C5 Reliability with H/C/I ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
C5 Reliability with H/C/I ?
Hi guys, posted here a few years ago when I had a MY C5, but forgot my username...
I'm looking to get back into the C5 scene, and lately have been looking into a mildly modded C5. I'm really trying to find a C5 with at least a cam and exhaust... trying to be around 400-450 RWHP.
What I don't want to do is spend about 20k on a car with that power, but then be chasing other issues or weak points. So, my questions are:
1) With a 400-450 RWHP motor, will a stock driveline handle that power? (torque tube, trans, diff, axles, etc?) I don't plan on any 5000 rpm launches at the track or anything, just maybe some road racing and light drag racing on street tires.
2) Any issues I should be looking at if trying to find a 400-450 RWHP C5? Things to pay specific attention to, things to avoid?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!
I'm looking to get back into the C5 scene, and lately have been looking into a mildly modded C5. I'm really trying to find a C5 with at least a cam and exhaust... trying to be around 400-450 RWHP.
What I don't want to do is spend about 20k on a car with that power, but then be chasing other issues or weak points. So, my questions are:
1) With a 400-450 RWHP motor, will a stock driveline handle that power? (torque tube, trans, diff, axles, etc?) I don't plan on any 5000 rpm launches at the track or anything, just maybe some road racing and light drag racing on street tires.
2) Any issues I should be looking at if trying to find a 400-450 RWHP C5? Things to pay specific attention to, things to avoid?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
to achieve 450 is much different then 400 rwhp out of an LS6.
to get to 450 rwhp you will need very good heads, well matched cam. FAST 90/90 intake/tb. Great LT Heads, and exhaust and excellent tune. All this will cost quite a bit.
The more HP you want to achieve the costs go up exponentially
to get to 450 rwhp you will need very good heads, well matched cam. FAST 90/90 intake/tb. Great LT Heads, and exhaust and excellent tune. All this will cost quite a bit.
The more HP you want to achieve the costs go up exponentially
Last edited by AU N EGL; Oct 19, 2009 at 08:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,275
Likes: 19
From: Camden County NJ
Who did the work is as important as the owner properly maintaining the car. When I had H/C package, Doug at ECS told me other than normal maintenance, the springs in the heads should be changed every so many miles. Sorry I don't remember interval, the size of the cam will determine how often the springs should be changed. With my current setup, I was told after 10 trips to the track the springs need to be changed to play it safe. You don't want one of them breaking, it can get very expensive to repair. I got just over 2yrs and 5months on my serpentine belt and let me tell you it was beginning to shred...pushed it too far but did catch it before it broke.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I am going on 3 years without a problem. The rules are different for a MN6 compared to an A4. I am running the stock trans and an upgrade left ouput shaft, but the output shaft upgrade isn't necessary if you don't race.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
I have an 04 , had a cam installed about 2 years ago, 70K miles on the car and I beat it to death, no problems. I am fixing to get a diffrent cam that should put me around 410-420 .... Solid is the C5 ( I had a run up to 160 this weekend, closed coarse of course)
EDIT , I have stock heads
EDIT , I have stock heads
Last edited by mojo1; Oct 19, 2009 at 04:50 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Cypress TX
I have an 04 , had a cam installed about 2 years ago, 70K miles on the car and I beat it to death, no problems. I am fixing to get a diffrent cam that should put me around 410-420 .... Solid is the C5 ( I had a run up to 160 this weekend, closed coarse of course)
EDIT , I have stock heads
EDIT , I have stock heads
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Who did the work is as important as the owner properly maintaining the car. When I had H/C package, Doug at ECS told me other than normal maintenance, the springs in the heads should be changed every so many miles. Sorry I don't remember interval, the size of the cam will determine how often the springs should be changed. With my current setup, I was told after 10 trips to the track the springs need to be changed to play it safe. You don't want one of them breaking, it can get very expensive to repair. I got just over 2yrs and 5months on my serpentine belt and let me tell you it was beginning to shred...pushed it too far but did catch it before it broke.
COMP 918, or patriot make great dual springs and last forever. You buy the spring lift according to the cam lift, because obviously, you want more on the spring. This isnt a Ferrari that revs to 11k.
The reliability is in how aggresive your build is, and how well it was put together. most important is PTV clearance and to make sure the cam is degreed perfect and the valvetrain is properly set up. And as posted above to get a HONEST 450 rwhp, you need TFS 215 heads, GOOD size cam, 92mm intake and all the other crap. I wanted more and didnt want a ragged out 346, so I did a 416 to make more power and more reliability. Its all in how deep the wallet goes
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I guess the 450 rwhp mark for me is a bit optimistic. I think what I will shoot for would be a car with a cam, full exhaust, and maybe an intake. I'd figure 410ish rwhp?? I would also want the MN6, but apparently from the responses thus far they seem to be able to take that power.
My other question is whether it would be better to find a car already modded, or find a stock C5 and throw some parts at it. I am not mechanically inclined, so would likely pay a performance shop for the labor. with the parts cost included, what would be a good estimate for a cam swap, as well as a full exhaust?
Advantages for buying a built car would be I believe it's a bit cheaper; however, anyone who would go to the lengths of adding a cam are mre than likely also going to ride the car hard. a stock car would be a bit cheaper, likely more "babied", but I don't kow how much to budget.
Thanks again guys for your help and advice.
My other question is whether it would be better to find a car already modded, or find a stock C5 and throw some parts at it. I am not mechanically inclined, so would likely pay a performance shop for the labor. with the parts cost included, what would be a good estimate for a cam swap, as well as a full exhaust?
Advantages for buying a built car would be I believe it's a bit cheaper; however, anyone who would go to the lengths of adding a cam are mre than likely also going to ride the car hard. a stock car would be a bit cheaper, likely more "babied", but I don't kow how much to budget.
Thanks again guys for your help and advice.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 12
From: allentown nj
fill out your profile
your looking at about 5k installed by a top notch shop
headers
cai
cam and all the fix-ins
tune
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/index.html
your looking at about 5k installed by a top notch shop
headers
cai
cam and all the fix-ins
tune
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/index.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 55
From: Kempner TX
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have a full list of mods done to my car and I make 460 and 400 on motor. I have not had a problem to this date. I also spray a 100 shot and make 632 and 520 and have made several 4000-5000 rpm launches without any failures (knock on wood). My best pass to date is 10.54 @ 134 mph on the stock bottom end, FACTORY CASTED LS6 heads that have been worked over, a small nitrous cam (228/232 582-598 116 LSA), full exhaust, and 4.10 gears.
I have a few other mods but those along with the 100 shot is where I make my power. Dont listen to people when they tell you 450 is hard to make on these motors because my car is definetly tell-tell proof that they are wrong or ignorant to boot.
Forgot to mention that my car is 100% daily driveable! Its not a car thats miserable to drive what so ever.
I have a few other mods but those along with the 100 shot is where I make my power. Dont listen to people when they tell you 450 is hard to make on these motors because my car is definetly tell-tell proof that they are wrong or ignorant to boot.
Forgot to mention that my car is 100% daily driveable! Its not a car thats miserable to drive what so ever.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
413RWHP cam only car pretty much a DD, the only thing is my clutch doesnt like it to much at high RPM's. It also has alot to do with how you drive the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I guess the 450 rwhp mark for me is a bit optimistic. I think what I will shoot for would be a car with a cam, full exhaust, and maybe an intake. I'd figure 410ish rwhp?? I would also want the MN6, but apparently from the responses thus far they seem to be able to take that power.
My other question is whether it would be better to find a car already modded, or find a stock C5 and throw some parts at it. I am not mechanically inclined, so would likely pay a performance shop for the labor. with the parts cost included, what would be a good estimate for a cam swap, as well as a full exhaust?
Advantages for buying a built car would be I believe it's a bit cheaper; however, anyone who would go to the lengths of adding a cam are mre than likely also going to ride the car hard. a stock car would be a bit cheaper, likely more "babied", but I don't kow how much to budget.
Thanks again guys for your help and advice.
My other question is whether it would be better to find a car already modded, or find a stock C5 and throw some parts at it. I am not mechanically inclined, so would likely pay a performance shop for the labor. with the parts cost included, what would be a good estimate for a cam swap, as well as a full exhaust?
Advantages for buying a built car would be I believe it's a bit cheaper; however, anyone who would go to the lengths of adding a cam are mre than likely also going to ride the car hard. a stock car would be a bit cheaper, likely more "babied", but I don't kow how much to budget.
Thanks again guys for your help and advice.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: st.louis mo.
I at 430rwhp with H/C ls6 intake and longtube headers. Installed it myself in my driveway. total cost was around 2800.00. I've put about 25,000 miles on it and haven't had an issue but i don't race on the track and i would like to upgrade the clutch soon.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I'm in Warner Robins, GA.... about 100 miles south of Atlanta.
Sorry, haven't yet filled out the profile. Will do that soon.
My latest idea is to buy the best, stock C5 that I can... drive it around while saving enough funds for the cam, exhaust, intake, etc .. and then getting it installed. It may cost be more compared to a previously modded car, but at least I will know the history.
Unless, of course,I find a really good deal on something else.
Sorry, haven't yet filled out the profile. Will do that soon.
My latest idea is to buy the best, stock C5 that I can... drive it around while saving enough funds for the cam, exhaust, intake, etc .. and then getting it installed. It may cost be more compared to a previously modded car, but at least I will know the history.
Unless, of course,I find a really good deal on something else.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
I had 423 RWHP and 400 RWTQ and I had no issues ever and I ran this through a stock A4 as well when I went to 701 RWHP!
Just get a good tuner for the set-up and all will be good!
Thanks,Matt
Just get a good tuner for the set-up and all will be good!
Thanks,Matt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I'm in Warner Robins, GA.... about 100 miles south of Atlanta.
Sorry, haven't yet filled out the profile. Will do that soon.
My latest idea is to buy the best, stock C5 that I can... drive it around while saving enough funds for the cam, exhaust, intake, etc .. and then getting it installed. It may cost be more compared to a previously modded car, but at least I will know the history.
Unless, of course,I find a really good deal on something else.
Sorry, haven't yet filled out the profile. Will do that soon.
My latest idea is to buy the best, stock C5 that I can... drive it around while saving enough funds for the cam, exhaust, intake, etc .. and then getting it installed. It may cost be more compared to a previously modded car, but at least I will know the history.
Unless, of course,I find a really good deal on something else.