hey guys, im new the the TBI world and i need a lot of help with my new TBI. i have a '90 Camaro RS w/ 305 TBI & 700R4 tranny. i was just wondering if anyone had any ideas (not too expensive because im a student) that i could do to boost power and make it a good competitor on the road for other V8's. right now my ideas are:
-underdrive pullies
-performance chip (suggestions on which one's the best)
-open element air cleaner
-TBI spacer

that's all i can think of right now. if you can suggest anything...ANYTHING....that would be great (lol). pretty much my budget is anything within the $0-300 range. i can only afford that every so often due to school & bills. thanx everyone! all input is greatly appreciated!

 

First, forget the underdrive pulleys and "performance" chip. The only things those do is empty your wallet, not up your HP.

The first thing you should do is a tune-up. If the car has been too long without fresh plugs, spark plug wires, filters, etc., your performance will already be down. So, do a tune-up first, but, if a tune-up has been done recently, then here's some suggestions on what you can do:

-14"X3" open element air cleaner: Between $20-$30 at any auto parts store. You can also get a K+N air filter if you want (about $50).
-Cat-back: Anywhere from $250 to $350. There are plenty of companies that make them, Flowmaster, Borla, Hooker, etc.
-TBI spacer: Around $20, it's cheap, and it works.
-Ultimate T.B.I. mods: It's free! Check out the "New to TBI" sticky for info and pics.
-Shift kit: Anywhere from $50 to $130, this makes your auto tranny shift harder and quicker, but it will probably have to be installed by a tranny shop, which ups the price a bit.
-Throttle body spacer: Around $80. This mod can be a little hard, because it requires some fuel line and cable modifications. It just depends on if you have the hood clearance and the time.

These are just the things off the top of my head. The open element is the best bang for the buck, FYI. Hope this helps.

 

if i were starting over i'd get a nitrous kit -- 50 state legal, easy installation, and nothing else even comes close to bang for tha buck.
that or subframe connectors. . .

Id say nix tha cat-back. . . it might sound better but until you have headers and a high-flow cat it wont make that much of a difference. You'll still have the 1" pipe from the stock manifolds to the cat -- which is the real bottleneck.

IMO the open element is really unnecessary. You have a long way to go before air flow is your limiting factor. But if you want one I've got one I'll sell ya. PM, or email me.

TBI spacer : meh, minimal improvement if any.

im not a pro at this stuff -- just telling you what will make a difference you WILL FEEL.

 

Forget the underdrive pulleys and the custom chip. You won't need a custom chip until you do heads and cam.

Do everything Ben stated. One more step would be a headers and a hi flow cat. If you can do it yourself you can keep the cost down. Besides heads and cam, headers are probably the single biggest thing you can do to boost power.

 

Besides adding the spray.

 

If you do a for TBI performance, or anything for that matter, I guarantee you'll find a couple hundred million threads with great info. Also, definetly be sure to check out the "stickies" at the top of the TBI forum. ShiftyCapone and dimented24x7 have put in lots of work to help newbies/veterans alike with making your car better. Good Luck!

Bruce (90RS305)

 

thanx for all the info everyone. that really helped narrow down my search for my first mods. what kind of headders would you perfer: headders, heads, and cam. not to mention, would i need a bigger throttle body with those? i like to have products reffered to me from guys like you who have them on their car and can vouche for their effectiveness...thanx!

adambrose- i'll probably take you up on that offer as well. how much would you like for your open element? also do you have spaces cut out for the sensors? and a spacer to clear my distributor? thanx!

 

My advice.

Get chip turning equiment. There are gains to be had there, and you WILL need it when you start to do other mods.

 

you have a pm

 

Yes, little is it known that turning your chip one half turn to the left can increase power by as much as 17%

 

For $300 you could do the tune up and then choose between the cat back and the chip work...
But I think its best to do the full exhaust backwards then you can just get 3' all the way through. if you just get the cat back first it's going to be tricky making 3' exhaust fit to your 2 1/2' cat.

go down the basic tune up road and get used to how it all fits together first. plugs,cap,rotor,wires,MSD coil, thats a $100 ..plus a timing light so you can adjust that.

then either get a programmer ( check out the main tech board on diy prom burnin) or save the rest towards headers, cat n exhaust which is at least $600.

Oh and you don't need to get new throttle bodies unless your into big HP figures..

and dude if your a student...get the car lookin sharp and put the ***** into it later. You need fluffy cowskin seat covers and a good sound system.
:rockon:

 

forget the cow skin.

Chicks dig roll-bars.

 

oh and an open element just before winter in michigan...
I'm not sure but I think it would be best to wait on that one just so you can retain your heat stove pipe. these cars take forever to warm up..
speaking of which I'd get a 180* in there as well.....

 

adambrose - yeah i have a pm: peterparker40oz on aim. but you can also email me (which i check more often than im on aim): batman40oz@yahoo.com thanx!.

thedogs - how do you get to the plugs on the drivers side? i was looking at that, and HOLY CRAP it looks like it'll be hard to get down there w/ your basic rachett head. thats the only reason i havent done a tune up, because i didn't want to replace the plugs on the passenger side only. any tips would be awesome. as far as the exhaust goes, i definetly need a new 3" all the way back. the guy that owned the car before me had a cut-out put on but it's behind the cat. doesn't that do very little behind the cat? i was told that it only increases torque a little but not by much (something like that...adds torque but decreases HP due to no back pressure from the muffler).and i am a student, i have the sound system, but as far as looks go, my car needs some work. such as the typical dent on the drivers side door & rear Q-panel. for some reason thats a magnet spot for people to hit. i see it everywhere...lol.

Dewey316 & 90RS305 - what's that turning equiptment you mentioned, i've never heard of that. how do you do it and how much does it cost? i dont know about the cowskins, lol, half of the girls that ride with me dont even know it's a camaro. but i guess that's the price you pay for an older muscle car.lol

-so pretty much i just need to start with the basic tune up. should i go with all MSD equiptment? then after that i was thinking the 3" exhaust (need to save up for that though) in the spring. im just going to keep it garaged for the winter so i can work on it more and not have to worry about transportation. im just going to drive my sis's old car for a winter beater.

 

Sure, you can go with MSD stuff if you want. MSD cap and rotor will cost about $20, an MSD coil about $40, and MSD spark plug wires about $60. Just stick with regular AC Delco spark plugs (R45TS, if I'm not mistaken).

The best way to get to (most of) the plugs is from the bottom. Get the car on jack stands or a lift. Some of the plugs are almost impossible to get from the top.

To learn how to burn your own PROMs (A.K.A. "tuning equipment"), just go to the "DIY PROM" board and read the stickies. There's a lot of information and knowledge on that board.

Hope this helps!

 

I'm sorry, that was a joke, Dewey typed "turning" when he meant "tuning," I just caught it and was joking with him Check out the DIY PROM board for information on TUNING equipment, there you'll find anything you want to know on the subject...

Bruce (90RS305)

 

DROP IN SOME 3.73'S
ADD HEADERS AND DECENT EXHAUST
OPEN ELEMENT
FREE MODS ON TGO
TURN UP THE TIMING
CHIP WORK
SHIFT KIT
ADD A 100 SHOT

 

Yes I meant tuning, Check the DIY board for that....but...

For the record. My car TURNS very well also.

John Dewey SCCA Oregon Region Solo II CP #33

 

These guys are the heat... welcome to the best Fbody forum on the net.

I too am in the same boat as you (and recently as well!).

Do the tune up.

Leave on the stock air cleaner and ducting if you are driving this car in Michigan this winter (handles like a sled). Add the open element for sounds effects if nothing else, in the Spring.

Open that exhaust. 3" pipe with a free flowing cat and yer good.

TBI stuff - This will range from doing the spacer, ultimate TBI mods, getting a new intake (Edelbrock TBI Performer is a good, OEM replacement).

Advance your timing 2-4 degrees and go with an HP ignition (like "thedogs" mentioned).

After that you start talking serious money... Heads, Cam, chip, gears, etc.

If I had more money now I think I'd be doing my exhaust next. I really enjoy the sound of a good, Chevy V8 (and the breathability is better too).

Have fun with it and again... welcome.

 

hey, thanx for all the reply's. they're really helping a lot. in a few days, im gonna get a tune up (cause right now i think my starter is dead). but im going to put all msd ignition equiptment on w/ bosch platinum 4 plugs. what size wires should i go with? 8.5? 8.8? and im going to go with the 180* stat too. hopefully i can test run it on dry roads before snow sticks. will the everyday mechanic advance my timing if i ask? or would that be something i'd have to do myself? also where can i get info on how to do that? thanx!

 

One word of advice, don't get the Bosch platinum 4s. Too many people on these boards have had serious problems with them and do not recommend them. Just stick with AC Delcos for now.

As for the spark plug wires, I'd just get the MSD 8.5 Super Conductors. An everyday mechanic could advance your timing no problem, but I'm not sure if they would, since it won't be at the stock setting. But, you can do it yourself, all you really need is a timing light. To learn how to do it, just click on the "New to TBI" sticky. There's around 3 threads about how to check and adjust the timing. Good luck.

 

I was one of those people. They are not suited well with HEI systems. Mine fouled out in 2k miles.

 

yeah, just use the AC Delco Platinum plugs... they work PERFECTLY... its what the Corvette C5R LeMans car uses, so why not?

 

good point...lol

 

a cam, plus springs, plus gaskets and fluids is under $300

 

I am Picking up a 90 Camaro RS w/ 305 TBI & 700R4 tranny. Tonight. The thing has 156,000 on it but I am getitng it for $1000. Where do I find Cams that will fit this engine?? If The block looks good I might just Replace everything but that wont be until next year.

 

Ummmm, dude. This thread is almost six years old!!!
But to answer your question look in page three of my cardomain link in my sig. everything you need to know is there.