im a first time owner of a firebird and i love it so far....but i do wanna tweak it alot to get it to be a whole lot faster....help???

 

First things to do are to get the engine to breathe better. K&N type air filter on cold air induction, headers, low restriction cat, and 3" catback exhaust system. That will burn up about $1200-$1500. Install an underdrive pulley (worth aprox 5-10 HP) That should run about $100. Check with GM dealer and replace the LT-1 knock module with the LT-4 knock module (plug-in unit located in the back of the PCM) (it has less sensitivity to noise - false knock will cause PCM to retard timing) this often occurs with the addition of headers and will occur with the addition of roller rockers.) Its about $45. Then have the car tuned by someone with a load-bearing dyno, make sure they do wide-band oxygen sensing - not just reading the voltages from your O2 sensors. This will eat up around $450. Then start saving you money for head work, cam and larger throttle body (52mm is fine up to about 550 - 600 HP - 58 mm will be overkill and waste of money).
This link has some good basic information for new F-body folks http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209
Here are some 'free-mods' good for a few horses here and there. http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/faq.php?...q_lt1_freemods
I personally do not recommend de-screening the MAF (some folks have idle / throttle response issues) nor 'gutting' the CAT (get a low restriction one - don't be a cheapskate or risk not passing emissions testing.