97 trans am upgrades

**RollingD** · 04-22-2009, 02:30 AM

Less than a year ago I bought this car from one of my buddies. Either he knew something I didn't or I have horrible luck, but about 2 months after I bought it things just started breaking. I've had the transmission rebuilt due to a broken reverse synchro, the rear end rebuilt with an auburn posi unit to replace the broken stock one, new fuel pump, and some other minor and understandable repairs. As for upgrades I put in a stage 2 clutch, and my opti just crapped out so I bought an MSD billet opti(the really expensive one, yeah I'm probably dumb) and some 8.5mm MSD superconductor wires. My car is sitting in the parking lot in lots of pieces until the weekend when I can put it all back together. Anyway the point of all this is regardless of the crap I have to go through to make it work I really LOVE this car, most fun thing I've ever driven. I want to do some performance mods to it but I'm way to clueless about what to do. I ask all my gearhead buddies and they say things like if you do this you have to do this because bla bla...it sounds like another language. This has gotta be the place to ask so here I am. I use my car as a daily driver and for weekend trips so gas mileage is decently important to me. I'm not big into racing, nor do I go to the track, so I don't plan on doing anything ridiculous. I just want to know what upgrades would be good for me that would keep gas mileage the same or improve it, keep the car street driveable, but give me some more power and make it sound as nasty as it looks.

**LoneGunman** · 04-22-2009, 04:20 PM

First thing you gotta do is get a Loudmouth exhaust

**RollingD** · 04-22-2009, 04:51 PM

What all will that do for me? You'll have to remember I'm a total noob when it comes to parts and such.

**bigrondownhiller** · 04-23-2009, 02:23 PM

It will make it louder, which might not help with the mileage because you will be revving it higher to hear the exhaust. Look for sound clips to see the exhaust sound you like best. Headers are a good thing to do to but in the LT1 they are a pain in the ass to install. How many miles on it?

**RollingD** · 04-23-2009, 07:25 PM

Its only got 79k on it. Either way I'm looking more along the lines of speed/hp moreso than sound. Trying to keep or improve gas mileage, sound would be nice but I'm more concerned with actual performance.

**justinflora** · 04-23-2009, 11:09 PM

If it is all stock atm first thing i would do is get full exhaust, and a cai and maybe an aftermarket 1le elbow

**RollingD** · 04-24-2009, 08:51 AM

Ok, lots of questions: What does a full exhaust consist of? Also whats a cai and elbow? What kind of improvements do I get from those? And lastly whats the cost approximately~ of all of that?

**RyanJM** · 04-24-2009, 07:28 PM

Full Exhaust-
Long tube headers: $279 and up.
Y-Pipe: $125 and up.
Cat-Back exhaust: $290 and up.
Prices depend on brand name, off road Y or catted, and material it's made of they have painted or stainless headers. Aluminized or stainless cat-back.

Cold Air intakes- Are $160 and up depending on the brand and setup.

I'd also invest in an Underdrive Pulley set. Like $110 or so and there usuall good for like 10hp.

Not sure what the exact HP gains are on LT1 cars. I would guess about 10 to 15 hp pn the CAI and probably 30 to 40hp for a full exhaust.

**RollingD** · 04-26-2009, 02:52 PM

why would i want to put a cold air intake on it if it has ram air?

**WS6Rob** · 04-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Better air flow into the engine

**96Firebirdformula** · 04-27-2009, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by RollingD

why would i want to put a cold air intake on it if it has ram air?

You didn't say it was Ram Air Or Ws6

**RyanJM** · 04-27-2009, 09:30 PM

Well if ot's a ram air at least ditch the cheap paper filter if it hasn't already been done

**RollingD** · 04-28-2009, 11:57 AM

My bad for not specifying, yes its ram air. I'm gonna order a better filter today thanks for the tip on that. Also while were in that area I remember someone saying about mass flow air sensor and throttle body being relatively cheap upgrades that give a good bit of hp. And perhaps instead of just replacing the filter is there a better ram air box out there than the stock one?

**RyanJM** · 04-28-2009, 04:31 PM

I PMed you a like to where I get my LS1 parts from and they have plenty of LT1 parts. I have had great luck with them. Not soo much with a few others i have tried. Like Thunder racing, good prices but everytime I put in an order something is on backorder. Been waiting 2 weeks for a new diff cover.
Since I don't know if you can port the LT1 TB's I would say get one.

Also I have had good luck with my Granetelli Mass air i bought when my stock one decide it had been on the car long enough.

If you plan on a cam later you may want to look into a new intake and TB that are matched. Like the 58MM TB with matching 58mm intake.