Tips, advice, recommendations, info for new owner

[onetroubledguy]

So, I recently got into muscle cars. I bought a 99' Trans Am with 80k miles. Pics are below. I don't know what is considered stock on these vehicles. The only thing I know that isn't stock on my car is the dual exhaust w/ cutouts, and maybe the ram air hood? Not sure.

Anyways, I'm looking for some general information about maintenance and visual/performance upgrades. As far as maintenance, what things should I be aware of given the mileage of the vehicle? Is it time to have anything looked at or replaced? Filters? Belts? Hoses? etc.

What kind of performance upgrades would you recommend that are reasonable for a college student budget? Headers? Intake? Cam? Which brands/parts are regarded as the best? I hear about people running SLP loudmouth, y-pipes, long tube headers, etc. Could you go into some detail about these upgrades?

The only thing that I can think of visually is a decal kit (perhaps large white stripes on the hood like this one: ).

Any information you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Kalepsis]

First tip: Don't use ImageShack hosting. It doesn't work on this forum.

Maintenance: These cars are extremely reliable, especially the engines. Have an oil change, even if it doesn't need one, and don't switch oils. I use Mobil-1 synthetic 10W30 religiously. Check your fuel and air filters (a K&N air filter will set you back about $65, but it's one of the best things you can do for its intake). Check transmission, power steering, and differential fluids, serpentine belt for frays, and hoses for cracks, dry-rot, or leaks... If there's nothing noticeably wrong, that's about it.

As far as performance goes, airflow is the first thing you should look at, because it opens up the way for more serious mods like heads, cam, blower, etc. when your funds allow. An SLP air lid will help free up the intake better. Watch out for some aftermarket lids because they tend to not seal correctly. Intake manifolds: I've heard the 2 best ones to use are the FAST LSX intake, or an LS6 intake. http://www.lmperformance.com/4196/1.html; or http://www.lmperformance.com/554/1.html Neither is cheap, but they'll flow better than an LS1 intake. Headers and a decent cat-back are essential. There's been a lot of discussion about the best headers and exhaust systems to use, so just do a search for that. Pacesetter long tubes and an SLP catback are pretty popular, and not too expensive.

Visuals: Personally, I think this is one of the most beautiful cars GM ever designed. The TA body and ground effects are top-notch in the looks department. But there's a few things you can do... HID headlights, custom side markers, custom emblems from Third_Shift, etc. Not too many companies make body kits for our cars because there's not much you can improve on.

[bgable]

he sumed it up pretty well n also just drive the hell out of it n have fun

[onetroubledguy]

Hey, thanks for the info. It will help a lot. I'll let you know what I end up doing and see if you think it's ok.

[onetroubledguy]

So with intake aside, I would be looking at getting something like:

Catback: http://www.lmperformance.com/5574/1.html
Headers: http://www.lmperformance.com/757/1.html

Would I still need a y-pipe with all that? How about a cat converter? Anything else?

Keep in mind this is all new to me as I know nothing about cars :sillyme

[RARON455]

I agree with all the above, but I am not partial to the big stripes its been done many many times, I like the Blackbird style stripes on the hood like in your pix.

[raynor139]

if you already have the dual exhaust with cutouts leave the loudmouth system alone the dual makes more power all the loudmouth will do is make more noise and you already got cutouts so no need to worry about that

[basballny2]

Sub Frame Connectors

[Rojerlockless]

power window motor =p

[DrkEagle]

power window motor =p

+1

lol and oh, soon you'll most likely need to have one of the headlight motors replaced too

[basballny2]

first thing i did when i got mine was washed nd waxed her, not sure the condition of the paint if its in need of it but it can never hurt if your unsure

[Vertiviper]

So with intake aside, I would be looking at getting something like:

Catback: http://www.lmperformance.com/5574/1.html
Headers: http://www.lmperformance.com/757/1.html

Would I still need a y-pipe with all that? How about a cat converter? Anything else?

Keep in mind this is all new to me as I know nothing about cars :sillyme

Avoid SLP headers if u ever plan on driving over a speed bump, they hang low like-sleeve-of-wizard.

Loudmouth exhausts sound GREAT on stock manifolds but are raspy with headers and ORY's. If u go with the loudmouth weld in a round muffler and it sounds terrific, just terrific.

[onetroubledguy]

Ok, then I will forget a catback since I already have dual w/ cutouts.

What do you think about the ceramic coated kooks headers here: http://www.lmperformance.com/15831/1.html. What's the power difference between the emissions and no emissions type?

From what I have read, I won't see a huge improvement with just headers, but will be noticeable with other upgrades like intake. Is this correct?

And, where does a y-pipe fit in with all this?

[onetroubledguy]

power window motor =p

I have heard that these go bad all the time in firebirds. My right window is actually very slow.

[raynor139]

yeah the passenger window will be the first to go. my firebird one died on me during a rainstorm believe me that was fun. but that worked out just fine traded it two weeks later for the trans am and the best part was the dealer didnt notice the motor had gone bad

[onetroubledguy]

Kind of funny...one of my headlight motors is going out. Last night it started making a loud rattling sound and acting funny when I lock/unlock my doors.

[matthewaqui]

Get use to the problem. I'm running a 2000 Silver TA purchased this year that has loads of problems. You may want to check your front signal housing. I'm sure water sits inside after a wash with rust corrosion building up in the socket..... Replace the socket and purchase heavy duty seal for the lens and you will be good again.

What can I say, used car come with used up problems.. that is the cost of owning a Trans Am.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttt

[ls1speedster]

get a good coat of wax and that black bitch

looks good...
congrats

[MikeB]

I just bought my 2000 TA last week, everything everyone mentioned on here i.e. window motors, marker lights etc. I was fortunate that all that was discovered when I went in to check the car out....dealer had to replace it all before I would purchase. I'm sure murphy will catch up to me though sooner or later......but the drive and response of these beasts is worth the minor repairs you'll have to make.

[t-rock]

you already have cutouts get a stall and some 3.73's so you can lightem at will.