Looking for advice/opinions
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Seattle
Also...this might be a stupid question.... are headers and heads the same thing?
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I don't know much about cars and have been trying to learn. At the shop that I go to, I usually ask them for advice and recommendations. We talked about a torque converter for either a cam or a supercharger. The guy at the shop was recommending the supercharger- said it was more bang for the buck. He thought that the supercharger alone would add at least 150 HP. So that was the reason I was thinking about that. What sort of power gains can you expect from a cam and what is a ballpark number for what those normally run?
Also...this might be a stupid question.... are headers and heads the same thing?
Also...this might be a stupid question.... are headers and heads the same thing?
To put it as simply as possible, heads are the parts of the engine the valve covers screw onto. High performance heads are typically polished/ported to increase flow and use better valves, push rods, etc., increasing HP. The cam adds to this. The cost is much lower than what you would pay for a supercharger, and would yield 425+ HP with your current setup, a better torque converter, and a tune. That's more than enough for street driving and then some. In my opinion, it's a safer bet than putting a 550+ HP supercharger on top of a stock engine as it replaces stock parts with stronger aftermarket parts and new gaskets/seals. You also have to consider how you're going to put all of that added HP to the ground to make it useful. It's a lot easier to do with 425 HP than 550; if all you're doing is spinning your tires that extra HP is not doing anything.
Race Director
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
SC a C5 should be nowhere near $10k .
You're looking at about $5-7k at best. At least that's what it cost me, and that's including labor and a tune.
You're looking at about $5-7k at best. At least that's what it cost me, and that's including labor and a tune.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
First, no, headers are replacements for the stock exhaust manifolds. They allow more flow for the exhaust gases, increasing the operating efficiency of the engine.
To put it as simply as possible, heads are the parts of the engine the valve covers screw onto. High performance heads are typically polished/ported to increase flow and use better valves, push rods, etc., increasing HP. The cam adds to this. The cost is much lower than what you would pay for a supercharger, and would yield 425+ HP with your current setup, a better torque converter, and a tune. That's more than enough for street driving and then some. In my opinion, it's a safer bet than putting a 550+ HP supercharger on top of a stock engine as it replaces stock parts with stronger aftermarket parts and new gaskets/seals. You also have to consider how you're going to put all of that added HP to the ground to make it useful. It's a lot easier to do with 425 HP than 550; if all you're doing is spinning your tires that extra HP is not doing anything.
To put it as simply as possible, heads are the parts of the engine the valve covers screw onto. High performance heads are typically polished/ported to increase flow and use better valves, push rods, etc., increasing HP. The cam adds to this. The cost is much lower than what you would pay for a supercharger, and would yield 425+ HP with your current setup, a better torque converter, and a tune. That's more than enough for street driving and then some. In my opinion, it's a safer bet than putting a 550+ HP supercharger on top of a stock engine as it replaces stock parts with stronger aftermarket parts and new gaskets/seals. You also have to consider how you're going to put all of that added HP to the ground to make it useful. It's a lot easier to do with 425 HP than 550; if all you're doing is spinning your tires that extra HP is not doing anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: OK
Well here goes you asked for opinions...
If you don't know the difference between the heads and a header you probably don't need 550 HP
I would say exhaust, CIA (which is already done), and a good tune will be more than enough to play on the streets with. Take a good look at the "bad day" thread... some of that is caused by toooooo much car for the driver. I have owned and driven some near 600 horse cars and it's just not practical for the street...
Our C5 only has the TI exhaust mod and is a 6 speed... I could absolutely ROAST the tires if I wanted to and it will probably do over 160 mph, but, I don't want to. So, it's already more car than I can use.
Why would I want anymore for the streets?
If you don't know the difference between the heads and a header you probably don't need 550 HP
I would say exhaust, CIA (which is already done), and a good tune will be more than enough to play on the streets with. Take a good look at the "bad day" thread... some of that is caused by toooooo much car for the driver. I have owned and driven some near 600 horse cars and it's just not practical for the street...
Our C5 only has the TI exhaust mod and is a 6 speed... I could absolutely ROAST the tires if I wanted to and it will probably do over 160 mph, but, I don't want to. So, it's already more car than I can use.
Why would I want anymore for the streets?
Last edited by 73Corvette; Feb 9, 2015 at 05:12 PM.
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: OK
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Seattle
We were just talking about different options. He didn't give me an exact quote. They also recommended a torque converter as well. And when I added up his ballpark number for the supercharger, his ballpark number for the torque converter and his ballpark number for the tune- then I also like to overestimate to see if it was something I could afford or not. Maybe that was way overestimating.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
First, no, headers are replacements for the stock exhaust manifolds. They allow more flow for the exhaust gases, increasing the operating efficiency of the engine.
To put it as simply as possible, heads are the parts of the engine the valve covers screw onto. High performance heads are typically polished/ported to increase flow and use better valves, push rods, etc., increasing HP. The cam adds to this. The cost is much lower than what you would pay for a supercharger, and would yield 425+ HP with your current setup, a better torque converter, and a tune. That's more than enough for street driving and then some. In my opinion, it's a safer bet than putting a 550+ HP supercharger on top of a stock engine as it replaces stock parts with stronger aftermarket parts and new gaskets/seals. You also have to consider how you're going to put all of that added HP to the ground to make it useful. It's a lot easier to do with 425 HP than 550; if all you're doing is spinning your tires that extra HP is not doing anything.
To put it as simply as possible, heads are the parts of the engine the valve covers screw onto. High performance heads are typically polished/ported to increase flow and use better valves, push rods, etc., increasing HP. The cam adds to this. The cost is much lower than what you would pay for a supercharger, and would yield 425+ HP with your current setup, a better torque converter, and a tune. That's more than enough for street driving and then some. In my opinion, it's a safer bet than putting a 550+ HP supercharger on top of a stock engine as it replaces stock parts with stronger aftermarket parts and new gaskets/seals. You also have to consider how you're going to put all of that added HP to the ground to make it useful. It's a lot easier to do with 425 HP than 550; if all you're doing is spinning your tires that extra HP is not doing anything.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
Well here goes you asked for opinions...
If you don't know the difference between the heads and a header you probably don't need 550 HP
I would say exhaust, CIA (which is already done), and a good tune will be more than enough to play on the streets with. Take a good look at the "bad day" thread... some of that is caused by toooooo much car for the driver. I have owned and driven some near 600 horse cars and it's just not practical for the street...
Our C5 only has the TI exhaust mod and is a 6 speed... I could absolutely ROAST the tires if I wanted to and it will probably do over 160 mph, but, I don't want to. So, it's already more car than I can use.
Why would I want anymore for the streets?
If you don't know the difference between the heads and a header you probably don't need 550 HP
I would say exhaust, CIA (which is already done), and a good tune will be more than enough to play on the streets with. Take a good look at the "bad day" thread... some of that is caused by toooooo much car for the driver. I have owned and driven some near 600 horse cars and it's just not practical for the street...
Our C5 only has the TI exhaust mod and is a 6 speed... I could absolutely ROAST the tires if I wanted to and it will probably do over 160 mph, but, I don't want to. So, it's already more car than I can use.
Why would I want anymore for the streets?
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Something else to keep in mind is that you could pick up a set of used 243 Z06 heads and have them professionally ported, and they would only cost you a couple hundred dollars or so to purchase initially. That's a huge savings right up front. I see them all the time on CL and here on the forum. You could also have your intake manifold professionally treated similarly and do yourself even one better. Keep in mind that 100 HP is a MASSIVE increase for a 3200 pound car, so hitting 425+ is going to be very noticeable when you step on the gas.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Haha, you are right! It might be more car than I need. It probably is. The problem I run into is you don't really know if it is too much or not until you have paid the money to have it installed. That's why I wanted to ask the people on here who know more and are more experienced than I am!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
I'm pretty new to it. That's why I am so appreciative of all of the different input and advice.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Something else to consider, since you have an automatic trans, is to switch to a set of 3:42 rear-end gears. That would really wake up what you have right now.
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; Feb 9, 2015 at 06:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Akn 224, I think you are getting some very sound advice here. These cars can get away from you and I've personally seen some very bad results. The one that sticks with me was two fellows in a stock C5 that tromped on it from a light, turned right, went clear over into oncoming traffic, back across their lane, up an embankment to a stone wall.....two fatalities in the blink of an eye. That was just down the street from my house.
One thing that helped me learn more about the car was to autocross it. Just search-engine solo or autocross in your area. It is usually open to all, inexpensive and they usually have loaner helmets. It will really show you what the car and do and increase your skills.
Track time is ideal but I always worry because it is "fender to fender" racing rather than solo time on the track. I've done some in a dedicated race car but I'm reluctant to take my one and only baby out there!
There is a ton of information out there.....and in here (CF) to research if you wish before making a move.
Good luck....have fun....get the best bang for the buck!
One thing that helped me learn more about the car was to autocross it. Just search-engine solo or autocross in your area. It is usually open to all, inexpensive and they usually have loaner helmets. It will really show you what the car and do and increase your skills.
Track time is ideal but I always worry because it is "fender to fender" racing rather than solo time on the track. I've done some in a dedicated race car but I'm reluctant to take my one and only baby out there!
There is a ton of information out there.....and in here (CF) to research if you wish before making a move.
Good luck....have fun....get the best bang for the buck!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 8
From: Roanoke Virginia
I've been exploring this decision myself. Getting a 350 hp ls1 to 500+ won't be easy but a 2008 LS3 wouldn't take nearly as much effort or money. You would have the newer technology throughout the whole car as well by stepping up. However you loose the styling of the C5 and the pop up lights that I love.
I also think that for most Vette owners the car, as it comes from Bowling Green, is more than enough. I think 90 % of owners only push these cars to less than 70% of what they are capable of. So its a tough call.
I think my 2015 mantra is "Be content with what you have." enjoy the C5, save some bucks and step up when you get bored or have enough cash in hand to get you where you want to go.
I also think that for most Vette owners the car, as it comes from Bowling Green, is more than enough. I think 90 % of owners only push these cars to less than 70% of what they are capable of. So its a tough call.
I think my 2015 mantra is "Be content with what you have." enjoy the C5, save some bucks and step up when you get bored or have enough cash in hand to get you where you want to go.
Last edited by CROOZ1N; Feb 10, 2015 at 03:07 PM. Reason: Clarity of thought.... Stupid Ipad....
