Hi i just got a 180 themostat and some other small things for my camaro and now I really got the bug for mods and problem is I dont have much money and I figure well theres gotta be something other then removing the screen on the maf that gives us TPI boys some extra power right? So what have you guys heard of that gives us that extra boot in power?

What about cheaper mods that give us good power for under a hudred bucks? What about spark plug wires is the msd street fire wires any good there 35 bucks and 8mm. What about wrapping the fuel lines? Iv heard of making holes on the side of the air lid, any say on this? And where do you drill the whole on the themostat and how large? Is it worth removing the screen on the maf and is it safe to do so with new air filters and if the car isnt driven much? And what about the fins in the maf I hear if you shave them down it will free up much more power but i also hear its not the safe's thing to do but if i get it done it will be done by a friend that lives third gen camaros and probaly have done this a time or two should i have him do it?

So tell me what you guys know and I very appreciate any help I get. Also the mods would have to be able to pass emissions in Oregon and be safe if done properly. Also it cant go overboard just basic stuff nothing to extreme but include if you like it'll be good info for the others. Also this would all be for a 87 Iroc camaro 305tpi/auto Thank You!

And what does it all take to port your own plenum/runners/heads/intake? do you just need a decent drill and a kit from summit? Or is there more than that? Also include weight reductions of any kind im looking just for small one's ( no not gutting interior ) but include from small to large weight reductions.

I also figured this thread would be great for other people that are just starting out but only if good info is included I hate when stuff is just tangled is a big fat knot and you just can't read it.

 

You can get information on any of these mods by using the search function as all of them are covered by at least one thread on this site. Read all the sticky threads, including other message boards. Whatever the mod, someone here has done it.

Some other mods to search would be adjustable fuel pressure regulator, air foil, chips/programming. The best advice would be to read as much as possible before starting anything. Decide ahead of time what your complete budget will be.

Unfortunately there are no big power mods that don't cost big bucks, but if you do enough of the little mods you will see a difference. Just don't expect much difference from doing one or two. Gutting your Maf will not make a huge difference by itself. Even a big buck mod like headers/catback exhaust by itself won't show much of a difference by itself but will compliment a series of other changes.

You could do your own porting with a drill and long carbide burrs but it will be a very slow process compared to using a die grinder.

Cheap weight reduction would be ripping out all the air conditioner pieces and the back seat.
Expensive weight reduction would be an an all aluminum LS1 motor.

Usually you get your money's worth from free mods.

 

Go to the Tech articles on the home page there are dozens of cheap/free mods and step by step instructions on there

 

First off what's the inspection consist of in Oregon????

Here's what you can do and still be safe until I/we find that out.

junkyard aluminum drums-save 10 lbs on both
bypass tb coolant-been proven to give 5-7hp rwhp for lt1 cars
cut out the airbox baffles completely so you can put your hand through them.
high performance air filters
new delco o2 sensor
purolator or acdelco fuel filter
go to racetronix or other fbody store and look for a fuel pump hotwire kit
...and check or replace your vacuum lines
...and check/replace your vacuum lines!
Download winaldl or borrow a buddy's scan tool and check iac counts and make sure blm's and all that is good. See if you have any knock retard at full throttle in the top of 2nd or 3rd gear. You may need an adjustable FPR and turn up the fuel or use 91 octange fuel (which I would be using anyway)

You can also turn up your initial timing to 10-13* but I would not do this until you have done a COMPLETE tune up.
***If you only have VISUAL inspections you can gut the catalytic converter.
ALso, check your A.I.R. pump and make sure it spins freely. If not rip it off or replace it for emissions inspection.
I would definitely spring for a set of MSD or taylor wires. if no money, autolites are usually good.

If you have any more questions I would be more than happy to help you out. I did my old tpi car front to back Don't let the post count fool you.

 

check/replace your vacuum lines. Why the hell don't my edits show up??

 

BTW you have a very nice IROC. I've always wanted one exactly like that except a hard top.

 

sorry i havent got back 2 ya. thanks for the ideas i'll try to look some up and thanks for the compliment on my iroc.