The Next Mod?

[Missile Man]

I think I'm a mod addict, is there a 12 step for modders?
I'm at the point where my next mod is not staring me in the face. My mods to date:

1. Vector Motor Sports ECM/Trans tune.
2. CAI intake
3. LT headers/hi-flow cats/X-Pipe/40 series mufflers.

The dilemma is price vs gain. I'm not sure which mod would produce the most bang for the buck at this point. Mild cam next? Would have to replace the lifters I suppose (L99)? Does the new cam have a cam phaser? Just thinking out loud. I'd like to hear feedback from those who have similar mods.

Also,
All my mods to date are in the powertrain. Any chassis mods worth discussing?

Is this a cry for help.......

[Apex Motorsports]

A scoop/washer tank and ported throttle body will add some more power and responsiveness that you will be able to feel. Or you could look into a couple suspension/chassis upgrades to help you plant the power you are making. There are several of those that rank pretty high on the bang for your buck scale.

[ssmike]

Definatly suspension mods next! You will be AMAZED at how much better the car will feel and respond with some suspension upgrades! Best bang for the buck and a good foundation would be rear cradle (subframe) bushing inserts, trailing arms with outer bushings and front radius rod bushing inserts. Also replace the factory sways bar wih aftermarket adjustables. All these suspension mods are inexpensive and easy to install and will make a big difference!

I did the same as you did, LT's exhaust, cai and tune. The added power and responsiveness is great but you need to get it to the ground more efficiently and with more control!

[mikeSS]

a cam on the L99 is going to be pricey mild or not. if you are doing a conversion

[Mchlgrrsn]

its a long and expensive road your are about to go down. You have know what you want your end result to be, NA or FI. A cam is big bang for the buck if your stayikng NA.

[Missile Man]

Originally Posted by Mchlgrrsn

its a long and expensive road your are about to go down. You have know what you want your end result to be, NA or FI. A cam is big bang for the buck if your stayikng NA.

Got the FI, not sure what NA is referring to.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by Missile Man

Got the FI, not sure what NA is referring to.

naturally aspirtaed

[Mchlgrrsn]

If you are staying naturally aspirated you can get a real nasty lumpy cam, hence my comment a Big Bang for the buck. If you go with boost the cam may not be the best thing to do first.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by Mchlgrrsn

If you are staying naturally aspirated you can get a real nasty lumpy cam, hence my comment a Big Bang for the buck. If you go with boost the cam may not be the best thing to do first.

plenty of people do a blower cam first though, with a plan to put a blower on later.

there are some pretty good blower cams out right now.

[Mchlgrrsn]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

plenty of people do a blower cam first though, with a plan to put a blower on later.

there are some pretty good blower cams out right now.

Agreed. All mods have to be though out with an end result in mind.

[Missile Man]

Thanks for all of the info. The washer bottle relocate will be the next mod followed by the ported throttle body. Easy enough and not too expensive.

When I accelerate hard from a stop into a turn I get this bucking from the rear end on the side that travels the greater distance. From what I've read looks like I need a performance sway bar. Suspension is not something I'm real familiar with, is this something I can replace myself?

[ssmike]

Originally Posted by Missile Man

Thanks for all of the info. The washer bottle relocate will be the next mod followed by the ported throttle body. Easy enough and not too expensive.

When I accelerate hard from a stop into a turn I get this bucking from the rear end on the side that travels the greater distance. From what I've read looks like I need a performance sway bar. Suspension is not something I'm real familiar with, is this something I can replace myself?

The rear bar is the easiest suspension mod you can do! Jack it up, remove the endlinks and then the 2 clamps that hold the bar to the subframe. Thing is though, I don't know if the bucking your hearing on turns has anything to do with needing to upgrade the sway bars. Sounds like something loose or you posi isn't functioning properly. I'd take it in to the dealer to be checked out first! May need a fluid change in the differential.

[Kelly@PCMofNC]

If you are looking to invest a few hundred, then I'd go with some suspension upgrades. Springs, trailing arms, toe rods, bushings.

Then I'd start saving for heads and cam. Only reason I say heads too is because with an L99 you're going to want to pull them anyway to change the lifters...and hey...if they're off, you might as well send them out for porting/polishing/decking while you are at it.

Or, you could also upgrade the torque converter now. Something like a 3000-3200 yank would feel awesome now, and get you set up for later down the road when you get around to doing a cam.

[Jason 98 TA]

We offer both AFM friendly & VVT camshafts that will make some awesome power gains in your L99. Any of the TSP VVT/AFM camshafts will include camshaft phaser tuning tables as well for max power at every rpm!! checkout the dyno sheet from the VVT-3 camshaft on a bolt on car:

Here's the sheet for rear wheel gains, it gained right at 100 flywheel hp over the stock camshaft!