need some advice for big mod...

[nesqwick_05]

just trying to decide. my car is a 98 gt, currently pretty stock except for a upr xpipe, flowmaster, pro 5.0 shifter, k&n air filter, and c springs. i plan on going and doing a mod that will give me a substantial amount of horsepower, currently only have 1k to spend, but am thinking mayb i could save for a little bit longer. anyway here are my ideas.

plan number 1. i could buy a good set of pi heads and cams (have the intake sitting in my garage) and do the install on that and gain around 50 hp, then soon after get 3.73s installd. then about christmas time i could pick up an sc.

plan number 2. i could save a little bit more money, and buy a used sc, get a solid tune and install my pi intake to go with it. and possibly go with 3.73s after a couple more months...

plan number 3. i could piece together a junkyard turbo kit(single or twin possibly, and get a tubular k member, coilovers, and a arms (this is hte one i really am leaning away against right now...

i do plan on doing the suspension come next spring for sure, just wanting to do some more power mods before. i usually get decent traction, and will be running on mt drag radials whenever im at the track. im just trying to decide which way i should steer for now. i do like to go to the track alot, and tend to do some racing on the streets when traffic permits, so my car would need to be suited for street/strip seeing as its my daily...

 

[Superhereaux]

i'd go for the full pi setup with some nasty cams (and valvesprings) and some 4.10's out back

 

[nesqwick_05]

i'd go for the full pi setup with some nasty cams (and valvesprings) and some 4.10's out back

im thinking thats the most logical way to go,im only 17, but cant help but dream about an sc whining as i mash the gas you know...

 

[2013 Geee T]

I would go with plan #1. A used supercharger or junkyard turbo sounds like trouble.

 

[spitfirees20]

Here is my opinion on this:

plan number 1. i could buy a good set of pi heads and cams (have the intake sitting in my garage) and do the install on that and gain around 50 hp, then soon after get 3.73s installd. then about christmas time i could pick up an sc.

This is the most logical, cost effective plan. Just with the 3.73's you will notice a huge gain, it will feel like a whole new car. However, there are two small problems. First, installing PI heads will raise the compression ratio on our cars (I have a 98 gt), so when you eventually get a SC you will be able to run less boost. I would just install the intake and cams. The second problem is if you're going through the trouble of installing cams, why do PI cams? If you are planning on boost later down the road, I would recommend stage one blower cams. If you are pretty sure you are SC this winter, I would get the intake and 3.73's installed now, and this winter do the blower cams and the SC at the same time.

plan number 2. i could save a little bit more money, and buy a used sc, get a solid tune and install my pi intake to go with it. and possibly go with 3.73s after a couple more months...

From what I heard, used parts are nothing but problems, especially high performance parts like SC. That, and you'll very rarely get all of the pieces that came in the original kit. I really, really would advise against this.

plan number 3. i could piece together a junkyard turbo kit(single or twin possibly, and get a tubular k member, coilovers, and a arms (this is hte one i really am leaning away against right now...

How much mechanical skill do you have? Even if you have alot, that is a job and a half. Also, assuming this is your DD, it's going to need alot of down time. I would also really recommend against this.

and tend to do some racing on the streets when traffic permits, so my car would need to be suited for street/strip seeing as its my daily...

I wouldn't talk about racing on the streets in these forums, it's not permitted, and an easy way to get your thread locked. What I'm basically trying to say, plan out your whole upgrade route beforehand, and save up for the good stuff These are just my opinions, hope they help.

 

[nesqwick_05]

ya u have been alot of help, ima go with route number 1 i think, ive got some mechanical skill but would definatly need more downtime then i want. so i think the pi heads will actually be comming, i dont wanna just do the cams and intake really, i wouldnt do the intake without the plates (did once and it was nothing but hell) and really dont wanna use he npi parts because if i decide to upgrade in the future, the aftermarket isnt near as large as far as intake manifolds, cams, and all that goes. but thanks for the input.

o0o and ive had nothing but good luck with used parts thus far, thats y it is up for discussion

 

[Mel96GT]

If you are only 17 and prolly on a budget, I recommend PI cams and the PI intake. Some used PI cams will cost about $75.00 which is a lot cheaper than $500+ for aftermarket cams. Not a bad price for about 20-25 horses with the intake. The cams can be quickly installed (one weekend) if you have the Ford cam-changing tool or the Anderson Ford Motorsports tool. The stock tune will work and with this setup you can install a supercharger later w/o compression worries. Another must-have are some 3.73 gears since the 3.27's are no fun and you can take advantage of the higher revs of the PI cam. Check out my sig since I took the "cheapie" road to mods.