Also I’m obviously not gonna stop at $150 I’m just gonna go bit by bit. Car is pretty much stock except for ngk tr6 plugs and 180* thermostat.

 

I much prefer the Transgo or Sonnax kit over a ZZP kit, since it's much more professional and comprehensive over a plastic/nylon shim kit from ZZP.

As an early mod, I'd also look into how to assemble a transmission cooler to help it last much longer for daily use. You can DIY a clean install with adapter fittings, AN line, and a big cooler for under $100. You could also decide to plumb it like police Impalas, in-line with the OEM radiator cooler, if you don't get a large enough one for solo cooling.

When it comes to modding, you'll want to think more long term, such as what you may be able to afford in the coming year or so, and possibly stockpile things in that realm. Without viable transmission upgrades on the market anymore, you'll be capped at ~300-350whp for reliability, which is a fun enough level. An intercooler and VS/XP cam will easily get you there, with some decent effort put into learning to tune it (a remote tune will always leave some performance and owner knowledge lacking going forward).

Big thing: MAINTENANCE... That $150 might be best soaked up just ensuring the wheel bearings, suspension bushings, intake gaskets, and so on aren't deteriorating in a 20+ year old car. At this stage, all 3800 cars should now be considered a restoration project first, and a platform for upgrading second.

 

I totally agree with that last bit, and I have money set aside for maintenance too, for example I am going to be switching to dextron VI alongside the shift kit to keep my transmission as healthy as possible.

In terms of transmission cooling I don’t really know what I’m doing. I have never worked on or even seen a transmission cooler so I don’t even know where to start especially when it comes to DIYing a transmission cooler. I do really want one though.

I’ll check out the other shift kits you recommended, but cams kind of scare me because I daily this car and I don’t want it stuck in my garage for more than 2-3 days. I would rather stick to stuff like pulley swaps and cold air intakes and other bolt on mods that I know I can get done without needing to use my dads truck for too long.

Thanks for the help, I really love forums because of how fast I can get info and how helpful everyone is. Any advice in terms for steering and suspension? I hate how my car takes turns and the steering is not nice at all. I heard something about how the Buicks have some part that makes their steering systems better, maybe someone knows something about that.

 

Only steering difference would be rack turning ratios, which all of these are pretty good with. There's Magnasteer variable assist that alot of these got at some pont, but not too critical.

If you want to firm up the ride, saving for coilovers is going to be your best option. Most budget friendly is $500 or so for Rev9, with most around $1k for BC or ZZP. Lowering springs tend to not be paired properly with the few shocks on our market, so they ride harsh.

Cheaper mods like strut towers and bushing upgrades can help some, including going to the Dorman or GMPP/Police/GXP box style rear trailing arms, instead of the stock U channel ones. Fresh swap bushing/links, outer tie rods, and control arm bushings (especially the spherical bearing, not rubber flexing) will probably give you a good seat of the pants improvement for only $100-200 from RockAuto over time.