Couple of quick questions, got a little bit to spend and wanted some advice.

[97SStock]

I gave myself a $500 dollar budget to spend on the car and after the shifter and knob I'm left with about $150 bucks.

Here's what I'm thinking:
SLP air foil
SLP 160* thermostat.


I know it's not much to deal with, but I'd like to keep it around $150, possibly $200 if guys get something that'll give me a good SOTP feel. After $7,000 on the car, I pretty much drained the "fun" account.:(

Thanks in advance guys!

[gregpenechar]

IMO the airfoil is a huge waste of money. I'm pretty sure there is a negligible CFM difference with it installed. You'll need a re-tune with the 160* T-stat to keep your car from over-fueling. Im sure you can get some suspension stuff for $150, unless you have done it all.

[popo8]

get a good mail order tune....

later in life re tunes are discounted if u go to the same place (usually)


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[NuckinFutz93]

I say toss the 150 in the bank, save up another 200 and get you a set of long tube headers.

[Badbird_96]

I say toss the 150 in the bank, save up another 200 and get you a set of long tube headers.

X2

[Jayz28]

Tune!

[Ninja Mihail]

I say toss the 150 in the bank, save up another 200 and get you a set of long tube headers.
I WILL HAVE TO SAY THAT HEADERS ARE THE FIRST UP GRADE YOU SHOULD DO AND THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK FOR THE MONEY

[Mystery Bird]

Get a vibrating massage seat cusion. That will give you good SOTP feel.

[FormulaJoe]

Save it for sure and get a nice set of LT's.

[97SStock]

I agree on the long tubes, I may do that. Will I see any gain with a mail order tune with a pretty much stock setup?(cat-back) and when I do get my long tubes will I have to send it back and get a re-tune every time I change anything?

[NuckinFutz93]

I agree on the long tubes, I may do that. Will I see any gain with a mail order tune with a pretty much stock setup?(cat-back) and when I do get my long tubes will I have to send it back and get a re-tune every time I change anything?


IMO, I wouldn't waste the money on a tune till you have your long tubes.

[Badbird_96]

IMO, I wouldn't waste the money on a tune till you have your long tubes.

You wont see any difference with a base tune on a stock car. Unless your wanting to change stuff like the speed limiter etc then i would order a cable and do that myself but any real tuning i would leave to a professional and only when its needed like after a cam or headers etc

[Tbird232ci]

How about a tune up? Oil change? Trans and/or rear fluid?

Those are more of investments than mods, but they can get it running cleaner and more fun.

[popo8]

I agree on the long tubes, I may do that. Will I see any gain with a mail order tune with a pretty much stock setup?(cat-back) and when I do get my long tubes will I have to send it back and get a re-tune every time I change anything?

prob not much of a change on a stock set up..but yes as ur mods grow u will have to keep re sending it back. however as i stated above mosf tuners have a very discounted rate for "re" tunes.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Bersaglieri]

I did used longtubes and Summit Xpipe kit for under $500 on my budget car. That would be my move. I'd tune after the majority of bolt on's are done for best results.

PS I've got a used B&M shifter for sale that might save you money if you're set on that route. [With a skinned stock shift knob it works great]. I've also got some other used bolt on's [airfoil/cold air/etc] that would save you tons on buying new. Let me know, but contrary to me selling stuff I highly recommend:

Hooker/Pacesetter/Summit longtubes
ARP 400-1112 bolts
Summit/Jegs Xpipe kit [3" or 2.5"]
Summit $20 bullet mufflers
A friend who can cut and weld pipe.

That Flowmaster is junk.

[MeanTA]

exhaust is a good bang for buck upgrade along with a tune.

Some may not agree with me but.... don't use Hooker headers if you ever plan to lower your car. I cut the flanges off mine. So i could get more ground Clarence. And it still wasnt great. And the ceramic came off fast.

[Badbird_96]

Personally never ran hooker but isnt it the one with the 2 piece drivers side header? I know ive seen one like that and its junk.

[MeanTA]

Personally never ran hooker but isnt it the one with the 2 piece drivers side header? I know ive seen one like that and its junk.

Yes it is. They are over priced crap. I picked them up cheap from a guy never installed. And the ceramic coating started coming off in 2 months plus fit was far from great.

I have the hooker cat-back. And i love it so i figured i would give there headers a try.... Live and learn i guess lol

[Badbird_96]

Yeah a friend had those. I got the lpp stainless knockoffs. Loved em but cant find them anymore.

[MeanTA]

Yeah a friend had those. I got the lpp stainless knockoffs. Loved em but cant find them anymore.

I was waiting on lpp to Make more. But they haven't came through. I had to bite the bullet. And get Kooks a couple months ago.

[Badbird_96]

Yeah seems like it was a rouge. I was waiting also but luckily i didnt buy any lol

[Bersaglieri]

Hooker's aren't that bad, I wouldn't call them crap. The only time I've have problems with coating is if they see winter months up north.. Otherwise the coating has lasted me many years on multiple cars and I've always bought mine used. Everything has it's pros and cons.

[MeanTA]

Hooker's aren't that bad, I wouldn't call them crap. The only time I've have problems with coating is if they see winter months up north.. Otherwise the coating has lasted me many years on multiple cars and I've always bought mine used. Everything has it's pros and cons.

Mine was rusted in a year. and i live in Kansas.

[NuckinFutz93]

I like the OBX stainless headers, I am going to try them real soon, plus at 350.00 for LT stainless isn't bad price. Chris has a set and posted pics, the construction and welds look great. They are Kooks knock offs.

[MeanTA]

I like the OBX stainless headers, I am going to try them real soon, plus at 350.00 for LT stainless isn't bad price. Chris has a set and posted pics, the construction and welds look great. They are Kooks knock offs.

Ya people seem to like the obx headers. I just didnt want to deal with the 3.5 collector.

[NuckinFutz93]

Ya people seem to like the obx headers. I just didnt want to deal with the 3.5 collector.

The ones I found for the Vette are 3" collectors

[97SStock]

Well it looks like my mod money will be eaten up in replacement parts.

Broken part #1-throttle cable, I was out making some videos of 0-60 launches, and 40-100mph pulls in "Mexico", and I went to shift the 3-4 and the rpms drop to an idle. Boo.

Broken part #2- About every 10th shift(normal driving) my clutch gets soft and I have to pump it, I've tried bleeding it to no avail, new master cylinder it is.

Broken part #3- My diff cover is leaking a good amount, not really "broken" per say, but in need of replacement.


I know you've got to pay to play, but this is getting annoying, every time I start the thing I need to fix/replace something on it. :(

[Badbird_96]

Bad part of owning a 16 year old car.

[MeanTA]

Well it looks like my mod money will be eaten up in replacement parts.

Broken part #1-throttle cable, I was out making some videos of 0-60 launches, and 40-100mph pulls in "Mexico", and I went to shift the 3-4 and the rpms drop to an idle. Boo.

Broken part #2- About every 10th shift(normal driving) my clutch gets soft and I have to pump it, I've tried bleeding it to no avail, new master cylinder it is.

Broken part #3- My diff cover is leaking a good amount, not really "broken" per say, but in need of replacement.


I know you've got to pay to play, but this is getting annoying, every time I start the thing I need to fix/replace something on it. :(

sucks man!

But welcome to the performance world. If you not breaking it. Your not driving it. lol

[popo8]

Bad part of owning a 16 year old car.

thats not the only thing... u beat on any car and shyt is gonna break.

Your right OP...u do have to pay to play..and when u breaknshyt...replace it better than it was.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[97SStock]

I know that in the performance world things break when you run them hard, not trying to start anything here, but I beat the snot out of my 94 Cobra with a 331 with spray and only thing I ever broke was the transmission, and my 04 Cobra I broke a couple half-shafts, but that was it. I absolutely love this car, but maybe it's because it's been sitting for a while, I'm nowhere near giving up yet, just a little frustrated is all.

[Badbird_96]

Yeah if its been sitting you will definetely have issues. Btw you arent starting anything ive owned a couple stangs myself and an assortment of other cars. But the cars ive had the most fun in where my 4th gens

[97SStock]

Yeah I figured it would need a couple things, I don't beat on it every time I drive it, but it seems like I every time I do something breaks. Like Larry said I'll just replace it with better stuff and hope for the best.

[popo8]

..... Like Larry said I'll just replace it with better stuff and hope for the best.

:cheers:

[97SStock]

Yeah I figured it would need a couple things, I don't beat on it every time I drive it, but it seems like I every time I do something breaks. Like Larry said I'll just replace it with better stuff and hope for the best.

[PWR SHFT]

Throttle body coolant bypass is a cheap (free if you have stuff laying around like I did) upgrade.