[yamanx]

Due to recent relationship change I have about a $1000 to spend on my car for this Christmas and don't know what to get...

I already have full suspension on the car so I do not need to get anything there..already running C/Os, sub frame connectors, panhard, torque arm, k-member and all the bells and whistles. Brakes are already upgraded with Cobra front brakes with proportioning valve, I already swapped the automatic with a 5-speed and aluminum flywheel and driveshaft, and lastly added a Cobra front bumper and aftermarket spoiler. So I am left with a completely stock motor minus tuner, and interior that could use some customization.

Cams - I have had the idea of new cams for a while, I'd like to have something that will give me a different idle sound to it. I have read a lot about Modularheadshop and I really like the work he does. Only downside is I would want to get the Stage 2.5 cams but it claims it should have PI intake swap, headers, injectors and all the stuff..do I need all of those things to run those cams? I mean I will have a little bit left over to get maybe the PI intake swap but not new injectors and headers. Could I just run the cams without those and just suffer the power loss until I upgrade or will that hurt my engine? But with new cams it would only be at about $650 so I would have some left over.

I mean I guess I could get the Stage 2 cams but I want to get the max out of the NPI stock motor. But then on that I could also buy a set of his PI Romeo cams for $50 and see some power upgrade and spend the money elsewhere.



Headers - A nice set of long tube headers, I know with the $1000 limit I have that will be right at a set of Ceramic BBKs which from I've read have the best fitment with steering linkage and all of that fun stuff.




Transmission - Invest the money towards a T56...always wanted a 6-speed.




Motor - Refresh the motor, new timing chains and everything included, new lash adjusters and anything else that could be getting old. I am getting close to the 100,000 mile mark on this motor (95,000) and I know most of this stuff will be fine a while longer but the insurance is always nice to have especially since I plan to autocross this next year. Would try and get as close to $1000 as possible, including all new fluids, and possible an aluminum radiator?




Suspension - I know I posted above that I didn't need anything...but then I started to think about it and there is always something to upgrade!..the rear end lower control arms, upgrade to the Griggs unit that has heim joints, every time the rear end has to flex you can hear it binding up back there. Could also throw a set of rear stainless steel lines in there. Only about $600 worth of stuff right there so I would have some left over for some other stuff




Tires - They are not ready to replaced yet but have only a couple 1000 miles left, one of them has already been replaced due to a 2x4 I didn't see on the road as it was pouring rain at night...so I'd only be buying 3 Bridgestone FE790s. About $700 right there.




Now I am open to any and all suggestions that I have not listed that you would think would be a good upgrade!

[OptionalStang]

id go for a full Pi swap and while your at it with anything extra replace all you can down there...

[yamanx]

I really do not want to do a PI swap since that will make the motor an high compression motor and will not allow me to do any Forced induction of sorts.

[bens98gt]

go buy craigslist PI 2v for cheap and put it together. thats under 1000 Or just buy anything griggs and call it a day...

[Jazzer The Cat]

Originally Posted by yamanx "... Suspension - I know I posted above that I didn't need anything...but then I started to think about it and there is always something to upgrade!..the rear end lower control arms, upgrade to the Griggs unit that has heim joints, every time the rear end has to flex you can hear it binding up back there. Could also throw a set of rear stainless steel lines in there. Only about $600 worth of stuff right there so I would have some left over for some other stuff Tires - They are not ready to replaced yet but have only a couple 1000 miles left, one of them has already been replaced due to a 2x4 I didn't see on the road as it was pouring rain at night...so I'd only be buying 3 Bridgestone FE790s. About $700 right there... "

SUSPENSION & BRAKES ~ So you have a poly/poly LCA's out back? If so, this would be on my list as well as the SS lines. Your brakes are only as good as the weakest link and they are it. Would also go race fluid or at least DOT 5.1, as you need to bleed them anyway to swap lines. In reality, fluid should be changed at least every two years and more often won't hurt, as moisture builds up to break it down.

TIRES ~ Do you mean Bridgestone RE790 Pole Positions:


If so, I will be honest and say you are not getting very much of your Griggs upgrade and would look to some better rubber. A proper set is gonna blow apart your budget, but is more important than the mods I recommended above

Jazzer

[OptionalStang]

well if you plan on SC then id just spend that 1000 bucks and prepare the motor for the SC..( hehe must be nice, can i spend christmas with ya?)

[WhiteNoise]

What about gears? Then you can buy the Traction-LOK rebuild w/ carbon discs and you'll still have $700 let to play with.

[yamanx]

Those are RE970s Jazzer! Not RE790s like I was talking about. Sheesh! No I already have 1 brand new RE790 on the rear so I didn't see the point and changing the whole set to something else. I know the tires will not be the best on the track but it is a place to start, I will eventually have 2 sets of tires. And yes right meow I just have the Poly/Poly out back and the brake fluid is less than a year old with race fluid installed by Griggs.

I already have 3.73s in the rearend so I don't want to change those to anything else. And I am kinda bias toward the NPI motor since I can run a more aggressive cam in it and not risk bending valves as easily as I can with a PI.

But sounds like I need to give more money to Griggs and get new LCAs haha..

[WhiteNoise]

You want to upgrade the interior huh? Well what about some nice Racing seats? Seats+brackets for > $1000

[OptionalStang]

seats and brackets and be had for almost if not new on craigslist all day for under 300..but if you go that route do weight reduction and back seat delete kit if it goes unused..

[tfofkyle]

i would personally put it towards boost. nothing an extra 100+ hp can't fix. plus it looks like you've already got the suspension to put it down correctly.

[yamanx]

Hmm don't know if I want to do just seats, Id like to see something that will give me some performance upgrade.

I'm really leaning toward putting the new LCA in and using the rest to get some new meats. I like the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Seasons...just sucks the biggest I can find is a 245/40/17 but I guess that could work. They are running at about $166 a piece..which is cheaper than the FE790s..

[1989Gt.]

sell it for 5k take that 1k and put 6k down on a new 5.0! lol

[97S281]

Originally Posted by yamanx Hmm don't know if I want to do just seats, Id like to see something that will give me some performance upgrade. I'm really leaning toward putting the new LCA in and using the rest to get some new meats. I like the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Seasons...just sucks the biggest I can find is a 245/40/17 but I guess that could work. They are running at about $166 a piece..which is cheaper than the FE790s..

$166? Damn, it must be nice to run 17's.

[Jazzer The Cat]

Originally Posted by yamanx Those are RE970s Jazzer! Not RE790s like I was talking about. Sheesh! No I already have 1 brand new RE790 on the rear so I didn't see the point and changing the whole set to something else. I know the tires will not be the best on the track but it is a place to start, I will eventually have 2 sets of tires. And yes right meow I just have the Poly/Poly out back and the brake fluid is less than a year old with race fluid installed by Griggs. I already have 3.73s in the rearend so I don't want to change those to anything else. And I am kinda bias toward the NPI motor since I can run a more aggressive cam in it and not risk bending valves as easily as I can with a PI. But sounds like I need to give more money to Griggs and get new LCAs haha..

Hold your horsies there, mister

I figured you mis-wrote, because I did a search and could not find an FE790.... hence why I said "Do you mean the 970's?"

Jazzer

PS. I see what you did there!

[OptionalStang]

buy jazzer a better search engine for his PC...

[Jazzer The Cat]

My searching skillz are generally very good, but gave up after a few minutes of only seing the 970's. So long as a tires offer grip worthy of the suspension in which they run, then onto a better set of LCA's, I suppose

Jazzer

PS. Somebody link me the damned 790's already

[yamanx]

I apologize I made a mistake.. the new tire on the car is a Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport 275/40/17 and the other three that are older are Bridgestone Potenza RE730 275/40/17. They discontinued the Potenza RE730 around 2001 I think. The tires on the car were manufactured in 1999 according to the manufacture stamp on the inside of the tire. They do not show any signs of dry rot or anything like that but still grip well but may need replacements soon I feel. For a Daily driver I feel the FE760 will work perfect for me and I will find something else to take to the track.

But sounds like I need to get Griggs LCA with spherical bushing and 3 new FE760s 275/40/17 and that should have me right at my budget. Plus I feel with these upgrades I can have more confidence in the car especially knowing it has new tires on it that are not 10+ years old... Unless anyone else has a better idea?

[Jazzer The Cat]

The Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport appears to be a nice tire, but I think rated a high saying it is an "Ultra high performance Summer tire" by Tire Rack. I don't see the discontinued ones, so cannot even guess at a comparison between them.

The 760's are fine, but will not be able to take full advantage of your suspension with them, so what kind of driving do you do? Do you AX or open-track your car? Hit the 1/4 mile? Just DD or all/combonation of the above?

Jazzer

[OptionalStang]

what about spray? used complete kits can be had for cheap wich leaves money to up the fuel pump also and other supporting mods to make it a safe spray kit..