Lets get straight to the point, i dont know jack about the TBI, i budgeted 350 bucks to spend on the stocker, i dont necessarily need a crap load of power, (thats what the other camaro is for) Maybe a little more than stock to move my vert around.

The rules:

-You cant sacrifice driviablity (this is a bi weekly driver)
-Has to stay emmissions legal
-Would rather not do headers PITA install (but will for good gain)
-Exhaust is perf/street from the cat, back
-Cannot interfere with stock ECU ect.

Well what do you think what could you make with 350 bucks, not much i know but lets hear your ideas

 

Any mod you do will effect the chip really. Just like any speed density system you will have to change the chip if you add more air in/out of the motor. But simple mods don't really thorw off the tune that bad. I geuss I would have to just get a cat back and open element. $350 is not enough for emissions headers (yes I know there are ones for 350 but you will pay at least 50 on top of that) unless they are used. Nitrous wouldn't be a bad choice. You can also get into chip burning with that amount of money.

So here are some areas where you could drop $350 in a heartbeat.

Gears + Posi
Suspension stuff
Open element + cat-back
new tires
Chip burning stuff

 

Headers are a definate plus. Id spend the money there. If you want a realatively easy install go with edelbrock TES headers with a 3" y-pipe. Of course this requires you to get another cat and cat back but the performance gains are worth it. But, that exceeds your budget if im not mistaken.

If not id hold off on headers untill you ahve money for a full 3" exaust. Getting anything meant for use with the tbi/lg4 carb systems is just maintaining the restrictions.

Gears and posi are good for the 'seat of the pants' improvement. Youll have to hunt around to get all the parts you need without busting your budget, though.

If you didnt have to stay emmisions legal by running a cat, possibly the biggest improvement out of the cheap mods would be the prom burning equipment. You could dial in the timing and change the commanded WOT afrs to something more performance oriented.

 

So maybe it looks as if i should put that money into somthing else then huh ? What about the stocker intake manafold is it low flow like the TPI ? Could i get away with a higher flowing unit with a AFPR ? for a increase of power ?

As for gears and a posi unit im pretty sure ill be swaping some zo6 wheels and id like to pick up a 4th gen rear to (A) get rear discs, and (B) get a better gear ratio, although i dont know what 4th gen ratio would be good for a weak *** 305

 

An intake swap now wouldn't do much for you now. These cars have many areas that need attention. The biggest bottle necks are the exhaust. The neck biggest one is the heads and cam. You can see when I am going with this. One thing always leads to another with these cars. $350 doesn't take you far.

 

Gotcha, well then maybe ill just keep it stock, like i said it's not so much about the power with the vert, more functionality. I might do myself better to spend the money on suspension and the new rear, although that wont be necessary untill spring when i purchase the wheels. Okay well thanks guys, you saved me some time and effort !

 

if you want some extra power go to www.sdpc2000.com and pick up some 1.6 ratio rocker arms (stamped steel, Elgin brand) for only about $75 shipped. I gained 2 tenths and a mph in the quarter mile and it is a very easy install. I would say install a new intake also but if you dont want to install headers, the intake swap isnt gonna gain you alot of power. But you could do the Edelbrock Performer TBI intake swap for the around $275. There goes your $350 right there and it would be a pretty nice gain. Gotta get headers though.

 

Suspention is definatly where its at if you want to incease the fun factor. Additional SFCs to backup whats there, shocks, struts, new poly bushings, springs, stronger suspention components, quick ratio p/s gear box etc. can really increase the feel of the car.

 

Speaking of bushings, does anybody make a bushing kit for the whole car ? ive only seen seperate kits, i was hoping to do all the bushings under the car anyway.

Thanks Again Guys !

 

I would suggest doing all the free mods and cheap stuff off the bat. You cant afford any single exhuast piece because you need to spend at least $800 to get an entire 3" system. And an intake wont do any good without better heads/injection. So go with:
-Chip burning
-open element/ram air type (tbi/tpi)
-air foil/spacers
-AFPR and Free mods
-better cam (LT1 or comp cam) used and some new cost $50-100

You can see how nothing can really be afforded because it takes a bigger $$ amount to get it all done at once. I would save and get a complete exhaust system. Then save and get a complete vortec/intake/throttle body setup.

 

spohn sells a bushing kit for like 190

 

save up some more money and do full exhaust or gears and posi.

 

I'm surprised no one has suggested a mild cam.

 

a mild cam is going to be close to $350 after PROM tuning, gaskets, etc. and is pointless with the stock intake manifold and exhaust.

 

Its not more than $350, and it won't be pointless with the stock intake and exhaust. Have you seen the specs for the stock L03 cam? I've never seen a smaller cam before. It doesn't even have a noticeable powerband, it doesn't make power anywhere. His intake isn't much of a restriction at this point with everything else stock. Actually, I would think about changing heads before I would worry about his intake. While doing headers and a catback would gain him something, I seriously doubt it will be as significant as a cam.

A new Cam will set you back roughly $180
Buy a FelPro Gasket set on Ebay for $35
Your total so far is $215, and you have $135 left over.
I would suggest you get new springs with the cam though. Figure around $60, so you have now spent $275 and have $75 left.

If you get a used L98 or LT1 cam, you can get it off Ebay for $20 or so. You would really save alot of money there for something else if you want.

Used Cam $20
Gaskets $35
Springs $60
Total so far is $135, and you have $215 left over.


As far as prom tuning, you don't really HAVE to, but it would be a very strong suggestion. With a cam that mild, there are alot of people running stock tune. If it were me, I would spend the other $215 on blank eproms, and a burner, and there would still be money left over.