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Will a shift kit make my 1996 buick riveria faster?


graygoose
05-07-2006, 07:39 PM
Hello, I was thinking of getting a shift kit for my s/c buick riviera 1996 at this site.....http://www.car-stuff.com/performance/quote.php?make=3&year=1996&model=16&brand=1333&part_name=2750&skipped=true
will this make my car faster? if its not a big differnece what could I get done to my car for like 250 bucks? beside a cold air intake

96riviera18
05-08-2006, 09:04 AM
for 250 you can get 3.4" s/c pulley, 180 deg t-stat, 2 range colder plugs, gut air box (that one is free), and some general mant that will have you running 0-60 in 6.6 and 1/4 in high 14's if you have good track prep,tires, and your car is in good running shape(ie not KR), of course for the same 250 you could get a OBD scanner which is nessisary prior to moding you engine.
i dont know of any one who has used the shift kit, most racers get a trans cooler b4 the shift kit on the riv.

graygoose
05-08-2006, 11:16 AM
oh, well the pulley is like 80 bucks and then for someone to put it on costs 250 bucks plus I need to get a smaller belt or a bigger tenstioner pulley so I can't really get that one unless I could put the pulley on by myself....is it hard? and the 180 t-stat that just runs the engine cooler right?? I might not need that because I got a brand new radiator because it was leaking before and the radiator I got now is way bigger and runs my car alot cooler..so I prob don't need the t-stat....do the plugs and sparks add horsepower? and I already got the gutted air box........anyways if someone can give me instuctions on putting on a press on pulley that would be awesome. but only if you think I could do the job..I don't want to screw up my car. I love it..oh! and do I need a smaller belt or bigger TEN pulley?

96riviera18
05-08-2006, 11:50 AM
the pulley is 60 from zzp you should be able to find a local shop to rent you the puller and you dont have to have a smaller belt or larger tensioner if you get a 3.4 or 3.5 pulley.(it slips a little bit in the upper rpm range but its not nessisary to get a 3.5" idler) its not hard to put the pulley on with the puller(they come with ins.) the 180 t-stat will keep your car at about 185* in the summer vs the stock 195* this is a big difference on the amount of engine knock produced even tho its only 10* you could go with a 160* but you much switch back to the 180 in the winter. the cooler you run the car (so long as the knock sensor is engaged...that happens a 158*) the faster it will be on the strip, the longer it will last, and the more mods you can do to your car. a single range colder plug will lower combustion temps 70-100 deg. the cold plugs do not burn cooler but the keep the heat away from the tip and reduce the chances or preignition or det. this is a must if you increase the boost. read this for more info http://www.centuryperformance.com/spark.asp
i would go with autolite copper plugs 605's IIRC they are 2 ranges colder and work well with our engines and are only like $2 a piece.

graygoose
05-08-2006, 11:59 AM
Im about to by a supercharger press fit pulley from Pulleyboys.com for 70 bucks are pulleyboys good? and can a 3.4 ich pulley blow my engine or tranny

96riviera18
05-08-2006, 01:00 PM
it wont blow your engine if you have the right supporting mods to your car. pulleyboysa are ok but zzp has them cheaper http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix/products.php?id=111

you may want to read this thread b4 you start moding too much.
http://www.regalgs.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26380&sid=43aa713f6d5ebf3ccc45bc2b4764831b

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