Hey everyone - 88 GTA. I'm beginning to think of what I can do to improve the performance of my 350 V8 FI engine. It doesn't seem to have much power to it, and I would like to get as much as I can out of her. Yet, I am totally NOT in the market to do some kind of massive overhaul on the entire engine and tranny (besides, the engine I'm told only has 30K on it) Sooo, I'm looking for suggestions. What can I do 'easily' that would improve the performance of the engine and ultimately the power of the car? A previous owner installed a cold-air intake. That's looks to be about it. Is there anything else relatively easy for me to swap out and/or clean out?

I'm good with engines, but not with these. This is my first Thirdgen V8 ever. I'm used to the honda 4cyl engines and my thirdgen is quite intimidating. So if you do have any suggestions, any detailed descriptions you can provide to help me along the way would be fantastic. THANKS EVERYONE!

 

First it wouldn't hurt to give the car a complete tune-up (plugs wires cap rotor etc). A great bang for the buck would be a good set of headers and a catback exhaust system.

 

Do a CAI as well. Stock filter position sucks.
Full Tune Up
Air foil
2055s w/ ypipe
Catback exhaust
Ported SLP runners
Ported Plenum
Ported Eddy Base
Roller Rockers
Keep the 3.27s
AFPR

This should put you around 265 rwhp with a good tune. If i'm incorrect please feel free to correct me. It's a guess, I dont have dyno sheets to prove it. But you'll notice a difference with these mods.

 

Thanks guys. Forgive me for being so naive, but what do you mean CAI? Actually what would help is if u could show me the location of all the things u list above (just a pic of an engine with Arrows pointing to where the things r located). I can do the rest. Thanks gang!

 

I am not sure what cai means, but I would guess it is an acronym for a cold air intake, which you said the previous owner installed, so you probably do not need one!

 

Thanks Bart. Yes - I do have a "CAI". On that note, I'm not sure if it's as 'effective' as it could be, as the filter itself is not in a position where it seems to get a lot of air. It's on the passenger side right next to the black fuel emmissions cansiter, but it's resting on that metal chassy (the same plate that the canister rests on). So pure air does not SEEM to be getting to it. Would you suggest cutting some kind of hole into that plate so more air is sucked in, or does it really not make a difference?

 

I don't know a whole lot about them, I run a cowl hood and a carb, but plenty of people here have experience and can give you better advice than I.

 

Get savvy and create a unique cold air intake. The one that you have is most likely a stocker with a drop in k&n. If you want a name brand one of course im gonna suggest slp. It however causes you to move the charcoal canister "black emissions box" over beside the battery. The ones on ebay are fine too, just get the one with a k&n cone filter.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/88-89-1988-1989-T...item439c597cfc
it'll give you a performance gain. but of course you can mock up your own for about $20 cheaper.

 

I agree with Stangski, a whole tuneup will make a good difference. Your best bet right now would be to get a full exhaust. Headers and catback. It isn't cheap, but you can get a good decent system from headers to muffler for around $800, maybe cheaper. It will definitely increase your torque and make your car sound mean as hell. I'll tell you know that for the most part, these cars are easier to work with than Hondas. Bigger engine bay and easy to find parts. Your car came with the Tuned Port Injection settup which is ok, but its no good after about 4,500rpms since its restricted that much. Most people buy bigger runners (the 8 tubes that sit on the top of the motor) and port or buy a bigger intake manifold (what the bottom part the tubes connect to).
There are a few different "free mods" you can do. But if you want immediate horse power, then buy some differential gears. They wont add hp, but they will get the hp you have now to the wheels alot better and you WILL feel it on the butt dyno...

 

88s had 3.27s which is a good all around ratio. IF I ever change mine ive come to conclude a set of 3.42s. Quicker outta the whole and still provide decent mileage. Lots of guys say go 3.73s but I wouldn't.

 

Agreed I have 3.42's and I think there the best overall for performance/fuel economy.