When do performance mods go beyond bolt-on?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
When do performance mods go beyond bolt-on?
I've got a 2004 Coupe A/T. Daily driven stop and go, 22,000 miles on the odometer. Plan to keep it for a few more years, then maybe sell...but who knows what the future will bring.
So far performance mods include Blackwing filter and GHL Bullet axle back. Next on my plans are LT headers with catted x-pipe and a tune. Those all seem basic bolt-on parts that don't require alot of supporting mods (beyond the tune) to make them work well together and well with the remaining stock components.
From reading the forum the last few years, I see alot of folks running FAST intakes and cams. Once you start messing with these components is it almost necessary to tap into fuel injectors, fuel rails, heads, spark plugs/wires, TC upgrades, gearing, etc...? At what point is it no longer just a simple swap of one component, but a necessity to replace more?
I want to keep it streetable for both local and longer distance with reliability in check. I always figured I would tap out after the headers, but the mod bug has me. I just want to understand what I would snowball into before I jump down the hill.
I don't really have a HP goal, or anything like that. I just want a nice respectable car with some extra grunt.
So far performance mods include Blackwing filter and GHL Bullet axle back. Next on my plans are LT headers with catted x-pipe and a tune. Those all seem basic bolt-on parts that don't require alot of supporting mods (beyond the tune) to make them work well together and well with the remaining stock components.
From reading the forum the last few years, I see alot of folks running FAST intakes and cams. Once you start messing with these components is it almost necessary to tap into fuel injectors, fuel rails, heads, spark plugs/wires, TC upgrades, gearing, etc...? At what point is it no longer just a simple swap of one component, but a necessity to replace more?
I want to keep it streetable for both local and longer distance with reliability in check. I always figured I would tap out after the headers, but the mod bug has me. I just want to understand what I would snowball into before I jump down the hill.
I don't really have a HP goal, or anything like that. I just want a nice respectable car with some extra grunt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 24
From: Northern Chicago Burbs IL
It's no longer a bolt on when you have to open up the motor. Putting a Fast on is still bolt on. You're taking an old manifold off and replacing it with a new manifold.
Cam starts the process of not being a bolt on car.
Some even say a supercharger is a bolt on.
My 99 M6 has a Vararam intake, LS6 intake manifold, LG Headers, BB Rt 66 catback, and Speed Inc Si5 cam. They updated my stock heads with new springs, etc.... It was then tuned and put down 393RWHP
It's still very streetable and can take to the gym down the street or a road trip across state without issues. There is more vibration in the car witht the cam though.
Hope that helped a little
Cam starts the process of not being a bolt on car.
Some even say a supercharger is a bolt on.
My 99 M6 has a Vararam intake, LS6 intake manifold, LG Headers, BB Rt 66 catback, and Speed Inc Si5 cam. They updated my stock heads with new springs, etc.... It was then tuned and put down 393RWHP
It's still very streetable and can take to the gym down the street or a road trip across state without issues. There is more vibration in the car witht the cam though.
Hope that helped a little
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
IMO, if you must do a tune upgrade in order for the car to run properly - or run at all - then you've stepped over the line. The factory PCM programming can tolerate some moderate upgrades but, once you've exceeded its ability to adjust itself, you've made some significant changes to the setup, whether it's a rear gear change in an A4 that requires shift-point changes or AFR/timing updates to accomodate intake/FI/heads/cam/header level mods.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Maybe another way to think about this thread is what mods require (or highly suggest) other supporting mods? When I think bolt-on I think of simple swaps that only require the purchase of that item (i.e. new filter, axle back).
Maybe speaking specifically on something like an LS6 Intake or FAST Intake. Yes, it bolts right on, but what other supporting mods are required, if anything? Am I doing anything wrong by just swapping that and nothing else...aside from not taking full advantage of it's HP potential? Does this part necessitate the addition of new fuel rails or a ported/larger TB?
Maybe speaking specifically on something like an LS6 Intake or FAST Intake. Yes, it bolts right on, but what other supporting mods are required, if anything? Am I doing anything wrong by just swapping that and nothing else...aside from not taking full advantage of it's HP potential? Does this part necessitate the addition of new fuel rails or a ported/larger TB?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer