Easy/Cheap HP/MPG Bolt ons?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 21
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From: Lawrenceville Georgia
Easy/Cheap HP/MPG Bolt ons?
I just purchased my 01 a4 in February and I want to start putting some money aside to start doing a little work to it. Primarily, I want to start with bolt ons that will give me the most pop for my buck before I move onto anything else and I am also new to the whole process of tuning because I never bothered to do anything like that with my old supercharged camaro (LT1 with a vortech sc and for sale if anyone is looking for some parts for an earlier gen. vette or project in the Atlanta area).
So, what bolt ons can easily be done by a novice and at what point in installing said bolt ons would one recommend getting a tune to get the most out of them? For the sake of things, lets say I had a budget of 1000$--how far could I take that to improve my hp/mpg simultaneously, with hp being the #1 preference, of course.
So, what bolt ons can easily be done by a novice and at what point in installing said bolt ons would one recommend getting a tune to get the most out of them? For the sake of things, lets say I had a budget of 1000$--how far could I take that to improve my hp/mpg simultaneously, with hp being the #1 preference, of course.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Wellsboro Pa
Welcome to the CF and to Corvette ownership. Nothing is "cheap" as far as modding a Vette, especially for added hp. I tried to find out more about your car on your profile but it is not filled out. There is certainly a lot of great information here on this forum. I would suggest that you take a few minutes and fill out your profile. Again, welcome. 
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Welcome to the CF and to Corvette ownership. Nothing is "cheap" as far as modding a Vette, especially for added hp. I tried to find out more about your car on your profile but it is not filled out. There is certainly a lot of great information here on this forum. I would suggest that you take a few minutes and fill out your profile. Again, welcome.
You have to decide how you plan to use your Vette before you go making expensive modifications. I know you (and quite a few others on this forum) think a stock Vette is "slow" but a lot of folks simply don't know how to use the HP they have on tap before mods go in.
IMHO, if you don't plan to put your car on the track in any competitive driving situation, its kind of pointless to put in power mods. Even if you do plan to hit the track, I really recommend that you "mod the driver" first by participating in HPDEs. You will realize how much HP you really have in stock form
You'll also know what direction you'll want your mods to take you.
Last edited by Chemdawg99; Apr 24, 2008 at 07:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,010
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From: South Florida
Don't listen to anyone who says you can't mod a vette for cheap, because it is somewhat untrue. If I were you I would go with pretty much any air intake (I like the vararam), SSAC headers, and a tune. This would be right around a grand, and would give you some extra umph.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
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Don't listen to anyone who says you can't mod a vette for cheap, because it is somewhat untrue. If I were you I would go with pretty much any air intake (I like the vararam), SSAC headers, and a tune. This would be right around a grand, and would give you some extra umph.
Speed costs $$$$, how fast do you want to go?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
A K&N filter if you want some instant gitty-up. about 50 bucks at your local auto parts store. Unless you plan on going deeper in than that, save it and buy a whole intake system like several have mentioned.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Miami Beach FL
What's your budget? Do a search on modifications primer, it's a must read and well written. Here's a entry level blower - http://www.turbonator.com/ but you need to purchase the hood seal separately.
Jacks996
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: eagle mountain lake tx
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
The best bang for the buck would be to put in a used 3.42 rear end but you will lose a little MPG doing it. Your car will feel a lot quicker. The Z06 and some MN6 cars come with them and swap to 3.90 or 4.10 so you can find them used fairly reasonable
Race Director
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From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,778
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From: Myakka City Fl
Humm.......
Here is a book you might like. LS1 engines are just like any other IC engines and respond well to improved air flow. Best bang for the money is a K&N Filter and aftermarket exaust along with Reprogramming via LS1 editing either with a Reprogrammer or Computer Program. A stock C5 is faster than my old 67 Ram Air GTO that I purchased brand new and was a very fast car in it's day.
OGC5
Here is a book you might like. LS1 engines are just like any other IC engines and respond well to improved air flow. Best bang for the money is a K&N Filter and aftermarket exaust along with Reprogramming via LS1 editing either with a Reprogrammer or Computer Program. A stock C5 is faster than my old 67 Ram Air GTO that I purchased brand new and was a very fast car in it's day.
OGC5
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 210
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From: Tampa Fl
What's your budget? Do a search on modifications primer, it's a must read and well written. Here's a entry level blower - http://www.turbonator.com/ but you need to purchase the hood seal separately.
atroc, Do not put a Turbonator on your car!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Miami Beach FL
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
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My Vara Ram was my first mod, it was $300 on sale. Not bad and gave good power. I got a used borla for $500 so that'll get you there at under $1K. You won't technically need a tune for that but it helps with the cam-surge you may get at higher speeds bc of the vararam.
