What to do!!!

[smkn gts]

Hello Everyone,

I am relatively new to LS1 forums so i figured i would ask for some advice. I bought my red 98 trans am last year and at the time i could not afford to do much to the car so i wanted to start this summer with a bang.. here are the mods i am debating about

i am sure i want to get the lid with K&N filter along with a tune from Frost after he explained everything it sounds great and he is highly recommended.

Now for the tough part.. the original plan was to install cut-offs along with a new exhaust system from the y pipe back, however recently after reading the forums i have thought about getting long tube headers and with the new y-pipe and a full clean exhaust. The headers will obviously be more expensive but i am still undecided as which way to go. So i have a few questions

1. are cut-offs any good or would long tube headers be better?

2. how much hp more do i get from long tube headers compared to cut-offs?

3. what headers should i go with and how much would they cost me?

I dont know much about my car but i know of a bunch of little ricers i want to spank this summer soooo i was hoping i could get some tips from people who have seen the results.


Thank you

[basballny2]

you can do headers with cutouts.....which ones you want to go with is all depending on how much you want to spend. give us a price range and well tell you

[smkn gts]

well i was figuring 500 but i am flexible.... id rather not spend my life savings on it but.. lol why not!

I was checking out these

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PSM-70-2256/

[basballny2]

pacesetters are great if your on a budget but just know you need to buy a y-pipe also.

[Too Fast]

Lots of people like the Pacesetters, but also know that the paint will not last long. Weeks probably.

Cutouts instead alone would probably net 5-10 HP max, assuming everthing else is stock. Long tube headers will get you ~15-20 HP. You do not have to have a tune just for the headers, but know that the SES light will be on until you get it tuned. It's been over 3 years for me now, and before this month is over I am going to finally get it "Tuned by Frost"

A lot of people suggest replacing the motor mounts when doing headers, as after the headers are on, there is hardly any room to change them in the future. This would be a good time to put in new spark plugs, since they have to come out anyway. I didn't, tho, but my car only now has 87k.

[lsgunner28]

Im going with the TSP headers since they are the cheapest 1 7/8" headers. $695 for headers, ORY, and GM gaskets through mark and KYSpeed. Get new plug wires when you do headers, really helped my cars response for $50..

[smkn gts]

okay thanks for all the tips guys... im trying to stay within reason for this car because i am graduating with my bachelor's in business management next summer sooooo if all goes well ill have a much better job so i can get a much better base car with less miles and super charge it or perhaps even an 2010 ss camaro =p I really am not sure which way to go for now. I like the idea of cut-offs for our 3 michigan cruises but headers do a pretty good job of adding hp if you have long tube, unfortunately it sounds like a huge bitch to install them considering iv never really done much work on my car yet lol