Engine Modifications for '05 GTO? Rec's needed...

[DawgByte]

Here are some LS2 engine mods I'm considering... any suggestions are most welcome!!!

1. Headers - Stainlessworks, Kooks or MTI (long pipes) - not sure about a catback muffler... don't want it too loud.
2. Cold air intake from K&N or BNP
3. Larger fuel injectors
4. Engine management system re-calibrated and retuned.
5. Smaller underneath pulley

My goal is to keep it under $2,500 for the first go around. I'll spend more later, but I want an initial bang for my buck. I'm also going to add new front and rear sway bars.

[ctesla]

are you doing the labor yourself?
otherwise your list covers almost $2K in parts and labor is where it will eat you up.
sway bars are excellent idea for roll control, since it sounds like it is going to go faster, and definitely stick to upper end mods, as this is new, so lower end should be stout as-is.
the underdrive pulleys sometimes will come as sets, instead of just one;
smaller on crank, larger on alt., and mid on water pump.
on the headers, I'd definitely do your research and find direct fit, otherwise, if exhaust mods are necessary, might as well start figuring high flow cat and cat-back system, if it has to be dropped out at that time (2jobs, 1 labor bill).
if you do the ECM re-program, you might tell the shop not only what you are currently doing, but also potential and upcoming mods, as they might be able to give the computer a broader spectrum of parameters.


hope this helps

[MrPbody]

We've done several LSx engines in F-bodies. Hooker makes the header of choice for those. Not sure if they offer a part number for GTO yet. If they do, they would be the ones.
K&N gets the nod for any intake needs. Consider a larger throttle body. The injectors ar a good idea. Be sure the fuel pump is up to the job.
Comp offers some pretty stout grinds for the LSx engines, too. The Xtreme Energy rollers are hard to beat. More "bang for the buck" than any other change you can make (aside from the headers).
FWIW, there were at least 30 of the late GTOs at the most recent TriPower Nationals at Norwalk. Most were running low 13s/high 12s. One was pumped up pretty good, went 10.30s all weekend (had a bottle on it). The pure stockers were hovering around 13.50, with a couple of notable exceptions. One in particular, went 13.25 several times. He claimed it was driving technique and "breaking in" that improved it over the as-new times in the 13.50 range. There's a learning curve involved in drag racing these cars.
A couple had small superchargers (Paxton, Vortec) on them. The Paxton-equipped car went 11.90s and the Vortec car went 12.10s. Both reported driving as a stocker.
Any help?

Jim

[WS6er_02]

The 05 gto's are nice. and I am considering buying one myself. But it puts out 400hp stock. And why void your warranty and mod the engine this soon. What are you racing? zo6's farraris? or how about full blown dragsters?

[MrPbody]

Most GTO owners want more, regardless of what they start out with. That was true 40 years ago, and is still true today. More power to 'em (Argh! Argh! Humor...)!
FWIW

[ITSME4G63]

Id usggest getting performance parts from slp, why? because when you bring in your car for service at the dealership, they will actuallys ervice your car if you have slp performance parts cause gm is down with them. Im really itchin to get a 04 gto, my friend has one and its a really nice car, I mean for what you pay you really get your moneys worth, 350hp 6 speed leather seats, spacious to actually fit 4 big peopel inside, all the luxury refinements a car twice as much costs. shit, and theyre going for about 23-25 k on ebay, I will have one one day, forget about gettin an evo.

[Mr. Luos]

Originally Posted by ITSME4G63

Id usggest getting performance parts from slp

If you want to pay double what it is worth.

Stock injectors are fine for that car for now, I wouldn't even consider them yet.
If Kooks or QTP have headers for the GTO's, go with them. Stainless headers, and they are perfect quality. Top of the line for the LSx F-Body's.
Sound wise, the GTO's sound great with headers and the stock exhaust.