I didn't do anything huge to the intake, I'm not a person with the money to buy a factory made CAI or anything. I simply got some metal ducting, a K&N filter, took out the stock airbox and all and connected the ducting and all where everything else was. My filter is still pretty much in the exact some place, a little farther to the corner. Used the same MAF sensor, just ended the ducting at that and connected the filter to the end of the stock plastic tubing.

When I had all the stock stuff in there, the O2 sensor was screwed in through the 'can' holding the filter so the sensor, I imagine, was just sitting right next to the filter and thats all it needed. So now I've got the sensor wedged between the filter and the smog canister. The end of it isn't closed off by anything, it's still sitting open in the air because it's pointed up and the top is easily visible just by looking from the front of the car with the hood popped.

I pretty much, after that whole thing, just was wondering if it should be fine there? Nothing is hindering the amount of air around it, and it's right next to the filter so it should be getting the same air that my car is taking in. Should everything still be good? I suppose it is since it's been set up like that for a little over a month now.

By the way, it's a 2.8 V6
One more question that probably gets asked alot. Can anyone give some ideas for simple-ish, not so expensive things to do that could make a nice improvement to the car. It's my first car, I'm 17, not exactly rolling in money. I'm looking for some stuff that's about at the max $150 for now, maybe a little more. It's my everyday car, too, so between work and just social stuff, plus time taken since I'm in school, I need stuff I can take 5 hours on a Saturday and put together. I've got a new muffler on it, pretty much just for the fun of it, it's got alot of basic new stuff. Alternator, distributer and spark plugs and wires, starter, radiator, my intake stuff, brakes, the sway bar bushings (they got chewed up by rats when it was sitting in Georgia for 3 years)... It didn't run when we picked it up, so we've come quite a way with it for one year and a month.'s time. I'm just looking for some simple, not so expensive things to do.

Thanks guys

 

Actually that's your temperature sensor that you have sitting by the air filter. It's fine where it's at. I've had mine laying on the frame next to the filter for the last couple years. The o2 is screwed into the exhaust pipe down under by the tranny.

I can't think of much in the way of cheap bolt-ons at the moment as I am still tired and slightly hungover and lacking sleep after last night.

Underdrive crank pulley is one thing that helps a little. Around $40-50 I think.

 

is it a firebird im assuming? and what year?

 

Dave, he said maf and 2.8, so I'm guessing its 85-89. And since he said it was can in the side, I would guess firebird as well.

Since your on a budget, and dont have time for it to be down. I would just keep it in tip-top shape, all fluids fresh.

Maybe a hotter coil(msd or hypertech) along with a better then OTC wires.


BTW, what state are you in, and what smog/epa laws do you have to abide by?

 

wow i cant read that early in the morning, didnt have my wheaties yet, lol.

 

It's an 86 Firebird, didn't even think about mentioning it. I'm in jacksonville, FL. Speaking of smog and all, thought I'd mention my cat is pretty much gutted. All the charcoal or whatever is inside was all broken up into pieces when we got it and made some of the most annoying sound ever when it was being driven. I don't even remember how we did it, but without taking the pipes apart, we got all the loose stuff out of it. I think we used a plumbing "snake" actually...

 

Just to add maybe some more ideas from people...

I'm not even necesarilly talking about directly under the hood. What about short throw shift kits? They're something I've seen that haven't been explosivly expensive, but does anyone have one? Anyone think they're worth it?

I'm one to just change things on my car just because I like to work on it. I get that "Sweet, I made something on my car even just a little better" satisfaction feeling...

 

'improvement' as in if its for improving your 2.8's speed,
there isn't much u can do..

I would advance timing a bit,
and as mentioned above put an underdrive pulley.

if u mean improvement, as in maybe car's performance:
smoother ride, better quality idle etc.
then u have some options like high voltage ignition coils,
or suspension mods like new coil springs etc.

 

theres a ton you can do as far as mods to make it faster/more powerful. try a search for "mods" and do some good indepth reading, youll find a lot on what works and what wont. if you do wanna get into modifying it, start w/ suspension though, and sub frame connectors before anything else, theyre amazing!!

bazookajoe, i have a short throw shifter in mine, i love it, shorter, tighter shifts. i dont think it needs to be sold for almost $200, but you can find them cheaper. ive got the Pro 5.0 shifter and from what i read on the boards, most like that one for the price.

 

Ive got a pro5.0 shifter, and if I wasnt fixing to part the car out(hopefully), Id make it shorter.

there are a few things inside you can do for apperance. Fabric the sides of the center console, white face gauges.