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Other than gears...

  • Thread starter Thread starter gotchopsticks
  • Start date Start date Jan 14, 2010
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gotchopsticks

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Sep 4, 2004
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Jan 14, 2010
#1
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #1
Hi, i have a 2002 gt 5pd, i came across a few extra bucks and want to make my car a little more fun and gain a few hp in the process. I already have a K&N, offroad x-pipe, flowmasters, U/D pulleys, triax shifter, lowering springs, and diablosport tuner, and 72k on the odo. I know the first mod everyone suggests is gears, but im most likely going to be doing a decent amount of freeway travel so i dont want to put 4.10's in and ive heard that 3.73's dont make the great of a difference. Im planning on getting a different strereo cuz that 6 disk is halfway broken, and i want a brake upgrade, but as far as power i can only think of cams cuz i cant afford a power adder. any ideas? thanks
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Jan 14, 2010
#2
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #2
You can start by saying how much money you're working with.....
 
G

gotchopsticks

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Jan 14, 2010
#3
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #3
lets say $2000, minus 500 for stereo and ~450 for brakes, so maybe 1000-1500 dollars
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
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Jan 14, 2010
#4
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #4
Do the brakes and stereo and save the rest for the coming apocalypse.
 

sneaky98gt

10 Year Member
Apr 23, 2008
2,387
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NC State University
Jan 14, 2010
#5
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #5
A new head unit and amp/subs were the first "mods" I did to my car, and I'd venture to say my favorite to date. I get WAY more compliments from people on the sound system than everything else combined. I'd still like to get some aftermarket door speakers and another amp.

I don't know if it's an option for you, but if appearance mods are wanted, I'd maybe go with some new wheels and/or tires. Mach 1 chin spoiler and grill delete would be nice also.

Power wise, and not wanting a power adder, cams are about the only thing left. It would be the better part of $700 if you go with all new stuff (cams, springs), plus probably several hundred more for install if you don't do it yourself. Long tube headers would be nice also; probably 20 or more horsepower with your mods. But once again, you're probably looking at $500ish for the headers (new) plus several hundred for an install. You could go with a bigger TB and plenum, but don't expect a big difference with that.
 
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gotchopsticks

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Sep 4, 2004
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Jan 14, 2010
#6
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #6
ya i already heard that TB/Plenum wouldnt be worth the $350-450 if im not going with a power adder, and im some what hesitant to do the headers do to smog reasons (im in Cali) and my exhaust is way loud already. would it be worth paying the cost of cams and springs? what hp am would i be expecting? or would it be better to match the cams/springs with a gearing upgrade to 3.73? i could go for a cheaper stereo and put the gears in

and i would be doing my own install on everything except the gears. thanks guys

...coming apocalypse...

lol
 

scupking

Active Member
Sep 18, 2005
1,186
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Enfield, CT
Jan 14, 2010
#7
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #7
3.73s make a big difference over the stock gears. Also if you go with hitech stage II cams you will not need to replace your valve springs unless you are going to rev over 6,400rpm.
 
J

jeffs08GT

New Member
Feb 29, 2008
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Jan 14, 2010
#8
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #8
You could get an acufab throttle body, I've heard they are good for about 5-10 hp.
 
G

gotchopsticks

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Sep 4, 2004
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Jan 14, 2010
#9
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #9
scupking said:
3.73s make a big difference over the stock gears. Also if you go with hitech stage II cams you will not need to replace your valve springs unless you are going to rev over 6,400rpm.
Click to expand...

great, thats good news haha. with my current mods i was able to run mid 13's at 4000ft elevation, and that was before my 285 BFG's, so with cams and gears maybe i can hit high 12's

thanks guys
 
J

jcori1

New Member
Jul 14, 2009
21
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Hamden CT
Jan 14, 2010
#10
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #10
If you decide to go with the gears make sure you keep in mind that once you have the gears put in your speedometer will be off and you will be racking up more milage than you are actually driving...might wanna do a tune for the gears afterwards....I put a throttle body and plenum on my car that I got off a friends totaled mustang for free and I would not pay for them. Its around 500$ and not enough to show for it...just my 2 cents
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
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U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Jan 14, 2010
#11
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #11
What do your axles look like, are they rusted? 7 quart oil pan, Greasable ball joints, Steering pumps, you know stuff people dread spending money on for some reason they think they should last forever! I think Kilgore was being funny, although it would be hard to tell from the post.
 
G

gotchopsticks

Member
Sep 4, 2004
315
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Jan 14, 2010
#12
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #12
the diablosport tuner i have can adjust for different gear sizes and tire sizes so thats taken care of, and thanks for the advice about the TB/plenum.

my parts all look good, little oil here and there, but no fluid leaks and just got a new battery, need CC plates to account for my sagging springs though and a new wind shield, set of good shocks/struts....so maybe i'll hold off on the goodies till i get the important stuff taken care of. thanks all.
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
63
69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
Jan 14, 2010
#13
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #13
gotchopsticks said:
Hi, i have a 2002 gt 5pd, i came across a few extra bucks and want to make my car a little more fun and gain a few hp in the process. I already have a K&N, offroad x-pipe, flowmasters, U/D pulleys, triax shifter, lowering springs, and diablosport tuner, and 72k on the odo. I know the first mod everyone suggests is gears, but im most likely going to be doing a decent amount of freeway travel so i dont want to put 4.10's in and ive heard that 3.73's dont make the great of a difference. Im planning on getting a different strereo cuz that 6 disk is halfway broken, and i want a brake upgrade, but as far as power i can only think of cams cuz i cant afford a power adder. any ideas? thanks
Click to expand...

damn man just do the 4.10's, i drive 30+ miles everyday with the 4.10's. i still get around 25mpg. plus it will haul much more ass.. cams with stock gears will prolly not go that much faster (1/4) than stock. believe me and all the rest of us, 4.6= 4.10 gear , not 3.73 either!!

but my vote would be, a plenum and tb + the 4.10's car will be much quicker than before, then get the cams..
 

Winters98GT

Whoop...whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop...GANGNAM STYLE!!!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,520
1,291
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H Town
Jan 14, 2010
#14
  • Jan 14, 2010
  • #14
Don't fear the gear.

3.73's will wake the car up over the 3.27's, and make it more fun to drive. However, gears won't help you go faster, unless you have the ability to control it.
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Jan 15, 2010
#15
  • Jan 15, 2010
  • #15
-LT headers (headers have little to do with emissions, its whether or not your mid-pipe has cats or not)
-cams

Both should run around $1500 after install and pick up a good 50-60rwhp.
 

Winters98GT

Whoop...whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop...GANGNAM STYLE!!!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,520
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224
H Town
Jan 15, 2010
#16
  • Jan 15, 2010
  • #16
Nightfire said:
-LT headers (headers have little to do with emissions, its whether or not your mid-pipe has cats or not)
-cams

Both should run around $1500 after install and pick up a good 50-60rwhp.
Click to expand...

how do you figure?

Cams/Springs= $600-700
LT's and mid pipe= $500+
Install= $600-1000 for both
Tune= 400+

Minimum, you are looking $2200 with the install. More likely, around $2500. Plus, he already has an offroad mid pipe. The LT's might pick up 10-15rwhp over the offroad mid pipe.
 
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gotchopsticks

Member
Sep 4, 2004
315
0
16
Jan 15, 2010
#17
  • Jan 15, 2010
  • #17
I will be doing any install except for gears, so paying $1000 for headers and cams to be installed doesnt need to be factored in. 50-60 wheel horse from headers and cams on a relatively stock motor? i wish i had something that would be that responsive to two mods lol. thanks for the tip though

last i checked in cali, my car with long tubes wont pass inspection, and with the risk of having to waste time and money swapping them out every two years i dont think that will be a good investment considering my exhaust is becoming a little loud for my liking.

what RPM would i be at if i were doing 75mph with 4.10's? and would i need a tune more than what the predator could be capable of?
 

Winters98GT

Whoop...whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop...GANGNAM STYLE!!!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,520
1,291
224
H Town
Jan 15, 2010
#18
  • Jan 15, 2010
  • #18
Kali?

Unless you have a hookup on inspections, most aggresive cams and LT headers are a no go.

Go with gears. Do a google search. There are a lot of gear calculators on the web so that you can see your RPM's in different gears at different speeds.
 
G

gotchopsticks

Member
Sep 4, 2004
315
0
16
Jan 15, 2010
#19
  • Jan 15, 2010
  • #19
Ya California, and you just supported my previous few claims as to why i dont think long tubes would be a good idea.

as far as the tune, the dialblosport will not be sufficient?
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
63
69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
Jan 15, 2010
#20
  • Jan 15, 2010
  • #20
gotchopsticks said:
I will be doing any install except for gears, so paying $1000 for headers and cams to be installed doesnt need to be factored in. 50-60 wheel horse from headers and cams on a relatively stock motor? i wish i had something that would be that responsive to two mods lol. thanks for the tip though

last i checked in cali, my car with long tubes wont pass inspection, and with the risk of having to waste time and money swapping them out every two years i dont think that will be a good investment considering my exhaust is becoming a little loud for my liking.

what RPM would i be at if i were doing 75mph with 4.10's? and would i need a tune more than what the predator could be capable of?
Click to expand...

bout 2800rpm, my car loves it 4, 850 mile trips at 3000rpm and it seems to want more lol..
 
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