Well, since gas prices just hit $3.90 per gallon, and I school is in full swing...I figure, a few weeks or months (I sure hope not) with the Bonne on blocks couldn't hurt too much.

I've done all the entry level modificaitons (3.4" pulley, 180 t-stat, colder plugs, new belts, K&N, CAI, new CAT, new muffler...etc.) what is the next best step I should take? New cam, rockers n' arms, intercooler...? I love getting into the engines of these cars, but the last time I did that I had another wrecked Bonne just for spare parts in case I screwed up the first time around.

What do y'all think? The car is a 1997 has a lot of miles (around 143,500 now)...are there things I should be taking into consideration with that sort of age and wear?

Thanks!

-Sam

I would say a cam would be the route to go. But before that you should get a PCM, I don't think I saw one in your sig.

You're right, I don't have a PCM yet...would that explain why my power spiked when I put in the new pulley, but then gradually dropped back down? When I first put in the 3.4" pulley and all the other mods, it was like a completely different car. I literally left two 25 ft long black marks on the paved road outside my house the first time I tested it. Since then, the car has slowly been losing power and becoming much more sluggish. I just had it serviced and still no change. Someone told me that the PCM is adapting to the changes I made and isn't giving me the best power combinations...etc. Does this make sense, or is there something more serious going on?

I would guess you're suffering from a bit of KR. Try to get it scanned to see how much you are getting. Some altered parameters from a PCM will help eliminate a bit of that, otherwise a cam and headers would possibly decrease it a bunch.
Otherwise you might also start considering the transmission with that many miles.

Alright, I'll check that out...

Who would you say has the best deals on PCMs, cams, or headers? Which ones would you recommend?

PCM for the car is from Intense typically.

I wouldn't spend $1000+ on mods because you think that'll help gas. If you want mods that'* fine, but not for economy'* sake please.

PCM - intense, or a custom one from DHP for your model year.

A cam is better then rockers, but rockers will get you into the 13'* just fine. (05 mustang GT runs 1.35 for comparison). Rockers, with pushrods, lifters, springs/retainers, PCM, and some headers will open it up, and give room for smaller pullies for even more power..

Haha, no...I'm definantly not spending money on mods for gas purposes! I just have no immediate need for the car, and gas prices suck anyways, so I figure why not save the money I would be spending on gas just driving around doing nothing, and work on making the car better instead?

I took a look at the options you can program into the PCM at the Intense website...for the mods listed in my sig, what combination of options would you all recommend? I know very little about PCM'* :? .

Thanks!

i would recommend talking to Rogue, or Scott directly