Help Caplax40 spend money!

Caplax40

Grand Tourer
Feb 12, 2006
202
0
0
Boise, ID
Okay here's the deal. I have a budget of about $4000-ish to spend on my car. I'd like to get some opinions on what to do. First, I'll give you the rundown on the car:

1989 Turbo Targa
Red/Gray
Automatic
121,000 miles
Recent HG job using OEM gasket, ARP hardware, head machined, etc
Never blown a head gasket
During the HG job numerous gaskets were replaced, all belts done (including timing belt), and a new water pump was installed

The interior/exterior is in excellent shape. The only real flaws are the lack of floor mats inside and the driver's side door trim is starting to come off

So using the above information and the mods listed in my signature, where would you guys proceed next?

One issue I must address is brakes. The fronts are starting to get bad. I'm planning on picking up that brake package that SupraStore.com has or just piece it together through HPF, since I like them a lot more.
 

born2drv

Banned
Nov 1, 2005
1,199
0
0
Burbank, CA
how much torque did you use for the head gasket? I think the stock HG properly torqued down to 80-95ftlbs is good for up to 15psi.

#1 Put an oil cooler with your auto tranny so you don't kill it.
#2 Get a wideband so you don't go lean under boost
#3 put $1000 in the bank incase you blow something up ;)
#4 get a good boost gauge
#5 upgrade intercooler and pipes, add BOV
#6 get a boost controller and/or fuel management system
 

Caplax40

Grand Tourer
Feb 12, 2006
202
0
0
Boise, ID
Okay. Here's my dilemma. As I see it, the car has two main issues when it comes to making more power: the OEM gasket, and the automatic transmission. I have no idea how much power I'm making but my goal has always been around the 350-400hp mark. I'm not sure what will be the biggest obstacle in that goal, the trans or the gasket.

I was thinking about going with one of Ron R's FFIM and a new IC setup along with some tuning and just leave it be. That would probably be about $2000 if I did my calculations right. Then I could use the remaining money and pickup a bolt on turbo kit or something.
 

Clip

The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
2,738
9
38
35
Virginia
definitely talk to jtamulis, he knows his shit.

not knocking ron r, but i wouldnt go with a ffim just yet. id spend some on making sure you can get the fuel system ready to deal with the power youre going to be making later. id reccommend the lexus afm and 550s, then if you're ready, start tuning with a piggyback fuel controller or look at a whole standalone ecu. it wont make you go fast just yet, but youll be set up for the rest of the life of the car.
 

suprarich

Guest
Nov 9, 2005
2,187
0
0
ohio
Here is the non biased answer you need.

First fix your brakes,

Second, What are your ultimate goals? Are you going to purchase a bunch of stuff that is good for 350 HP only to get rid of it all in a year or two for better stuff like most people here do. If you add up most peoples builds, who purchased what they could afford, instead of buying the far in the future upgrade now, they end up spending twice the money than if they did it right the first time. Why buy a SAFC, a lex afm, 550's, and a walbro, when you know that in a year or two you will pull all that out for bigger fuel, maft or standalone, external fuel pump, and non-bolt on turbo. Do the end all beat all upgrades now, you will save money in the long run. If your headgasket is the new style oem you are god for 400 hp. Your tranny is good for 350 hp with intermittent use. 300 hp with extended use. If I where you, I would buy a 3.5 to 4 inch exhaust first. Never will need another. Second, an external fuel pump such as the aeromotive or weldon. Next, a VPC or Maft pro with the stock ecu or a stand alone like the AEM, Next a tranny upgrade with a 3200 - 3500 stall converter. A MBC and a Wideband and your money is spent on good high quality stuff you will not outgrow and will run 12's on the stock turbo untill you have more money to spend on a non bolt on turbo.

Just my .02
 

Clip

The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
2,738
9
38
35
Virginia
follow suprarich's advice, and just remember to upgrade equally. make sure that each component and system will stand up to the next upgrade. don't try to run a massive engine on the stock fuel system, and definitely don't try to run a highly built engine without looking at the cooling system first.

its all a balance, and its all common sense. just make sure you've got the money to do it right the first time.
 

Stretch

Tallest MK3 driver ever!!
Mar 30, 2005
1,275
0
36
37
Toronto, Ontario
Clip said:
definitely talk to jtamulis, he knows his shit.

not knocking ron r, but i wouldnt go with a ffim just yet. id spend some on making sure you can get the fuel system ready to deal with the power youre going to be making later. id reccommend the lexus afm and 550s, then if you're ready, start tuning with a piggyback fuel controller or look at a whole standalone ecu. it wont make you go fast just yet, but youll be set up for the rest of the life of the car.

Forget lexus afm, it's dinosaur compared to Maft. Doc Jones can hook you up with a nice 3inch gm maf and the reader for it, plus help you hook it up.
eric
 

JBatt87T

New Member
Apr 28, 2005
102
0
0
Athens, GA
But remember that all of that stuff that suprarich said together is well over $4000. Just get some 550's, a maft pro, fuel pump, afpr, boost controler, 57 trim ct, hardpipes and a ffim. With these mods you should be at your power goals.
 

born2drv

Banned
Nov 1, 2005
1,199
0
0
Burbank, CA
you HAVE to address the auto tranny with a good oil cooler or 350 will not hold reliably i promise you... you'll be rolling the dice and if that's what you want to do, or you're thinking of doing a 5-spd swap that's cool, but if you want to keep the auto you better make sure everything runs nice and cool.
 

Clip

The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
2,738
9
38
35
Virginia
did someone post a thread up here about the maft pro not holding a tune a while back?