Looking for suggestions

[Import_Sound]

When i get my tax return i want to invest in some more performance parts, i get approximately $300. I was thinking FFP UD pulley, but what else could i get. Maybe Blaster coils from MSD. Does anybody else have any suggestions.

[AznGA]

I see you already have CAI. I would do exhaust next.

[ihatemygrandamg]

$300 doesnt really sound like enough for a good exhaust. I would probably go with the ffp,some msd wires,and a 180* thermostat, which all together is only around $210. Or you could go with a DHP pcm but you would see better results with an exhaust. Little things like better plugs,wires,etc will improve results from further mods. By the way I have an FFP ud pulley and I noticed a differencs,but I dont have any major mods.

[Bjornboy81]

Coils, plugs, and wires, will net you zero gains. The only way these will benifit you is if the ones you have now are worn out and robbing the engine of power...but replacing them isn't gaining you anything, it's restoring power that should be there anyways.

The UDP is a nice mod for the money, but like Yun said, I'd do exhaust next. Save the $300 and when you get another $150, buy the SLP exhaust for $450 and put it on yourself! :)

[Import_Sound]

I forgot to mention i already have parts for the exhaust just waiting for a shop to put them on. Its just i have to drive an hour to a good shop to put them on. But that will happen soon enough. I need new plugs anyways, so i thought the coils would be a better choice than just plugs.

[Dargasonus]

ported tb :)

[adam4tw]

Not to hijack the thread, but would I see more performance gains from a ported TB or an exhaust setup? I have a udp, intake, and poly upper mount insert. I love student tax returns :)

By the way, with what I have, what exactly would a new exhaust do for me? Better top end? It probably would not help my launch/take off right?

[adam4tw]

import_sound, I would definitely recommend the UDP as I also have one from FFP, but unless you really know what you're doing and have some help from someone who also knows what they're doing, I would not recommend that you try to install it yourself. Their instructions make installation sound pretty simple but it's not...

for example, at some point it tells you to take the old serpentine belt off and put the new one. It's not as simple as sliding one off and poppin a new one on. There is an entire rough procedure just for that.

[Import_Sound]

Ya i know its not gonna be easy, but im lucky as my uncle has a shop so i can use it and some of his tools. And my dad will most likely help.

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by adam4tw
Not to hijack the thread, but would I see more performance gains from a ported TB or an exhaust setup? I have a udp, intake, and poly upper mount insert. I love student tax returns :)

By the way, with what I have, what exactly would a new exhaust do for me? Better top end? It probably would not help my launch/take off right?

You'd probably do better with an exhaust. It'll hurt your low end, but the high end will more than make up for it ;)

Originally posted by adam4tw
but unless you really know what you're doing and have some help from someone who also knows what they're doing, I would not recommend that you try to install it yourself. Their instructions make installation sound pretty simple but it's not...

I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it just fine :) As long as you are confident with it and take your time and think about what you're doing it's not too bad. The best thing to do (this goes for anything) is research as much as you possible can before you jump into it. Know exactly what tools and steps you're going to need. Just ask if you have a question...someone will help you. If you want, PM me and I'll give you some tips :)

[adam4tw]

Bjorn, if I had P&P manifolds, would the new exhaust still hurt my low end? Also, how difficult are the upper and lower intake manifolds to install in comparison to the udp/belt?

[Bjornboy81]

The pulley is a cakewalk compared to the Manifolds! The lower manifold sits on top of the heads and the block...when you pull it off you're looking at the pushrods and valves. Are you getting the picture ;) You have to pull the pushrods and rockers because you'll have to replace the gaskets once you break that seal. If you think replacing the belt was tricky, don't attempt it :)

Also, I don't think P&P manifolds will reverse the loss of low end from exhaust...the manifolds help the entire range so I guess it helped a little. :)

[adam4tw]

Is the upper manifold difficult, and is there anything to be gained from just doing the upper manifold?

[car audio dave]

youll gain a little from the upper manifold but the entire effect happens when both are PnP. i had just my lower one done when they changed my LIM gaskets and i can do the upper one myself. funny, that was about 3 years ago and i still havnt done the upper.

[adam4tw]

Got a general estimate of how much it would cost to have the lower manifold installed by a shop? Over the spring and summer I am planning on doing the exhaust, entire intake manifold, and some suspension work.

[Import_Sound]

Figure a good amt.

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by adam4tw
Got a general estimate of how much it would cost to have the lower manifold installed by a shop? $700+. This includes gaskets, thermostat, and other parts...plus the cost of the manifolds.

[Import_Sound]

Im going to be getting these.

FFP UD Pulley
180 T-stat
Gaterback belt

Thanx for your help.

[Bjornboy81]

Good choices. A reprogram of the PCM (such as Digital Horse Power or Intese racing) will compliment all of those nicely :)

[ihatemygrandamg]

You will like the gains from the udp considering how cheap they are. I got a 180* tstat on the way but its not going in til it gets warmer out. Just make sure you put the crank sensor ring in correctly when doing the udp.

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by ihatemygrandamg
You will like the gains from the udp considering how cheap they are. I got a 180* tstat on the way but its not going in til it gets warmer out. Just make sure you put the crank sensor ring in correctly when doing the udp. Very good point!

Check out this thread. I have a little how-to in there:

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=51041&highlight=crank+position+ring

Good luck :)

[luked]

A little hint on the UDP. When you put the old reluctor ring in the new pulley. Make sure the screws that you use to hold it in have flat heads. If the heads on the screws are too big, as the pulley spins the heads will hit your crank position sensor and destroy it. That happened to me and it threw my high end timing off. I fixed it by replacing the sensor and filing down the heads of the screws so they wern't sticking out so much.

[quadkid]

wow, i was just reading the installation instructions for the FFP udp, looks like a 2hour job, TOPS. (as long as you have some air tools.

[Bjornboy81]

less if you know what you're doing..took me about 1 hour the second time :) And you really don't need air tools...just make sure you have a torque wrench.

[RocketMan]

See I guess the reason I haven't purchased my UDP yet (though this is inevitable) is because I'm nervous about tool availability and getting surprised. I don't even know where to get all the stuff I need...whatever those things may be. So far i think i'll need a jack, small length of pipe, block of wood, silicone, thread lock, torque wrench, new belt, socket set....some of those are question marks....too bad there's no tutorial out there with pics.....well....pics that show every single step with tools.

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by RocketMan
too bad there's no tutorial out there with pics.....well....pics that show every single step with tools. :lol: That was subtle.
I don't have pics, but I could probably get you a list of stuff :)

[RocketMan]

lol sorry sorry my bad I don't want you to do anything i was just saying.....

ok there's no defense i'm just an idiot. But its true there's nothing all encompasing i've ever found. And also it might do me a bit of good to screw up the first time....you know...as a learning experience. I might ask you later for a list but don't feel any obligation i'm just poor at communicating with any degree of subtlety.

[Bjornboy81]

No problem man...I was just giving you a hard time ;)

I dorked mine up the first time with the crank postion ring. The second time was much easier. If I get a chance later today or tomorrow, I'll try to do a detailed how-to. But I won't have pictures unfortunatly.

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Originally posted by Import_Sound
I forgot to mention i already have parts for the exhaust just waiting for a shop to put them on. Its just i have to drive an hour to a good shop to put them on. But that will happen soon enough. I need new plugs anyways, so i thought the coils would be a better choice than just plugs.

Yea, I sold you that SLP muffler from a GP GTX (engine fire landed it in the boneyard:bawl:)

I would go 2.5 manifolds back, go pressure bend since that's best for the money. Crunch bend has all of the ripples and mandrel isn't worth the small gains. For a big v8 car, I'd go mandrel, but we're playing with 204cubic inches here.

[quadkid]

hey rocketman, if you go to their website they have a how-to page with pics.

here ya go (http://fastfwdperformance.com/udinfo.html)

it looks like the only specialty tools you need are the 3-finger puller, and the torque wrench, everything else is basic tools you either already have or should have for working on cars.

[RocketMan]

thanks...seen that one already...it is helpful though i wish they had included pics of some of the more involved steps.

[DontPassTheFence]

OFFTOPIC! :offtopic:

Dude, matt
Taken from engrishmofaka @ Srt forums: "HA! I got the oil out without taking the nut off. My car probably hates me now though. I just unscrewed the oil filter and turned the car on. Makes a mess because oil sprays everywhere, but I got the **** out of the car. Filled it up with mobile one and yeah."

I used to have that quote in my sig on bstuff.net!!!! Man I remember when that kid did that, everyone laughed at him - he was seriously an internet retard celebrity overnight. It was great :roflmfao:

[Import_Sound]

Exhaust is going on this Friday at 10 am. I'll download a clip of it shortly afterward.

[Import_Sound]

Alright i have the Exhaust pics. Now if only somebody could tell me how to load a sound clip.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/blader544/exhaust1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/blader544/Exhaust.jpg

[Bjornboy81]

www.putfile.com

You need to shine up the tips man...that's a disgrace!!!