Major Tune-Up, Need Tons of Advice!!!

[Topher9393]

Hi there, First off, money is not a problem with me, i only want the best, Lol. I am giving my car a much needed tune-up. I own a 1995 camaro z28 350 LT1 with a 2002 conversion i did myself on the exterior only, it has 121,000 miles on it, i have owned it for a year and half and bought it at 104,500 for $3950. It ran great then and still does but not as well. I will try and put a pic on sometime soon.
I want to replace the spark plugs and wires, which is the best? I want to see a major improvement an dont just wanna get some that will make it like stock.
I also want to replace my headers, y-pipe, catalytic converter, and cat-back exhaust. Which are the best for each and sound the meanest. i have been looking up GMMG chambered exhaust for a while but not sure if it is the best, it sounds like it is though. and does anyone know anything about CATCO catalytic converter, is that a high flow converter? I live in Ohio and E-Check seems to be history now, but i hear it is supposed to come back, so i might as well get a high flow cat. converter, because i also heard a car like mine doesnt run right without one.
Also what else should i add to my list of tune-ups? I have a brand new starter, and was thinking about getting slotted rotors and brake bads and calipers but again, not sure which are the best and i have read alot on here and you people really know what you are talking about.
Thanks for any advice you can give me and feel free to ask questions, i also have a 4in cowl hood by Glasstek

[Rally Sport]

Any pics? Well anyway, get some AC Delco sparkplugs.. you cant go wrong with em.

[Topher9393]

Yeah, but those are stock plugs that are factory, isnt there a performance plug and wires? I seen a set of hot wires called Nology on ebay, not sure if they are good or not but say they add 12HP, not sure how that works though but they have all the info on the their site. But yeah, i want to post my pics but i cant figure out how unless i put them on a website first or something, or am i just missing something? If you know how to post pics let me know and i will post my car on here

[Link85x]

Gotta watch for ebay on some items, they'll tell you a $12 chip will give your car 50hp!!! I honestly believe GMMG is the best catback for car. Some long tubes, which someone will chime in on in bit. AC Delco's are indeed some good plugs, get some msd 8.5 wires, maybe even a whole ignition kit to get the best out of it. Jacobs makes a great ignition kit aswell. Definitely upgrade the opti aswell (don't know which one is the best, again, someone will chime in). A new fuel filter would do some justice aswell. Can't think of anything else right now...

[wrightz28]

Alright, let's think about this for just half a second, how in world is a plug wire going to make more horsepower?

All it will do is offer up less resistance for better spartk transfer through it.

As for brands, choose what you will, but from experience, stock is best when it comes down to the ignition system. unless you are going completely aftermarket, nothing good will come of it. You have to bear in mind, GM designed these cars to run HOT, most aftermarket pieces, may show some kind of improvement at first, but then quickly die. where as GM replacmemt parts are designed with the type of heat they will be constantly subjected to and provide the exected lifespan.

This is why we ALWAYS say with HEI system ICM, anything other then a Delco, you will will be sorry.

[Rally Sport]

I repeat.. AC Delco..

[Genopsyde]

if you're looking for more power, then do stuff that helps the engine breathe better.

[Topher9393]

OK, I will go with the AC-delco's. How would i go about replacing a fuel filter? I have never changed one of those before. Is it hard, and how could i make my engine breathe better, only ting i hav installed is a K&N air filter, not the cold air intake yet, and i put a 4inch cowl hood on by Glasstek, i know it wont help as much since it is not carburated but i heard it helps a little more.
And as for GMMG, are they the only ones that sell it. I have seen it for $700, but where can i get a y-pipe, cat.converter, and headers that will all fit together without any welding, or fabrication, just bolt on?

P.S. Sorry for all the questions, i am just a rookie at this kind of stuff, but would rather work on m car myself so that i can learn from the experience, and know that i did it right.

[Genopsyde]

Well you seem to already know what the basics are on allowing the engine to breathe better with the K&N and headers and cat-back. Any header/y-pipe kit for the LT1, hi-flow cat, and GMMG should all bolt on and work together just fine. Look into the LT4 kit for an even more power increase. I believe it consists of cylinder heads, cam, and intake manifold. A larger throttle body will also allow for better air flow.

[Genopsyde]

There's a number of ways you can go with the exhaust setup, but I'll suggest what I feel will be the best for your application and the fact that you're doing this yourself and learning on the way.

Edelbrock makes a TES system for the LT1, which is the package I chose, it consists of a pair of shorty headers that are emmissions equipped, o2 sensor, y-pipe, and gaskets. then catco makes a direct fit hi flow cat. as for the cat-back, GMMG is indeed the best for performance and sound, but that's only necessary if you go all out with your setup, so it's really only beneficial for the more advanced mods. You'd be better off with a borla cat-back, I'd say it's second best compared to GMMG, it's stainless so it'll outlast even the car itself, and the sound is great. and all this, again, will bolt right up in place of the factory setup, it's made specifically to go on your car.

If you want exact part numbers for all these items too look up on summitracing.com let me know, or you can go on the site and look things up on your own, you may find other options that look better to you.

[Topher9393]

OK, now today i was changing my oil like i always do and as soon as i startd up the car the oil started leaking out, i tightened the oil filter more and chcked the bolt on the oil pan and still it just poured out like a faucet. DO you know why it would do this? I rubbed oil around the seal and everything, and put in oil treatment as well along with 5 quarts of Mobile 1 5W 30. Can Anyone help? would much appreciate it

[wrightz28]

poured out from where?

[Topher9393]

Sorry, it poured out from the top of the oil filter, not sure if it is a bad O ring or something, but i spread oil around the egde, like i always do, and screwed it in, i dont know what else it could be. It just sucks cuz all that oil is on my driveway now and i have to buy more, it isnt much but it looks like alot, maybe a quart or so.

[wrightz28]

2 things

1 make sure the old filter gasket is not stuck to the block

2 make sure you have the right filter.

[Topher9393]

Thanks, i figured out that the old O ring is still on there so that would be the cause for the leak, i guess it is leaving a gap around the filter. OK, now my only questions left are the ones i started this thread with. Thanks alot for your help, i appreciate it greatly, i am an ameteur at this