I have $500 on a stock 305 from a 1992 RS, with the exception of the air filter and distributor upgrade, along with the rear axle from a 1992 Z-28 since the stock axle snapped.

I was wondering what upgrades I could do for $500 that would improve driving daily and not put too much strain on my car.

I've considered upgrading the intake manifold and carb setup, or perhaps a cam upgrade. What do you all think would be the wisest, cheap upgrade?

 

I would get headers or the intake manifold.

 

Well, a cam is gonna cost more than 500 with all the other things you need, also since you need to be able to chip burn if you want your car to run with the new cam.

An intake manifold itself isnt gonna help all that much, at least not $500 worth. Its a better investment later, if you do heads and a cam at the same time.

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If you live in an area where emissions or smog isnt an issue, you can almost get a 3" catback exhaust (like a flowmaster or hooker) and an off-road y-pipe from jegs. Exhaust is usually the first thing people upgrade. Headers are possible for $500, but they will still be choked by the 2.25" stock exhaust, and stock catalytic convertor.

Depending on what rear axle you have, you could ask a tranny shop how much they would want to install a steeper gearset. If you went from like a 2.73 gearset to a 3.42 or 3.73 you would feel a nice power gain, but also experience a higher RPM driving around. People say gears make it feel like a whole different car, they really wake it up.

If you wouldnt mind replacing the whole axle again, you could upgrade to a whole 4th gen rear, with disc brakes, 3.42 gears, and zexel torsen posi, for under $500.

Finally, if you plan on doing alot of mods in the future, you could invest that whole $500 into the EBL tuning system, and some software, to learn how to tune the car's computer. People have found 30HP sometimes, from very basic mods, and changing the stock tune for a performance oriented custom tune.

 

Work on the exhaust system first. Headers, y-pipe, 3" cat, and 3" catback. Do as much as you can as money is available. It will give you a nice gain and sound good too. Then later, if money is available you can start working on intake, cam, heads, tuning, etc.... and you will see the gains they have to offer since the exhaust will allow them to have their full effect.

good luck and have fun.

 

Eh... just put a big blue bottle to it & make those pistons wish they were forged!

 

goto the used car section and BUY MY NITROUS KIT.

 

bottle is only way for you since if you sneeze at tbi it wont run right. you throw on a wetshot however youll be getting good times. reputations kit is ok its complete with quality components just not too eye appealing but good deal non the less.

 

 

Come on guys...

He asked for something that would "improve driving daily and not put too much strain on my car" and you recommend putting it on a bottle. That does nothing to improve driving daily and definately strain the car.

 

Yeah, and exhaust might be a better idea...

 

Do full exhaust.... when i bought my car it had a stock exhaust on it and when i put my flowmaster on she revved 100 times faster! the stock is horribly restrictive...

 

Yea, see I was partially joking when I made my post.. but it seemed to get some decent positive feedback from others.

So in conclusion: Alvanwie, you are just NO fun.

But yea, exhaust is good, and swapping that stupid factory air cleaner housing to an open element with K&N made mine just plain sound happier.

 

I agree, get the exhaust done then worry about other things.

 

Yo brotha jack that sh*t up and put 20"s on the motha!.
LMAO Just kidding!!!!!
If you do that you will die.

 

no, throw some deeee's on that!

 

my kit comes with the 14x3 air filter. already notched for the 2 nitrous nozzles.

only thing i had on my car (with 170k miles) (auto, 2.73 open rear) was the 14x3, slicks mounted on some free steel 15x7 wheels i got from someone, the 150 shot...

i cut a 8.3 in the 1/8th mile and back in ky a 12.8 int he 1/4.

its all setup for a tbi car. just gotta buy it.. if no one buys it ill spray the turbo.

 

You are right about the no fun....guess I have gotten too old and too practical.

 

Well see, at least personally, I would rather make the car a little faster all the time, rather than alot faster untill the little blue bottle runs out. But thats just me.

 

Where is this found?? Haha, I'm about to drop in a 383 stroker, and wanted to upgrade my rear anyways.

 

Ok I'll bite on this one.
An 96+ s10 converter $200
ultimate tbi mods cheap or free no more than $20
Gears. with posi 3.42 auto new $180 junkyard cheaper
get one out of a v6 thirdgen

bump the timing abit till it "feels" better (I know not very scientific)
Pull some weight out believe me it works.

There are MANY things you can do if you do some research.

 

http://www.jegs.com/p/NOS/745484/10002/-1/12043
that should just about do what you want

 

I agree to, The bottle is just gonna kill the motor sooner. I would do the borla kit in. You will get more power and a good sound.

 

What about suspension? Subframe connectors, WS6 swaybars, poly-endlinks, boxed rear control arms, wonder-bar, and strut tower brace.

Those made a huge difference for me. If you have the know-how, connections, and determination you can get all that done in your price range. Definately help with daily driving, performance, and take strain off the car.

 

EBL flash and learn to tune would probably be the wisest, if you havent covered that already.

 

I have to agree with this one too.