This is a very basic question, i'm just trying to gather some people's opinions. I was wondering, what would be the first mods that you guys would do to a stock 1986 Z28 5.0L w/TPI? I have a budget, so I was thinking somewhere under $400-$500 for now. Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input!

Tough call. Good power producing components for TPI's are hard to come by for under $500. I'd hate to suggest air filters, spark plug wires, and Hypercrap chips, because those typically don't yield anything over a well running stock setup.

Also, the problem is that 5.0L's don't have the same breathing problems that 5.7L's do. The stock TPI manifold is way too small for teh 5.7, but it's ok for the 350.

Unless you get the 5.0L demanding more are (like after installing a better camshaft and cylinder heads, working the intake manifold aspect is not going to do very much. However, it's a good place to start to create a good platform for a later modifications. The Edelbrock Hi-Flo system might be a good setup to begin with. It's a little more than $500, but it's a good quality piece.

how about getting a better exhaust? like a cat back or something? that way u get some performance and some nice exhaust notes a pair of hedman hedders are only 110 bucks too.

look in the tech articles for stuff, my friend put ram air on his 88 camaro for 5 or 10 bucks.

id say save ur money for now till u can really do some major mods. may suck saving for awhile but in the long run its really worth it

id say for now though get some headers and nice exhaust if u wanna spend it on something:lala:

do free mods
take out the maf air screen
throttlebody bypass...these 2 alone will probably get you another 15-20hp.
plugs/kn air filter/wires
bits to port the base/plenum would be maybe $15

that leaves a cam and headers.

sounds good to me.

i got a 1986 305 tpi ta
the truth is on this matter is the CAM it blows
the exhaust is decent from the factory its the same as a 350 tpi
gears will help but not much, i noticed a 2 tenth gain when i went from 2.77 to 3.42 gears, i also removed my airfilter when i tried the q-mile i gained 3 tenths, the best i ever did with my ta was a 15.7 so i would say cam, heads , gears , should put you in the low 14's

I would start by making sure your car is well tuned up. This way you have a good plattform to start from.

Read through the tech articles on adjusting the IAC, TPS and timing.

How old are your wires, cap/rotor and coil? Get a good air filter and maybe while you are descreening your MAF and porting your plenum you could swap in an adjustable fuel press. regulator?

There is so much you can do before you start buying some serious go fast goodies. I too think that the first major mod should be headers and 3" cat back exh. system.

Again read throught the tech. articles and all will be revealed in clear step by step procedures.

tj

ok, got some good idea's on where to start, thanks guys. I think i'm gonna read through the tech articles a bit before I do anything though. I was thinking about doing some of the following, basically tune-it up a bit since it is a 17 year old car...

BOSCH PLATINUM SPARKPLUGS
”SPIRAL CORE” TYPE IGNITION WIRES (8mm or larger)
ACCEL DISTRIBUTOR CAP & ROTOR
K & N AIR FILTERS
FUEL FILTER <---- any recommended brands?

It would also probably be good to set the TPS voltage and IAC valve. Basically all the things that it says to do here: https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/tpimod1.shtml

As for first major mod I was leaning towards a catback exhaust system...

What do you guys think?

one word: EXHAUST!!!

best bang for the buck on a TPI and nice sounds make the car way more fun to drive.