[Z06] Cheapest mods for 500HP
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Cheapest mods for 500HP
Hello,
I am currently shopping around for a great used sports car and I have decided to get a 2004 zo6. I can't believe you can pick these up for about 25k now! I would like to mod the car to about 500HP. What mods are recommended and how much money will I have to spend to get there? I would like to use this car at the drag strip and on the track. I am not interested in forced induction, I want to go all motor. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I am currently shopping around for a great used sports car and I have decided to get a 2004 zo6. I can't believe you can pick these up for about 25k now! I would like to mod the car to about 500HP. What mods are recommended and how much money will I have to spend to get there? I would like to use this car at the drag strip and on the track. I am not interested in forced induction, I want to go all motor. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
500 at the rear wheels? ...without forced induction? Unless you want to use nitrous I suspect you'll need to increase the engine displacement.
You should check out the Performance Results forum to see what kind of numbers people are putting down with different combinations of mods.
You should check out the Performance Results forum to see what kind of numbers people are putting down with different combinations of mods.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 414
Likes: 1
From: CT
I would say vararam/headers/cam/tune would get you to around 500BHP 400-430rwhp. If you got everything brand new you are probably looking at around $1k-$1500 headers, $250 vararam, $400 tune, $1500 for cam and supporting mods pushrods/springs. These prices dont include labor, but for around $3500 you can have 500hp...This price is for new stuff, you can shop around the forum and find good deals from supporting vendors and in the classifieds.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
500 at the rear wheels? ...without forced induction? Unless you want to use nitrous I suspect you'll need to increase the engine displacement.
You should check out the Performance Results forum to see what kind of numbers people are putting down with different combinations of mods.
You should check out the Performance Results forum to see what kind of numbers people are putting down with different combinations of mods.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 55
From: b.b. n.j.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
I have an 04z bought bone stock just added lg superpro headers about $1800.00 and am going to add. a vararam $250.00 and tune in the spring. i was going to go with a cam also but after taking the car out WITHOUT the vararam and a tune was suprised at how much more torque there is with just bolting on the headers, cats, and x pipe. I am going to wait till after the vararam and tune to make that discision. my car is a street car. if your a beginer at the track start with longtube headers, a cai setup, and tune then move up from there.
BECAREFUL OF THE MOD. BUG
Steve
BECAREFUL OF THE MOD. BUG
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
Also never underestimate the effect of weight reduction! If my car were not a daily driver, and its primary use was instead for the track and strip, I'd rip out the carpet, insulation, door panels, speakers, and stereo, and I'd swap for lighter bucket seats, clutch/flywheel, and wheel/tire combos. This alone would be noticeable on the drag strip!
Also, lowering it an inch or more will be great for track use. Ideas like these won't give you the bragging rights of insane hp, but they will lower your times.
Also, lowering it an inch or more will be great for track use. Ideas like these won't give you the bragging rights of insane hp, but they will lower your times.
Last edited by skyavonee; Nov 9, 2010 at 12:23 PM. Reason: added one thing
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I have an 04z bought bone stock just added lg superpro headers about $1800.00 and am going to add. a vararam $250.00 and tune in the spring. i was going to go with a cam also but after taking the car out WITHOUT the vararam and a tune was suprised at how much more torque there is with just bolting on the headers, cats, and x pipe. I am going to wait till after the vararam and tune to make that discision. my car is a street car. if your a beginer at the track start with longtube headers, a cai setup, and tune then move up from there.
BECAREFUL OF THE MOD. BUG
Steve
BECAREFUL OF THE MOD. BUG
Steve
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Also never underestimate the effect of weight reduction! If my car were not a daily driver, and its primary use was instead for the track and strip, I'd rip out the carpet, insulation, door panels, speakers, and stereo, and I'd swap for lighter bucket seats, clutch/flywheel, and wheel/tire combos. This alone would be noticeable on the drag strip!
Also, lowering it an inch or more will be great for track use. Ideas like these won't give you the bragging rights of insane hp, but they will lower your times.
Also, lowering it an inch or more will be great for track use. Ideas like these won't give you the bragging rights of insane hp, but they will lower your times.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,051
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
500 flywheel hp is stock LS7 territory - which is closer to 450rwhp than 400rwhp and is not a cheap/simple task to pull off on the LS6.
You will need full headers, aggressive cam and ported heads + the "usual bolt ons" to reliabably and HONESTLY achieve.
Take every "my car makes XYZrwhp" post with a punch of salt and request for a dyno chart.
Having taken my 2001 385hp LS6 C5Z06 from a true stock 330rwhp all the way to 600rwhp n/a LS7 - there is one universal truth I have learned ------ none of the steps along the way ever cost as LITTLEas first estimated, and none of the powergains was as HIGH as advertised
And finally, when ever a "my car makes" claim without corrected dyno charts being provided, was made and we/I got a chance to see said car on the dyno or in action, they NEVER made the numbers claimed.
And finally, the cars that where posting decent dragstip times where always doing so because of DRIVER skill rather than car power numbers, and it waqs always refreshing to see so many "low power" cars putting down blistering drag strip times when the right driver was behind the wheel.
I don't even remember the point of my reply...
You will need full headers, aggressive cam and ported heads + the "usual bolt ons" to reliabably and HONESTLY achieve.
Take every "my car makes XYZrwhp" post with a punch of salt and request for a dyno chart.
Having taken my 2001 385hp LS6 C5Z06 from a true stock 330rwhp all the way to 600rwhp n/a LS7 - there is one universal truth I have learned ------ none of the steps along the way ever cost as LITTLEas first estimated, and none of the powergains was as HIGH as advertised
And finally, when ever a "my car makes" claim without corrected dyno charts being provided, was made and we/I got a chance to see said car on the dyno or in action, they NEVER made the numbers claimed.
And finally, the cars that where posting decent dragstip times where always doing so because of DRIVER skill rather than car power numbers, and it waqs always refreshing to see so many "low power" cars putting down blistering drag strip times when the right driver was behind the wheel.
I don't even remember the point of my reply...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I completely agree with your post even if you forgot the point, lol. If I don't hit exactly 500HP I won't be disappointed. Seems to me I want to do the Vararam intake, long tube headers, x-pipe, full exhaust, and maybe some gears, 4,10's maybe? and perhaps a cam upgrade. How much would ported heads cost?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
I've seen one or more people on this forum say that 4.10 is too much for the Z06, and 3.90 is better. I don't actually have experience with this though and I don't recall the exact application they were talking about, whether it was street, track, or strip, but it's something to look into.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I've seen one or more people on this forum say that 4.10 is too much for the Z06, and 3.90 is better. I don't actually have experience with this though and I don't recall the exact application they were talking about, whether it was street, track, or strip, but it's something to look into.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
yeah, I would research that more before actually doing it. I know when I put 4.10's in my Cobra stang it made a huge difference. I would assume most Z's would be in 4th gear when they finish the 1/4 mile? I would have to adjust it to the other mods I get so I would top out 4th crossing the line.