Hey everyone. My name is Travis. I just purchased an 87 Gta w/ the 350. she's bone stock, and pretty much a cosmetic fixer upper which all i have left to do now is paint. so until spring im turning to some performance mods.

i have a few items awaiting to be installed but i was just wondering what you all have done and what you've liked the most (performance modification-wise). I've been doing alot of searching throught he forum and im learning a ton so thanks to everyone for the good reading material. but now its time to get some more opinions.

my goal is to simply fix up this car and keep it mostly stock looking, i have no doubts i can get it into the 12's with the n2o but all im really looking for is a sturdy and purdy 87 gta.

opinions, comments, hellos all are accepted and are graciously welcome.

Thanks,
Travis

 

Hello there, Welcome to Thirdgen

Sounds like you have a nice car to fix up and enjoy.
I did the same with my 1989 Trans AM..started with
rebuilt and cammed L98 TPI 350, fresh valvetrain, new
suspension and soon to be interior.

Listing parts and modification ill reserve for another
time but, If all your looking for is a nice daily driver
then.. most modifcations are affordable and easy to
accomplish.

First thing I usually do is rip those nasty
cast iron exhaust manifolds off, and run some
nice headers & cat-back exhaust system.


Again, Welcome to the forums

 

The first thing to keep in mind is that everything you read here, is free information. You get what you pay for.

Anything you modify to increase power output, will cost you something. Reliability, durability, comfort, emissions... Nothing is free.

 

you can see what I did to my 87 305tpi. I did the air intake 1st, then I went with headers and a nice exhaust. Motor has to breath correct. More air in, more air out. then I went to work on the top half of the motor as you can see in my sig.

Also welcome to thirdgen!

 

I think first I would start with a complete tune-up ie; plugs wires distributor cap and a new aftermarket coil. Then at the same time do a K&N filter and maybe talk to some the the T/A guys and see if they have some cool ideas for a cold air kit. I would also change my fuel filters and 02 senors. Then once I know she's running on new parts I'd start on the exhaust....and after that its just endless possibilites. Welcome and we're all here to offer our opinions and help....even if sometimes its negative.

 

welcome to TGO


i deffently agree with smallblock383, first a good tune up. then the exhaust. the 2055 hooker super comps are a great choce, and then your choce of cat-back.(this is what ever sound you like best) they all work great. then ,being that your going to put N0s on it, i'd say a good head and cam combo. you can go with the vortec head swap or just go with some edelbrock performers.

here is a good vortec kit>http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/2172...ke-Headers.htm
(FYI) with the vortec heads you need a different base(that kit comes with it)
here are some good cams> http://thunderracing.com/catalog/?ac...&vid=6&pcid=51 the 304 or the 501 will be more than enough.

 

Welcome aboard!!!

TUNE UP!!! After that reset timing, tps, and tv cable. to make sure everything is in order. I personally would put 1.6 rockers, adj fuel pressure regulator, TB bypass, shift kit will help, SUBFRAME CONNECTORS, and DRIVESHAFT SAFTY LOOP are a must if you plan on racing. anythng after that is up to you.

 

im gonna do the tb bypass, as for the rocker arms, i was wondering if a set of 1.6 rockers that came off an lt1 would work, same with a set of 24lb injectors off an lt1.

i have a shift kit in the car already (came with it) and i have a set of subframe connectors that are in the process of being coated (that was my first mod on my ls1, as it willb e on this one along with the tc).

as for the timing advancement ill be running nitrous so i dont forsee that being a good idea for my application. but in the event i decide to go NA, would i just hav eto use a timing light and turn the distributor or do i have to go through a tuning chip in order to advance timing?

im learning more and more about this car every single day and its been amazing thus far. Thanks so much for all of ur comments i really apprecaite the help and welcomes!

Travis
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oh and as for the tv cable, im not sure what that is. all sensors are brand new, there is an adj fpr on the car already and the plugs and wires have 2k on them. the body has 110k miles on it same with the motor and trans. the motor came out the day i got it i wanted to check the compression and a few other items before i decided to pick up the nitrous stuff. everything checked out. the motor runs strong, i did hav eto replace the valve cover gaskets though, the driver side had a small leak as the previous owner replaced the valve covers with chrome ones.

 

thanks for the links. im very informed about performance mods. i've been building custom exhausts for fbodys for a few years now. im going to be doing a custom true dual set up with oval pipes from dr gas and side pipes. using some mid length headers if they will fit. i know they'll fit the motor just not sure what all i'll have to do to get them to fit this particular car as for heads and cam...im still debating if im gong to tear into the motor witht his one. my goal is very simple witht his one.

i took my ls1 camaro into the low tens with one high 9 second pass with a built motor, afr heads, cam and n2o and a th400. but i lost so much drivability im thinking this one im gonna go more for good looks and a solid low 13 second high 12 second car. a nice daily driver if you will. for the speed i have a yamaha R6 that will be coming out of hibernation once it warms up

 

After the tune up port the TPI fully. There's a few articles on here about it, search them out, the biggest restriction is the base, don't be shy with porting it, try and get the thing true throughout and take out the transition points. The 1.6 RR off of the LT1 will work as will the injectors but there's probably no need for the injectors. If you don't mind taking the heads off the motor port them while you're at it and have the valves back cut, smooth out all the transitions. Good luck on the build.

 

[quote=slik87gta;3146581]thanks for the links. im very informed about performance mods. i've been building custom exhausts for fbodys for a few years now. im going to be doing a custom true dual set up with oval pipes from dr gas and side pipes. using some mid length headers if they will fit. i know they'll fit the motor just not sure what all i'll have to do to get them to fit this particular car as for heads and cam...im still debating if im gong to tear into the motor witht his one. my goal is very simple witht his one.

i like that idea, but if you do go into the motor the vortec head and cam combo sould get you to low 13s by it'self.

 

[quote=3rdgenZ;3146845]I have a standing business relationship with afr, i was thinking about going that route, which im trying to research their heads but have found very few people mentioning them. as for a cam, comp cams is located relatively close to my house and one of my coworkers and i are working on a custom grind to match up to the specs on the afr heads.

as for the intake manifold for the tpi, should i just port the stock unit or try picking up an aftermarket peice? i have a bet standing with one of my bosses that ic an reach my goal before he reaches his all he has to do is learn how to drive his car and he has the mods already, me, i've gotta shave off a solid 1.5-2 seconds off my et's in order to reach my goal . so i have some time, but alot of work to do int he mean time.

thanks for the heads up though, im gonna check out the vortec stuff and get some price quotes

Travis

 

I apoligize I was not specific enough,, I was mearly advising to ck initial timing. There should be a tan/white wire setting outside the harness above/or by the heater box. Unplug it start the car and ck your initial timing with a tining light. Factory is 6*

 

the stock injectors i believe are sticking thats why i was wondering if these lt1 24 lbers will work. i know they have been flow tested and are in great shape, my stockers may just need a good cleaning though so if thats the case ill be able to sell the lt1 injs and make some dinero .

thanks for the advice

 

wonderbar and subframe connectors