Best mods for money and performance

[jsbihn]

hey all,
ok, it is time I put more money into the rig and i am looking to find out the best mods for the money.
(let me first put out my disclaimer: I am not a cheapskate, i just firmly believe that if you can do the same or better then some things out there with less money then why pay more just because it is supposedly the best - ie. my vette's clutch everyone told me to get the 1000 dollar twin pack, but i found out through my research that the 250 dollar clutch works just the same and matches my power output too)

Ok, there is the deal.

this rig is my daily driver. I drive alot since i commute an hour and a half to work everyday. i am looking to increase the performance of the rig in power and gas consumption.
I would like to raise the truck a few inches so we can keep that in mind too.

I was thinking (since this is basically an iron block vette engine that all the vette add-ons would be the way to increase power - could be wrong)

I really want to start with anything that will help with fuel.
Also since my tranny seems a little lunky, i was wondering if anyone has tried reprogramming the shift points to optimize gas and the ride.
I use the cruise alot on my drive into work.

given there are a number of points when the cruise gases down and my inst gas econ goes from like 12 to 3. so i guess i would like a few more things to increase power to help get the rig up to speed quicker.

please list all you know
though also keeping in mind that freebee mods are the best (ie. like i know in the vette there is a mod you can do with the coolant line (by pass) to help keep the engine cooler)
then the inexpensive mods
and so on


Thanks for all your helps

[fyr145]

well if youre looking for power but needing to stay within a certain budget I would suggest a few things;

1. Upgrade the air intake: I went from the factory intake system to Airaid's system. There are several other brands of systems out there with various configurations but anything is better than stock. Do some research and select an intake system that will work within your budget.

2. Get a programmer: Like the intakes out there on the market, there are several brands of programmers. Diablo is good, Hypertech, etc. all can help you make the adjustments that you want.

3. Change your exhaust system: Another key component to getting a few more horsepower with minimal cost is changing the exhaust system. I got rid of the factory exhaust and went with a Magnaflow brand. I get a few extra horses for the money but not the huge resonating drone sound in the cab. Flowmaster would also work but they tend to be a bit louder than I wanted. Again, its all about preference and budget.

You can also go further into this by changing the rear end gears so you will have more power in the higher bands but all of this is based upon your preferences.

Then, if price is no object, there always the supercharger for real boost but the fuel costs may really offset this mod.

Components like these can help you get on your way to getting more power with minimal cost. I do notice on my mods that I do get better power off the line.

Hope this helps.

[jsbihn]

Thats fyr,
I guess what I am also looking for is people's own research on the parts too.
See, I could research all that, which I know about the mentioned but it is about what people have seen on their end to be the best.

(ie. like some people say get K&N for a car you will see 10 hp gain, but you get it and everyone only sees 5 hp - yet if they get say another company system, those people actually have seen 10 hp or say if some people build their own system they see 5-7 hp increase for half the price of a bought system. of course this is just examples of a fictitious car and system)

and as for a s/c ummm nope that is way out there. remember this is a daily driver. my vette and m3 (which are the weekend cars) get the cash, this gets the what ever is left in my wallet :-p

[IRA51]

Unless your willing to pony up some big bucks ,leave it stock and enjoy it .

[jsbihn]

IRA51,
I know thats isnt true. Even my Vette I have modded without "ponying up the big bucks".
I know it is easier to go the route of the masses and buy the items people buy with high price tags but I know there are items out there right now that do the same job.

Like I know there is someone on here that bought a code reader for like 25 bucks that works with his phone and such, and so far I have heard it works great (and he didnt have to pay a couple of hundred for the same thing)

I know that on my M3 everyone yells out to buy the 1300 titanium dollar muffler, yet research and dynos have proven that the 300 dollar one is only 2lbs heavier then the titanium one and yields the same HP.

So why waste money.
I know that there are mods available for the H2 that dont cost an arm and a leg. Sure a reprogrammer might be a few hundred, but which one is the best buy. I mean why buy one for 150 that will only re-map one car and it only does a good job when you can buy one for say 250 that will re-map 2-3 cars and do a great job.

see where I am trying to go with this?

[[__--MUD--__]]

My mod list is almost at the point I'm just going to start listing what I havn't done to my slut. Honestly I can't think of any engine mod that was worth its cost as far as squeezing any additional mileage out of a gallon. The stock intake is designed to keep water out of the motor and also silence it. Changing that is only going to be an appearance mod and make the engine louder.

If you want to make that truck alot easier/fun to drive, ****can that stock steering pump. Call AGR Performance out of TX and tell them you want a high pressure pump w/ all the upgraded options. Your in the $350 range. At a complete stop on pavement w 38" tires, I can damn near throw the steering wheel to turn the wheels. You will get alot of additional braking assist also. Eliminates the dead steering feel in parking lot manuevers. If I ever get a second truck, this will be the first thing done.

[IRA51]

Originally Posted by jsbihn

IRA51,
I know thats isnt true. Even my Vette I have modded without "ponying up the big bucks".
I know it is easier to go the route of the masses and buy the items people buy with high price tags but I know there are items out there right now that do the same job.

Like I know there is someone on here that bought a code reader for like 25 bucks that works with his phone and such, and so far I have heard it works great (and he didnt have to pay a couple of hundred for the same thing)

I know that on my M3 everyone yells out to buy the 1300 titanium dollar muffler, yet research and dynos have proven that the 300 dollar one is only 2lbs heavier then the titanium one and yields the same HP.

So why waste money.
I know that there are mods available for the H2 that dont cost an arm and a leg. Sure a reprogrammer might be a few hundred, but which one is the best buy. I mean why buy one for 150 that will only re-map one car and it only does a good job when you can buy one for say 250 that will re-map 2-3 cars and do a great job.

see where I am trying to go with this?

Other then the trans cooler that will not give you more power ,but is a smart mod to do ,you aren't going to get any real power cheap . Makeing it louder with a free flow exaust and K&N sounds kool though . A SC or heads and cam package with long tubes is the way to go ,but you better get the trans up graded or it will fail . So if ya havent got at least $2500.00 to spend and do the labor yourself keep dreaming .there is no real gain with a prograhmer on a gas engine ,and sometimes they make it worse in hot climates like Phoenix. FYI my 06 C6 with padle shifter auto only made 20 hp more with LG long tubes and X pipes and Corsa exaust at a cost of $2400.00 . the best bang for the buck was getting rid of the run flats and going with Nitto envo's . But what the hell do I know ?Anyone telling you you can get a 50 hp bump on a stock H2 with headers and exaust has never seen a one on a Dyno for proof ,ain't going to happen.

[tiny2012]

chg to synthetic fluids,reduce the weight ,i removed side steps,brush guard,spare tire carrier,spare tire,i haven't read a post on this site where anybody gained any mpg's by doing any performance upgrades talked about here....current mpg 14 hwy,13 city...05 sut.....