[Z06] C5 Z06 Mod Advice
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Baltimore MD
C5 Z06 Mod Advice
I recently bought my first Corvette...I actually found it and bought it from a forum member. It is a 2002 Electron Blue Z06 with mod red interior.
I am considering making a few tasteful modifications to make it my own, and would be thankful for any advice/suggestions any members may have.
It already has a Vararam Intake, Corsa X-Pipe, and Hurst Short Shifter. The person I bought it from said he added the X-Pipe to eliminate the popping noise when decelerating...I actually like that sound, but oh well.
I am interested in adding hp, but don't want to break the bank either. I think the first thing I am going to do is have the wheels powder coated black.
Any suggestions for other easy/bolt on modifications?
Thanks!
Josh
I am considering making a few tasteful modifications to make it my own, and would be thankful for any advice/suggestions any members may have.
It already has a Vararam Intake, Corsa X-Pipe, and Hurst Short Shifter. The person I bought it from said he added the X-Pipe to eliminate the popping noise when decelerating...I actually like that sound, but oh well.
I am interested in adding hp, but don't want to break the bank either. I think the first thing I am going to do is have the wheels powder coated black.
Any suggestions for other easy/bolt on modifications?
Thanks!
Josh
Last edited by Pajak44; Oct 16, 2010 at 06:45 PM. Reason: Added text
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 976
Likes: 53
From: smyrna de
first things on your list should prob be some long tubes and a tune. ur existing x pipe will not work with long tubes. ARH, LG, and kooks are the most popular and proven, i run kooks cause i got a smoking deal on them. pretty solid gains. , dont be stupid like me get 1-3/4 headers. 
what cash u looking to spend??
phil
what cash u looking to spend??
phil
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
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From: CT
That is good advice. Many of us are satisfied with stock performance for a while.....then the mod bug bites. The above mods are very good for the money. Headers, a cam and a vararam or your favorite mfg of ram air. An aftermarket shifter won't add any power but can give a much more precise feel of the shifts...getting away from the spongy type feel of the stock unit. I'm going with an RSD which is a C6 shifter, shortened and is quieter.(No vibration rattle)
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Baltimore MD
I thought painting the wheels black made the car more powerful; I guess I was wrong. Thanks for pointing that out for me vettegirl. I also appreciate your motherly advice, but that wasn't what I was asking for.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Baltimore MD
Phil and J...thanks for the advice. I really don't want to spend more than $1K. I actually found a set of used Kooks long tubes on the forum for $600; also saw a vendor selling brand new set of long tubes (some generic brand, but made in the USA) for $888 shipped. I figured the headers would be the way to start.
I already have the Vararam intake. I think upgrading the cam is going to be a little our of my price range right now.
What kind of HP gains can I expect from long tubes?
Again, thank you guys for your help!
Josh
I already have the Vararam intake. I think upgrading the cam is going to be a little our of my price range right now.
What kind of HP gains can I expect from long tubes?
Again, thank you guys for your help!
Josh
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
I pondered doing "rivetless" motorsport wheels...but, they're made in china...weigh more than the oem speedlines and have not been recommended highly by purists who want each bit of weight savings and performance gains.
I'm going to figure out if I'll have the entire wheel powdercoated black because I love that look, or maybe tape the lip area so there's a little break up...or do the lip red? who knows. Black wheels on a red car(or most any color) look bad a## to me!
I'm going to figure out if I'll have the entire wheel powdercoated black because I love that look, or maybe tape the lip area so there's a little break up...or do the lip red? who knows. Black wheels on a red car(or most any color) look bad a## to me!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Phil and J...thanks for the advice. I really don't want to spend more than $1K. I actually found a set of used Kooks long tubes on the forum for $600; also saw a vendor selling brand new set of long tubes (some generic brand, but made in the USA) for $888 shipped. I figured the headers would be the way to start.
I already have the Vararam intake. I think upgrading the cam is going to be a little our of my price range right now.
What kind of HP gains can I expect from long tubes?
Again, thank you guys for your help!
Josh
I already have the Vararam intake. I think upgrading the cam is going to be a little our of my price range right now.
What kind of HP gains can I expect from long tubes?
Again, thank you guys for your help!
Josh
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,953
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From: either, ca/ohio
humor.
look up the definition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
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From: Near Charlotte NC
Here's what I would do ( and did) when I bought mine 4 yrs ago.
General:Change all the fluids,filters and change plugs & wires to make sure all the usual maint items are up to par.
Engine:Get a mail-order tune or one of the hand-helds to get your feet wet for what a tune can do.This is a good starting place.
Handling:Upgrade the brakes,shocks & sway bars so it will handle as good as it runs.The C6 Z06 shocks were a good UG for my 02.I'm assuming the tires are worthy of your quest.
If you buy these right and DIY much of it,1 thou will come close.
Stir & add other ingredients as needed!
As always,IMO.
\db2
carolina
General:Change all the fluids,filters and change plugs & wires to make sure all the usual maint items are up to par.
Engine:Get a mail-order tune or one of the hand-helds to get your feet wet for what a tune can do.This is a good starting place.
Handling:Upgrade the brakes,shocks & sway bars so it will handle as good as it runs.The C6 Z06 shocks were a good UG for my 02.I'm assuming the tires are worthy of your quest.
If you buy these right and DIY much of it,1 thou will come close.
Stir & add other ingredients as needed!
As always,IMO.
\db2
carolina
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 2
From: Woodinville WA
You already have a V-ram. A better breathing intake is the best bang for the buck. If you baselined the car now you'd probably be around 365-367rwhp on most dynojets, a tune would put you a little over 370. Headers with cats with mostlikely get you 380-385whp and without cats 385-390. So headers and a tune will net you around 20 hp at the wheels maybe more if you go catless. Headers increase power under the curve and the difference is more significant than the peak numbers suggest. So if you can pick them up for a bargain it's a no brainer.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 57
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From: Baltimore MD
You already have a V-ram. A better breathing intake is the best bang for the buck. If you baselined the car now you'd probably be around 365-367rwhp on most dynojets, a tune would put you a little over 370. Headers with cats with mostlikely get you 380-385whp and without cats 385-390. So headers and a tune will net you around 20 hp at the wheels maybe more if you go catless. Headers increase power under the curve and the difference is more significant than the peak numbers suggest. So if you can pick them up for a bargain it's a no brainer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
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From: Woodinville WA
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
Just FYI, LTs/X-pipe without cats, and a CAI got me only 370 RWHP untuned. A good tune will make a difference, even though some places charge over $500, it'll net you maybe another 20, so it can be alot better investment per dollar, than the LTs and CAI. After that step, a cam, or heads and cam is the next level. Of course, you can choose to skip this step, and go with some kind of FI. Good luck with your Z, and have fun.
BTW, I think powdercoating your wheels black looks killer, especially with a red pinstripe.
BTW, I think powdercoating your wheels black looks killer, especially with a red pinstripe.
Last edited by zeevette; Oct 17, 2010 at 03:03 PM. Reason: Added wheel comment
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 57
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From: Baltimore MD
Just FYI, LTs/X-pipe without cats, and a CAI got me only 370 RWHP untuned. A good tune will make a difference, even though some places charge over $500, it'll net you maybe another 20, so it can be alot better investment per dollar, than the LTs and CAI. After that step, a cam, or heads and cam is the next level. Of course, you can choose to skip this step, and go with some kind of FI. Good luck with your Z, and have fun.
BTW, I think powdercoating your wheels black looks killer, especially with a red pinstripe.
BTW, I think powdercoating your wheels black looks killer, especially with a red pinstripe.
Josh
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
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From: Goldsboro NC
