i have a 1991 hatch with ls motor in it, ive got 600 bucks. And i was going to order crower 404's now my buddy was saying i should prob get a after market exhuast and header's first. Which should come first? Also when i do eventually order the 404's should i order pistions to and just have them put new ones in at the same time as the camshaft i was thinking if its already takin apart it would save me money in labor. Also has anyone had camshafts replaced and know how much the shops charge to install them and how long it would take?

 

Depends on what you want from the car. Personally, suspension, brakes, and tires are the first to upgrade. Whats the point of more power if the car doesn't handle well?

If you are set on choosing cams or exhaust, I would go with exhaust.

Replacing the cam is not terribly labor intensive. The motor doesn't even need to come out of the car, so saving money by installing pistons at the same time isn't going to happen unless you can work out a deal with the shop.

 

I wouldn't touch the OP's cam and piston job for less than $3k.. new cam would be $1k and pistons $2k. doing the cam right involves as much labor as a timing belt, and doing pistons means the engine has to (should) come out, at the very very least.

If you have to pay someone else to do those things, you are in over your head.

To FSR: Brakes? really? I could see if this was a autocross car or something maybe going to better pads or something, but there is nothing wrong with the stock brakes stopping an LS. here is a test. Mash the brakes as hard as you can, and hit the gas in first. what happens?

Finally, to be constructive, if I had $600 to spend on my EF, I would be buying a wideband, an obd1 conversion if you don't already run one, and neptune/ectune. In that order. Those 3 things give you more potential immediately than just about anything else for $600. a 4.9 final drive would probably be the best choice for $600, but if you can't install it, then you have a $500 part and another hefty install bill.

 

1k for a cam install, lol if im paying you a grand you better fully build my head it takes less then a few hours to install a set of cams id do it for 100 bucks if you live in tacoma

 

i can install a cam shaft -.- i just dont got the time i got 14 hours a day 6 days a week so i just figure i would drop it off at the shop. and Your wack if you think itll cost a over a grand for that **** lol.

 

1k for cams sounds like your installing cams for a mod motor on a mustang, not a dohc honda motor.

 

Sorry, but $1k is what I would charge. I am sure everyone has a buddy that could do it in a back alley for $50. The difference is that those people usually come crying to me afterward because the timing is off 2 teeth or their car sounds like a sewing machine because of bad valve lash.

 

my car already has bad timing and im sure if i were to mark everything it will be fine correct?

 

I have mine done by a qualified mechanic at a performance shop for a lot less. but i do know what you mean. when it comes to timing people do not realize what they're doing at all.

 

I did suspension when i first got my 88 hatch then disc brakes all around and then i swapped the motor for an ls. Next im doing exhaust. I would recommend putting a B16 vtec head on it or doing the exhaust if you have 600 to work with.