For the vehicle in the signature, what would you recommend for a $500 parts budget to increase the horsepower but stay with the SUs. I'm dreaming of Christmas and need some ideas. (I've already got a header and a 2-1/4 inch exhaust too.) I've thought about biting the bullet and going with a ZTherapy rebuild but that is on the upper end of what I'm willing to spend right now so I'm looking for some other ideas to mull over.

My first reply would be a complete tune-up, NGK plugs, Magnacore wires, adjust the valves, new ign. parts, adjusted timing, new filters, fluids, and check the tire pressure-a tank full of premium, and you are there! $500 goes pretty fast by its self...

Or-depending on your current state of tune, a combination of some of the above and A better exhaust, hot ignition(pertronix), etc...

Will

Depends on what trans you have, but if its a ZX I'd say 3.90 or 4.11 diff. EI is a must IMO, ZX distributor is a good way to do it. Then maybe a cam. Reground cam is $65 from Delta Cams, + rockers resurfaced at $3 per and some fiddling with lash pads. Should be able to get all of that done for $500 if you're frugal.

Will's list is pretty good if you're in need of a tune up, but I don't think that really gets you $500 in the hole unless you're buying cap and rotor and that kind of stuff from the dealer...

You've done most of the obvious stuff, so I would go for reliability. IMHO, a three-row radiator ($200) is good insurance, letting the car run 20 degrees cooler. The headlight relay and H2s are a good upgrade that will provide a benefit every day (night?).

I had a 3.90 rear end (2.8L, mild cam, triple delortos, 5-speed) and replaced it with the 3.54---the car is much more pleasureable as a daily driver.

Hummmmm.......

1) You specifically ask about increased Horse Power

2) L28 with S.U.'s etc

3) exhaust done...

4) headers...

5) street cam

6) mentions that it may need rebuilt carb's....

$500.00 ........ ......

OK:

Make an appointment to take the car to Atlanta.... get with a known good Z Shop ... Pay them to do a complete assessment and give you an ordered list of items that need to be addressed. They should have a chassis dyno - or at least have common access to one.

For $500.00:

a) you'll have a good baseline established for that engine

- measured rear wheel HP at start

- compression check

- leak down test

- fuel/air ratios at specific RPM levels

- everything as far as "tune up items" checked for performance to spec.

- engine timing curve documented (pull the distributor and measure/record it)

- etc. etc. etc.

now you'll know what to buy - or what to do to gain HP - in what order. Ask them to write it down for you.

c) it might save you thousands of dollars that might have been spent on needless, useless "junk"..

The alternative is to buy more needless or useless junk, and keep adding it at random in the hopes that something will work a miracle...

That would be my best advice...

good luck,

Carl

Carl Beck

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

Wow..you guys rock! I hope my wife doesn't accidentally happen upon this post! I'm...speechless, time to look at some porn!

Make the check out to Bill Ramsey, 142.....

You seem to already have some modifications to make you go faster, how about a modification to help you stop? Like a brake upgrade? Toyota 4 piston calipers, vented rotors, and some S/S brake lines.

oh did you guys forget the stage 2 cam shaft?

best way to spend $500 bucks....

Well you asked for it....

http://24hoursoflemons.com/

I've definitely thought over the Toyota brake upgrade, never thought about a better cam, and am on the opposite side of the country from Tracy California. The hits keep on coming.

Wow..you guys rock! I hope my wife doesn't accidentally happen upon this post! I'm...speechless, time to look at some porn!

Ok, now that you have provided more info...

What you do is get your $500, go to Vegas, and get a couple of hot showgirls...Now you absolutely better watch out for the MRS...

Will

FWIW, for $100 more, ZTherapy carbs are the be-all and end-all. It was one of the best things I did to the car. $600 is a lot of dough, BUT my car was transformed! No stumbles, no hesitation just revs right up to 6500 and I live at 5,000 ft. Steve even changed the jets and needles for my altitude at no extra charge. And they just bolt right up so you can do it yourself. As you can tell, I am a very satisfied customer. Also on a spirited drive last week in the mountains I got 24 mpg, too. You can't go wrong with ZTherapy. Cheers, Mike