Best mod for $299?

Whats the best tuner then?

I dont race, I just want more performance. Why do people buy cobras and vettes? Well not because they race but because they want a fast performance car.

If I dont race then maybe I should trade my car in for a kia.
 
Kilgore Trout said:
Handheld engine programmer. You can increase peformance, learn more about how your car works, datalog, and perform diagnostic analysis.

:stupid: I just read somewhere that Partshopper is having 75bucks off on Diablo tuner. $324 is bit over your budget, but I think thats the best way to go.
 
Stang2003GT said:
Whats the best tuner then?

I dont race, I just want more performance. Why do people buy cobras and vettes? Well not because they race but because they want a fast performance car.

If I dont race then maybe I should trade my car in for a kia.

LOL :rlaugh: that is the biggest load of BS I have ever heard. People don't STRICLY buy vette's because they want "performance" cars. Obviously someone with a 400 HP vette is going to want to race it. Maybe you SHOULD buy a Kia...

And what exactly do you mean by "performance car"? Because by modding your stang your decreasing its life span and possibly creating more potential for future problems (it all depends on the install).

Your theory just doesn't make sense to me...
 
I highly dought moding a car with bolt ons will hurt your car. In fact gears will improve engine life becuase your motor doesnt have to work hard(less stress). My father has owned 2 covettes and now an M3, he doesnt race. Your think most people who buy gears or speed parts buy them because they want to beat more people? I dought it, some people just like pure power. When I drive fast and hard it on back street roads all by my self not even against a clock. Gear seem to be the only answer.

Last time I raced my car was a year and a half ago against a 300 hp Sentra which ate me up. Its a rare thing for me to race which ive done maybe a dozen time in that last 3 years of ownership.

I wouldnt race unless I had a real highpowered car, screw racing civics n srt-4s, I Want to kill a camaro and untill I can do that with ease I choose not to race my car.
 
Stang2003GT said:
I highly dought moding a car with bolt ons will hurt your car. In fact gears will improve engine life becuase your motor doesnt have to work hard(less stress). My father has owned 2 covettes and now an M3, he doesnt race. Your think most people who buy gears or speed parts buy them because they want to beat more people? I dought it, some people just like pure power. When I drive fast and hard it on back street roads all by my self not even against a clock. Gear seem to be the only answer.

Last time I raced my car was a year and a half ago against a 300 hp Sentra which ate me up. Its a rare thing for me to race which ive done maybe a dozen time in that last 3 years of ownership.

I wouldnt race unless I had a real highpowered car, screw racing civics n srt-4s, I Want to kill a camaro and untill I can do that with ease I choose not to race my car.

Gears will certainly NOT improve engine life... you have it backwards my friend. If you upgrade from a 3.23 gear setup to a 3.73, instead of the engine having to turn the pinion 3.23 turns for every 1 ring gear turn, it has to turn it 3.73 turns now... more work for the same speed, thus more stress...now because it's working harder for the same speed, the accel is better, but your top speed (I'm talking redline top speed not draft, I know in our case it helps us get closer to redline thus better top speed) is shortened and the stress on your engine is heavier. Thus shorter life in normal circumstance.
 
hotdog71 said:
I would get the tuner first DiabloSport Predator then some 4.10's.



Gears cost nowhere near $300...


I spent a boatload on gears...

$276.14 - (3.73 FRPP Gears, Rebuild Kit, Trac Loc Rebuild kit, speedometer gear) Purchased at CJponyparts.com (20% off regular price)

$49.75 (Axle Bearings/Axle Seals from NAPA)

$547.61 Labor (Gear install, Trac Loc Rebuild/Amsoil 75W-90 Gear Oil, Trac Additive)

All in all that is $873.50... $573.50 over $300.:(
 
Henceforward said:
Gears cost nowhere near $300...


I spent a boatload on gears...

$276.14 - (3.73 FRPP Gears, Rebuild Kit, Trac Loc Rebuild kit, speedometer gear) Purchased at CJponyparts.com (20% off regular price)

$49.75 (Axle Bearings/Axle Seals from NAPA)

$547.61 Labor (Gear install, Trac Loc Rebuild/Amsoil 75W-90 Gear Oil, Trac Additive)

All in all that is $873.50... $573.50 over $300.:(

He was saying buy the tuner, then save money and buy gears. Rather than get the gears, then buy a tuner to correct the speedo.
 
Barrier said:
Gears will certainly NOT improve engine life... you have it backwards my friend. If you upgrade from a 3.23 gear setup to a 3.73, instead of the engine having to turn the pinion 3.23 turns for every 1 ring gear turn, it has to turn it 3.73 turns now... more work for the same speed, thus more stress...now because it's working harder for the same speed, the accel is better, but your top speed (I'm talking redline top speed not draft, I know in our case it helps us get closer to redline thus better top speed) is shortened and the stress on your engine is heavier. Thus shorter life in normal circumstance.

Thank you for proving him wrong...
 
listen, if your only going to spend 300 bucks and want a little jump in power your best bet in my opinion is an x pipe. i have most of the bolt ons and then some.

the shifter is nice but not adding any power. not saying its not good, its just not what he asked for.

the gears will wind up running mure if someone else has to do install+ seals and rebuild kit and all that crap.

tuner, i was dynotuned and i didnt pick up all that much.

i think you will get a solid 8 rwhp with a good x pipe.

oh and pullies are not my thing either, one bolt on i dont have.
 
I'd got with the tuner if you could stretch it to afford it, or go with the TB/Plenum. Or save it towards something you really want for it like your gears.

And I agree that you can own one of these cars without racing, and still want to mod for more power. I like modding, its like a drug. And I use the power on the street, within reason. That's why I want to improve 0-60 times and handling, and not so concerned about 1/4 mile tims.
 
tonys5.0 said:
What about an electric water pump. Don't they offer a little better cooling plus additional hp? Meizer (sp?) offers their pump for about $300.

Alos, why no interest in u/d pullies?

Electic water pumps are good power gains, but not so good for daily drivers, if it fails, which I'm thinking they're more likely to do, your screwed.