I will have between 1000-1500 for a good tune-up on a car that really needs one. My 88 GTA 5.7L auto with 150km, so about 100m.
I need a fuel pump, filter, and ignition(not to mention brakes and susp). My question is,
What ignition parts should I replace(also thinking about mods throughout the summer). Plugs,wires, coil, distributor,ign module.
What brand?
Will I get a noticeable increase in HP if I put an MSD ign, and a high flow fuel pump? Can I just throw an in-line fuel pump in there? would I need an afpr or can I adjust mine?
Any answers would really help. I will post pics of my baby soon.
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will a low temp thermostat help cooling alone with the basic bolt on upgrades? The above mentioned plus exhast,intake,timing.

 

Welcome Aboard!

That's an expensive "tune up" for sure. Unless your GTA has serious modifications, the cost should be nowhere near that.

How was it determined that the fuel pump should be replaced? If the pressure is low (below 41 PSIG standing pressure) the first thing to do is check the filter and electrical supply to the pump. Then the pressure regulator. The fuel pump is the last assumption I would make.

Again, with a stock or nearly stock setup with 150K, good quality spark plugs, a new high quality distributor cap and rotor, and silicone resistor wires are probable candidates for replacement parts. While the distributor cap and rotor are off, test the pickup coil resistance and inspect the connections. Check distributor wear (axial and radial play), and test the coil primary and secondary resistances.

Brakes are a normal service item, and your car should have discs in all four positions. Good quality carbon metallic linings, clean and leak-free calipers, and straight and flat rotors are all that's necessary.

No. Neither. Unless the engine is starving for fuel now (very doubtful) and you have done custom programming for modifications like a different cam, heads, intake, etcetera, a high flow fuel pump is completely unnecessary and will only result in a higher electrical load and force your regulator to wastegate more fuel.

The CD box ignition system might allow for a stronger, multiple spark ignition, but that is not necessary in a stock installation. Further, it can cause problems, like errant tach readings. Unless the stock ignition system is no longer up to the task because of significant engine modifications, any gains will be very hard to measure.

If you change the volumetric efficiency of the engine substantially y changing the cam profile, altering or changing the heads, or install a different intake such as a Mini-Ram or Stealth Ram, additional fuel pressure is not necessary. Further, any additional fuel is better accomplished by installing the appropriately sized injectors and reprogramming to suit the modifications, not by adjusting the fuel pressure.

About the lowest temperature thermostat which can be installed without reprogramming is 180ºF. Anything lower will not allow sufficient coolant temperature to satisfy the ECM for full closed loop operation. Beyond that, the electric cooling fan will still operate at the programmed temperatures - Normally 223ºF.

I'm not certain what "Basic bolt-on upgrades" are, but I'm fairly new at this. I've only been around these cars for about 20 years. If you list the bolt-ons that you are considering, some of the other members here can list the benefits and disadvantages of each of them so you can devise your plan of action.

 

Wow,what an awesome response,thank you! I may not need a fuel pump, but, it was making an awful lot of noise when operating before(it started whirring as soon as the key was in the "on" positition). Then the car wouldn't turn over, and the whirring sound was gone.

I'm really not sure where to start with mods. I am very happy with the handling currently, so I would be looking for hp. Would the intake be first? then the exhaust? What kind of hp increases? What brands?