STS turbo 3rd gen TA

[Darren]

My .02

Suspension first:
Weld subframe connectors in to fix the t-top flex.
Replace LCA's, panhard, torque arm in the rear (made a huge handling difference on my car)
BMR has a nice front coil-over setup but look for a hollow sway bar. BMRs solid sway bars are heavy (Strano Performance has hollow bars)

Think about brakes, C4 J55 are pretty inexpensive

Rear End:
The Borg Warner 9-bolt is fairly strong but hard to find parts for.
The completely stock 10-bolt in my car (2.73 gears too) went 12.2 before it started to vibrate from a worn pinion crush collar.

You can build a 10-bolt and weld the axle tubes as I did (use nickle rod), but you'll be at half the cost of a Moser 9inch without the strength or warranty of the Moser.

After the chassis/suspension/rear end are good to handle more power, then think about a motor. Since you already have a manual you won't need to buy pedals and a T56 swap gets easier. Ask James about his swap and the performance of the LS1 vs. his old 406 Tuned Port motor.

OR

If you really just want 300hp, change the TPI setup to a mini-ram. HP = TQ x RPM, so lots of RPM will get you HP. Stock TPI's hate RPMs.

What did you have done to your 305 to make it run a 12.0?

[scholtmj]

What did you have done to your 305 to make it run a 12.0?

Spent a lot of money!

Engine:
Stock GM 305 TPI + .030 = 310 Cubic Inches
TRW Forged Flat Top Pistons
Eagle 4340 H-Beam Rods
COMP Cams Xtreme Fuel Injected Camshaft: 268/ 276, Lift .570/ .565
Comp Cams hi energy pushrods
GM LS7 lifers
Comp Cams 1.6:1 Pro Magnum Roller Rockers
Comp Cams double valve springs
Comp Cams Double Roller timing chain
World S/R Torquer 305 Cylinder Heads 1.94/1.50 valves
Edlebrock Aluminum intake manifold
Accel SuperRam Intake Plenum
Melling high volume oil pump
Accel 26lb fuel injectors - NOT BIG ENOUGH
BBK 58mm throttle body
BBK Fuel Pressure Regulator
Summit electric water pump/Weiand Polished Aluminum Mech. pump
Procharger P1SC with Intercooler 6, 8, 10lb boost pulleys
Ignition:
MSD 6AL/Hypertech Coil
Taylor Spark plug wires
Accel HEI control module
Transmission:
Coan Engineering Street/Strip 700R4
Neal Chance custom 9.5 in lock up converter
Spohn Trans. Cross-member with driveshaft loop
Exhaust:
Ceramic Coated Hooker Long Tube headers
Custom H-pipe with Flowmaster mufflers
Rear End:
GM 7.5 inch 10-bolt housing
Moser C-Clip Eliminators
Moser custom alloy axles
LPW Ultimate 7.5 rear end cover
Strange Engineering 3.73 Pro Gears
Auburn Pro Limited Slip Differential


Suspension:
Front:
PA Racing Tubular K-Member
Spohn tubular A-arms with rod ends
Spohn pro-tour coil over kit 300lb springs
Koni “red” adjustable struts
Flaming River Pinto manual steering rack
Rear:
BMR Torque Arm
BMR Lower Control Arms
BMR Adjustable Panhard Rod
BMR Panhard Rod relocation Kit
Spohn QA1 coil over kit
Chassis:
Spohn Wonder Bar
Chris Alston Subframe connectors
Brakes:
Front: Power slot rotors
SSBC Electric Vacuum Pump
SSBC Force 10 Aluminum calipers
Stainless braided brake lines
Hawks Ceramic brake pads
Rear: Stock drums
Wheels & Tires:
Front:
17 x 8 Torque Thrust II Classics
245/45-17 BFG G-Force T/A KD
Rear:
17 x 9.5 Torque Thrust II Classics
275/40-17 BFG G-Force T/A KD
Drag Wheels/Tires:
17 x 11 Torque Thrust II Classics
315/35-17 BFG Drag Radials
Other:
Canton Racing coolant expansion tank
Dell Laptop with Bullseye PCU-1 Software
Innovate wideband O2 sensor with hand held monitor
Innovate Aux box data logger