Keep the stock pipe size. Do NOT increase it. You'll lose low end torque. Other than that, follow the advice above.

With the engine I have now at nearly 152,000 miles, would it be worth it to get a cam and rockers for it and do a rebuild later if necessary, or should I just go for an L67 swap? The transmission is rebuilt and I'm not planning on keeping this car any more than 70,000 miles. I graduate from college in a year so assuming I drive the car for 20,000 miles, I'll put 40,000 miles in that time and I'll have a new car 2 years from now.

I have the stock exhaust size. I'll start working on cleaning that MAF and TB for now, and I'll check back with you guys afterward.

My final drive ratio is 3.33.

2.5" pipe on an L27 is good. Most have 2.25 from the factory.

None of what you say existed when I had my L27 and I highly doubt it does now. With that many miles you are going to have some leaky gaskets so check over the entire top end for starters. Just replace them, don't look at it and assume.

The suspension could be pretty shot by now too, depending how it'* been driven.

Basically go ahead and do basic maintenance and mild modding, but don't get carried away. This engine isn't a powerhouse, but its a very good learning tool because its the basis for so many GM engines out there.

I wouldn't be worried about the suspension. I have new ball joins put in on each end, new shocks and struts all around, a custom lowered rear fiberglass leaf spring (2"), 2" drop front lowered springs, greased polyurethane bushings on the front sway bar, and a 7/8" ADDCO 474 rear sway bar with greased polyurethane bushings. I've taken very good care of this car.

As for what did or didn't exist, go to seriesoneperformance.com and see for yourself. There you'll find rockers and cams for the Series 1 3800 engines, along with shift kits and a whole bunch of other accessories.

As for the seals, I'm not sure what you're talking about or how to check them. If you could point me in the right direction, I'd very much appreciate it.

IIRC Seriesoneperformance.com is basically out of business and merely maintaining a web site.

ZZP I think has the rockers you'd want.

SeriesonePerformance has been dumped as a vendor here for poor communication and customer service. Many of his parts are not appropriately chosen for your application.

None of his parts are 'in stock'. He'* drop-shipping. Which means he'* getting them from elsewhere.

His rocker prices are HORRIBLY expensive anyway. You can get them far cheaper from ZZP.

All his parts come from either Australia (Holden 3800 market) or US distribitors.

If your motor has not been maintained like it should....

Valve cover gaskets, lower intake manifold gaskets, probably valve stem seals, oil pna gasket, cooling circuit o-rings. The list goes on.

Most advisable course of action is to pick up two gasket kits. One for the lower portion, often called "conversion" kits. The other for the upper end of the engine. That includes everything you could ever need, and then some. You want that engine tight as a drum before doing anything major. Even if something hasn't failed yet, it will once the modding starts.

Sound good. Didn't know seriesoneperformance was that horrible. I simply assumed they could do something.

As for the rockers, does anyone know where I could find those (specific links).

Can anyone else point me in the right direction as to exactly what gasket kits I should buy? Chances are I'll have a shop do this for me since I don't have a garage, unless someone around here lives near Chicago who I can pay to do the job for me.

FelPro gaskets:

Throttle Body (may have to go to the dealer for this)
LIM (4-piece set)
Valve covers (should come as a pair)

www.zzperformance.com then click on valvetrain, and you'll find the Series 1 Yella Terra rockers for the 93 and newer heads.

Please edit your profile and fill out your signature with your year and trim level (199x SE), and any mods you have already done. Signature size requirments are in NOTICE.

Those rockers won't work with all Series 1 cylinder heads. 91-93 L27'* will have to upgrade to the 93-95 L27/L67 heads.