[Z06] This or that?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Humble Texas
This or that?
This or that? Headers or ram air intake & dyno tune? I can only go one or the other. It will be a slow($$$) process in between mods. (months) I only want to do bolt-ons. No cam, boost, or nitrous in the future. I Just want a fun car to drive everyday and put a bunch of miles on it.
The car is a stock 03 ZO6 with 36k miles. I could save for all of them but I am not a patient waiter...
The car is a stock 03 ZO6 with 36k miles. I could save for all of them but I am not a patient waiter...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
This or that? Headers or ram air intake & dyno tune? I can only go one or the other. It will be a slow($$$) process in between mods. (months) I only want to do bolt-ons. No cam, boost, or nitrous in the future. I Just want a fun car to drive everyday and put a bunch of miles on it.
The car is a stock 03 ZO6 with 36k miles. I could save for all of them but I am not a patient waiter...
The car is a stock 03 ZO6 with 36k miles. I could save for all of them but I am not a patient waiter...
Putting on an air intake should be ok.... although some have reported that the Vararam will put so much air in that they required a tune. Long tube headers you will for sure need a tune.
Tunes are NOT cheap... expect ~$400 for a dyno tune.
I saved up and got a lot done at the same time so that I only had to pay for a Dyno tune once.
Toque
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
One thing to make sure you factor into your equation is Dyno tune. Once you increase the Air flow to the motor (intake), and increase the exhaust gas (headers) it WILL put you into a "lean" fuel condition because now you have too much air into your motor.
Putting on an air intake should be ok.... although some have reported that the Vararam will put so much air in that they required a tune. Long tube headers you will for sure need a tune.
Tunes are NOT cheap... expect ~$400 for a dyno tune.
I saved up and got a lot done at the same time so that I only had to pay for a Dyno tune once.
Toque
Putting on an air intake should be ok.... although some have reported that the Vararam will put so much air in that they required a tune. Long tube headers you will for sure need a tune.
Tunes are NOT cheap... expect ~$400 for a dyno tune.
I saved up and got a lot done at the same time so that I only had to pay for a Dyno tune once.
Toque
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,687
Likes: 212
From: Mo.
One thing to make sure you factor into your equation is Dyno tune. Once you increase the Air flow to the motor (intake), and increase the exhaust gas (headers) it WILL put you into a "lean" fuel condition because now you have too much air into your motor.
Putting on an air intake should be ok.... although some have reported that the Vararam will put so much air in that they required a tune. Long tube headers you will for sure need a tune.
Tunes are NOT cheap... expect ~$400 for a dyno tune.
I saved up and got a lot done at the same time so that I only had to pay for a Dyno tune once.
Toque
Putting on an air intake should be ok.... although some have reported that the Vararam will put so much air in that they required a tune. Long tube headers you will for sure need a tune.
Tunes are NOT cheap... expect ~$400 for a dyno tune.
I saved up and got a lot done at the same time so that I only had to pay for a Dyno tune once.
Toque
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Humble Texas
Thanks for the input. I know the pricing of all parts and there are some great shops in Houston for tuning. Being a DD I don't think I will do a ram air. Sore subject with a fast toys and my Firehawk. I will just do a CAI.
intake - $300 to 500
tune - $400 to 500
Headers - $800 and up
intake - $300 to 500
tune - $400 to 500
Headers - $800 and up
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
So what you are saying is a stock Z06 does not have enough power to be a fun car to drive. Unless you plan on taking it to a drag strip or the track I think it should have more performance than the average driver can use on the street. Maybe high performance car driving training would be a good investment if you cannot use all the potential the car has as it sits. If you can use it to its full potential then you are a much better driver than most.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Humble Texas
I love driving the the car as is. The car has plenty of power but there is always room for more. The car will be taken to the drag strip and Texas mile. I would like to go to a school to learn more about road racing though.
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Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
None, the car is not going to make a huge difference with just a mod or two.
Save the money for tires, repairs, and tickets.. whichever needs attention first.
Much better to have a very clean car that has no issues than a car that's showing wear but has a set of headers.
Ran into that at the last Corvette cruise. My '01z with 70 miles looks like NEW compared to cars with less than half the miles and their little issues are mounting.
Buy some paint protection. (clear bra)
Save the money for tires, repairs, and tickets.. whichever needs attention first.
Much better to have a very clean car that has no issues than a car that's showing wear but has a set of headers.
Ran into that at the last Corvette cruise. My '01z with 70 miles looks like NEW compared to cars with less than half the miles and their little issues are mounting.
Buy some paint protection. (clear bra)
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Waste.
The current C5 calipers with Hawk HPS pads can lock up the tires already.
The only thing big brakes can do extra is to do it several times in a row... over and over without fading.... and also requires bigger wheels/tires to fit.
Here's a must have item....
Get an oil catch can so your intake isn't coated with as much oil on the inside. They really do work, do a search in the tech section.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Catch_Can.html
The current C5 calipers with Hawk HPS pads can lock up the tires already.
The only thing big brakes can do extra is to do it several times in a row... over and over without fading.... and also requires bigger wheels/tires to fit.
Here's a must have item....
Get an oil catch can so your intake isn't coated with as much oil on the inside. They really do work, do a search in the tech section.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Catch_Can.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Humble Texas
Just did the Hawk HPS pads this weekend. Maybe it is better to maintain it and keep it shiny. I do have to replace the driver side mirror. That auto dimming took a dump and it looks like crap! I have read about the catch can and is a good idea.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
I have hope for your Zo6 years from now... 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Gboro/H-point/Reidsville NC
This or that? Headers or ram air intake & dyno tune? I can only go one or the other. It will be a slow($$$) process in between mods. (months) I only want to do bolt-ons. No cam, boost, or nitrous in the future. I Just want a fun car to drive everyday and put a bunch of miles on it.
The car is a stock 03 ZO6 with 36k miles. I could save for all of them but I am not a patient waiter...
The car is a stock 03 ZO6 with 36k miles. I could save for all of them but I am not a patient waiter...
Because once you get that first hit of the crack pipe,Its game over!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Humble Texas
I know about the crack pipe. Since I was 18 I have been modding cars from Chevelles, Mustangs, F-bodies and now on to Vettes. My wife always asks why do you have to mess with it and I tell her stock sucks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Gboro/H-point/Reidsville NC