Hello hello =) My name is Ryan and I'm new to these forums. Glad I found them though because I've been thinking about doing some changes to my Camaro.

The Scoop:

I own a 1999 Camaro with the 3.8L V6 (Runs really nice for a 6!). I was impressed when I bought it really. But I was more impressed to how it reacted to modifications. Putting a free flow exhaust (Flowmaster 40 series cat back. Removed cat), cutting the baffles from the air lid, and a Stage 2 JET Chip really made it haul some ***. I also have the 3.42 differential(which sucks the gas, but it's ***** to the walls when I wanna get somewhere haha). Even with the 3.42 diff, I still get 22-24 on the highway running 80 mph.

The Great Deal:

I bought the entire car for $2000. I knew that it was a good buy and I was right. The engine itself now has 141000 miles on it and still runs like a top. Only problems in 2 years were the fuel pump and MAF sensor.

The Intent:

I want to put a little more power behind this already competent machine. I've planned on buying a SLP CAI, a new thermostat, and also was thinking about a throttle body spacer.

What I want to know. How much are these going to help... And are there any other cheap easy mods that wouldn't be too expensive? Or maybe some of you have other ideas for me?




I'd love to know,
Ryan

 

For the SLP, are you talking about the under car "ram air" type setup? Or are you talking about a new lid? Only cheap and easy mods I know of are water pump and alternator underdrive pulleys. If you get one or the other, you can keep the stock belt. If you get both you will need a longer belt. I wish I the 3.42's, I have all the bolt-ons except headers. It's quick, but it only has 3.08 with an open differential. Kind of sad to know I can only burn one tire. [&:]

 

Yes i'm talking about the RAM air set up. And care to tell me what I gain from said mods?

 

If you're talking about ones you listed as on your list, then I'd venture to say 10hp at the most. Pulleys I recommended maybe 5hp.


http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_p...ts1.php?id=196

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_p...ts1.php?id=206

 

the pulleys dont really "give" you more power, it lets you use the power that is there, freeing it up, less restrictions on the engine etc... A CAI will help some, people like to beleive a 20 HP gain, but thats false, maybe a real 7-12 HP depending. A throttle body spacer is a really good choice for your setup, it will give you better midrange and high end HP. About 8 or 9 if I remember, You can also do a cam swap, zzp has some good options for your engine, I have a highly modded GTP, I can go on and on about what to do to that engine, but it all depends on what you are willing to spend, Ive put over 5g's just under the hood of mine, and its fast, try some of these ideas out, decide what you want to spend, and I can give you some good links that I deal with, They know me well and will help you along the way... But a mac underdrive pulley kit is a smart move to start, you already have a chip, so once youve modded more, you can reprogram it for the work youve done and itll work even better. Keep us informed...good luck

 

Hey stang, good work on those links, I use them all the time also, great guys. WIll is an awsome guy and knows his **** inside and out.

 

I like them too. Always quick to ship and great customer service.

 

If you Email Will, Hes the owner if ZZP, and send him your stock PCM, he will send you a new reprogrammed one for your specs for under 100 bucks... Its a great buy, You can pick up some good HP with that, and he'll tune it for free when you need it..

 

Well I wanna spend under $1000. I know the CAI is only gonna give me about 10 hp (people don't understand that it takes the entire SLP intake system to get close to 20 out of it. I might get a Whisper Lid from a friend. The underdrive pulley sounds good but I don't wanna spend $60 for 3WHP. The Stage 2 chip I have added a ton of power and I got it REALLY cheap. A Cam swap sounds like a really good idea (I need a new cam anyways lol). And a throttle body spacer was an idea from the start...

So all of that totals...

-CAI $110 - 10 rwhp
-Stage 1 Camshaft $250 - 15-20 rwhp?
-Throttle body spacer $90 - 8-10 rwhp

So that alone... $450 for anywhere from 30-40 HP to the wheels? Not too bad I don't think.

And I may end up buying the underdrive pulley anyways.

Anybody else have any other ideas? And I also have a friend who has a Tuner (He has a 1998 Z28... Beautiful car and it's wicked lol). So I can get him to tune my PCM and raise my rev limit, shift points, and eliminate my speed limiter.

 

Unless you are upgrading your valvetrain, there is no reason to up your rev limiter. Also, unless you're doing the work yourself, you'll find out that a cam will end up costing you more than just $250.