What would be best to upgrade my engine next with? Would it be replacing the stock rods, pistons, and cams? I'd appreciate a shopping list of sorts also, that would be great!

 

unless youre going to up the boost no point in doing internals yet. just get a good fuel system(return system, injectors and fuel pump) and a good tune and youre set imo.

 

Thanks for replying. So far I have a DW 300 (320lph) fuel pump and DW 660cc injectors. The car will be tuned also. I will be looking to push more boost by end of year.

 

Are you auto or manual? Either way you should start saving up for transmission upgrade, wont last long. Better put some cash aside for tires too.

Also would help if you listed your full mod list as no one here is physic.

 

Building a bottom end (pistons/rods) gets real expensive and real time consuming. That alone isn't going to make your car faster, it simply makes the motor stronger so you can safely add more power. If you're going to tear down the bottom end you need to do both pistons and rods together. You'll also need to get the block bored/honed for the new pistons, new main bearings, and new gaskets. While you're in there you really need to do new main studs, a new water pump, and new front/rear main seals.

If I were going to build a bottom end I'd look for a good machine shop, preferably with some considerable VQ experience. Then I'd buy a spare block and have them assemble it while you're car is still up and running. Once the block is ready it'll make the transition much easier and quicker, then you can recoup some of the cost by selling your stock bottom end after you swap the built motor in.

Cams are simply a power mod, they're not going to make your motor stronger, just make it produce more power. All they do is increase the airflow to the motor, much the same as if you installed a smaller pulley. If you just want a little more power the smaller pulley would be the best bang for the buck. If you're really going for some serious power the rods/pistons are the logical option, do the safety+strength stuff first, then look for more power.

 

That's the kind of information I was looking for, thank you.

 

Our tranny won't handle 400whp or something? What about auto...I have valvebody upgrade and maybe tranny cooler install soon that enough for SC?

 

SC's lack torque so the stock tranny should last a little while depending on how hard you drive. However, be sure to have the funds to rebuild/replace the tranny in the future. Any form of FI on an auto should include a tranny cooler.

 

Or I can buy GTM performance tranny for $4.5K

 

and never receive anything or hear from them ever again.

 

Thats what I've got.

 

I didn't realize u guys had bad experience from GTM, I guess i won't be going there for anything. Thanks for the heads up!

 

the next cheapest step is to take a performance drivers school