as the name implies, i had a 1990 3.1 firebird, but two weekends ago some lady pulled out in front of me and i t-boned her @ 60 mph. anyway, i just bought a 90 5.0 covertible camaro and i love it...my question is, from my job i get about 300 dollars every two weeks, what are some mods(besides headers, got some from a friend) that i could easily do in a day or two, i cant have this car up on jacks all week, need it for college and work. any help with any of these mods would be greatly appreciated

 

14x3 open element (K&N or paper filter) (20-80)
www.tbichips.com Stage 1 chip (30)
1/2" tbi spacer (30)
1/4" injector spacer (15)
8+mm wires (30-70), MSD cap & rotor (20), Blaster GM coil (35)
bump timing to 4* advance (FREE)
ultimate tbi mods and adjustable fuel pressure regulator (do search)

these are the cheapest mods you can do to our cars, probably wont gain a whole lot of power from each individual mod above, but when used together they should give you a noticeable gain. I personally would do the open element, ultimate tbi mods, bump the timing, and save up for headers and 3" cat back exhaust.

 

how do i advance the timing of the engine? and could you give me some links for those mods you listed? i know the f-body really well, the only problem is that i know the 3.1 f-body really well, dont know dick about the 5.0, but i really want an awesome car. thanks alot guys

 

go to the tech articles to find info on the ultimate tbi mods, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, how to install an open element, and adjusting timing. www.turbocity.com has TBI and injector spacers. Also, this has been asked a bunch of times, just do a search on the tbi boards.

 

Open element makes more noise, questionable power gain. Look for the DIY dual snorkle article on the tech pages and do whatever you can to make a good cold air intake, especially if you can use the truck air cleaner lid and therefore use a taller stock filter inside the air cleaner (larger surface area, less drag on the airflow). The so-called ultimate mods are probably worth doing because they're free (other than DIY work), but don't expect much because they only help if you are near to maxing out the flow of the stock TBI anyway (which you aren't).

Skip all the other stuff (except timing, which is free) above and go straight to exhaust mods, specifically an aftermarket Ypipe and a low restriction muffler. Spend yourt money on the exhaust FIRST. Once you modded the intake and exhaust, then you will want to do the FPR mod (again, see tech pages) because then, and only then, will you need the extra fuel to match the extra air the engine can flow. Cold air intake, exhaust, and timing are proven mods. The rest of it isn't proven... other than giving your car a good tune up. And with so little modded, you really don't need a chip -- yet.

If you do the intake/exhaust/FPR/timing mods, and you have money burning a hole in your pocket -- then you can always do the other stuff listed above. But IMO none of it will make any extra power unless you needed a tuneup in the first place. My $0.02, your money.