Hey guys, i just sat down and starting writing out my Christmas list. I got about $500 to work with and an 88 Trans Am to work on =)

Here's the stats, 1988 Firebird T/A, Black, 305 LB9 engine, auto tranny, bone stock except an Alpine cd deck, used as a daily driver.

As for myself, well, I'm pretty low on the technical knowledge food chain, replacing my cracked radio pod was an excersize in trial and error that ended with a "Eureka!" like moment.

I do, however have access to a friend with a full garage and a much better grasp of the mechanical arts. :hail:

So, anyway, now that I've prattled on enough, my question is what should I look at?

I've heard headers, I've heard brakes, I've heard lots of things, but I want to go with biggest bang for the buck, and nothing that comes with the caveat "for now."

So, my friends, I turn to you for advice. Or, in the words of the innocent youth, "Little help please?"

 

replace entire exhaust system with headers. may cost more than $500 though.

or cat back first, then save more $$ for headers.

 

More specifically, what kind of technical advice were you seeking while maintaing your budget?

How to get more power? Better handling? Better mileage? Better launch?

A little clearer understanding of your goals might help.

 

Trust it to me to leave out the import part =)

Handling is pretty good, though I'd like to upgrade the brakes one day soon. Launch/power is more my goal at the moment.

 

headers and subframe connectors. then add form there.

 

Headers and K&N's first. Headers make a pretty good difference.