500 reliable horses is a 15-20k dollar build. Suspension, driveline,chassis, and brakes all need to be upgraded.
here we go again.............
what is your goal
what is your budget
is this your DD or a 2nd car
What do you know about these cars
where did you come up with 500 hp
why a turbo
what is the rest of the car's setup
What kind of condition is the present motor? Is it high mileage? Does it still have good oil pressure,cylinders seal properly,etc? If it's in good condition you really don't have to dig into the shortblock. You can buy a good topend kit(heads,cam,intake,throttle body,proper MAF and fuel system upgrades,timing chain,few gaskets,bolts,etc) and make 350-400 flywheel horsepower. This can be done for around 3-5k in parts(cheaper if using used). Lot of people use the trick flow package and it is a descent kit.Well it's not racing and still love to drive car to work. Budget, well I wasn't thinking 15-20K as mentioned above. I have three other cars to drive so it won't be my DD, but would drive it 2-3 times a week. I'm not sure how I came up with that other than thinking it wouldn't be that expensive lol, guess that's the novice in me. Again not sure why a turbo, other than just liking. It's basically stock right now with just a few bolt-on itmes: Shorty headers, K&N air filter, H-Pipe, flowmasters, 3:73 rear end, MSD 6AL and a Kenny Brown Stage 3 suspension Kit. I'm leaning now just continue with bolt on items (i.e. Top End kit) perhaps. Can you give me any advice on if I need to do anything to the current stock motor if I continue with bolt on items?
Well it's not racing and still love to drive car to work. Budget, well I wasn't thinking 15-20K as mentioned above. I have three other cars to drive so it won't be my DD, but would drive it 2-3 times a week. I'm not sure how I came up with that other than thinking it wouldn't be that expensive lol, guess that's the novice in me. Again not sure why a turbo, other than just liking. It's basically stock right now with just a few bolt-on itmes: Shorty headers, K&N air filter, H-Pipe, flowmasters, 3:73 rear end, MSD 6AL and a Kenny Brown Stage 3 suspension Kit. I'm leaning now just continue with bolt on items (i.e. Top End kit) perhaps. Can you give me any advice on if I need to do anything to the current stock motor if I continue with bolt on items?
First thing I would do is upgrade the stock brakes- at a minimum buy the Max Motorsports kit for around $250 that has the SS caliper sleeves, SS lines, and Hawk Pads.
My opinion is do NOT get a turbo, unless you have a really good set of jackstands. If you want a decent, powerful, fun to drive car that will also be drivable, go with the TFS top end kit and get around 300-320 rwhp or around 350-375 crank HP. That runs around $2500.. Add in a new balancer, gaskets, plugs, wires, throttle body, headers,fluids, larger injectors and MAF and a tune, and that's another $1000. Now you will need to get a better radiator, I would recommend an electric fan and upgraded 3G alternator, - another $500-600. Then your clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel needs to be upgraded-add another $500. Your exhuast if stock needs to go- a goog cat back is $300. If you want a H pipe another $150. So what are we now at $5000? Oh and a better shifter $150.
OR, you can keep the motor pretty much as is, get a Vortech V3 entry level kit for about $2500 and get about 75 more hp. Go to the HO kit for around $3700 and get around 125 Hp- but you will need larger injectors, a larger MAF, a tune. cooling, etc. back to $5000
That is why I asked what your budget ,goals, etc are... been there done that for 30 years on these cars. So have a lot of guys here. We can save you a lot of heartburn by doing it the first time the right way.
Figure out what your budget is and how much you want to be driving vs. wrenching on the car. Then go from there.
What kind of condition is the present motor? Is it high mileage? Does it still have good oil pressure,cylinders seal properly,etc? If it's in good condition you really don't have to dig into the shortblock. You can buy a good topend kit(heads,cam,intake,throttle body,proper MAF and fuel system upgrades,timing chain,few gaskets,bolts,etc) and make 350-400 flywheel horsepower. This can be done for around 3-5k in parts(cheaper if using used). Lot of people use the trick flow package and it is a descent kit.
You also could look into a Vortech supercharger with the needed accessories(mostly fuel upgrades and a tune). You can do this with the factory motor and make 300-400hp or add it to the topend parts and make around your "500" number. Blower package is around the same price as a topend kit with the needed accessories.
I do suggest to upgrade chassis,brakes,transmission before adding power. You'll enjoy the car more and not worry about breaking things. The biggest weak link in these cars are the factory transmissions. They are fairly brittle and don't take the abuse of extra power and spirited driving well.
My head is spinning lol....Lot to think of. Thank you for all the input. After reading all the inputs I'm thinking of just doing a top end kit and I did see the TFS as it will work with my EFI engine with out having to do any type of tune because of the cam, at least what I've read. I currently have a Kenny Brown Stage 3 suspension kit on it, H-pipe, headers, 3:73 gears. I want to keep it as an automatic so I will be looking at transmission also, any input for that? I will be looking to get about 300/350 hp that way I can stay somewhat in the lower budget.
Would I just have to go to my local speed shop or is that something that comes with the top end kit?Do not be surprised if you need a tune with after the top end ikit, as the AOD's tend to require them more than a stick.
Would I just have to go to my local speed shop or is that something that comes with the top end kit?
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