>Top 10 Budget LC2 Bolt-Ons CLUTCH SWITCH
With a few bucks worth of wire, a couple of connectors, and a store-bought switch, simply tapping into your Buick's ALDL port under the dash will allow you to lock the torque converter clutch under WOT--effectively making your 200-4R transmission a stick-shift for the remainder of the 1320. Buick racers have seen up to a couple of solid tenths from this mod--for the price, the best budget Turbo Buick bolt-on on the planet!
THE CATCH:
None
EASE OF INSTALL:
Easy
WEAR AND TEAR:
Minimal
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
15 HUNDREDTHS
COST:
$10.00
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$0.66 PER HUNDREDTH
RACE CHIP
If you've got 100-plus octane fuel (leaded, 117-octane C16 is preferred) a great performance bargain is to replace the stock chip with a race version. Through increased fueling, aggressive spark advance in the 24-26 degree range, and a boost increase from the stock 12 to 22-plus psi, it's common to add over 100 horsepower at the wheels.
THE CATCH:
Leaded race fuel is nearly always a must when using this chip (see "alcohol injection system") to avoid blowing the engine, oxygen sensor life shortened, some chips have auto torque converter lock-up for track-only use.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Easy
WEAR AND TEAR:
Heavy
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
100 HP
COST:
$120.00
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$1.20 PER HP
ALCOHOL INJECTION SYSTEM
Imagine running sky-high boost and timing numbers with a full-on race computer chip--with only premium fuel in your Turbo Buick's tank! That kind of automotive wet dream is reality, thanks to alky injection. Sure, there is a learning curve associated with this type of tuning, but the fact remains that an all-inclusive alky kit sells below $500--and can provide insane power gains when tuned properly.
THE CATCH:
Tuning this type of system can be challenging, and just like in your favorite watering hole, if the alcohol runs out suddenly, it's not pretty.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Moderate
WEAR AND TEAR:
Heavy
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
100 HP
COST:
$495.00
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$4.95 PER HP
AIR INTAKE SYSTEM
The stock air intake system is a mess: the small filter is covered up, it ingests hot air, and it sends cleaned air through restrictive sharp bends. Replace it with a TR Custom Parts Big Mouth Lite cold air system, which uses a 9-inch K&N air filter and 4-inch O.D. aluminum tubing that is designed to place the filter as far away from the hot underhood area as possible, and keep the bends and restrictions to a minimum. Along with being lighter than TRCP's standard chrome unit, it is also $45 cheaper.
THE CATCH:
A different elbow must be used when converting to LT1/LS1 MAFs, some MAF pipes may have to be modified to work.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Easy
WEAR AND TEAR:
MildAPPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
15 HUNDREDTHS
COST:
$150
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$10 PER HUNDREDTH
SYNTHETIC FLUIDS
Going from regular engine, trans, and rear axle lubes to highly advanced synthetics like these Quaker State "Q Power" and "Q Racing" fluids will free up real horsepower by reducing friction--the price is cheap and the effort is small, just the type of mod that you'll love.
THE CATCH:
None, except maybe price.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Easy
WEAR AND TEAR:
Negative
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
4 HP
COST:
$52
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$13 PER HP
TORQUE CONVERTER
Sure, your TR stalls at a not-too-shabby 2400-rpm. But that doesn't mean that you can't pick up some ET from some more rpm--even on the cheap. A great budget unit can be had from Pro Torque: its 12-inch, 2800-stall, lock-up 200-4R converter isn't built to the hilt and, as such, isn't meant to last in a 10-second Buick. However, if your Buford is in the 375-horse range, the Pro Torque could add between one- and three-tenths reliably, depending on the turbo you're running.
THE CATCH:
If you have a loose stock D5 and stock turbo, you won't pick up much ET.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Difficult
WEAR AND TEAR:
Moderate
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
30 HUNDREDTHS
COST:
$395
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$13.10 PER HUNDREDTH
MODIFIED INTERCOOLER NECK
While the stock intercooler was certainly better than no cooler at all, it suffered from restrictive 2-inch necks with sharp bends. Intercooler technology is leaps and bounds better these days, but you won't find a new one for under $500. Luckily for those on a budget--you don't have to. The Duttweiler Neck mod expands your cooler's necks to 2.5 inches and features smoother bends for better flow. This mod offers noticeable increases in performance at a dirt cheap price--the neck alone can be had for $73, but due to the complexity of welding them onto your stock core, we've tacked on the installation charge so all you have to do is bolt up the intercooler and go.
THE CATCH:
Cutting off the old necks and welding on the new ones is complicated, so pay someone to do it for you.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Easy
WEAR AND TEAR:
Mild
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
15 HP
COST:
$250
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$16.66 PER HP
EXHAUST SYSTEM
When compared to the wimpy stock exhaust system, Hooker's Cat-Back, 2.5-inch exhaust is a great deal. The bigger pipes get all of those pressurized fumes out fast, and the turbo mufflers sound great at any rpm.
THE CATCH:
None
EASE OF INSTALL:
Easy
WEAR AND TEAR:
Mild
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
15 HP
COST:
$300
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$20 PER HP
3-INCH DOWNPIPE
The closer to the turbo a pipe is, the bigger it has to be to effectively remove the super-hot exhaust fumes. The stock downpipe squeezes down to 2-inches in some places--way too small to do this efficiently. While there are certainly cheaper alternatives to the 3-inch downpipe that we recommend here, the THDP offers superior sealing along with tangible performance gains.
THE CATCH:
The turbo shield must be modified to fit with this downpipe.
EASE OF INSTALL:
Moderate
WEAR AND TEAR:
Mild
APPROX. HP GAIN/ET REDUCTION:
20 HP
COST:
$440
COST VERSUS GAIN:
$22.00 PER HP