Ok guys so ive been a member on here for awhile and ive owned my thirdgen for a lil over a year now. I traded my old car for it and when i got it the car was completely stock. And in the time since ive owned it, ive just done general maintenance and bought a few small bolts ons. But now that ive finally become a GM certified technican working in a Chevy dealership and making much better money then i was at my last job, ive began to look into bigger and better ideas for my thirdgen. So here is a list of the following of what ive done to my thirdgen in the past year and what im looking to do:

(1989 Trans Am 305TBI/700R4)

EdelBrock Air Intake w/ K&N 14x3" Filter
Flowmaster 80 series muffler w/ 3" exhaust
B&M Stage 1 shift kit (street series) w/ Corvette Servo
Holley 670 CFM TBI Unit w/ adjustable FPR (just installed after putting in barn for winter storge, only driven 4 miles on it)
Hooker 2055 Super Competition Headers w/ 3" collectors (got for free from a good friend)
Accel 8mm Yellow spark plug wires and Platnium plugs
Accel Distributor Cap and rotor
Accel High Voltage Igniton coil
Catylatic Converter Delete
Adjusted timing from +20* by preivous owner down to +4*
Swapped a rear end from a 99 Camaro to my thirdgen. Was told it was 3.73, but pulled the cover and it came from a 3.1 V6 99 camaro not a LT1 V8.

In the past few months ive also purchased but yet to install:

99' 350 Vortec heads casting # 069
Aluminum driveshaft from 98 Trans Am
GM Performance Vortec Intake Manifold
Random interior/body parts

Now with tax returns right around the corner i am expecting to get in returns around $1500-1800. Now my car does need paint/bodywork and i have found someone who is willing to do all the paint/bodywork for $1100, which would still leave me with $700 or so. Now i could wait on the paint and such and just do some touching up here and there, but my question is if i were to wait on paint and body what would be best to buy for my vehicle. I was thinking a set of 3.73's, bigger cam and possibly a small 100 shot of NOS. But i also want rims/tires. Now ive been told numerous times "swap in a 350" but at the moment i dont have the time for such a project so for now the 305 will remain. I try and make it to the track with the friends during the summer as much as possible but im not looking to make a 10 sec car at the moment. My goal this year is to run low 14's if possible. I also plan on investing in some SFC's and new sway bars and such. But should i do more to the motor, or go suspension/brakes? At the moment i have just gettin my car ready for spring by replacing broken/worn out parts. So what do you all think? Ive done alot and alot of searching on here reading on what other people have been doing and looking at numerous members car looking at what they have done. So if you could all take the time and help me with my project i would greatly appreciate it. No negitave feedback either please. Ive put alot of hard time and money into my car just like all of you and i dont want to hear that its not worth it because to me it is, just like it is to all of you.

 

I'd go suspension and brakes, in that order if your brakes are good. Poly bushings, good panhard bar, decent shocks and struts etc. You could put some good stiffness in the system for 700 or so, all fairly simple to install too.

 

Ive been looking into Spohn parts for my suspension but some of their parts can be quite exspensive. I know i may need to replace my driver side a arm as i did hit a curb my first winter with it and bent the driver side rim so bad i had to replace it. but thanks for the imput and i am currently looking at sway bars and such.

 

if you have a 10 bolt rear end i would suggest throwin some gears in it, since you can probably get new ones for about $150, if you have a 9 bolt, there gonna cost you about 350-505, but you can always improve on gears, and you will def. feel it in the drivers seat, happy motoring, dr. engine