Best single upgrade for a 308

I know a bunch of us have upgraded our cars for either appearance or performance but what is the SINGLE best upgrade out there??



Exhaust?

Wheels/tires?

something else??



What do you say?



PDG

 

In my total experience with old cars I would say EI.

 

For a 308, probably the fuse box, or ignition.

Cosmetically, I think the cars were best in original form.

 

Changing 14 in XWX or TRX for 16 in with modern tires has to be pretty high up the list - not only does it still look original but the tires are cheaper and give better ride & handling

 

EFI / Ignition followed closely by changing to 16-inch wheels.

 

Tune it.....

I mean down to razor edge, four gas analyzer, meet the Factory numbers, confirm spark advance, good wires and plugs.

THEN, yea, a nice ANSA, and Goodyears are worth it!

 

Clean the points and set the gaps. New rotor, spark plug wires and plugs. Make sure the distributors are advancing and the digiplex system is working. works great when it's all set and cleaned and grounds are secure. If that doesn't work then yeah, electronic ignition.

Cosmetically I had to put a giant 4 foot Cavallino on the hood just to make the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am guys jealous.

 

I concur with what you guys have already said, so let me add a financial aspect to it.

As far as biggest improvement for not much money:

1) I'd say going to the Pertronix in one distributor instead of points has made the biggest improvement for my 308 (78). That kit was I'm thinking $250 or less.

2) Most recently, I put in para-aramid brake pads. Another nice improvement for not much money. Quiet, good energetic feel, less dust- only $65 from Rock Auto..

 

That's easy.
Get it a new credit card with no upper limit. Then she'll run right.



There's so much that can be done on these older cars from replacing rubber to cleaning grounds.

Ok, I decided. spend what you need to get her looking good. Maybe a VERY high end paint correction/detail. Then you will want, and wont mind, spending whatever on the business end of driving.

 

Euro valance, euro lights and 16 inch wheels. Unless the car has all of these things to start with. Next is a good, but not rude muffler.

 

Jeff, can you post part numbers for the pads you bought? Thanks.

 

The only upgrade on my car is a Hill Engineering steering wheel spacer. Makes the car much easier for me to drive, before the spacer my fingers would always hit the top of the gauge binnacle whenever I turned the steering wheel.

 

You bet:
Centric 30900310 and Centric 30900450

Here's a link to some more info:

More Information for CENTRIC 30900310

 

If the car is currently on 390MM TRXs, than modern tires with appropriate wheels is probably the best single upgrade.

 

A great upgrade for GTS Owners: Add a GTB.

A great upgrade for GTB owners: Add a GTS.

 

Do you mean performance or improvement?

Because the hands-down all time winner in the improvement catagory has the be the oil pan baffle (or windage tray - however you want to call it). For track use, the value of that piece of equipment cannot be disputed.

Number two is the RedLine transmission fluid change. 100% improvement in a cold second gear shift for everyone of these cars. Everyone that does this smiles the next day right after pulling out of the driveway.

Number three is a bigger fatter aluminum radiator. No more worries when stuck in traffic. Problem solved.

Number four is the headlight relay harness. Cheap. Easy. Safer. You like seeing what is in front of you at night like a new car? Spend the $30 bucks and the half hour to install it yourself. No brainer here.

Sometimes the best mods don't actually have to make your car faster. They just have to make your car better.


These will everytime, all the time, end of story.

 

3.5L conversion
Nothing else comes close.

 

1. Newer / better fuel lines
2. 16" wheels / tires

 

"I know a bunch of us have upgraded our cars for either appearance or performance but what is the SINGLE best upgrade out there??"

That's easy, the best 308 upgrade available is a 328!





Sorry - couldn't resist.

 

I'm going to throw in my 2 cents:

Ethanol Free Gas
Birdman Fuse Blocks
Modernize all of the hoses

I agree with others, the car looks perfect out of the box, I wouldn't cosmetically change anything.

 

The only appearance item i changed is to drop the car by 3/4".

 

This!
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For cheap- running hotter plugs that don't foul. For money- 16" wheels make a big difference!

Switching to MSD's was a big improvement. Have electromotive now which is better but not as big of a leap. Exhaust depending on what you have. Removing all the emission crap if you can. Oil baffle. Twin fans and better radiator in the south. If the car needs attention, professional rebuild of the carbs and suspension bushings and shocks.

Just don't ask Tommy about conversion to R134......lol

 

You know, I'm beginning to believe you about this winner stuff.......

 

Replacing the smog friendly original cams with euro cams. Unbelievable difference!!