HP Question
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HP Question
I bought my 2002 convertible when it was a couple years old. The prior owner put a Corsa exhaust on it. After I bought it I took it to Corvette Mikes to get it checked out and the Service Manager said the car was faster than stock. He guessed the original owner had it tuned and some kind of "chip" added.
I was like a kid with a new toy so I wasn't clear-headed enough to ask how much the mods increased the HP.
Can you guys guess an approximate increase?
I was like a kid with a new toy so I wasn't clear-headed enough to ask how much the mods increased the HP.
Can you guys guess an approximate increase?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
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From: Decatur AL
I bought my 2002 convertible when it was a couple years old. The prior owner put a Corsa exhaust on it. After I bought it I took it to Corvette Mikes to get it checked out and the Service Manager said the car was faster than stock. He guessed the original owner had it tuned and some kind of "chip" added.
I was like a kid with a new toy so I wasn't clear-headed enough to ask how much the mods increased the HP.
Can you guys guess an approximate increase?
I was like a kid with a new toy so I wasn't clear-headed enough to ask how much the mods increased the HP.
Can you guys guess an approximate increase?
I wouldn't trust anyone who talks about a C5 Corvette and claims that it has a "chip" in it either!
Last edited by Ferg03 Z06; Jan 15, 2016 at 03:02 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: West Branch, MI
Sorry, no "chip" in the C5 to be added. You can tune the computer but that requires an experienced person using special software. But I do have one question. A place called "Corvette Mike's" and the service manager there said it could have been "chipped". Need to have a talk with them about that. They know better.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, Texas
Anyone that makes that statement knows nothing about Corvettes...OP, an exhaust will add/change the sound, but not add HP. Headers will, and along with an intake/tune can add as much as 40-50 RWHP.
What did the Service Manager base his comment on about the car being faster than stock?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
A service manager told you your car may have a chip installed ?
I would RUN away from that shop.... NOW !
A tuner shop should know that "chips" have not been used since the early 90's.
I don't trust anyone except my tuner to properly tune my cars computer.
A cat back exhaust will not add much... (if any HP). The factory exhaust is not a restriction for the current air flow that the C5 puts out stock.
It is honestly a waste of money to tune a stock Corvette. Most tuners charge $400 ish for a full Dyno tune. The C5's were tuned to be around 11.8 Air/Fuel ratio. The stock factory Air/Fuel ratio is on the Rich side. A decent tuner can lean out Air/Fuel ratio to around 12.6 - 12.8. That will give you a little more HP, and a little better gas mileage. On a stock C5 it may give you 10 HP.
Sounds like the Service guy is blowing smoke up your butt...
Toque
I would RUN away from that shop.... NOW !
A tuner shop should know that "chips" have not been used since the early 90's.
I don't trust anyone except my tuner to properly tune my cars computer.
A cat back exhaust will not add much... (if any HP). The factory exhaust is not a restriction for the current air flow that the C5 puts out stock.
It is honestly a waste of money to tune a stock Corvette. Most tuners charge $400 ish for a full Dyno tune. The C5's were tuned to be around 11.8 Air/Fuel ratio. The stock factory Air/Fuel ratio is on the Rich side. A decent tuner can lean out Air/Fuel ratio to around 12.6 - 12.8. That will give you a little more HP, and a little better gas mileage. On a stock C5 it may give you 10 HP.
Sounds like the Service guy is blowing smoke up your butt...
Toque
Tech Contributor
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
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Keep in mind this was ten years ago so I'm working from memory. When he said it had been "tuned" to me that meant a tune-up like putting in new plugs. I'm not a mechanic, but I didn't see where that would get any real power, so when I questioned him he mentioned the chip. There was nothing wrong with the car so he probably just wanted me to be happy and leave.
As far as the speed he just took it for a ride so it certainly wasn't quantified. Like I said, I think he just wanted me to leave happy with my new toy.
I posted this question because over the years I've owned the car I have heard people talking about their cars and say that a tune gave very little HP increase while others would say 30-40HP. I had/have no idea, just curious. I have loved the car just the way it is since I bought it.
As far as the speed he just took it for a ride so it certainly wasn't quantified. Like I said, I think he just wanted me to leave happy with my new toy.
I posted this question because over the years I've owned the car I have heard people talking about their cars and say that a tune gave very little HP increase while others would say 30-40HP. I had/have no idea, just curious. I have loved the car just the way it is since I bought it.
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A service manager told you your car may have a chip installed ?
I would RUN away from that shop.... NOW !
A tuner shop should know that "chips" have not been used since the early 90's.
I don't trust anyone except my tuner to properly tune my cars computer.
A cat back exhaust will not add much... (if any HP). The factory exhaust is not a restriction for the current air flow that the C5 puts out stock.
It is honestly a waste of money to tune a stock Corvette. Most tuners charge $400 ish for a full Dyno tune. The C5's were tuned to be around 11.8 Air/Fuel ratio. The stock factory Air/Fuel ratio is on the Rich side. A decent tuner can lean out Air/Fuel ratio to around 12.6 - 12.8. That will give you a little more HP, and a little better gas mileage. On a stock C5 it may give you 10 HP.
Sounds like the Service guy is blowing smoke up your butt...
I would RUN away from that shop.... NOW !
A tuner shop should know that "chips" have not been used since the early 90's.
I don't trust anyone except my tuner to properly tune my cars computer.
A cat back exhaust will not add much... (if any HP). The factory exhaust is not a restriction for the current air flow that the C5 puts out stock.
It is honestly a waste of money to tune a stock Corvette. Most tuners charge $400 ish for a full Dyno tune. The C5's were tuned to be around 11.8 Air/Fuel ratio. The stock factory Air/Fuel ratio is on the Rich side. A decent tuner can lean out Air/Fuel ratio to around 12.6 - 12.8. That will give you a little more HP, and a little better gas mileage. On a stock C5 it may give you 10 HP.
Sounds like the Service guy is blowing smoke up your butt...
Hopefully you haven't gone back to that shop since then.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
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From: Central Florida
He probably just wanted you to feel good about your car, my mechanic said something like "this car feels strong" of course I asked him what he meant and all he said is "some are stronger than others, yours is one of the strong ones" and that was when it was stock?
Made me feel good for a while
Made me feel good for a while
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
So he must have ragged on your car to really get the feel of it being faster than stock. Well at least you know who not to trust abusing your ride. Of course the C5 was intended to be driven hard.... but you don't know if the guys took turns or what.
Last edited by sfc rick; Jan 16, 2016 at 09:18 AM.
