How to spend $3K??
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
How to spend $3K??
Ok, I have a 2000 A4 with 3.15 gears, Corsa Pace Car Exhausts and a K&N Filter. I have about $3G to spend....how would you recommend I proceed and in what order??
- Headers
- Cam
- Gears/Converter
- New CAI intake
- Manifold
- Tune (obviously)
- etc??
- Headers
- Cam
- Gears/Converter
- New CAI intake
- Manifold
- Tune (obviously)
- etc??
Last edited by WildTurkey; Jan 22, 2008 at 12:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
What are your goals? Are you looking for a beefy bottom end or peak HP.
If it were me:
- Stainless Works headers w/ performance curve high flow cats ($800 installed)
- Cam (consult your tuner for specs) w/ upgraded valvetrain & tune. should be in the neighborhood of about $2000 installed for all the goodies.
- (If you have $150 left over, get a shaner ported throttle body)
If it were me:
- Stainless Works headers w/ performance curve high flow cats ($800 installed)
- Cam (consult your tuner for specs) w/ upgraded valvetrain & tune. should be in the neighborhood of about $2000 installed for all the goodies.
- (If you have $150 left over, get a shaner ported throttle body)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
What are your goals? Are you looking for a beefy bottom end or peak HP.
If it were me:
- Stainless Works headers w/ performance curve high flow cats ($800 installed)
- Cam (consult your tuner for specs) w/ upgraded valvetrain & tune. should be in the neighborhood of about $2000 installed for all the goodies.
- (If you have $150 left over, get a shaner ported throttle body)
If it were me:
- Stainless Works headers w/ performance curve high flow cats ($800 installed)
- Cam (consult your tuner for specs) w/ upgraded valvetrain & tune. should be in the neighborhood of about $2000 installed for all the goodies.
- (If you have $150 left over, get a shaner ported throttle body)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Thanks for the reply RadioFlyer.....I'm not sure my goals are REAL clear right now. I dont plan to track the car, so its more of a hobby (this is not my DD). I'm into visual and performance gains. I'm really looking for something that will sound BAD *** at idle and throw my hard into my seat when I want it to...and look great doing it! I'll look into your suggestions - thanks
then you want headers and a cam
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
What are your goals? Are you looking for a beefy bottom end or peak HP.
If it were me:
- Stainless Works headers w/ performance curve high flow cats ($800 installed)
- Cam (consult your tuner for specs) w/ upgraded valvetrain & tune. should be in the neighborhood of about $2000 installed for all the goodies.
- (If you have $150 left over, get a shaner ported throttle body)
If it were me:
- Stainless Works headers w/ performance curve high flow cats ($800 installed)
- Cam (consult your tuner for specs) w/ upgraded valvetrain & tune. should be in the neighborhood of about $2000 installed for all the goodies.
- (If you have $150 left over, get a shaner ported throttle body)
Err, I think you left off a g-note on the headers there RadioFlyer. Please tell me I'm wrong and where I can get Stainless Works headers installed for $800.
Cam is a good option, many are running installed specials for 2k installed and tuned. Your not going to get all the cam can offer though without headers. The cheapest set of headers are pacesetters, you can get them coated, and a catted x for about 1K, plus install. Take out the cats and it's much cheaper.
I've been quoted about 2700 for 3.42 Z06 diff and 3200 stall installed. Since you already have 3.15's, you may save a few hundred and go to 3.73's in your existing carrier. That leaves you room for a Vararam and tune.
Good luck in your decision.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
The headers originally had fitting issues but since several forum members aided in the re-design of them we all get a nifty discount.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
I would find a Used Maggie in the PART FOR SALE section. and be done with it... Only downside is you will need a new hood also.
Last edited by ROJO99; Jan 22, 2008 at 11:50 AM. Reason: Added info
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
negative. The headers themselves are ~$320 (depending on shipping destination) here on the forum (pm "tstar" for details) The Cats from performance curve I got were $80 shipped for 2 3"metal matrix w/o O2 bungs. Installation was the most expensive part: $400 for installation including welding of the AIR fitting.
The headers originally had fitting issues but since several forum members aided in the re-design of them we all get a nifty discount.
The headers originally had fitting issues but since several forum members aided in the re-design of them we all get a nifty discount.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
Most shops will tell you Headers, Gears and a custom air intake, like a Vararam would be the first thing.
It sounds funny to say this, but $3000.00 is about the minimum for mods now days, for a vette anyway.
For the $3000.00 or just a bit over, you should be able to get the following:
Headers: $800.00 to $1000.00 - used probably
Vararam - $300.00
Gears: 3.42's - $550.00 to $850.00 - used
Dyno Tune: $400.00 to $500.00
Labor: $500.00 to $600.00 - probably too low.
Anyways, good luck as it never ends.
I'm over $5500.00 and counting
It sounds funny to say this, but $3000.00 is about the minimum for mods now days, for a vette anyway.
For the $3000.00 or just a bit over, you should be able to get the following:
Headers: $800.00 to $1000.00 - used probably
Vararam - $300.00
Gears: 3.42's - $550.00 to $850.00 - used
Dyno Tune: $400.00 to $500.00
Labor: $500.00 to $600.00 - probably too low.
Anyways, good luck as it never ends.
I'm over $5500.00 and counting
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Do it yourself if you have another car while you work. The job is NOT that difficult as long as you're careful.
Everything after heads/cam is simple (except for the tune!).
I did my h/c swap myself. The rest of the car was 100% bonestock (didn't have Ti exhaust at the time), and I gained 60whp after tune. I mean, 100% stock except for no airlid (ziptie mod during tune). I still had MAF screen, original plugs & wires (68k miles) and coolant flowing through the throttle body. No porting of intake manifold, throttle body or anything. Cost? $2000 for heads, $400 for cam, $100 for gaskets, $250 for ARP studs and $180 for new timing.... that runs ~$3000
Tune was around $500.... BUT, the car ran fine without the tune.... just too rich. What does this mean? You can drive it until you can get it tuned.
If I can do it, anyone can.
Now, I am on a mission to hit 400whp without going to headers or CAI. lol..... wish me luck
- Colby
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I wish i had the tools/time/skills. Install costs more than the cam alot of the time.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 13
From: Akron Ohio
Installing a cam in an LS-1 is the easiest cam swap Ive ever done. I bought my cam kit for 700ish and the labor would have been 1200 bucks. Did it myself and bought a stall converter. On the LS-1 you dont even need to take the intake off. You older guys remember the old small blocks huh? Tell me you never got the distributor 180 off..... Do it all yourself!