Money was a big issue with me so I sat down with a plan. I went for the looks while it was under warrenty, then as funds allowed I started with the basics like you. Gears, exhaust, pulleys. Then I added an intake, T-body, and subframe connectors. At the time I didn't have enough for heads and cam, though I knew I would eventually add them. Well this past july I finally added the heads and cam, and now my 3700lb convertible has gone from a 15.2 at 90mph stock to a current best of 13.1 at 106.03mph, but it was all done in stages. Check out my website for a list of 1/4 times associated with each set of mods.
http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/killercanary
P.S.- a cam isn't that bad- if you have all the tools needed to do the job. When we did mine we ripped the motor out of the car. I had never done it before, and my cam install was made harder than most because it was a custom setup that I had to degree in- I couldn't use the intake centerline method. If you are willing to try and are patient, there is no reason you copuldn't do it yourself, that is if you have the right tools.
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1995 NA GT CONVERTIBLE
BEST ET: 13.16
BEST MPH: 106.03
AFR's, FTI cam, edelbrock intake, EEC TUNER and lots more.
http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/killercanary