F-Body Europe

Here's a question for everyone.

I am looking into getting better performance out of my ride (like no one else is)... but I am either thiking of getting a new cam and hedders or hedders and a new rear end (either a 3.73 or a 3.90 I don't want to go to excessive). Now my dilema comes becuse I want the hedders and can't decide which of the other I want. I have just enough $$ to get a really good rear end... or just enough $$ to get an ok cam and ok springs... but when I go to do my cam I want to also put in roller rockers, new lifters as well.

I'm just trying to get a fell for what some other people would do if in the same shoes as me.... Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Later!

Being the newbie, I can't say what the cams will give you, but I personally would go with the gears. They are a big gain in performance. And they do not effect the drivability or emissions, if you care about that. Gears are going to be one of my first mods. Peace

Not knowing your budget, I don't know what to tell you. For me, the gears would be cheaper, since a decent cam setup with roller rockers for me would cost nearly $1500. I guess it would be cheaper for you. I would prefer the cam setup myself.

Well JR, I personally would do both. You can pick up a used set of gears in 3.42 for about $75. I would try that size as alot of autos are running them, when they get power.

I would look on the boards and ebay for a cam and springs. There are always people selling their cams. If you need help and want me to keep an eye out let me know. Tell me your budget and I will send you what I find.

Get the best of both worlds.....

Same here, I am alway looking to see what's out there.

Trust me...this guy can find you anything!!!;)
I agree that both would be better, but if you really can't afford it, just go with the gears. Heard it is a major difference with the auto!!;)

JR you know your going to change out everything any way so I would buy the best mods you can one at a time. Instead of trying to buy alot of middle range mod's you will end up changing out later anyway. Just my 02 cents. I have been working on my car for 4 year's and still have a long way to go. JAZ

Well as most mods bought used retain their value and if you do the work yourself, midrange mods can be had now as a loan. Run the extra power now and upgrade later. You will make your money back if you buy used. I bought the MAC headers as they were $600 shipped. I know I can sell them for close to $500. I will upgrade to longtubes later, but I have had them for almost 8months. That is 8 months of extra power and performance... just my $.02

I dont knbow what your budget is but here's what I would do and I speak from exsperience....

You can get the hotcam kit comes with cam, springs, retainers, roller rockers for about $450. Gears will run you in the neighborhood of $180( I reccomend Motives in the flavor of 3.73) And a good custom tune. Add some shortie headers for about $350-ish. If you can only afford 2 of these mods, go for headers and gears, you will need them to put any decent cam in.

Jeff

Go gears, no higher than 3.73's. Think about the headers next.

Jeffs right that a cam on its own, is not going to do much for you until you have the intake (heads) and exhaust (headers/ypipe/) to support it, plus the PCM change so the car knows it has it.

Me personally, 1. Gears 2. Headers 3. Torque convertor


BTW v8zspeed
1500 for a cam and rocker setup? What is it made out of? Diamonds and platinum?

Wow that was alot of replys.....

Well I have thought it over and I'm going to go with gears and hedders first... then I'll get the cam in a few months.... My budget is about $1200 and that's got to get the hedders, gears, (and the new pinion bearing I need...) and I also want to get stripes painted on the car... but I'm getting the estimate tonight so I'll find out if that is do able as well.... but I want performance first than looks. Like I said thank you all for the suggestions!!! Keep them coming if you have any more! Later!

Forgot...

George if you could help me find a set of hedders (package w/ y pipe, and install kit.. bolts.. ect.) and a set of 3.73 gears...(I'm willing to sacrafice some top end for more pull at the bottom since I leave Germany soon.. where else will I get up to 120 leagely?) I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

If you get shorties, they bolt up to the factory exhaust. At least the BBK's do. You want mine? I want some long tube's.

I was kind of looking at the edelbrocks because they come with everything......

Whats wrong with yours???

How much do you want for them????

Will I need a new Y pipe?

Where can I get all of the stuff to bolt them up?

Do they sound good?

You can have everything you need off my exhaust to make it work with yours. There is nothing wrong with them other than they are chrome. I figure with the engine out, its the easiest way to put those long tubes on...

How much do you want for them?????? Do you think I can still use the gasketts or where I can get them!

Damn, your that serious? Cool! I'd say um....$100 for them headers. You would deffinitely want to get some new gaskets and locking bolts. As for where: Summit, LG Motorsports, Jegs, ThunderRacing...

Let me talk to the wife and let me look at them again... but I 98% pos I'll take them!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll tell you that for an A4 car, the best mod for the money is a torque converter. It will make a HUGE difference. I put a 3K stall speed Vigilante on my 95 and it was amazing!!! I didn't get a chance to run my car at the track after the TC, but most people drop their 1/4 times by .5 -.7 depending on the converter!!!

The TC will give you the most gain of any mod with the exception of NOS and Forced Induction.

Mods I'd do in this order:
1. Torque Converter
2. Gears
3. Headers
4. Cam

Yup, stripes do help the HP ... I should know, after all I beat Bruce on the 7th ... and that was all just the stripes ... 6 per side, times 10HP per stripe ... add it up ... got that tip from a Honda driver ...
NOT!
Anyway, you may want to try them as stickers - I got mine as decals, and they worked great ... they will hold quite a couple years when treated decently and done right, plus you can get rid of them easily without a new paint job ... if you want to, I can hook you up with the guy that did mine ...