I am 17 and don't have much money. I want to make my 1990 RS faster because peopl are talking smack because its stock and now I want to show them what muscle cars can do. Oh they are little spoiled kids that bought an EVO and a 370Z. Please HELP!!

 

it all depends on the money you have. thats the main thing that i have figured out since i bought my car. i have a 92 rs with just a few minor mods. and i only run a 15.8 at the track. ur best bey is to just not talk trash because the fact is these years cars were not fast. now if u have a few thousand then yea u can make ur car fast enough to smoke them. im working on a college budget aka negative money haha. and i know how u feel. im the slowest guy in my car club but i also have to realize that most of the other guys and girls are older and have steady jobs. so they have the money to play with. good luck man. ur best bet would prolly be to spray it if u just wanna race them at the track or gears.

 

No offence, but to beat an evo or a 370z, you would need to swap your motor. Period. Im also 17 and Ill admit my car isnt fast either, but i dont care. I paid for everything myself and did all the work to it myself, and im proud of it. Thats all that matters really. I hate kids that think theyre top sh*t because they drive a cool car, when really theyre mommy and daddy paid for everything. They definatly dont appreciate their cars like the people who actually have to work for theirs. Anyways... back to your question. I guess if an engine swap is out of the question, first make sure your car is tuned up good. (Spark plugs, wires, oil, filters, brakes, ect...) Then you should start with headers and full 3 inch exhaust. After that, then swap the rear end to a higher gear ratio, and install underdrive pulleys.... im not gonna name off everything, there are TONS of stuff on you can do to your engine. Just SEARCH, and READ A LOT.

 

Speed costs money. It sucks, but its the truth. And the faster you wanna go, the more its gonna cost. Start out with an open element intake if you dont already have one. Its cheap and easy to install. You can get them at just about any autoparts store for about $30-50 Also check out this thread, lots of good info on here.... https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/powe...wer-cheap.html

 

Oops, thats not the thread i was thinking of... lots of BS on there. I cant find the right one sorry

 

@bigred75 thanks man. i'm in college too and just wanted to know if there was a cheap way.
@89rs305-DP i know some guy that has a 70 camaro and he had an LS1 but recently changed to a 396 stroker. he said he just had the engine laying around and that if i would want i told him yeah but will it fit in my camaro and will i need to upgrade my transmission? its a 700R4

 

The LS will fit, there have been tons of people on this board alone who have done it. But just know that it wont just drop in and fire up. There is a decent amount involved with it. Do lots of reading before starting that swap.

As far as making your car faster, just do the basics. Without a decent amount of money, you wont beat an EVO. Technology now can make small motors faster than what these cars came with. Personally just accept what you have and be proud of it. Your only 17, you got time.

 

thanks for the advice...i think i'll wait untill i graduate college. i am very happy with the car that i got.

 

There's alot you can do to beef up the performance of what you have. I have a thread on here called "Condensed TBI synopsis" that I wrote awhile back to help out all the newbies. Or if you like check out pages 3 and 4 of my Cardomain. I put everything you need there. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

thanks i will check it out.

 

j

 

My car has a carburator not fuel injection...will this change anything?

 

Yes, having a carb can give you more options for modifications. For instance you can run a more radical camshaft with a tighter LSA since you wont have to keep the TBI & computer happy.

Here is what you should do first if you can find some used parts or come up with some cash.

1. Open element air cleaner (cheap, like $20)
2. Get Headers & Full 3" Exhaust. (look for a used set)
3. Swap your rear end or gears from your 2.73 to 3.42 or 3.73.
4. Underdrive pulleys
5. Cam & Head Swap (more expensive) or Engine Swap to 350 or better.
6. Get a higher stall converter to match your cam.

Steps 1 - 3 will help you get your car ready for another bigger badder engine down the road anyway. Keep an eye out on the Classifieds board, Craigslist & ebay. I picked up a used set of Hooker 2055 headers & 3" Y pipe on ebay for $131 shipped. ($500 new). I picked up a 3" dynomax catback on here for $65. The headers & Y are a bit rusty, but I could care less. My car runs WAY better.

Your exhaust alone could get you another 30hp.