Best modification under $500

[Oxaric]

I recently purchased a '98 Grand Prix GT coupe and I want to start modifying it for max horsepower. I don't have enough money to buy a supercharger or I would. Right now I'm willing to spend at max $500 and I'm wondering what would be the best investment. I do someday plan on purchasing a supercharger so anything I get I'd want to work well with a supercharger. Thanks for any suggestions.

[bcreverend]

exaust is usually one of the first things that gets modified and should be done before you add any kind of blower. i had flowmasters put on my gp gt and the resonator taken off for around $500. also a thrasher shift kit or tps mod is only $100 each at www.pfyc.com good luck

[Ripn12s]

http://www.zzperformance.com/zzp/pro...er_arms_gt.htm

Rockers seem to be a popular mod for both the GT and GTP guys. Not to sure if its worth the money to buy a exhaust system.

[Oxaric]

I've looked around and I can't find instructions on how to take off your resonator. It seems I could take it to a shop but I'd much rather do everything to my car myself.

Also, when if I floor the gas all the way the car seems to lag in shifting gears. However, if I give it a lot of gas and let off and then kinda of push in the gas really quick and let off and then go it seems to jump into the next gear faster and then zoom off. I would like to have faster shifting but I really don't know if this is good for the car or anything. Any info?

[The Burning Rom]

Originally Posted by Ripn12s

http://www.zzperformance.com/zzp/pro...er_arms_gt.htm

Rockers seem to be a popular mod for both the GT and GTP guys. Not to sure if its worth the money to buy a exhaust system.

In my opinion, you're better off going with the SLP aluminum rocker arms from www.3800performance.com They cost a bit more...but they don't have metal shavings in the bearings like the Intense/ZZP arms do. The Intense/ZZP arms can be fixed easily by putting them in a parts washer, but that's something you should not have to do with a product you pay a lot of money for.

There really is no good answer to your question. It all depends on what your goals for the car are.

And just so you know, you can't just bolt a stock GTP supercharger on your car. It WILL not work well, and your motor will not last very long. The GTPs have beefier engine internals and a beefier transmission. You can drop 4 grand on a CSC supercharger kit from www.zzperformance.com , but it would be cheaper to swap in a modded GTP engine and trans.

[ZxJUNxZ]

Modifications
If you are considering doing any modifications to your vehicle, it is advised that you first check your insurance terms and ensure you are not about to breach the conditions of coverage. It is also advised that you first seek professional advice before making any amendments. Skylines Downunder accepts no responsibility for any damage caused by performing any of the procedures portayed here.


Air Intake
Let your car breathe easier by installing a high performance airfilter next time you replace it. Brands such as K&N, HKS, Trust and Unifilter are all trustworthy brands worth purchasing. They will allow more air flow through whilst ensuring no contamination into the engine.The result is more efficiency, and more power.


Use Hi Octane
If you are in New Zealand use 96 Unleaded Petrol and change the sticker on the inside of your petrol flap we actually endorse the use of BP's new ultimate fuel, it is rated at 98 octane. Skylines can easily handle 96+, and it won't damage your car. You'll actually notice a little increase in excelleration aswell as a smoother idle .


Improve your Exhaust
By adding a better airfilter you have improved intake. Performance can be enhanced much more by allowing improved 'exhaust flow.' The catalytic convertor in an exhaust, is a filter which generally collects poisons and stops them from being emitted into the atmosphere. Catalytic convertors are usually useless after 60,000Km's and because pollution here is'nt as bad as overseas there is no law for us to keep them on. They basically create strangulated airflow and should be removed (or replaced)



Improve your handling and braking.
Many people focus on the 'Go' and often neglect the 'Wo.' Don't become a statistic!
You can in addition fit harder springs which increases rigidity (e.g. King Springs , KYB.) Increasing the size of your wheel rims and reducing the tyre height will reduce the amount of side wall flexion incurred during high speed cornering, and increase stability. Strut brace suspension bars reduce the angular lift in body roll, and will increase your cars ability to sit flat on the road. Your tyres are meant to be on the road, these things will help keep them there! When it comes time to replace brake pads, take into consideration that you have improved your cars excelleration and handling. So invest in reputable brake pads. Safety comes first.


These four steps are a cheap and effective way to get more out of your vehicle. You notice marked improvement by making all of these changes. Modifying your vehicle for improvement comes at a cost and you need to be realistic about what it is that you want to achieve. One thing to be mindful of is how your insurance company feels about mods. Some company's won't want you to do it, and will revoke your insurance if you do, others just want you to pay more, some are happy with whatever you do if you are improving your vehicle and decreasing the chances of having an accident. Whatever you do, take care on the roads!


'How to' Section - General Process Documentation
See our 'How to' section for user submitted mods:
Remove Front
Interior Colour
Bonnet Pins
Clean Brakes
Install Mesh
Get Airflow
Plate Trim

[The Burning Rom]

You're running a GT (non-supercharged), correct? Unless your PCM has been modified by DHP, DO NOT USE any grade of gas other than regular unleaded. It's a WASTE OF MONEY! The stock computer was set up for running regular-unleaded...so putting a higher grade of octane in won't help it.

[CompetitionGroup]

Originally Posted by The Burning Rom

In my opinion, you're better off going with the SLP aluminum rocker arms from www.3800performance.com They cost a bit more...but they don't have metal shavings in the bearings like the Intense/ZZP arms do. The Intense/ZZP arms can be fixed easily by putting them in a parts washer, but that's something you should not have to do with a product you pay a lot of money for.

There really is no good answer to your question. It all depends on what your goals for the car are.

And just so you know, you can't just bolt a stock GTP supercharger on your car. It WILL not work well, and your motor will not last very long. The GTPs have beefier engine internals and a beefier transmission. You can drop 4 grand on a CSC supercharger kit from www.zzperformance.com , but it would be cheaper to swap in a modded GTP engine and trans.

Definitely get teh SLP rockers, they are WAY better design than the modified stock rockers that Intense uses. you can can see pics of my rockers at http://www.competitiongroup.com I think I have the only 04 with them on. they are awesome ROb at www.3800performance.com is having a sale on the slp rockers. definitely get them... it was the most noticeable mod I made.

[emabry]

I would use the $500 for a down payment on a GTP. It will save you alot of trouble come time when you decide to put the supercharger in. It is not a plug and play mod so to speak. You have to change your compression ratio which means new pistons about $800 dollars worth of parts and labor. New heads would be another $1200. A new computer $250. The supergharger itself will be about $3000. You should probably consider a shift kit and transmisson cooler to which would be about $300. plus any other incidentals you might need. By hte time you are done you could have bought a used GTP that will run better than the modded GT

[The Burning Rom]

Originally Posted by emabry

I would use the $500 for a down payment on a GTP. It will save you alot of trouble come time when you decide to put the supercharger in. It is not a plug and play mod so to speak. You have to change your compression ratio which means new pistons about $800 dollars worth of parts and labor. New heads would be another $1200. A new computer $250. The supergharger itself will be about $3000. You should probably consider a shift kit and transmisson cooler to which would be about $300. plus any other incidentals you might need. By hte time you are done you could have bought a used GTP that will run better than the modded GT

That's why it would be cheaper to just swap in an L67 motor.

www.l67swap.com