I would like to thank everyone's constructive criticism and new suggestions. Just to clarify on the $549 hood scoop. It's an item from www.pfyc.com and it is a complete hood replacement with a hood scoop down the middle, very similar looking to the 98-02 Camaros. I'm not getting the scoop for performance gains, just want to make the car stand out a bit more. I suppose I will be dropping the MSD wires and ignition coils, $150 for ignition coils did seem a bit steep, and along with that I suppose that $115 TBS can go. But on www.zzperformance.com they have a "High velocity TBS" for $179.99 where gains of 5-10HP are reported. I'll be looking into that one. And it seems no one on this forum is a Hypertech fan, so maybe I will foot the extra $120 and go with the HPTuners Suite, I guess it has more tuning options. I don't think I'll be getting a 180degree T-stat for the sole reason that I'm already running the highest grade of synthetic motor oil, which keeps engine running temperature down. Since I've had it, my engine has never been over 185, even when I floored it to 100 on a 95 degree day. The downpipe will cost $245 all together because I'm getting the 304 Stainless steel with high flow cat and all the proper gaskets, and that's from zzp. The shift kit I'm keeping on, it's widely agreed that better gains and increased transmission life come with a shift kit over electronically tuning it. I will definitely add some rockers to the list, and possibly the HV3 insert, I just don't want any noticeable loss in low-end power from the HV3. And lastly, I know the HP and Torque gains I listed were not the most accurate, that's why I called them optimistic at best. I'm looking to make the first mod the Thrasher Shift kit. But thank you all for your suggestions.

 

Are you talking about the high velocity throttle body, stage 1? If you are, I wouldn't worry about it. I was going to think about it but on our mod lists they aren't effective. All they will do is make your CAI louder. They are more for much more powerful builds.

Honestly, it's only like $8 and 5 minutes to install it. Put the 180° in, and then tune your fan speeds because it's not only for the engine temperatures, but it's for the underhood temperatures and it will help your CAI out a lot also.

If you have your tuner you won't notice any low-end torque loss. You can adjust your timing at all speeds for all of these mods. The HV3 is also a MUST HAVE if you want to have power on the highway.

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Why is there no headers or at the bare MINIMUM a stainless steel powerlog on this list of mods? When you start to put in more power and air you need to exhaust this properly. LOOK INTO THOSE!!! the downpipe helps, but the front exhaust manifold is still a problem.

 

I had recently found the exhaust manifold on ZZP, starts off at $120, but the fully equipped one runs at about $472, plus tax. The reviews overall seemed very worthy, almost no one regretted it. So I think after doing a few minor mods prior to this, I'll purchase the downpipe and exhaust manifold together and have them put on at the same time, since these mods support each other. But thank you for suggesting this one, I like it a lot.

 

lots of wasted money on that list. pm me if you want some more info

 

Ported exhaust manifold, Wizair CAI, ZZP downpipe 2.5 inch with high flow CAT is what I might shim the "Performance" mods down to. Is that okay? Or what would you suggest?

 

You need to always remember to do what you want to your car. We can offer suggestions and ideas, but it is your ride and should be created in your vision. If you want the hood then do it. It looks great. You have some great suggestions and ideas so far and we look forward to seeing what you are doing and how it works out. I like you r mod list so far. I would toss in a zzp computer tune for a 100.00 or if you are interested I will sell you my Hypertech power programmer for 150.00. I have enjoyed it, but need to be able to tune emission items out as I remove them.

 

make your own air intake , get a zzp pcm , a 2.5 inch downpipe, 180 thermo , new plugs . You can also do new gm wires and coil packs too if you have high mileage .

 

Thanks for being supportive and respective, I think I might downsize the list a bit, I'm begining to realize in order to make this car any competition with most REAL sports cars on the road it's going to take much more serious modifications and I'd be better off saving up to buy a V8 instead. Instead I'd just like to make my car a serious contender for most V6's, and be able to smash any 4cyl, and I think an aftermarket cam shaft might be one of the best mods I can put in for the money, and besides performance gains I'd just like the car to stand out more, so another $1,000 or so in custom appearance options, such as hood scoop, SS decals, sport tires, window tinting, new paint, etc.

 

A lot of people tell me that aftermarket spark wires, spark plugs, or coil packs are worthless. Like MSD wires for $80, MSD coil packs for $150, and NGK iridium plugs for $60 are all unnecessary. I will be replacing them soon, my car has 63,000 miles on it now, and I'm not sure if I should replace them with OEM parts or foot the extra money and try the MSD wires and NGK plugs.

 

I have 94,000 miles and the coil packs and wires are just fine. I would do a top swap to supercharged before a cam. The supercharger will make every other mod work even better. You are looking at 1000 for the top swap and you will start running with the v8's.