98 gt seeking more power

[cornuts]

hey guys new to the site. i need some advice on some cheap upgrades for my 98gt. its bone stock with a automatic. i was thinking about a bbk throttle body and plenum.also a cold air intake.and underdrive pulleys.also looking at exhaust x-pipe with magnaflow cat back.are any of these mods not worth it? and do i need to do anything with the computer? any help would be great.

[blue00gt]

I would do the PI heads, cam, and intake swap. This not only gives you the difference between the '98 and '99+ but also a little extra power due to a slight compression bump. All the other mods you mentioned are worth a few hp here and there except the CAI, but they're not going to add up to the same power as the PI swap for about the same money. Also, any intake and exhaust mods will give you more gain with the better flowing PI stuff.

[cornuts]

thanks blue00gt what kind of cost am i looking at with the pi head swap? Is it a difficult mod or not? am not very good at working on cars.

[bigwhitecobra]

I would suggest a gear swap first and foremost. Best bang for the buck, ask anyone. The PI swap can be done for around $700-900. Depending on where you get the parts from. You will need to atleast reflash the computer to get the most from the swap. You could also get a chip and get a good tune on it, and gain even more. After that, I would go with the pullies, CAI, upper plenum and TB, then the Exhaust. Don't forget to get a new MAS. If you go with a C&L meter, you can also get the true flow intake elbow, and that will take the place of your CAI. There are many, many, many ways to go. First decide what you want to accomplish with the car, and then decide which direction would be best. Gear first though.

Later.

[cornuts]

i was really wondering about the throttle body and plenum. also the cold air intake. i need to know if these mods are worth it or not. also what about some tranny work a shift kit or something? what size gears?

[bigwhitecobra]

The upper plenum is worth it, so is the TB. With or without the CAI, but better with the CAI. A shift kit is also a plus. I assume you have an AODE, if so, you may be better off just flashing the computer to firm up the shifts, rather than actually changing the valve body....(not an Automatic guy, so really ask someone else)

With an Auto equiped car, go with 4.10 gears and be done with it. You'll love'em.

[cornuts]

thanks for the info i really like the idea of gears. my next question is do i go with a x-pipe with cats or without? its alot cheaper with out. is it going to be louder with no cats? how are the magnaflow kits?

[bigwhitecobra]

Originally Posted by cornuts

thanks for the info i really like the idea of gears. my next question is do i go with a x-pipe with cats or without? its alot cheaper with out. is it going to be louder with no cats? how are the magnaflow kits?

As far as the cats go...check your local emissions laws and make a decision that way. Without cats it will be louder.

[Red Mustang Gt 46]

Since you have an automatic, 4:10's are suggested...by all means...the best bang for the buck.

[mark sweetser]

I've always heard, 3.73's for manuals, 4.10's for autos for most applications. I got 3.73's still in the box, just looking for a reputable shop for the install. Every bolt-on i've ever done has been a noticeable increase except the aluminum ds...couldn't really tell diff. good luck man

[bigwhitecobra]

Originally Posted by mark sweetser

I've always heard, 3.73's for manuals, 4.10's for autos for most applications. I got 3.73's still in the box, just looking for a reputable shop for the install. Every bolt-on i've ever done has been a noticeable increase except the aluminum ds...couldn't really tell diff. good luck man

Where you located?

[mark sweetser]

10 miles west of las vegas strip...no one wants to do the install for me.

[Red Mustang Gt 46]

Too bad you don't live near the east coast, plenty of gearheads over here to do the job...probably for BEER!

[bigwhitecobra]

There is a shop in Utah that will do the install for you fairly cheap. It's www.modularmadnesswest.com Ask for Heath, and tell him John sent you. He'll hook you up.

[2000saleen]

bbk's pretty good even as far as there intakes, but i would consider k&n over bbk, just because it's plastic and wont heat up like the aluminum, but if your going for looks the bbk definetely looks nicer. definetely go with magnaflow exhaust (magnapax) and magnaflow xpipe.

[2000saleen]

as far as the tranny goes i'd definetely get a shift kit, it will cost you some money and if you do it yourself is a mess but definetely is a noticable difference.

[cornuts]

i have a k&n filter in it shoud i buy the intake kit or just not worry about it? as far as the exhaust i was thinking about the x wcats and just replacing the mufflers insted of the whole kit trying to keep cost down? i am going to order 4:10 gears soon

[bigwhitecobra]

Sounds good to me.

[2000saleen]

i would buy the whole intake kit from k&n it costs a little over 300 i think but is totally worth it. i have borla on my car and it does sound really nice. also you really may want to reconsider 4:10's for 3:73's. but it's up to you.

[surfbeast]

I would go 4:30 gears, don't waste time with 3:73's with an auto, Full exhaust ( X-Pipe ), 99 up intake with the Upper plenum elbow and T/B. Do the PI cam swap after that or the full head swap. The CAI will not be worth talking about power wise but looks good. Also, do the "J" mod on the tranny. It's free and is way better then the shift kit. Do it yourself, you need to learn sometime, we all did!! That's the fun part of modding your car. Only part you can't do yourself is the gears.

Good luck!