Funny you should post this Q as I've been asked the same one over the phone on more than one occasion.
Here is the answer ...... its long ...... maybe it will help someone
After I got my car I said with just a little more power from some steeper gears I'd be satisfied
After the gears I said with just a little bit more power form some small bolt ons I'd be satisfied
After self ported E7', Edel intake, shortys, mid pipe, and cai I said I'm still not satisfied so I'd better do some research and make some goals.
I researched throughly the following:
centri blowers
K B blowers
turbos
stock block combos
stroked 302 combos
windsor motor swap conversions
stroked windsor combos
custom tuning interfaces for self tuning
I talked to many peeps from the above various camps to see what was possible.
I spent more time on the pa research cause I've built countless na combos in my youth but they were all old school cars with carbs and the like.
I also spent a good bit of research time on self tuning cause I saw the same trouble over and over when talking to the pa guys. Every one of them had drivability probs. Some had more success at fixing them than others but in every case where they had some help with the tune they said it got much better.
At this time Paul Riva was about the only guy I had found with a mild street combo using Ed's stuff and I started to take notice. It didn't take me long before I started the first of many phone conversations with Ed about my car.
The guys who used EEC Tuners and (at that time) the just out Tweecer gave me enough info to know what I could do with it.
I then focused my research on stock blocked na mild street combos at 300rwhp or better. Experience with all out race cars and very radical street cars made me know that kind of thing would not be acceptable for my 95. I knew the hp goal was a no brainer as many had done it but when looking at their dyno charts I was not happy with any of the torque curves I saw. I wanted a tq curve that from a very low rpm had a sharp rise and was flat until 5k rpm or better. I then found close to what I was looking for when I saw Paul's chart.
At this time I had enough info to set some goals I knew were reasonable.
300rwhp or better
broad/flat tq curve of 325 to 350rwtq at a redline of 6k to 6200 rpm
12.99 or better 1/4 mile et
stock weight (no gutting)
stock block in na form
all accessories operational
stock looking appearance (sleeper)
emissions legal & pass annual inspections
stock drivability
I got all of em done except the hp/tq and track time.
I've upgraded the tb/maf so I feel certain I'm done with that goal at this time but I won't get to the dyno for a while longer to verify.
As for 12.xx 1/4 mile times I can't say for certain as money is not available to play with the car at this time. I can say that others with similar combos have obtained that goal. Stock clutch & street tires would not allow my efforts at the strip to be very fruitful at reaching my goal.
The car has turned out much better than I expected and the two main reasons are:
Ed Curtis
Tweecer tune
If I did it all over again, what would I do differently? ...... been asked that one a time or two.
When making my plans and goals, I had no idea I could use the Tweecer to tune to the level of success I've achieved. If I would have known that I would have told Ed to go hotter with the cam specs
I'm satisfied with the results ......................... however
Just a little more power would be better
I'm thinking a 2200 KB with the zilla dilla thingy would just about do it
Later
Grady
I was happy with just exhaust, then the power got old and it went on from there. Looks like most people had that same problem... its a sickness I guess.
. My first goal after I got the car was to have it re-painted and make it look unique without going overboard on the body kit. I think I did allright with that one...
