Question on how far to go

[99GTCoupe]

(It's late and I dun feel like editing this, save to say this was gonna be in another thread originally)

Kinda just jumping in here to go with the flow of the thread. I don't know a whole lot about tuning, my car knowledge is decent. I'm a quick learner and will take any info ppl send at me. I, obviously, have a 99 GAGT with currently just a K&N air filter for 'mods'. Yeah, that's right, you heard me! Bring that **** and let's see me filter beat all ya'll!

Anyways, my current plans are for a DoctorSpeed Stage 3 CAI (first), SLP full cat-back exhaust (want that agressive sound over Borla), high-flow headers (TOG preferrably, heard good things about them), 62mm throttle body, etc. I do want a DHP PCM, but I hate the fact that you have to run premium in your car after putting it in, so that can wait for awhile (damn gas prices).

Also, before I get to the CAI, though, I will be replacing my current plugs and wires with Taylor Thunder Volt wires and NGK Iridium IX plugs. That will actually be done in a few weeks. I have to take my car in to get the Intake Manifold Gasket replaced (never been done before I bought it, damnit all), and am taking it to my aunt's brother-in-law's shop near me. He quoted about $600 for the IMG job, plus he would put in new plugs and wires for no extra charge since he would be there, and said he would clean out the... damnit I forgot, but I think it may have been the throttle body? I have a problem where when I first start up my car after it sits for a while, instead of idling at 650 RPMs it will idle about 850-950. It runs fine and once I get going it will idle normally, usually after a couple minutes of driving, if that long even. He said that there's something that will get clogged and dirty and can cause that to happen.... perhaps it's the intake itself? Little help here?

ANYWAYS, after that damn tanget I should be shot. So, yadda yadda, that's what I want to do, and I am not sure about a cam/port n polish/pistons/etc. I am basing this off of info in I want to make my Grand Am faster, what do I do? FAQ. so if I am missing something good that I should do, just say so. I don't want an all-racing GAGT, just something that's got more balls and I can not only drive but possibly take to the track eventually. I also want to do visual ext/int mods so I will be sinking money there as well. Also, what would one say about replacing my stock 4 spd auto with a 5 spd auto, or man (if possible)?

What I really need is some opinions on what I should do and where to stop at. I have a larger list of ext/int mods I want to do, but won't post them here. Oh, the hell with it! IN the spirit of saying "Fark you!" to the 'Del' key, here goes (I'll even post this elsewhere!):

First, take a look at my pics, I just added my CarDomain page to my profile and sig.
Now, the red trim on the int was there when I bought the car, and I like it (it's also that color on the rear speaker covers). I am thinking of continuing the trend onto the instrument panel trim (currently black), around the fog light switch (the thin edge piece, not the whole surface), the control panel on the driver and passenger doors, the trim around where the CD player and HVAC and such are, the trim around the shifter, etc. I will also heet n' peel the HVAC knobs and the control buttons for the windows/locks/mirrors, if they will all peel; I like the red glow to go with my red trim. I am thinking about the Glo gauges as well, but dont' know if the color mismatch would look outta place or not? Oh yeah, and I may make that How-To Guide on wrapping door panels useful for my modding

As for the outside, I am wanting to continue the same black w/ red theme. I REALLY want a SC/T bodykit, hood, and spoiler for my car as well, but those damn things are so farking expensive >< I know I can get overlays for certain areas on the outside, like with the trim strip that runs around the ouside of the car. THe bra will be gone once I get the money to do a repaint of the outside, there are some nicks and scratches and DIY touchups that looks kinda bad, but nothing deep as far as I can see. I also plan to use the How-To Guide on installing Corvette brakes, and get them painted red, and most likely black rims to cover'em. Oh yes, and I want a Lambo door conv kit as well

God, I think that's it. I don't know what else other than a decent system, maybe a couple 12's and an amp for them. I run Pioneer in the front and back and my CD player, but I will need to replace my 6x9's and the tweeters on the door if I can find some to put there.

Yeah, I'm tired so I'm out. Just please post opinions, comments, suggestions, etc. I already put my 'limited-knowledge' disclaimer at te beginning, so take that into account I really need to know how far I should go with my engine mods and such.

EDIT - I also forgot that I want the nice smoked out head/tail light look. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on new ones, which are pretty nice yes, but too expensive. I'd rather put the money into other things. Also I want a pair of the speakers with molded trim that go down on the floorboard near the front corner of the doorwell on bother sides, just under the door speakers. I hope you know what I am talking about, I saw them before, but don't knwo if they make them for GA's, ah well, can always get it custom ^.^ But I think that's the only other things.... yeah... cheese.... sleep....

[pyro]

spark notes?

[badboy2451]

so wait, your on a budget but you want all that stuff??!?!

[99GTCoupe]

Originally Posted by pyro

spark notes?

What?

Originally Posted by badboy2451

so wait, your on a budget but you want all that stuff??!?!

Yes I am, however I don't want it all at once. I plan to gradually do things, that's why I said what things I wanted to do in order of importance to me. I am trying to get people to respond with how much I should worry about performance mods over style mods.

[badboy2451]

its all personal preference whether you want sytle or performance, although many people here will tell you that performance modifications are a waste of time and money unless youve got some really deep pockets


start with style IMO....lowering springs, tint, grafxwerks.com is your friend, rims if you can afford them, the sc/t kit spoiler and hood are nice but im sure you will enjoy the $2000 in your pocket if you dont buy them


its all personal preference....

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by 99GTCoupe

What?



Yes I am, however I don't want it all at once. I plan to gradually do things, that's why I said what things I wanted to do in order of importance to me. I am trying to get people to respond with how much I should worry about performance mods over style mods.

Shouldn't that more of what you want? Which would you rather have, a stock looking fast (kinda) car , or a stock performing car that looks unique (kinda)?

[tomh]

just do a lil of both like cia, slp, headers, gm performance plugs/wires (they really kick ass), and then style mods personally i like the unique style mods because thats when people come up to you sand say "hey nice car etc.. etc.. etc..." kinda makes you feel good inside..

[badboy2451]

Originally Posted by tomh

thats when people come up to you sand say "hey nice car etc.. etc.. etc..." kinda makes you feel good inside..

...and somewhere else down there

[tomh]

hahah only if its a hot girl making the comment

[coupe]

Originally Posted by 99GTCoupe

Anyways, my current plans are for a DoctorSpeed Stage 3 CAI (first), SLP full cat-back exhaust (want that agressive sound over Borla), high-flow headers (TOG preferrably, heard good things about them), 62mm throttle body, etc. I do want a DHP PCM, but I hate the fact that you have to run premium in your car after putting it in, so that can wait for awhile (damn gas prices)

SLP i can understand.
Where the hell did you hear good things about TOG's? Do a search on here about them and then tell me you hear good things about them. They went out of buisness for a reason. Btw all headers are 'highflow', thats the point....

Do the math on the price difference between premium gas on a full tank and regular per full tank, its like under $3 a full tank difference, your worried about that little bit off money?

Originally Posted by 99GTCoupe

Also, before I get to the CAI, though, I will be replacing my current plugs and wires with Taylor Thunder Volt wires and NGK Iridium IX plugs. That will actually be done in a few weeks. I have to take my car in to get the Intake Manifold Gasket replaced (never been done before I bought it, damnit all), and am taking it to my aunt's brother-in-law's shop near me. He quoted about $600 for the IMG job, plus he would put in new plugs and wires for no extra charge since he would be there, and said he would clean out the... damnit I forgot, but I think it may have been the throttle body? I have a problem where when I first start up my car after it sits for a while, instead of idling at 650 RPMs it will idle about 850-950. It runs fine and once I get going it will idle normally, usually after a couple minutes of driving, if that long even. He said that there's something that will get clogged and dirty and can cause that to happen.... perhaps it's the intake itself? Little help here?

Plugs and wires wont do much, but your ga probably needs a tune up anyway.

Probably talking about your IAT. Just pick up a bottle of TB cleaner and do it yourself. 10 minute job tops.

Your car is supposed to run at a higher RPM when the engine is cold anyway, thats normal.



The rest of the stuff you want your really talking big money. I dont even want to get into all that. All you have to do is search here and you will find all you need to know about everything you asked about.

[99GTCoupe]

, so true, so true!

Yeah, I was thinking maybe to stop at the CAI, SLP, plug/wires, and then focus on the style mods. Though what do ppl think of going a bit further to the headers and 62mm TB?

[coupe]

Thats all up to you and what you want.

Me personaly i want my car to look real nice and perform real nice, kinda 50/50 for me.

I started out with:
lowering springs
CAI
headers
plugs and wires

Kinda just snow balled from there.

[tomh]

forgot to say.. please please please dont waste your money on NGK plugs/taylor wires.. they are crap crap crap crap!! i went from stock to that combo.. it was horrible! then i went from ngk/taylor to gm performance plugs/wires and omg there was a HUGE difference im talking a difference between night and day. if you buy the ngk/taylor combo i will drive out to MI and personally kick your ass or doing so

taylor/ngk
1. press the gas to the floor.. wait.. wait.. car starts to move
2. impossible to squeal tires
3. horrible pickup when passing its like driving a 4 cyl
4. horrible gas millage


gm performance plugs/wires
1. bam gone
2. oh hell ya you can squeal your tires
3. 55 to something im not allowed to say on gagt by the time im past the other car
4. 2-3 mpg better gas millage (when im not driving like an ass)

[botlfed]

Originally Posted by coupe

Where the hell did you hear good things about TOG's? Do a search on here about them and then tell me you hear good things about them. They went out of buisness for a reason. Btw all headers are 'highflow', thats the point....

I believe one of the original employees is producing some headers again with the TOG name...... but the original owner(the asshat) has nothing to do with it....
ZZP has TOGs back in-stock for the GPs

[coupe]

I have taylor and NGK and never had those problems.

[99GTCoupe]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I had also forgot to mention I want Eibach springs, possibly a front strut bar. Anyone have good body mod sites to go to? I've looked at a bunch, but most have either little selection or the same stuff as others. Anyone else have opinions on the Taylor/NGK combo vs. GM High Performance plugs/wires as well?

[coupe]

pfyc.com and ebay

[99GTCoupe]

Yeah, I've been to PFYC and all they really have are some lights (which I want), the SC/T bodykit and hood, and another hood, some light accessories, and one set of tail lights. I'm looking for more variety, not just a bodykit and some ventshades. Anyplaces that have hoods, spoilers (though I am thinking of just going with the new Mustang GT spoiler), etc. I've kinda looked on ebay, but would rather find what I want, then price shop there and such.

[coupe]

Ebay

I preffer my hood over any other company's hood but thats a matter of opinion.

Andysautosports.com comes to mind if you dont mind the ugly ass styling.

Boy you have a GT, trust me you dont want anything more than an SC/T body kit, again a matter of opinion but 90% agree with me.

[99GTCoupe]

Yeah, but my problem is that they are so common for the kits ppl like, and so damn expensive. I want some alternatives that look kick-ass and are not just crap. I can't find any places that have a good selection of bodykits and hoods and such, so :shrugs:

Little help anyone?