ignatkor

09 bone stock M6, was going to do headers/xpipe/intake/tune but decided I don't want to spend money on headers and x-pipe cause my 09 coupe already has 48xxx miles and I will most likely just sell it and get a C6 Z in a year or so. Having said that, I still want a little more power so what about just a Vararam and a good dyno tune?
20hp and Tq? Realistic or not from just CAI and a tune?

0Josh@SpartanLSX

A good CAI & tune will definitely give you a boost in power. 20-25rwhp or so. The Vararam works great, especially @ highway speeds.

Go for it.

victorf

You sounded like a newcomer onto HotRod 101.

It is not meant to demean you.

To speed up learning curve, read this helpful link:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...highlight=joeG

ignatkor

Thank you, Sounds like you sure know your vettes inside and out but it is too much info that is pretty obvious and had been discussed to death before. I was simply asking if 20-25rwhp and torque is realistic since I have never had a car with CAI and tune only. I ultimately wanted to do H/C/I but decided not to spend money and go cheap instead. I have had Vararam on my 06 coupe and 01 vert but both Vettes had other mods as well. My 2 mustangs were supercharged with full boltons in addition to CAI and a tune. So I have never just put intake and a tune on a car and that is exactly why I am asking if it is even worth it? Can a small increase of 20[25 hp be felt in a vette? It may be the difference of losing or hanging in there with a C7!

5knives

Sell it and get the Z now. A CAI and tune will run you <$1000. I don't know how much money that is to you, but why put it into a car you believe you are going to sell that soon? You already talked yourself out of headers. That money can be put towards a CAI/tune in the Z. Unless the plan to buy a Z in a year isn't as inevitable as you'd like. But only you can answer that.

Cor430vette

The LS3 is a much more reliable engine for modifying especially up in the 600 to 700 HP range than the LS7 engine. Read up on the valve train issues before you go and get a C6 Z. I had a 2008 C6 modified it up to 700 hp with no problems. I sold it bought an M3, got bored with unreliable, euro expensive garbage and came back to the Vette world with my mind set on buying a Z06. Before I did, I researched and found out it had as many issues and problems with grenading engines as the M3.....so I bought a 2012 GS Cent Edition LS3 and I love it.

ignatkor

lol to the M3 coment, You right about the reliability though, I have been thinking about the valve issues quite a bit. I was hoping to either get 06-07 with reworked/aftermarket heads or get a later year like 10,11,12, (few sources mentioned improvements in later years regarding vavetrain issues). GS is a possibility or just another low mile 12,13 base and widebody with H/C/I

choppychop

Good idea

C6z06man

Not as big of a deal as this forum makes it out to be. But for peace of mind reworked heads will take care if it. Nothing like all 7.0L underneath you.

Battlelurker

I have a 1995 e36 M3 and have had almost no problems with it. I have over 130k miles on it, and I have put 100k on it myself. All I've replaced is a couple preventative things, ex: water pump. I've replaced the power steering pump, radiator, and recently suspension overhaul. Granted I like to think I take good care of my cars.

I'm a new owner of a 2011 base c6 and I recently broke my seat back adjustment just by trying to adjust the seat. I am hoping that it is a fluke and the car will give me many more trouble free miles.

Just wanted to give examples that cars can be good or bad. Luck of the draw I guess. But I have heard many more horror stories for M3's than Vettes that's for sure.

Edit: Sorry to derail. I would not spend money on it if you are upgrading to a Z soon. Use that money on the Z.

JAvery20

The tune will really wake up your car. Removing TQ management and allowing the car to go 100% throttle instead "rolling" into it with the stock tune really makes a difference. I went 11.9@120 right off the highway w/ tune and a vararam. I think I spent about $700. You can probably find 15-20rwhp w/ just a tune.

Boomer111

My 08 LS3 went from 375/381 to 400/400 with just a tune. (rwhp/rwtq).

The car had 800 miles on the speedo at the time. Adding headers (catted) and the number jumped up to 422/422 with the corresponding re tune.