[GTOTerp]

I haven't purchased the car yet, but am seriously considering either an '05 or '06 model --- I personally love the subtle styling combined with the massive power under the hood ... so working with a completely stock baseline and a grand to burn, what would you do? intake, tune, exhaust, suspension?
I'm personally a firm believer in building from the ground up, so if I were to dump it into suspension and drive train upgrades, what should I buy and why? Thanks in advance ...

 

[LS2FAST]

I would buy in this order:

1.) LPE CAI $239.95 (this has been a good mod for me)

2.) GMM Ripshift $299.99 ( I tried the B&M first, with 4- modifications to it and finally decided to get the GMM.... THE BEST MOVE YET for me.)

3.) Hotchkis Sway Bars $412.95 (This helped eliminate some fo my wheel hop, and the handling is much better. Some will recommend coil-overs or shocks but for now the sway's will give you most bang for the buck.... then after you get some miles on it, upgrade to the coilovers.)

4.) 160 Degree T-Stat $26.95 (I immedu=iately noticed the improvement, as I live in the high desert. depending on where you are located geographically this may or may not help you.)

Thats $979.84... Of course you can probably get some better prices if you shop around.

I would also look at a urethane bushing kit too... depending on your goals.

I am sure you will get some differing opinions here, some like the catback, headers, diablo tune or dyno tune, etc.

 

[GTOTerp]

Thanks LS2

maybe the board higher ups can sticky this thread for prospective buyers and 1st time modders ... and what about changing rear end gearing to account for future power gains?

 

[dealernut]

maybe the board higher ups can sticky this thread for prospective buyers and 1st time modders ... and what about changing rear end gearing to account for future power gains?

I would most certainly go with a 3:91 gear. It makes all the difference.

 

[b_a_betterperson]

LS2's suggestions are right on -- but I'd price out a swap of all the major fluids to synthetics. Transmission, brakes and differential. Makes a huge difference and is relatively cheap. That said, the first mod that came to my mind was tires. The BFGs from the factory keep the rims from sparking -- and that's about it.

 

[GTOTerp]

Dealernut, which brand, any links?

I would most certainly go with a 3:91 gear. It makes all the difference.

Does Motive make a set for the new goat? I saw a set for the C5 vette for around $350 from Summit ...
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=/egnsearch.asp&N=401013

 

[dealernut]

Here is what I use and I think most here use.

http://www.difftechnics.com.au/?

Another option I would reccomend for the drive train
3'' Chromoly Driveshaft With Billet Yokes from BMR Fabrication

A one piece that also made a huge difference.

 

[GTOTerp]

BA, I like Royal Purple's stuff, good for goat?

LS2's suggestions are right on -- but I'd price out a swap of all the major fluids to synthetics. Transmission, brakes and differential. Makes a huge difference and is relatively cheap. That said, the first mod that came to my mind was tires. The BFGs from the factory keep the rims from sparking -- and that's about it.

Aftermarket tires are usually an upgrade no matter the car, but let me torch the stock ones first ... :cool

 

[dealernut]

Aftermarket tires are usually an upgrade no matter the car, but let me torch the stock ones first ... :cool

that'll take about 2000 miles......


I'm not joking.

 

[GTOTerp]

Dealernut, this is getting expensive, lol

Another option I would reccomend for the drive train
3'' Chromoly Driveshaft With Billet Yokes from BMR Fabrication

A one piece that also made a huge difference.[/QUOTE]



I read about the weakness of the 2 piece drive shaft --- that's an expensive mod but definitely a good one for the future.

 

[dealernut]

Another option I would reccomend for the drive train
3'' Chromoly Driveshaft With Billet Yokes from BMR Fabrication

A one piece that also made a huge difference.

I read about the weakness of the 2 piece drive shaft --- that's an expensive mod but definitely a good one for the future.[/QUOTE]


Oh yeah that is a down the road mod. The 2 piece will be fine for anything above 11.5/12second car.

 

[Groucho]

LS2's suggestions are right on -- but I'd price out a swap of all the major fluids to synthetics. Transmission, brakes and differential. Makes a huge difference and is relatively cheap. That said, the first mod that came to my mind was tires. The BFGs from the factory keep the rims from sparking -- and that's about it.

I agree.

Another vast improvement- Chris White (GTPprix)'s shift light & tone flash mod. $150...and highly recommended. Get the functionality that GM's lawyers killed!

 

[Calibrator]

If you're looking for the biggest bang for your money-- rear end gears. You'd be amazed at what a gear in the 3.70-4.10 will do. And if you decide to make other mods later, the gears will be compatible with them. Of course, your rear tires may think otherwise.

 

[Xcommuter]

Custom Tune and Valentine One .

 

[LS2FAST]

I am not sure about the 04's. But the 05's do come with Synthetic Oil in the Engine, Transmission and Differential from the factory. I have been down this road with the dealer and GM about this already when I decided to switch over to TORCO Synthetic. Without explaining the long story, I am back with the GM Synthetic in the Diff and Tranny and Mobil 1 in the engine that it comes with.

 

[b_a_betterperson]

Aftermarket tires are usually an upgrade no matter the car, but let me torch the stock ones first ... :cool

Hear ya -- and, yes, Royal Purple is the way to go.

 

[DK2F]

I agree.

Another vast improvement- Chris White (GTPprix)'s shift light & tone flash mod. $150...and highly recommended. Get the functionality that GM's lawyers killed!

what is this mod...whats its purpose...im interested
-thnx

 

[k1200lt]

what is this mod...whats its purpose...im interested
-thnx

Check out this link. Pretty slick stuff!

 

[Groucho]

Check out this link. Pretty slick stuff!

Absolutely...one of the best bang-to-buck mods yet.

You may want to wait until you swap out your stock rubber, however, as Chris can tweak the settings to take the new tire diameter into account, thus making the speedo accurate.

I have 18" wheels and lo-pro tires, and now my speedo is DGPS-verified dead nuts accurate.

 

[babablackgoat]

Does Motive make a set for the new goat? I saw a set for the C5 vette for around $350 from Summit ...
Summit Racing - High Performance Car and Truck Parts l 800-230-3030

FYI…

Motive does not have an adapter that fits the 2006 GTO. See below text from email from Motive:

“
I was discussing this with our General Manager and she told me I'm an ***. Turns out the reservoir on the 06 is a fairly rare beast - 3 prongs but doesn't match with any other three prong reservoir on the market.

So you'll kind of stuck using the universal adapter. We'll ship you one out today.

Eric - please ship an 1101.

Marco
“

Motive was great about sending me the correct one immediately, and refunding my CC the difference.

The universal one is easy to use.