Basic mods to 03 monaro

[DID53]

Hey all, i have a 03 monaro and was just wondering what would be the best for performance and price mods to do.
So far i have done to it : pacemaker tri Y's , Hi flo cats, twin 2.5 xforce, Growler induction with bigger throttlebody (looking to replace for OTR if its worth it?) Mafless tune and made 308rwhp.
Im thinking of doing 3.9 diff gears, OTR, cam and springs and get a re-tune to 98 octane as i only got it tuned to 95 octane, but is there any other little mods to do first? and what cam and springs should i use as im not looking to put a stall converter in or boost it. Thanks heaps :)

[VY-SV8]

the OTR won't be a huge gain, i'd only do that if you want less induction noise or are going for every last pony with bolt ons.

without going for a stallie then you'd be limited to a very mild cam grind, which IMO is a waste of your dollars, you won't gain much for your $$$. If you have a talk to a quality tranny shop you will be surprised at how well a smallish tight stallie will drive on the road, the newer lock up types will drive really sedately until you stand on it then they'll flash up to get you moving. That being said get rid of the 3.07 diff gears first with either 3.7 or 3.9 (keep in mind that 3.9 will have you revving pretty good in a A4 so if you do loads of highway keep in sedate in the gears) then see of that satisfies you for the time being.

if you do decide that isn't enough, i'd be looking into a stallie before cam, you will be too limited on how far you can go with a cam.

[DID53]

Yeh i was thinking it wouldnt be much gain with the OTR (maybe 1-2kw). Roughly what size stallie should i be looking in to and roughly what size cam would you think? Im hoping to make around the 270kw atw and be pretty torquey down low. Cheers

[5.7heaven]

i have a 2003 monaro. i recently put in a 232/234 cam (VCM7), full exhaust, OTR, tune and high stall. The cam is very lumpy, and i love it. if you're looking for something more sedate id suggest a VCM2 (224-224), gives you a little lumpy sound and can still be driven on standard stall. My stall is 2800, drives perfectly fine, even in peak hour traffic, and when you give it a handfull, it moves. As everyone will say, 3.7 or 3.9 is the way to go, even doing gears in itself makes your car a different machine. Mine is still 3.07 and drives alright, but will soon be 3.73. My package from stock to now cost just over $7000, and gives me 296rwkw (385.9rwhp)

[El Narros]

Go the package that 5.7 heaven got, you should see the hottie that comes with it.

[5.7heaven]

the hottie that comes with it.

thats if you go the lumpy cam:lmao:

[zorro]

A higher stall and diff gears will give you more value than a retune & otr. The hp isn't too bad at all for an older auto. We organised the same (with otr) for a mate who ended up with 289rwhp on 98.

[FrangaFry]

Don't mess around, throw a PD pump on it and enjoy the 'from idle' PULL that only a stroker or a S/C can provide (no need for a stall converter or lumpy as fuel sucking beast......) ;-)

I did all of the above first (minus the stallie) and got used to the extra grunt real quickly; With the PD S/C the torque now is just insane (and she still drives, looks and sounds like stock) ...................

Chev, you are still my god!!!! I love my ride!!! Thank you!!!!

[berroca]

throw away your growler, they are absolute rubbish, i had one years ago and getting an OTR was definintely noticable, you will notice it and will pick up power i'd say 5-10rwkw.

as for cams i know of a fair few people who were in your boat and wanting a cam uprgade without going for an aftermarket converter. VCM do a couple of standard stall friendly cams that are great, have seen many cars with them in and with a set of gears do go pretty hard. as for not gaining much power as someone said, that to is rubbish. you will still see 30rwkw gain.

some people like small cams some like medium some like massive. each to their own

[Cmycv8]

If you have an auto and go 3.9 gears then be prepared to fill up a lot, I have an m6 with 3.9's and have yes it feels lighter on the foot but with a 226/234 cam it runs out of legs in 1st before you get half way in to an intersection.

You won't see 270RWKW from bolt ons and a tune, maybe 250 and a pinch but if your looking at getting close to 300 got for 3.4's, nice size cam like the 224/230 Howards, 2800 stall and a real decent tune. Having said all of this your cars weakest link willl be the tranny, you will most likely need to rebuild it to take the torque. I have seen many gear boxes and clutches fail that weren't made to take the extra power.

[peter b]

a piece of advice before just saying I want xxx power think about how you want the car to drive. A lot of people seem to think that going a small cam is a waste of money in which I will disagree as bigger duration doesnt automatically mean more power... and have seen cars with a smaller cam smash those with a larger cam due to the way the power comes on.
Everything comes down to the combination and if your choice is for a cam around mid to high 220's/230's select the cam before the convertor to say go convertor first is wrong say you go a mild convertor now say 2800 and then choose a largish cam which comes in around 3300rpm well then that convertor wont be the best option so to speak.
Do a bit of research before anything.
If you want my opinion to gain that power through auto with stall and gears you have to take into factor convertor robs power figure as does gears...
I would look at about a 228/234 a touch over 600 lift 112 lobe sep with a 3200rpm convertor with 3.7 gears gives you enough room to if you are going to change lifters then would take 30 off your heads as well to bump up comp a lil which helps with throttle response especially in an LS1 that is my reccommendation for a nice tough streeter which wont be slow by any means but also sedate enough for potential partner to drive and to handle traffic etc

[motorin on]

Go the package that 5.7 heaven got, you should see the hottie that comes with it.
hhmmm- I am looking at your Avatar,that's hot.Was your lady happy with you using her photo ?

[5.7heaven]

hhmmm- I am looking at your Avatar,that's hot.Was your lady happy with you using her photo ?

haha if that was his lady he wouldnt be trolling posts on LS1

[motorin on]

A higher stall and diff gears will give you more value than a retune & otr. The hp isn't too bad at all for an older auto. We organised the same (with otr) for a mate who ended up with 289rwhp on 98.
This may be the way for me to go,no need to fit a cam.My diff has a slight noise so it may be time to change it.I can ring up and get a price to change the stall
Although I found a ute on Carsales I want to look at on Friday,it already has an OTR and big $$'s spent,just need to swap bonnet and take out my catch can and engine covers.Will depend on the trade in and condition of the ute

[El Narros]

Nah, just peeking through your bedroom window.

[DID53]

Thanks for all the help everyone :D, im probably going to get a comp cam 232/234 112 LSA, 4000 stallie, 3.9 gears and a ramjet OTR and then wait till i have a bit more money n do lifters, rockers, heads, gearbox n diff (but those last few things can wait as i only drive this car maybe once a week).

[quicksilver_vx]

Might as well do lifters when doing cam as they will be out anyway, saves pulling all intake & valley off again.

[DID53]

Would this kit be any good?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/COMP-CAMS-XFI-RPM-HI-LIFT-XR275HR-CHEVY-CORVETTE-LS1-LS2-LS6-LS7-LS9-K54-428-11-/120894698038?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c25e2b236

[VY-SV8]

the lifters do not have to come out to do a cam swap. In fact heads don't even have to come off, in fact you could do it without even taking the rocker covers off but if you haven't got decent springs in there already you would be fool hardy not to do so.

[peter b]

the lifters do not have to come out to do a cam swap. In fact heads don't even have to come off, in fact you could do it without even taking the rocker covers off but if you haven't got decent springs in there already you would be fool hardy not to do so.

Please tell me how such a job can be done without removing rocker covers considering the rocker gear has to come off to perform this task....

[VY-SV8]

Please tell me how such a job can be done without removing rocker covers considering the rocker gear has to come off to perform this task....

i meant heads, my bad. I blame the early morning.. i should never post until after my 3rd coffee.

[peter b]

Yes I always makes sure I have my dose of caffiene in the morning before doing things too.

[5.7heaven]

in response to your question, yes that kit would be suffice. also try an ebay seller called discount performance parts. they sell Lunati gear

[ls1vyss]

would differently change the valve springs and push rods with that cam if you havn't already. i drove round with a comp cam 228 228 112 lsa with just rods and springs done, for 30,000km on standard lifters and car was given a hard time and no problems.