1 5/8th" primary tubes. Hooker only makes headers for the C4 that have 1 3/4" primaries.
I bought a HyperTech, ThermoMaster chip and a 160* thermostat as recommended for the chip. It slowed my car down. Not a lot, but why pay for something that doesn't speed you up? I sent it back.
*I* think gears will provide an improvement. What ratio you pick depends on what you want out of your car. The overdrive ratio in your particular comes into play, also. With the 0.67 OD, I would think 3.54s would be a good choice. With the 0.59, OD, I'd be looking at the 3.73 gears. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
Buy a catback and headers. Hooker 2149s and whatever catback you like.
I bought a HyperTech, ThermoMaster chip and a 160* thermostat as recommended for the chip. It slowed my car down. Not a lot, but why pay for something that doesn't speed you up? I sent it back.
*I* think gears will provide an improvement. What ratio you pick depends on what you want out of your car. The overdrive ratio in your particular comes into play, also. With the 0.67 OD, I would think 3.54s would be a good choice. With the 0.59, OD, I'd be looking at the 3.73 gears. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
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
Re: Mod Confusion (1990CORVETTE)
Vader,,,, what kind of junk do these magazines sell :confused:
Have you personally tested all of this junk???? Are they all proven not to give 20 hp on every set up out there... you say no gears that a TPI doesnt need them,,,, a buddy of my swapped out his 3.07's for 3.54's and dropped .6 off his 1/4 mile time,,, i would think that is a hell of a mod,,, and besides headers and cat back i would say 99% of the people on here would say it would be the next best mod...
Try not being so negative about mods you havent tested personally :leaving:
And I have also seen you have a chip in your car
My mod list is not updated, its pointless to look at it. I choose not to list them anymore.
The reason I call them junk is because NO ONE has shown the HP increases these mods advertise, NO ONE.
airfoil=crap
TB flow booster=crap
just off the top of my head
90% of the people here will NOT say that gears on the L98 is helpful, they'll say its helpful for LT1s. If your friend chopped .6 off and L98 time, he did something else, or he just learned how to drive compared to a previously crappy time. LT1, .5-.6 is normal.
[Modified by vader86, 7:25 PM 3/8/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Mod Confusion (vader86)
90% of the people here will NOT say that gears on the L98 is helpful,
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Mod Confusion (Metamando)
OK, try these mods:
-160deg stat & matching aux fan switch
-AFPR to tune fuel at WOT to more air flow
(do the above instead of a chip)
-toss the "fribee" from your water pump pulley
-reset the TPS to .65 Vdc at bse idle (450RPM)
-advance base timing till just before knock retard
-port the plenum and siamese the intake base
-install FL coated FL headers, hi-flow 3-stage cat and cat-back
-cut back the spark plug ground electrodes; here a HyperTech coil/cap/rotor with performance wires would be a good idea too. Then you can gap the plugs to .045"
-install a K&N air filter with cut lid or a SLP ram/cold air package
-install March Power & Amp series underdrive crank & overdrive alt pulleys
These mods will give you noticible bottom end torque gain and pull well into the 5k RPM range.
BTW, you will likely need a 3-wire heated O2 sensor with FL headers; with these changes you will easily pass the smog sniffer though possibly not a visual inspection under the hood. With similar mods my '88 esaily passes the OH dyno smog test in the middle of winter.
[Modified by 65Z01, 8:08 PM 3/8/2004]
-160deg stat & matching aux fan switch
-AFPR to tune fuel at WOT to more air flow
(do the above instead of a chip)
-toss the "fribee" from your water pump pulley
-reset the TPS to .65 Vdc at bse idle (450RPM)
-advance base timing till just before knock retard
-port the plenum and siamese the intake base
-install FL coated FL headers, hi-flow 3-stage cat and cat-back
-cut back the spark plug ground electrodes; here a HyperTech coil/cap/rotor with performance wires would be a good idea too. Then you can gap the plugs to .045"
-install a K&N air filter with cut lid or a SLP ram/cold air package
-install March Power & Amp series underdrive crank & overdrive alt pulleys
These mods will give you noticible bottom end torque gain and pull well into the 5k RPM range.
BTW, you will likely need a 3-wire heated O2 sensor with FL headers; with these changes you will easily pass the smog sniffer though possibly not a visual inspection under the hood. With similar mods my '88 esaily passes the OH dyno smog test in the middle of winter.
[Modified by 65Z01, 8:08 PM 3/8/2004]