A buddy wants advice. Advice needed!

[NOS2006]

FI or bust with those cars. The investment he'll make to get it as fast as an LS1 car isn't worth it IMO. Been there, done that.

[97rs4life]

headers, locking header bolts, and best header gaskets all being sold by a guy on camarov6.com for 200 bucks. That is his best route for sure http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread...981#post903981

aluminum driveshaft is also a worthwhile mod for $125-150 bucks usually

But before even headers, get a catback exhaust on there to help it breath better.

zzp chip, there is no such thing as a chip on these cars. Do you mean a mail order tuned PCM?

[s.reef]

to make significant gains for under $200 is going to be tough to do. Exhaust would be the first mod i would do

[Derek]

Thanks for the help, I will let him know. It's funny, I had a 97 RS and he fell in love with it and bought his own. Then I found my Z28, after riding in my car he was pissed that he didn't buy a V8. LOL I told him to go for the V8 before he bought his RS, but he didn't listen.

I hate to say this considering I had a supercharged 1999 v6 firebird that I ended up completely returning to stock and selling to buy my TA. I had 3.73 gears, racetronix fuel pump, custom powerdyne supercharger kit, ls1 clear lid with k an n filter, GTP injectors, tuned with hptuners. My friend and I then went for a ride in his lt1 formula that just had cai and catback, my v6 after all those parts only felt slightly faster than his v8. That basically sealed the deal for me, not only do v8s sound better but are much more powerful for cheaper.. Tell him to just sell the cai and chip now, as well as his car and pick up a z28, for dirt cheap. Even LS1 cars are cheap right now, some people are practically giving away lt1's.


IF HES SET ON THE V6, The first thing people tinker with is CAI that he has, then catback exhaust, then usually gears and posi. Even the gears are more than 200 to install, headers are like 250, then engine work is even more expensive..I'd highly reccommend 3.73s for the auto, they made my old car a lot quicker than it was with the stock 3.08 open differential.

[NOS2006]

Seriously, I'm not kidding!

I had a '98 3.8 and it's not worth the money he'll put into it! I put in a Magnaflow catback exhaust, Pacesetter ceramic-coated headers, ram-air intake, mild cam, stiffer pushrods, heavier valve springs / spring retainers, tune, and 3.73 gears with LSD. I think that's about it. Needless to say, after all that time, money, and work I was still a bit slower than an LS1 Z28.

[JoeliusZ28]

Waste of time IMHO...and money at this stage of the car...

Tell him to save up for the cam and rockers...

Actually I think its more noticeable than youd think, especially if he has the ole "2-peice" driveshaft like my v6. I was going to buy one for mine, but for MPG purposes.

[sman]

I really hate to tell him to get rid of the 6, because I asked the same questions as him when I first got my car, but seriously, its not worth it, im in the middle of a v8 swap myself, there is just no comparison unless you drop alot of money on the 6. Ls1 cars are dirt cheap now, id just buy one of those.

[JDubZ28]

Thanks for the help everyone. I tell him what you all said and see where he wants to go from there.

Justin

[meissen]

I'll go against the grain. What is he really trying to accomplish? Everyone compares a v6's power with mods to a v8. Of course it's not going to compare - especially a 3.8 to an LS1. Yes, I'm in the middle of an LT1 swap but I'm honestly doing the LT1 swap as a car show addition believe it or not. My car isn't going to win anything being a highly modified exterior and interior but a stock v6 engine. I needed to get a modified LT1 so I would have the "total package." That said, if he's just looking to make the v6 feel a little faster, everything that people have said thus far will help. Just have to remember that you can not compare a v6 with minor mods to a v8.

[JDubZ28]

Just talked to my friend and let him know what you all said. Not sure what he wants to do. He isn't much of a gear head, just wants a little more giddy up. LOL I am trying to convince him to hit the track with me this summer, again! He is possitive that his buick regal GS is quicker. LOL

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

He is possitive that his buick regal GS is quicker. LOL

Hmmm...if he has the supercharged version, he could very well be right...

[JDubZ28]

No supercharger, just the 3800. Still he is convinced it's faster. Everytime I mention going to the track he laughs and says" I should run the regal." LOL

[DETROITMUSCLE]

if its a GS then its supercharged.

[JDubZ28]

Not a newer year GS. I think its 98, not a 100%. But I know its NA.

Justin

[JoeliusZ28]

Seriously, I'm not kidding!

I had a '98 3.8 and it's not worth the money he'll put into it! I put in a Magnaflow catback exhaust, Pacesetter ceramic-coated headers, ram-air intake, mild cam, stiffer pushrods, heavier valve springs / spring retainers, tune, and 3.73 gears with LSD. I think that's about it. Needless to say, after all that time, money, and work I was still a bit slower than an LS1 Z28.

hehe i beat you with an LT1 actually

but Ive beaten several LS1s so thats besides the point. Your car ran damn good, and i definitely didnt blow your doors off.