Cheep power mods????

[helldamnfart]

Hey, im thinking about getting a base model 3000GT. I know you VR4 guys will laugh, but its all i can afford, and is still better than what I have. I just want to know how much room for improvement there is. Are the engines the same, other than the dual turbos? Or do the VR4's have much stronger engines, and components? I know a lot of mods for improving SBC's such as cheep headers, intake, porting/polishing heads, higher ratio rocker arms, cam swaps, and the what not.

How much of that sort of stuff would carry over to the V6? I know the rocker arm's wont obviously, but what about bigger cams, and taking advantage of being able to adjust the valve timing with the DOHC? I know the most restrictive elements on my 82 Z28 is the stock exhaust, and CFI intake manifold. Does anyone know the biggest limitation on the stock GT? Like what would I have to do first before any other mods would be effective?

Sorry, these are a lot of questions, but im very interested, and want to see what i can do in the long run. Im not going to do much of this right away (not enough $$) otherwise i would just get a VR4 off the bat.

Oh yeah, and what octane gas to you run with that 10:1 CR? I can get away with 87 in my 9.5:1 even with a 4 degree over stock mechanical advance, which makes for a 10 degree advance, with everything stock.

thanks

[Im2Fast4U]

cheep headers, intake, porting/polishing heads, higher ratio rocker arms, cam swaps, and the what not.

Ok, first, there are no cheap headers for us. They might cost a bit. porting and polishing isn't the first or even second thing I'd do. Cams and all the engine stuff goes along with p and p.

Start out with intake, full exhaust, lightened pulley, plugs wires, suspension upgrades then look into fuel upgrades and engine internals to support forced induction or nitrous.

I don't like to run anything lower than 90 octane on mine. I settle for 89 when I don't have other options. Along with fully synthetic oil, just FYI. Nothing wrong with a base . Good luck with it.

-Jeff

[helldamnfart]

cool, lots of good stuff to be thinking about, thanks! And fully synthetic oil eh, what SAE rating oil do you use? Im in indiana, so i need something that can hold up to all the temperature ranges. I think it was 60 here the other night, then the next morning it was snowing... So i run a 40 wieght since its pretty much all purpose.

and what sort of engine internals do you mean, like forged steel crank, pistons, and connecting rods?

[Im2Fast4U]

I use Mobil 1 10w-30. Other weights haven't been as easy to find but some people run others. Alot of guys switch with seasons but I never really have.

As for the engine stuff, I just meant that your p/p, cams and stuff should come in after all the other stuff. Personally, before I go the route of forced induction I'm going to probably get a rebuild with forged rods, pistons, seals, etc. Not neccecary but I'd rather be extremely safe than sorry. Quite a few people actually have S/C and turbo conversions on near stock internals so it's up to you.

And one last thing. If you're going for the complete package I'd say throw in some cosmetic stuff in the mix. Get some lighter, maybe bigger rims, lowering springs, a window tint and you'll have a nice car.

-Jeff

[youngvr4]

i use 20-50 synthetic oil.

[helldamnfart]

sweet, thanks jeff, the car already has window tints which are nice, but i would like to get some better wheels, possibly widern and taller. I would like to drop it, but I cant until I move out of my college house which has a crazy "good for bottoming out" driveway entrance. Other than that, I think the 3000GTs look so good by themselves, i wouldnt want to do much else

[YogsVR4]

The base model 3000GT can look just as sweet as the VR4 just a few alterations. Upgrade the rims and get whatever spoiler mounted.

We VR4 guys won't ever laugh at someone who like the 3000 - its not our nature. We do often stress that the power of the VR4 is hard to pass up though.

[helldamnfart]

Right on, the VR4 is one hell of a car! If i had the money... oh yah. But thats okay, when im nice and stinking rich ill buy one from Japan, but right now im stinking, in college, and not very rich.

But as for the looks of the one im planning on getting, its dark green, and totally mean looking, while elegant (like all 3000's ) So i probably wont do too much other than wheels and tires, and maybe drop it some day.

Sound on the other hand... that will be taken care of! Sound on the outside (exhaust) and sound on the inside (pair of 12 in Alpine type E's) mmmmm, let the speaker hum...

[serboy]

Don't worry...nobody is goint to laugh at U becouse of the Base Model. I was in same position like you now, and on the end I bought '99 Base Model. Like YogsVR4 says

"We VR4 guys won't ever laugh at someone who like the 3000 - its not our nature.

One part, then another and on the end U will have perfect machine.

Think about it

[helldamnfart]

heh, you guys are awesome, but im afraid I must report that I have purchaced a 2000 Mustang convertable. Sorry, I love the 3000 GT, but this was just too good of a deal to pass up so I went for it. But, be assured, i will own a 3000 GT one day!!

[3000gtpimpin]

darn! one more victim caught by th allure of the infamous Rustang!

[helldamnfart]

Yeah, id make fun of me too a couple months ago, but its HARD to find a 3000 GT in the Indy area for a good price, and any sort of warrenty. Stangs are all over the freaking place, i cant walk anywhere without tripping over them. It just made things easier till i get out of college.

[3000GT4ME]

I just want to know how you expected to fit 2 12" subs in the 3k? I want to put one solobaric 12" L7 into the car but i have NO idea how it would fit and if i squeezed it i might brake the hatch glass with 1200 watts hitting it. Anyone been in this situation?

[helldamnfart]

are you talking to me? If so, i was probably going to remove the spare tire and either have custom boxes built, or build them myself. Also, i have a stang convt. now, which seems to have even less trunk room. So i just built a pair of 15"x15"x8" sub boxes. Alpine recommends 0.7-1.2 cu. ft. so im right in the middle of that (if my math fried brain figured it right).

if i were you, id look on google for pictures of GT sound systems. that might give you some ideas.

[serboy]

U DISAPPOINTED ME