Performance bang for buck ?

[Artic93]

Wondering what everyone thinks that has added or modified a part on their Z was the best bang for the buck that they spent. I'm curious about the axle ratio change and the actual performance gains from that and exhaust or what ever.

Jason

93 Artic/Black #189 stock

[jonszr1]

heres my stuff stk 331.9 2- headers and flowmaster ex rc inj haibeck prom372. price3200 aprox. ported inj plenum and hpt chassis dyno reburn of prom409.9 tq373.3 price1500 also put in 410s and fidanza flywheeland ceramic disc clutch. now lets see whats next.............. bank robbery as its big bucks from here on

[GrayZ]

headers...best hp bang for the buck..add catback *corsa*
and K and N air filter..about 25 or so horseys

I'm told..gears for..seat of the pants...difference.

we shall see...

[Aurora40]

I'd have to say bang for the buck would be exhaust or P&P depending. You could swap the mufflers and resonator for probably under $500 if you went cheap. I'd think on a stock car you could pick up 10hp, maybe more on a '90-92 with the very narrow resonator.

You could have a P&P done for around a grand from Jeffvette if you can pull 'em and ship 'em (not hard to do). I'd guess you'd need a tune though, which may drive the cost up a bit. But probably ~20hp there.

I'd think headers with a stock exhaust wouldn't work so well, but what the heck do I know. That's anywhere from a grand on up depending on if you need cats, get 'em coated, want someone else to install them, etc.

[Locobob]

Originally Posted by Aurora40

You could have a P&P done for around a grand from Jeffvette if you can pull 'em and ship 'em (not hard to do). I'd guess you'd need a tune though, which may drive the cost up a bit. But probably ~20hp there.
.

Actually for the porting alone I charge $900, for the porting job + Jeffs powderwork the price is $1200. You do not need a tune for just a ported top end, the factory fueling is rich enough to support this mod.
As far as bang for the buck I'd say it's a toss up between headers and top end porting.

[guinnessdood]

Get all of these things done in any order you choose.

1.) Headers and free flowing exhaust (B&B w X-pipe or Corsa or whatever you like)
2.) Topend Port and Polish (Plenum and IHs)
3.) 4.10:1 Viper Gears (and speedo correction of some sort)
4.) Short Shifter by Bill Boudreau
5.) Open Element Air Cleaner (not a big deal)
6.) Relocate MAT Sensor (not a real big deal either)
7.) If you have a 90-91...swap out the injectors while you're in there with some new RC's or Accells.
8.) Upgrade the brakes to the C-5 brakes or something better.
9.) Tune it on a Dyno when all of the engine stuff is done...so you can get the most out of it with a custom PROM calibration

[Locobob]

Originally Posted by guinnessdood

Get all of these things done in any order you choose.

1.) Headers and free flowing exhaust (B&B w X-pipe or Corsa or whatever you like)
2.) Topend Port and Polish (Plenum and IHs)
3.) 4.10:1 Viper Gears (and speedo correction of some sort)
4.) Short Shifter by Bill Boudreau
5.) Open Element Air Cleaner (not a big deal)
6.) Relocate MAT Sensor (not a real big deal either)
7.) If you have a 90-91...swap out the injectors while you're in there with some new RC's or Accells.
8.) Upgrade the brakes to the C-5 brakes or something better.
9.) Tune it on a Dyno when all of the engine stuff is done...so you can get the most out of it with a custom PROM calibration

Good list Uly... I'd also add a colder thermostat (160-180) and the underdrive pulleys from Randy Woods. A car with all these goodies is going to be as much fun as you can have without spending some real serious green.

[jonszr1]

what is the cost to port the heads . thinking of doing that since I popped a head gasket. is it correct that heads are worth 40 hp?

[guinnessdood]

Originally Posted by jonszr1

what is the cost to port the heads . thinking of doing that since I popped a head gasket. is it correct that heads are worth 40 hp?

Brad...that's when it starts gettin real "spendy". I would say that Robert or Corey would do them as well and cheap as anyone...although it isn't cheap by any stretch...they are worth about 35-40 HP depending on how well everything is matched...from the plenum through the injector housings and into and out of the heads...you know the deal...my guess is its in the $3K range or more....it's a lot of work not to be handled by amateurs...

[jonszr1]

So is robert and jeff doing head porting now also ? i have that red car with a popped head gasket and am proably going to send it to jeff and was thinking that while its apart doing the heads as well. thought about doing it with corey but he is backed up and can't get him to give me a time frame plus the distance add to that jeff was the first person to help me when i got the black car. with a brand new shop thought it would be nice to say thanks by giving him the job. plus I got to have one of his powder coat jobs.