So, forgive my ignorance.. Never been much of a mech when it comes to cars.. I just got a 99 z28.. v8 5.7l and wanted some advise for giving it a lil more boost.. (not that its not fast already) Whats the first step to juicin it up? Sorry if this is a cliche post..

 

Is the car stock right now? If it is then it's always good to start with the basics, new air box lid, good filter, headers and exhaust. That alone will give you anywhere from 20 to maybe 30hp. Also since you just purchased the car go ahead and do a nice tune up, change ALL the fluids, plugs and wires, seafoam through intake, engine sump and fuel system. How many miles on the car? Is it an auto or manual?

 

yeah, it's pretty much stock.. It has a somewhat upgraded exhaust. It's an auto with 80k miles. How much do u expect it to run me, doin those "basics"? And thanks for the advise!

 

You can get a lid for about $80 bucks, headers anywhere from 299-400 best bang for the buck are Pacesetter long tubes, do you have emissions or state inspections? Exhaust system could run anywhere from 300-700 depending on brand etc. The rest of the stuff you can pick up at any part store, make sure you get that auto tranny a nice flush and filter replacement, i use the B&M trick shift tranny fluid (blue stuff) on my auto.

 

Sweet! Thanks for the help! I'm honestly not sure about the emissions.. I won't be living in my state of residence for about a year, so I'm not sure which state to go by.. I'll have to read up on that..unless u know?

 

I have no clue man, not all emissions are state wide. I live in GA and our area doesn't require it but up in the Atlanta area it is, if you move somewhere where it's required then Long tube headers are out of the question because they remove the cats so shorty headers would be your option.

 

You have to go by the state that your car is titled and plated in for emmisions.

As far as the mods go, do the tune up stuff, all of it. All filters including the fuel filter (often overlooked), all fluids, and plugs. Clean the throttle body, IAC, and MAF (read up on cleaning the MAF before touching it.
Then start modding.

 

In additional to what's posted above:

Aftermarket lid, ported stock throttle body, LS6 intake manifold (get all the intake and induction stuff used to save some money), long tube headers along with an off road Y-pipe and an catback exhaust. If you get the cheaper exhaust parts you could get everything for roughly $1200, minus install.

Find out what rear gear ratio you have. If you've got 2.73s, look to upgrade to a 3.42 or 3.73. If you've got 3.23 leave it alone.

That should keep you happy for little bit... maybe.

 

If you have an auto, I always thought that a new torque convertor was one of the best bang for the buck mods. Get a Yank in the 3000 range. If you don't go too crazy with the stall, you don't need a tune or anything.

-Geoff

 

Ok, I think I'll have to go with the shorts then..

 

How would I find that out? or would it be something I'd have to get a mech to check?

 

not true, I got long tubes and high flow cats

Texas Speed has them Pacesetter LT' with TS y-pipe with cats its around $500 i think....
terrible ground clearance tho...not even lowered and my cats scap sometimes on driveways

I would get headers, full exhaust and high flow lid and a LS6 intake mani or FAST intake mani.....if thats not enough get a good shop to install a dif camshaft and get it tuned... a good cam swap will make serious power and a cammed LS1 sounds sick

 

To crazy with the stall?

 

the 99 Z28's came stock with 3.23 gears

 

No, they were optional. 2.73 gears were standard on the automatic cars.

And to EvilBird: long tubes DO NOT allow the use of converters in an emissions compliant application. Sure you can put them in the y-pipe, but because the long tubes force you to move them from the stock location they are not legal.