First off, I just want to say to everyone here that this place is the hands-down-heavyweight of J-body sites. I'm new to the J-body scene, and prior to coming here, I must admit that I scavenged a bunch of other forums. The people here are a million times more helpful and about a billion times more knowledgeable, not to mention the trillions of pages of resources (disclaimer: there are select people on other select sites that are appreciated as well, no hating intended). Thumbs up from me guys, and thank god I found this place...

Now, onto a little fun (that I'm sure has been done/asked thousands of times before, but, pretend it hasn't):

If you had $1000 to spend, what would you buy?

To narrow this question down:
-I'm buying a bone-stock '97 Sunfire GT (2.4 LD9) next week, so, that is the car you have to work with.
-I want to keep the setup NA. I know that turbos can beat down SRT-4s, rescue drowning babies, and cure cancer, but for this build, no turbo (or SC for that matter).
-Keep future upgrades in mind. If you would buy something now to pave the way for future changes, right on.
-Used is cool too (or eBay). If you would go with the 2.3 TB or secret cam setup, just estimate some prices.
-The car will, for the most part, be a daily driver, but, like most people here, I want that fun/fast-as-I can-get-it/reliable combo.
-Lastly, if you think some or all of that cash would be better spent on things other than "performance" items, as in, say, after market struts or maybe a backup starter or fuel pump to replace the OEM ones that will die on me at some point in the future, that's A-okay too.

Like I said, I'm new to this scene, and I appreciate all of your help and time.

Have fun.

Chad

A new car

Sony Platstation3 - $600
G25 steering wheel with clutch and 6spd shifter - $250
GT5 - $50

Aluminum racing wing/spoiler - $100

Total - $1000

Yeah, figured this would happen...

To be honest, I thought the standard "a new car" wouldn't show up until the 3rd or 4th post though, so for getting that one in there first I feel like I owe you some form of reward

Still open to somewhat serious suggestions though, as like I mentioned, I'm getting the car next week, so if I could get a head start and order/buy/salvage-rob some parts now, that would be cool.

Thanks

You can probably get suspension and exhaust for around $1000.

kurtis hendrix wrote:A new car

coming from the guy thats gonna turbo his car with $700 with dual intakes and yet didn't know what a intercooler did. sorry i had to say it.

anyways you could pick up a new suspention set up and an exhaust for around $1000 or you could do head and cam work i think for around 1000, or just do alot of bolt ons abd then get racing seats and other goodies to spice up the interior/exterior

head and cam work in IMO.... not only paves the way for future upgrades, also adds a nice chunk of power

Well, my intake, full exaust, and Iriduim spark plugs add up to $800, I'm getting an intake manifold and cams pretty soon for $160, that all totals $960. Add in what it costs to install everything (yourself) it it will come to about a grand. Thats what I did so far. You could also upgrade the stereo. Although I've got around 2 grand in mine and I'm still not happy with it. Most people would go right out and buy some shiny new rims and tires.

Get a set of seceret cams, have the head port and polished, buy a 2.3 throttle body, and a H.O. Manifold. Also invest in a header and full exhaust.. that might push you over the 1000 mark by a couple bucks. . but thats the few things i would suggest on that amount of money. I promise.. it'll all help!


When I step on the gas, I want people to think the world is coming to an end! - Homer J. Simpson

get your car lowered, right there its going to be about $800 to do it right, $1000 if you have a shop do it, possibly a tad more.

it def. paves the way for the future.


or of course, you could go:

ebay intake-$30
ebay catback (megan racing) $250 shipped iirc
B&M short throw shifter $150 turbotechracing.com, carcustoms.net
Tinted windows- $150-$200 depending on what you prefer (professionally installed)
cd player-decent 1ns go for around $200-500, obviously u could spend much less and much more, but you can get a decent one still
upper and lower engine mounts $220, turbotechracing.com up to you if you want to wait for their lower mount or go rk sport, they sell rk NOW, and will soon be selling their lower. if you like vibes and dont mind them, go rk, if you want less vibes go with TTR

Well I know you said no supercharger but just hear me out on this. You can buy the gm Performance Parts SC kit for only $1400 it is reliable and you just cant beat it bang for buck. My only regret was not getting it sooner.

If you do not want to go that route fine. I would then suggest a B&M short throw shifter if it is a 5spd or a B&M auto trans interceptor if it is an auto. Everyone I have talked to who has this would do it again in a heartbeat. I would also look into a set of motor mounts. They will not give you any more power but they will help with wheel hop and make the car feel much more sporty. A cold air intake would be a good idea.


FORGET GIRLS GONE WILD WE HAVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING GONE WILD!

This intake
This exhaust
This cat


I haven't been around here since 2003-04 so you guys might have some new tricks now, but I would stick to intake and exhaust and save the rest for a rainy day.

I think I would get full exhaust, engine and tranny mounts, CAI, and a short shifter.

B&M short throw, engine mounts, poly bushing mounts, and lower it. That should chew up about a grand and make the car more fun to drive.

Now, for the second thousand dollars - cams and head work.

Good luck.

Golden Trojan wrote:Get a set of seceret cams, have the head port and polished, buy a 2.3 throttle body, and a H.O. Manifold. Also invest in a header and full exhaust.. that might push you over the 1000 mark by a couple bucks. . but thats the few things i would suggest on that amount of money. I promise.. it'll all help!

I really like the first part of this. It would be awesome if you got the headwork, throttle body, mani, and cams done first, and then did the bolt ons. Personally, I would look into some used 17's and a drop. If you get some deals you should be able to do the agx/sportline drop and still be able to afford some rims.

Fuel pump, fuel filter, wires, coilpack and module, new injectors adjustable fuel pressure regulator. new o2 sensor, and then get a phantom grip Limited slip. i figure the diff would get you out of the hole faster. the there is free stuff you can do to get moving quicker
take out the back seat, take out the spare tire and jack or get another 1500 and buy the GM charger it will be more power with less head aches

Thanks to everyone so far that has responded...

Golden Trojan wrote:Get a set of seceret cams, have the head port and polished, buy a 2.3 throttle body, and a H.O. Manifold.

On the topic of cams, as a number of you have mentioned that this would be on your list, I have a couple of questions:

1) In terms of "stages", what stage of cam would the secret cam swap be equivalent to? I guess more so than that, I'm trying to figure out what RPM band the lift/duration on those is best suited to (i.e low end, mid-range, top end)?
2) On the 2.4 motor, what's the biggest cam swap you can achieve before the idle will drop low enough that your car feels like it's having a mild seizure while waiting at red lights and stop signs?

Thanks

new gasket kit ~ $100
Used Koni + Ground Control setup ~ $600
decent tires ~ $300




fortune cookie say:
better a delay than a disaster.

HO mani + HO TB, Used Header back exaust from the classifieds, mounts all around, Secret Cams..... all good mods.. if you can't do the installation yourself, then most of these will not apply.. install = expensive.



My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"

Chad Helfenbein wrote:Thanks to everyone so far that has responded...

Golden Trojan wrote:Get a set of seceret cams, have the head port and polished, buy a 2.3 throttle body, and a H.O. Manifold.

On the topic of cams, as a number of you have mentioned that this would be on your list, I have a couple of questions:

1) In terms of "stages", what stage of cam would the secret cam swap be equivalent to? I guess more so than that, I'm trying to figure out what RPM band the lift/duration on those is best suited to (i.e low end, mid-range, top end)?
2) On the 2.4 motor, what's the biggest cam swap you can achieve before the idle will drop low enough that your car feels like it's having a mild seizure while waiting at red lights and stop signs?

Thanks

Well the seceret cams are close to a stage 1JBP cam i think. as far as the lift, and duration are concerned. Plus they are just plug and play! that's always a bonus when you're trying to cut funds to a minimum doing a build. they provide nice power all over really, but you will feel it more from 3000 rpm on up. The main thing to keep in mind if your buying stuff little by little, is to lay the foundations first. I still stick to what i said earlier. Add an intake with that also and you'll be putting out some nice times. The more fuel and air you get in , and out (quickly) the more power you'll make. On the other hand, with gas going up the way it is, I might change my N/A to a hybrid.. (not 2.3/2.4) i'm talking like.. the first electric/gasoline cavalier! LMAO


When I step on the gas, I want people to think the world is coming to an end! - Homer J. Simpson

turbo,s/c or suspension parts.



15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

Ryan Shissler wrote:

kurtis hendrix wrote:A new car

coming from the guy thats gonna turbo his car with $700 with dual intakes and yet didn't know what a intercooler did. sorry i had to say it.

anyways you could pick up a new suspention set up and an exhaust for around $1000 or you could do head and cam work i think for around 1000, or just do alot of bolt ons abd then get racing seats and other goodies to spice up the interior/exterior

i was thinknig the samething. lol

you can probaly get a nitrous kit if you want, then intake and exhaust system.
or a decent suspension set up



Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!

yeah im a noob sorry

what i would get is nos, pullies, exhaust, Gas!

I go suspension and brakes to start, they are the crappiest part of a stock J. Then add on from there.


---------------------------------------------------
4 Cams...32 Valves...5 Liters...This Could Get Fun!

A wet nitrous kit like the Nitrous Works universal power wing system, a bottle heater and bottle pressure gauge, an MSD RPM window switch and tach driver should set you back between 7 and 8 hundred bucks, and you'll have enough left for about 7 or 8 bottle fills. On a 75 shot, you should be able to squeak out some high 13's or very low 14's for about 5 or 6 runs per bottle fill. Or some mid 14's on a 50 shot for about 8 runs per bottle fill.


It's oh so cheesey!