HELP! I have 6k to spend on mods!

[bowtieguy02SS]

so as the title states i have 6k to spend on modifications to my 02ss. its and m6, current mods: gmmg cat back, lowered, stb, panhard bar, lid, and pulley. my ideal goal is around 425-450rwhp. sorry if this posted in the wrong spot of the forum, but i do need the help because the after market is huge with everything promising huge gains for a variety of different prices.

[98TransAmWs-6]

so as the title states i have 6k to spend on modifications to my 02ss. its and m6, current mods: gmmg cat back, lowered, stb, panhard bar, lid, and pulley. my ideal goal is around 425-450rwhp. sorry if this posted in the wrong spot of the forum, but i do need the help because the after market is huge with everything promising huge gains for a variety of different prices.

I would do this:

New rear end
Headers/y or x pipe
90/90 FAST
Cam/heads
UMI suspension
ls7 clutch
performance tranny

By the way this isn't necessarily in the order to do it. If you have 6k to spend I would definately get a new rear end though and even possibly performance built transmission to go with it. Also do you want to say NA or go FI?

[02transamce]

12 bolt,sub frame connectors.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bowtieguy02SS]

I would do this:

New rear end
Headers/y or x pipe
90/90 FAST
Cam/heads
UMI suspension
ls7 clutch
performance tranny

By the way this isn't necessarily in the order to do it. If you have 6k to spend I would definately get a new rear end though and even possibly performance built transmission to go with it. Also do you want to say NA or go FI?

its going to stay NA

[35th-ANV-SS]

6K is going to get you either power that you can't put to the ground or that will break something....or suspension/drivetrain with no power.

Which do you want?

[bowtieguy02SS]

6K is going to get you either power that you can't put to the ground or that will break something....or suspension/drivetrain with no power.

Which do you want?

decisions, decisions

[bowtieguy02SS]

i may possibly be able to make it 7k depends on how much longer im out here in iraq

[35th-ANV-SS]

I choose to take the smart route and build my car from the ground up to handle the power first. It sucks having 12K into my car and still trapping at only 109MPH in the 1/4.

However, I know when this spring comes and I put down 500-520rwhp, everything will be holding up.

It really is a serious question you need to ask yourself. I would hate to see you put all of your funds into a nice H/C/I set-up and then you break your rear-end and are left with a beast of a car that sits in the garage because you don't have any other funds left.

You can probably get away with your 10 bolt if you don't plan on putting DR's and doing hard launches with it for awhile at those power levels you are looking at.

Are you going to do the work yourself? If so, 6K will go a lot further.

[wooddaniel]

I did my suspension first, then heads and Cam. Everything cost around 6K but I did it on a budget and bought lots of parts used off craigslist and the forums. I do still need a rearend. You shouldn't concentrate on HP numbers, figure out what you want out of the car and go from there. Do you want a drag car/street car? Or an autoX car?

And be careful in Iraq!!

[98TransAmWs-6]

Are you trying to figure out what brand of what stuff to get or just what to get? If so I wouldn't just take what everyone says at face value, listen to what everyone says but do some research on your own and see what exactly you want. Like others have said I would pick what you want to do first, go for power or handling first and then go from there. Suspension and then power is probably smarter but you might be able to do a little of both.

[bowtieguy02SS]

ive done plenty of research, and one thing i have noticed is the top names are consistent with their numbers (hp/tq) or heads with their flow numbers. more or less i wanted to see what others would do if it were their car with its current set up keeping it NA. i will probably never take it down the track. just gonna make it a nice car that when called upon, it with move with a purpose

[bowtieguy02SS]

but many vendors offer 'packages', trickflow has their own top end kit. texas-speed has their heads cam packages, vengance the same, just wanted to know if those 'budget' packages perform like they claim to or not, headers are the same, stainless vs ceramic once again keep in mind it will not have radials on it or go down the track

[35th-ANV-SS]

Headers - I would go stainless. Worth the extra coin. Kooks/ARH are the best two brands. If you want to go with coated you can do something like Pacesetters/TSP/Hooker.

Heads - I like AFR. I've heard good things about the Trick Flow package though.

Cam - Probably want a custom grind based on what heads you get and what you end up with for an overall outcome that you choose. The TSP 228R with a 112LSA works well with our cars.

Intake - FAST 102mm after you get the H/C

Other things to consider:
- UMI Sub-frame connectors
- UMI lower control arms
- Relocation brackets for your LCA's
- Rear end? MWC or Moser 9"
- T56 upgrade? I went with RPM. Tick is also good
- Aftermarket torque arm? UMI adjustable
- Aftermarket pan hard bar? UMI on-car adjustable

My mods are in my signature. I did quite a bit of research prior to buying anything and I'm very pleased with my current set-up.

PS - You are probably going to want a lower gear with that H/C...4.10/4.11

[35th-ANV-SS]

Oh, and you better have a strong clutch

[bowtieguy02SS]

yea, as far as the clutch ive heard a lot of good things as far as the ls7 kit and spec 2+

[35th-ANV-SS]

LS7 over the Spec. I have a Spec 3+ and I don't like it. I'll probably go with a Textrali or RAM if this clutch ever goes out.

[9T8W66]

ive done plenty of research, and one thing i have noticed is the top names are consistent with their numbers (hp/tq) or heads with their flow numbers. more or less i wanted to see what others would do if it were their car with its current set up keeping it NA. i will probably never take it down the track. just gonna make it a nice car that when called upon, it with move with a purpose

I would suggest starting with suspension and chassis like others have said.
Quality Shocks and Springs are something that makes the car more enjoyable to drive and is felt all the time.
As far as Engine mods I agree with wooddaniel about not setting a HP goal.
IMHO for what you want out of the car you may be able to get away with just a Cam and boltons.

[bowtieguy02SS]

sorry i for got to mention i have bmr springs and kyb adjustables on the car already

[98TransAmWs-6]

sorry i for got to mention i have bmr springs and kyb adjustables on the car already

I'd get rid of the kyb shocks and get konis or bilstiens

[9T8W66]

I'd get rid of the kyb shocks and get konis or bilstiens

Agreed