[Z06] Performance upgrade question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
From: Monument CO
Performance upgrade question
I bought a stock 2002 ZO6 and would like some input on what are some good performance upgrades for a guy that just wants to get as much bang for the buck as possible. I'm not a racer or anything like that.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
As I type this, I'm recalling my 04' Z when it was bone stock, and thinking would I, could I, be happy today with it bone stock?
The answer is NO WAY. I'm not a racer either.
I would do my Kooks headers, Vararam, hi-flow cats, X-pipe, and HP-Tuners tune all over again. BTW, I love the sound of the stock Ti's with headers.
augydog
The answer is NO WAY. I'm not a racer either.
I would do my Kooks headers, Vararam, hi-flow cats, X-pipe, and HP-Tuners tune all over again. BTW, I love the sound of the stock Ti's with headers.
augydog
Last edited by augydog; Nov 15, 2006 at 03:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
Modding is like Crack...Once you start you can't stop. (or so I've heard
)
That was certainly true for my, soon to be sold, 93 Rx7tt. I've had my 2003 Z06 for three weeks and I can't stop researching mods. I just purchased a used Varam CAI and plan on buying some 19" CCW SP500's.
BTW, does anyone have deal on some long tube headers for me????
"Hi, My name is John and I am a modaholic"
)That was certainly true for my, soon to be sold, 93 Rx7tt. I've had my 2003 Z06 for three weeks and I can't stop researching mods. I just purchased a used Varam CAI and plan on buying some 19" CCW SP500's.
BTW, does anyone have deal on some long tube headers for me????
"Hi, My name is John and I am a modaholic"
Last edited by jpandes; Nov 15, 2006 at 06:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Oh, we are a bunch of sick puppies here, that's for sure. 
I'm in the same boat... Did the Vararam shortly after buying the '03 Z last winter. Ran the car this year to get used to it, and now my winter project is (big surprise) LT headers, X-pipe and high-flo cats, with a dyno tune to follow. Why not? From what everyone on here says, the return in extra HP is well worth the investment, and can easily be put back to "stock" if you want to. But I have to admit, cam and springs mod sounds pretty tempting also.
Mod-on, fellow Modaholics!!
I'm in the same boat... Did the Vararam shortly after buying the '03 Z last winter. Ran the car this year to get used to it, and now my winter project is (big surprise) LT headers, X-pipe and high-flo cats, with a dyno tune to follow. Why not? From what everyone on here says, the return in extra HP is well worth the investment, and can easily be put back to "stock" if you want to. But I have to admit, cam and springs mod sounds pretty tempting also.
Mod-on, fellow Modaholics!!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
I would vote for LT headers, CAI, and tune. If you get an aftermarket catback, keep in mind that it will be really LOUD with headers. Keeping the stock Ti exhaust will save money and cost only very little HP.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 2
From: Bergen County NJ
Originally Posted by iaanr
I would vote for LT headers, CAI, and tune. If you get an aftermarket catback, keep in mind that it will be really LOUD with headers. Keeping the stock Ti exhaust will save money and cost only very little HP.
LT's (w/ hi-flow cats and x-pipe), CAI, tune, keep TI catback. This is exactly what I'm doing.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 1
From: Chapel Hill North Carolina
A suggestion.. decide what you want to do with the car... Drag/Track/neither just has more power... with a cam/headers/cold air intake/springs you can make more power... over 500hp is getting you into a new world ... slippery slope... with the few items I mentioned along with a good tune.. you will have more power and fun.. I put some $$ in shocks/sway bar since I track the car.. without that you will be fine. have fun.. set a mark of how much power.. then build a plan around that... have fun!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
I still haven't done much more than basic bolt ons to my car, but I can tell you that the my dyno guy says supercharge it!
When talking to him about headers, cam, etc, his opinion is spend the money on a centrifigul supercharger. The sets sell regularly used under $4k. Big increase in bottom end torque, which is most of what you feel and use on the street, plus it's no big deal to pull 500 rwhp, with zero effect on drivability, and it's easily reversable when you want to trade up or sell the car.
I'm still looking and learning, but I can see this in my budget next year when #1 daughter is out of school..........
When talking to him about headers, cam, etc, his opinion is spend the money on a centrifigul supercharger. The sets sell regularly used under $4k. Big increase in bottom end torque, which is most of what you feel and use on the street, plus it's no big deal to pull 500 rwhp, with zero effect on drivability, and it's easily reversable when you want to trade up or sell the car.
I'm still looking and learning, but I can see this in my budget next year when #1 daughter is out of school..........
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 6
From: Gulf of Mexico Florida West Coast
Had my car 3 days and installed a Vararam, yes over nighted. Mods are addictive. cam, headers, maybe head, cam headers.
Have to plan, my clutch is almost done - its been given last rites already. What to do?
I am also over shopping fot a black ski mask so I can help pay for this, hehe.
Have to plan, my clutch is almost done - its been given last rites already. What to do?
I am also over shopping fot a black ski mask so I can help pay for this, hehe.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by zeevette
Just put down the mouse, and walk away from the computer....really, you'll thank me later.....
j/k.... I'm a modaholic myself, and I'm just trying to help.
j/k.... I'm a modaholic myself, and I'm just trying to help.
WTF??? Oh yah
took a little time on that one.IMHO a dyno tune of what you already have.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
From: Willow Spring N.C.
Induction system of some kind, I like Haltech. Lt headers, and a nice tune. That should hold you for awhile. Keep the stock catback though, getting a new one is just spending money for sound. It adds maybe 1 to 2 hp and weight for alot of money.
