Gear heads! I'm torn. I have a little extra cash sitting around and I need some advice on what mod you think would be best, first. I have a cold air so far, but that's it. I've been looking at the AR headers, or an exhaust kit, or a Black Bear custom tune. I'd like to do all of them at once but my budget won't allow for it. Thoughts on direction to go as well as vendors? TIA!!

04' C5 ZO6, K&N CAI only.
Le Mans Commemorative Edition
12,025 miles
Dallas, TX

 

Headers first, but you will need a tune to get the most out of them.

Shakey

 

MGW shifter, that was my first mod. The stock shifter is pretty sloppy, the MGW was a huge improvement. Headers are a great mod but you really should get it tuned at the same time.

 

4.10 differential. No other supportive mods are required... the engine won't know it's there, the clutch will act the same, etc., etc. No tune required, so you save there. Gas mileage will suffer, but you won't care for the smile it puts on your face. The only problem is, it's expensive. I couldn't find a shop within 500 miles that would only change the ring and pinion. (I checked 3 speed shops and two dealerships.) Apparently, the conversion is so hard to do correctly, most quality shops swap out the entire differential. Labor is ~ $700 in the Deep South, and the gear box ran $1700. I waited until my clutch went out so the labor was 'free'.

 

I say keep saving til you can do what you want......you prob wont be happy until then and no sense in trying to peace meal something and having to do multiple tunes.

 

You haven't told us your goals, and nobody else has asked. Are you looking for maximum horsepower? Are you looking for sound?

Exhaust won't make any more power but will give you a cool sound (debatable based on personal taste). Long tube headers, an x pipe, and a tune will be the most power by far. I'd recommend XS Power because their long tube and X pipe combos are under $800 which will potentially save you enough money for a tune.

This is just my opinion, but when it comes to headers, it is easy to overpay for them...so just keep that in mind while shopping and read all the reviews. I have a lowly '01 (you know, the slow year) and my car made 382/379 with the XS Powers. Not bad considering the 02-04's with the big money headers only make 10-15 more.

4.10 gears sound cool, but I think you'd find traction being a serious concern on street tires especially if you make more power down the road.

 

4.10s

 

Exhaust system first, it will inspire you to move forward with more

 

18-inch rims all the way around with a tire that can actually utilize the stock power, let alone modified.

 

Headers wake these cars up by a lot...i would suggest headers with offroad xpipe

 

 

NosLaser makes a strong point--you haven't declared your goals. And IMXCITD is right; hold off and do it all once. If it's maximum power, 4.10's are a severe limitation and contrary to a HP build. You'll never get out of first gear if you change the OEM H/C/I or go FI with 4.10's installed. You asked for our opinions on the best first mod.

I chose 4.10's for several reasons. I never plan to dig with the car; I'll never drag the car and all of my acceleration will happen from a rolling "start". I wasn't looking for maximum HP, just 'more'; enough to pass freeway travelers "at will". I wanted a mod that didn't require supporting accessories/mods (tune, bracing, or additional combinations of engine mods). There aren't any close local speed shops, so my choice would require (in my mind) that the installer I chose only needed 'routine' mechanical ability to R&R parts. I wouldn't have to depend on his expertise in theoretical mechanics to install a combination of cooperating parts. There are countless threads on this forum asking for help because a wrong cam, heads, intake, valves, springs, pulley, etc., has been combined in a set changeover, and I couldn't afford that, either financially or time-wise. Lastly, the gears are cheaper than a combination of H/C/I (and headers + tune), supercharger, or turbo. (Also, I didn't wanna spray [nitrous].)

4.10s are certainly not the end-all be-all solution, but for a single modification, I don't think anything will 'wake-up' the pedal with more impact. The change from 3.42's to 4.10's feels like almost 20% additional torque that the actual difference in teeth tally (4.10/3.42). RPM's and gas mileage will be strongly affected to an inverse proportion.

 

Actually 4.10s are perhaps one of the best mods on a H/C car. Depending on cam selection, they can be beneficial mitigating the low end and most certainly put you in the correct power band up top at the end of the 1/4 mile.

 

Does "offroad" mean no cats? I was thinking of going that route but I heard the smell can be unpleasant.

 

Yes that's what an off-road x pipe means. I installed xs power LT's recently on mine with their catted x pipe. They say the catted version makes almost the same hp, just a few hp less. I have had cars with no cats and they do sound meaner, I wanted more power and still a somewhat refined, not overly loud sound with this car. I think these sound perfect with the stock ti with the bypass mod. Plus I didn't want the raw gas smell. My car doesn't even need emissions where I live (<5k/yr exempt) but I still paid extra to get them. I'm glad I did.

.

 

Yes no cats for the offroad version, but to be honest i drive mine in traffic and no problem. There is a slight smell but not too much. I noticed the smell is noticable when in traffic and its really hot out ~85-90F. In my case i like to use the AC when i am stuck in traffic on a hot day.

 

Tons of great info on here guys. The question was raised regarding my goals, and I think thats kind of why I'm torn. Ultimately I'm looking to put more pop into the car. If I could afford forced air right now, I would go that route. I appreciate the concept of saving until you can get what you want, but I enjoy doing one mod at a time so I can really get an idea of what that particular mod did for the ride. Seems like everyone is somewhat split (as am I) on which route to take. I think for now I'll save up to grab the headers and x-pip plus a tune. I can't delete the cats because I have annual emissions here in TX.

 

Does XS make a kit for the 04? I must be blind, I didn't see anything on their website at all for C5 headers.

 

"Driver Mod".............it's the ONLY one which makes a difference! Is your car holding YOU back? OR are you holding IT back?

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-headers.html