Best 200 dollar performance upgrade?

[Canuck5056]

My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks so I figured I'd ask for something for my car. It's a 94 3.4L V6, and what I'm looking to improve, if I can be this specific, is acceleration at lower speeds. I find that the car is really sluggish (unless I start in and leave it in first gear) in the lower speeds but quite ballsy once you get above 60km/h. I'm not sure what the best performance upgrade for around 200 American (can be a bit more, up to like 250 maybe) to accomplish this, or just to improve overall performance. I was thinking maybe a K&N kit, or get a new exhaust and maybe some headers. Also, if there are any upgrades avaliable that improve both performance and gas mileage, I'd jump all over that.

Any suggestions?

[LT1MAN]

well your k&n kit will give you a little more performance and gas milage but it will also spend most of your money, headers will do nicely but unless your planning on spending a lump + a lump to have them installed, your going to have to get greasy, of course im sure it's not as hard on a 6 as it was on mine. your best bet is going to be a rear end gear probably, it will give you the most significant boost in acceleration, however not good for gas milage. gear (est) $300, intake $200, headers $400.

[Link85x]

Say, if i wanted to get some 3.42's, is it just the gear alone, or would i have to get something else inorder to install and get it to work.

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by Canuck5056

My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks so I figured I'd ask for something for my car. It's a 94 3.4L V6, and what I'm looking to improve, if I can be this specific, is acceleration at lower speeds. I find that the car is really sluggish (unless I start in and leave it in first gear) in the lower speeds but quite ballsy once you get above 60km/h. I'm not sure what the best performance upgrade for around 200 American (can be a bit more, up to like 250 maybe) to accomplish this, or just to improve overall performance. I was thinking maybe a K&N kit, or get a new exhaust and maybe some headers. Also, if there are any upgrades avaliable that improve both performance and gas mileage, I'd jump all over that.

Any suggestions?

I would suggest going with a SLP intake, best hp gains and adds a few mpg. LM Performance has the best price right now $189.99

[Hypsi87]

the best 200 buck upgrade is to save it and wait untill you have at least 800 bucks

[Canuck5056]

Originally Posted by Hypsi87

the best 200 buck upgrade is to save it and wait untill you have at least 800 bucks

I can't afford to spend that much on it in upgrades, I'm already way in debt to my parents for the car itself. Only reason I'm considering an upgrade now is because it will be a birthday present and I won't have to pay for it.

[Savage Messiah]

Well, exhaust will give you a nicer sound and better performance/MPG. Intake will up both as well. A gear swap (preferably with a limited slip differential) is generally considered the best bank for your buck mod, and my jump from 3.08 to 3.42 didnt really touch my gas mileage. However, this will usually run gears + maybe 2-300 installation...

[Savage Messiah]

Originally Posted by 97CamaroRS

Well, exhaust will give you a nicer sound and better performance/MPG. Intake will up both as well. A gear swap (preferably with a limited slip differential) is generally considered the best bank for your buck mod, and my jump from 3.08 to 3.42 didnt really touch my gas mileage. However, this will usually run gears + maybe 2-300 installation...

Oh and also exhaust will be between 3 and 400, not between 2 and 3 like youre asking

[Canuck5056]

Originally Posted by 97CamaroRS

Oh and also exhaust will be between 3 and 400, not between 2 and 3 like youre asking

If I got an exhaut I would've have to pay for installation, I have a friend who can help me with it. Does that make it manageable?

[cuda_dude]

gears or intake

[Canuck5056]

How much money would I be looking at if I did get gears, and how much would I be looking at if I got an intake? Including installation for both. Also, what make is best for both?

[Savage Messiah]

My magnaflow catback was $320. Intake runs $190-210, best are SLP and K&N.

[philly rs]

get some gears then save up for exaust, headers, and a cam.

[Canuck5056]

Since I'm still a car newbie, can someone tell me what exactly the 3.42 gears are, what they do (differently), and what I should say if I ask a shop for an estimate. I don't want to walk in and sound like a total retard.

[Canuck5056]

Anyone?