Currently on my 89 IROC-Z, I have cat back flowmasters with dual outlets, ram air from behind the foglights, k&n filters. I bought the car with those mods, so now I'm looking for something new on it, something that I can say I added. Now even though the mods I have on it now are performance, I am wondering what mods in a whole meaning ranging from performance to entertainment. I am on a budget with myself, and I don't want to go any higher than 300 bucks. What are some mods that are worth their price? I really need a CD player head unit for my car, I was thinking of other performance mods like headers, or maybe suspension mods. What else could I get? Either the item would be less than or equal to 300 bucks, or a couple of items that would be less than or equal to 300 bucks. Any help would be appreciated, make me aware to some mods that are worth it, thanks.

 

Subframe connectors. Every thirdgen's should be first mod.

 

I would get the headers.

 

I would do headers(which I'm doing next) or a cd player. If you do alot of highway driving I'm get a cd player, it was well worth my money. that was the first thing I did on my car.

 

Headers, that cat-back ain't doin much good without headers.

 

Subframe connectors. It's only logical to make the car able to handle power mods before the power's there. Handling will improve as well.

Mine are going in as soon as the car's back from the paint shop.

 

Alright so far I should get either headers, subframe connectors, or a stereo head unit... are there any other worth while mods?

BTW, what exactly are subframe connectors? What do they help? Where are they installed?

Also with the headers, I have the cat back, but only one pipe going from exhaust manifold to muffler, where two pipes come out of it. So having headers would require me to have dual exhaust right? Is there a Y-pipe or somthin to put the headers together to connect to that one pipe? I mean I could get dual exhaust but my car is too low, and theres no rout for the pipes.

Any other mods?
...maybe ignition or somthing else, any other advice is helpful.

 

No, headers have the same setup as the manifolds, they feed into a better y-pipe and can either be bolted or welded to your cat-back.

 

I think your best bet is either headers, or a cd player. I've heard the cold air intakes help too. if you make them yourself about $40 bucks or so. I'm making one for my car next week here to see if they really help. I don't know much about subfram connectors. what they do is connect the front part of the frame to the back half. f-bodys don't have a complete frame all the way back. just a front part and a back part. if you get under your car and look you should be able to the see them. hope this helps

 

I would get the Sub Frame Connectors they help put the power to the ground, increase the handling and they stop the frame from twisting from the toque which causes crackes behind the doors. You might also want to upgrade your ignition Cap/Rotor/Coil/Wires/Plugs depending on their condtion.

Headers, y-pipe, and install will run you way over budget.

 

I don't think I'll have to worry about the install, my bro in law is a licensed mechanic and has put on headers, my bro works for chevy is also a mechanic, so it could be either free or I could get a discount... but what price do ya think headers and y pipe, and heck even the install be?

 

what kind of headers are you planning on getting? and the normal shop rate is about $40 an hour of so. its hard to say a price because ever set of headers goes on different.

 

Yeah that install rate is rather high but I don't really need to worry about that. But I would want good headers, possibly Hooker ?? I really dunno I haven't researched on them yet.
Tell me a price of good headers not crappy ones, possibly hooker or another one like slp or somthin, but I don't really know all the ones out there.

 

I have Edelbrock headers. They have a bad rap, but I'm decently satasfied. My only regret is getting the headers for a LG4. It has a 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 inch Y pipe at the converter. If you can get one (emissions), the kit for the later TPI motor has the 3 inch Y pipe. A muffler shop can make it fit. I did the install in my back yard, and it wasn't that hard. The only thing I had to have done is welding it up when I got done.

I didn't mean to get away from your question. My set cost a couple of dollars over the $300 mark, and I think the TPI set costs a little more than that. If you already have a stereo, I'd go for the headers.

 

Might as well buy what is missing first before enhancing what is there. All our cars should have subframe connectors and a bay brace. Might seem a little boring over a new exhaust note or tunes but down the road it will keep the car from becoming a rattle trap. On the downside they do add some more weight but its worth it.

 

Alright I'm kind of considering these subframe connectors. They are new to me. How much pounds will they add? Thats a lot of downside btw. How much do they cost? Whats the best ones where can I get them? Any pics of these frames? Should they be both bolted and welded?

 

Check www.summitracing.com . They do make the kind you can bolt on, and I don't think they weigh hardly anything.

 

Go to the top of the page and click Spohn. Also I would have them welded in since your bro is a mechanic and would not cost you anything.

If your looking into headers get either Hooker or SLP.




www.slponline.com

http://www.holley.com

 

The subframe connectors stiffen up the whole car signifigantly. They run either a bar or a box from the front to the rear, about from the kicker panels to the rear seat, underneith the car. They will increase handling and accelerartion so much that you wont feel the extra poundage.

If you plan on doing further mods to the engine or suspension, or if you have T-tops or convertable, I would go with the connectors. You will need them to keep up. But if this is a one time cash flow, I would go with the headers.

Both will increase you ride and drive as well as funfactor so it is money well spent.

 

Thanks for the info Colin, but whatever I spend it on, I want it to be like $300 max. I looked at a couple of headers in magazines, but all I found were like $300 and up headers (good ones which is what I would want). Plus I would have to pay for Y pipe and cr@p. So I guess I can't get headers, I mean I got enough money in the bank to buy them, but I like having money, and having reserve. So I just might get the sub frame connectors, I've seen different types, Summit Racing has them from Competition Engineering for like 89 bucks, than another set from SSM, which are like 150 bucks, I haven't checked out Spohn yet. Is spohn the best, or are there better ones? And for numbers sake, will the connectors give me better acceleration, a noticable difference? And I do have TTops. But I hate radio, I even got the radio to play my Car Ready Cd player, its sound like absolute crappola. I might get a head unit, but I dunno.

BTW, your last name reminds me of Ace Ventura Pet Detective, when Ace is saying "finkle and einhorn, finkle and einhorn".

 

ChevyLovr have any pics? I love the black w/ gold packages, IMO they're the sharpest 3rd Gens out there! Oh yeah, I'm envious too. Please go for SFC's protect your investment! I do have a question for the pro's: do SFC's correct flexing or just prevent it?

BTW, you're not planning on singing "The Crying Game" in the shower are you? Ol' Righty-then!

 

You could always get a cheap head unit $200 but you will still have to listen to crappy stock speakers. Sub frame connectors from Spohn I think will run you about $155. It will run you a little over budget but be well worth it. Im not sure but I think they would help your car launch better with all that torque.