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  1. #1
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    Red
    1998 Chevy Camaro z28

    Question Best bang for my buck??

    Ok here is the deal I use to be a third gen'er then i got a great offer on a 98 camaro z28, the egine is all apart and before i put it back together I was just wondering what is the best bang for my buck as far as engine mods I should do. Right now the engine is all stock, exhaust is flowmaster, with ORY, and a bunch of other mods to suspention and all. I want to use this as a daily driver, so i dont want to go crazy with it. It was ran on a dyno and pulled 298 hp not bad for me.
    Money isnt a limit per say, i am deployed to iraq and have no cap, but keep in mind i said daily driver.
    Thank you all in advance....

    P.S. anyone got a engine wire harness that i could get off you, and perhaps a transmission if you live near NY state let me know.

  2. #2
    Verry Nice! 1LE4ME's Avatar
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    Cayenne Red
    1998 Camaro Z28 M6

    Why is the engine apart? Best bang for the buck would be a cam and intake since you already have headers. Get a cam that's streetable though. And how many bucks do you have? You lookin for gas mileage? How much power? You have a lot of questions to ask yourself.

  3. #3
    Member Z28LS1's Avatar
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    black
    1999 Camaro Z28 M6

    cam will definitly show good numbers.. if your willing to sacrifice some gas mileage. gears might be an option.. 3.73 for a daily driver.

  4. #4
    Rice Killa JwMonE99's Avatar
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    Black With T-Tops
    96 Z28 M6

    I was thinking about getting cammed but also be street able cause its going to mostly be a daily driver. How much gas would be sacrifice?

  5. #5
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    Red
    1998 Chevy Camaro z28

    Cool

    It already has 3.73 gears in the rear, i was thinking between 350-400 would be the max, but i figured since i was apart if there were things i could add this would be the time.
    The reason its apart is the guy before me thought he threw a bearing. There was some wear on it but nothing that needs to be Machined. i have known this guy for a life time, and the engine deal is good, i was just curious from a LS1 point of view on what to add.
    I mean i know everyone has favorite companies they like to use, abut what is the best one. Is there a best one i guess would be more the point. I am a old car guy, Carbs, not to familiar with EFI, well not yet, that is where i hope this page helps.
    Also where is the best place to get a wire harness from, I know painless is suppose to be good but have yet to talk to someone who used them. Would a summit brand but just as good, or is this a get what you pay for thing?

  6. #6
    Verry Nice! 1LE4ME's Avatar
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    Cayenne Red
    1998 Camaro Z28 M6

    Shouldn't you have a wiring harness already if you bought the whole car? You just need to get a tune if you do mods. I usually go to places like Thunder Racing, Texas Speed, and Scoggin Dickey. Use the search feature on the forums, and read up on things before you decide what you want to do. Things will go much smoother.
    1998 Camaro Z28 1LE: TR Cam (plus normal cam install upgrades), Ceramic coated Pacesetter Headers, ORY, SLP Loudmouth (SOOOO Loud), B&M shifter, Lid, All free mods, Tubular Panhard, LS7 Clutch

    1978 Firebird: Chevy 350, 4 bolt to many mods to list

  7. #7
    Member jeremy_m70's Avatar
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    SILVER
    1998 Z28

    First determine HP goals.


    If I had the engine apart, I would put forged pistons, bearings, and rods. So if (later) I wanted to go forced induction (FI), the bottom end would be strong enough and if a daily driver is your goal, why not know your bottom end will last. Have crank checked, if good it should handle any normal HP usless you go complete drag car of course!!

    I must have missed something because I don't see headers in your post of current mods, If emissions is not an issue, LT headers, ORY and cut outs would be a bang for the buck (I know it said you had ORY but I would get the same brand as headers for fittment) also would pay a little more for coated headers (Hooker is my choice). If you don't have plans for a FI settup, LS6 intake will also be a great choice, or a fast intake if serious hp (FI) is in the future. I too have a 98 and we have EGR, SLP make sthe only EGR LS6 intake that I know of and is around $100 or so more than LS6 intakes with no EGR provisions. You can do away with the EGR with computer work and plugs for where the egr goes. I believe 1998-2000 ls1's have EGR. LT headers, ORY, Cut-outs and ls6 intake should be good for +35 RWHP and 50+ with a tune. not to bad for around $1500.00. Also, I believe a mild cam could be a plus.

    If 500+ RWHP is your goal and still drive like stock (with respect) I would go with forged bottom end. GO turbo or Supercharger.

    Turbo, most setups either use your factory manifolds or supply their own, so LT Headers, cut-outs and ORY would be a waste i would think. I like Turbo because you can control boost and have low boost for normal driving and higher boost to prove a point!!!! There are both front and rear mount types. Rear mounts are simple but worry me when attached after cats, location for easy theif, oiling distence; and water and dirt exposure. Front mounts take up more space up front and need a intercooler. Also Turbo lag is not a problem. Factory settup @ 5 PSI boost around 410 RWP and 500 @ 8 PSI with meth injection respectfully.

    Supercharger, will work with headers and ORY but, to my knowledge is unadjustable with boost. Most say the boost is more present in upper RPM's where turbo is more consistent through the powerband.

    Either way you'll need fuel upgrade, bigger injectors, oiling, and of course a good tune.

    As far as ther wiring harness, check ebay, parts for sale forum here, or Fbody used part specialists (seems like i'm finding new one all the time). Also make sure it will work on the 98 model if it's off a later model, 98 ls1's are quite different than the later models (see difference in years post).

    Trans, Auto or manual?? and do you have the core?? If manual and have core check out one of our sponsers http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com/ for their rebuilt T56. They have a nice street and strip set-up for around $1700 (with core exchange) that improves most of the factory weak links. I'm sure there are more that I'm unaware of. Also look for a good clutch while your at it.

    I know this is long but I feel like i'm where you are at. I been spending days here reading and searching through forums, just ask my wife, looking at different options and basically I had came down to 2 options for a good street daily driven settup. Assuming suspension upgrades for either choice:

    (1) accepting under 400 RWHP with LT headers, ORY, Cut-outs, cat backs, LS6 intake, port throttlebody, cold air, mild cam and tune. Budget and wife friendly or

    (2) turbo with upgrades and boost control, potential bottom rebuild, heavy duty clutch, and expectation of 10 bolt rear failing and up grading to 9" with 3.5" drive shaft for m6, and good tune. About 10 grand with a divorce, but damn I love my car. Good Luck!!!

  8. #8
    Junior Member
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    Red
    1998 Chevy Camaro z28

    The more i find out here the more the guy tells me. The tranny, i dont have. The reason i need a harness is because he is taking an LS6 out of it and taking the wires with him.
    It already has an LS6 intake, and the TB is already ported. I ask him things and he answers but he has done so much he cant remember it all.... guess i should write it down some time.
    Thanks so much (the man up above) for all that info it was a really big big help. As for the money, not a big deal but i feel you on the divorce, i had an 88 and it almost took me there so i sold it and bought a 98, and well here i am again.
    thanks all....

  9. #9
    STAY PUFT thecorrectformula's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    98 Formula

    Quote Originally Posted by Z28LS1 View Post
    cam will definitly show good numbers.. if your willing to sacrifice some gas mileage. gears might be an option.. 3.73 for a daily driver.
    Cam will only affect mileage when you have your foot in it. I've got a decent size cam, LT's/ORY, catback, and several other mods and I'm still pulling 27 MPG highway and about 18 city.

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