Just hanging around to hear the responses...
a new c5 owner
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: memphis tn
a new c5 owner
I'm sure you get the same questions over an over,but just bought my first corvette,02 c5 trip black vert completely stock ,ive already got callaway honker an flowmaster 80 series coming an gonna have cats cut off. with just doin this do I need to have car tuned or buy a tuner
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,804
Likes: 323
From: Fort Worth Texas
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year
If you go catless yes its best to have a tune or you will have a CEL light on. Why do you want to cut the cats off? you just want the sound? You better off getting rid of the factory H and going with a X. Being stock you will gain almost nothing in power. Id suggest doing headers first.
Last edited by zdeckich; Oct 10, 2016 at 09:26 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I'm sure you get the same questions over an over,but just bought my first corvette,02 c5 trip black vert completely stock ,ive already got callaway honker an flowmaster 80 series coming an gonna have cats cut off. with just doin this do I need to have car tuned or buy a tuner
Love to see your car.
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If you go catless yes its best to have a tune or you will have a CEL light on. Why do you want to cut the cats off? you just want the sound? You better off getting rid of the factory H and going with a X. Being stock you will gain almost nothing in power. Id suggest doing headers first.
And congrats on getting a C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,818
Likes: 2,267
From: Brighton MI
Congrats...and welcome to the asylum! 
I did some similar mods, check post #42 to see my results...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...project-3.html
I did some similar mods, check post #42 to see my results...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...project-3.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,625
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
If you go catless yes its best to have a tune or you will have a CEL light on. Why do you want to cut the cats off? you just want the sound? You better off getting rid of the factory H and going with a X. Being stock you will gain almost nothing in power. Id suggest doing headers first.
Long tube headers with hi-flow green cats.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
Good exhaust, good CAI, and a good computer/dyno tune does a good job of waking these cars up without spending a fortune. If you go for a tune, make sure you seek out a good recommended/established tuner. This forum can probably help you with that. If you have a name in mind, ask about the tuner on this forum, you will probably get some yays or nays from forum members. The collective knowledge and experience of forum members is priceless and can go a long way to helping you avoid bad/uninformed decisions and wasted money. If you haven't already done so read the stickies at the top of this page, lots of great info for the new owner. Good luck and best wishes. PS, the exhaust, CAI and good tune should get you to about 330 to 340 rwhp, or somewhere around 380-390 hp at the crank figuring a 15% loss through the drivetrain. Take care and have fun!
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: memphis tn
If you go catless yes its best to have a tune or you will have a CEL light on. Why do you want to cut the cats off? you just want the sound? You better off getting rid of the factory H and going with a X. Being stock you will gain almost nothing in power. Id suggest doing headers first.