just bought the car...what would anyone recommend as a good first mod??? Also...not alot of money and how much improvement can I expect???

 

I will be picking up bone stock 98 Z28 with 48,000 miles on it next week. We are in the same boat. I plan on doing the following in the following order:

1) Replace the crappy Eagle GT II's on it with some Yokohama AVS Intermediates (I already bought them)
2) Take it to the dyno shop and test
3) Add the K&Nair filter (already bought it) and re-dyno
4) Order/install SLP Loud Mouth Cat-back
5) Return to the dyno and re-test
6) Order some serious shocks.
7) Further down the road, buy a Hypertech Power Porgrammer so that I can start fiddling with the computer.

 

I'd suggest getting an exhaust 1st (recommend the SLP Loudmouth), it will make driving the car that much more enjoyable.
BTW, welcome to the board...and nice name!

Edit: look at my post number!!!
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RobertoZ28 '98 Z28 6spd
-SLP clutch assem., & billet Steel flywheel.
-SLP Shifter, ****, & Lou's short stick.
-SLP Loudmouth 3.5" slash tips
-SLP skip shift elemitator.
-SLP Airbox with K&N.
-Free air mod.
(13.698 @ 106.383mph)
My Car

[This message has been edited by RobertoZ28 (edited July 06, 2002).]

 

If you're looking for more power, get a lid. They're good for about 15-20rwhp and price is anywhere from $120-$200. Whisper, Direct-Flo, MTI, pick one. After that, get a catback.

If you haven't done the FRA(Free Ram-Air)mod yet, do it. It's worth a few ponies and it's free.

------------------
Aaron
Black ’96 Z28 *sold*
SSM '02 Z28
Pro 5.0, FRA, MTI lid
¼- 13.21@108.2

 

Keith, get a lid too. The K&N alone will not be worth much at all.

You can't really fiddle with the PCM using a Hypertech. DiabloSport is coming out with a programmer in a few weeks that will give you more options than a HPP. They're using my car as one of the test cars, to see what kind of gains they can get with a basically stock LS1. They made a few pulls yesterday on the dyno and the results were pretty impressive. I picked up around 10-12rwhp and about the same for torque throughout the power band. I only got a printout of my baseline pull, so I'm not 100% sure of those numbers but it was at least 10rw(hp and tq), I am 100% sure of that. I'm taking my car back to them next week because they think they get a little more out of it. Price is going to be around $490 I believe but you can also use it as a scanner so it's a pretty good deal.

Just FYI

------------------
Aaron
Black ’96 Z28 *sold*
SSM '02 Z28
Pro 5.0, FRA, MTI lid
¼- 13.21@108.2

 

I'd get reccomemnd some Subframe connectors, Air lid and an Exaust for the first mods.

 

Nice choice on a year!I think the 2 biggest gains I saw were the lid and cat-back.I know exactly what you mean about money!Here's my list and $$$ costs:
-SLP Lid/K&N ($150 used)
-Cut-out ($75 price & installation)
-Dynomax cat-back ($175 installed)I traded in my cut-out for this because I liked the power but not the noise
-SLP MAF ends ($25 used from E-bay)
-EGR mod ($free)
-TB Bypass ($free)
-Free Ram Air ($free)
-Manual fan switch ($5 for do-it-yourself)
-BMR STB ($89 new)
-BMR Sub-frames ($129 new)
With all of these mods (except maybe the free ones) I could feel a difference.The cut-out and MAF ends dropped my ET at the 1/8 mile from a 9.1 to an 8.6 (but practicing my launches did help some).If you'd like any help then please feel free to e-mail me.I've changed the color of my enterior,added white-faced guages,and a custom auto-shift boot.So I can at least point you in the right direction if you'd like some help.Later.
Kevin

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1998 Black Z28 A4
-------1/8-------
8.584 @ 83.64 MPH
Taylor 10.4mm wires,!EGR,!FRA,SLP Lid,MAF Ends,Manual Fan Switch,and Dynomax Cat-back

BMR STB and Sub-frame Connectors

Pics

 

Yeah, I'd like to get a lid, but that would push me out of SCCA Solo II stock class. Eventually, I will get one, but only after I've been able to pay for some additional mods that would bump the car up into the prepared classes. Ditto on subframe connectors.

This new programmer sounds very interesting. I'll keep an eye out for it in the Chevy mags.