Mod advice
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
first of all are you an auto or 6 speed?
i would look at your RPO code's if you are an auto to see which axle you have if your a 6 speed you will have the 3:42 rear end which is good...
as far as mods go you can do long tube header's with z06 head (243) or the ls2 head's which will be a nice upgrade...and while your there might as well add a cam and upgrade your valve train, depending on your year you can upgrade to the ls6 intake system which flow's a lot better then the ls1 counterpart...get a good flowing intake filter system, and to save some coin you can always source a z06 Ti cat back exhaust system , that would prob net you over 430 hp
i would look at your RPO code's if you are an auto to see which axle you have if your a 6 speed you will have the 3:42 rear end which is good...
as far as mods go you can do long tube header's with z06 head (243) or the ls2 head's which will be a nice upgrade...and while your there might as well add a cam and upgrade your valve train, depending on your year you can upgrade to the ls6 intake system which flow's a lot better then the ls1 counterpart...get a good flowing intake filter system, and to save some coin you can always source a z06 Ti cat back exhaust system , that would prob net you over 430 hp
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,134
Likes: 2,979
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Welcome to the forum. The best bang for the buck is a supercharger kit. It'll give you over your 400 rwhp goal. I've seen them advertised as low as $6000 installed.
Last edited by knewblewkorvette; Jan 7, 2018 at 01:10 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Good advice from the above posters. It really depends on how much you want to spend to get to your HP goal.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 119
Likes: 14
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
To give you a nice solid answer:
Long tube headers, cold air intake and cam should get you over 350whp no problem.
Add 243 heads and an ls6 intake manifold to that you should see just over 400whp.
This is obviously dependent on the cam you choose as well as a good dyne tune.
Long tube headers, cold air intake and cam should get you over 350whp no problem.
Add 243 heads and an ls6 intake manifold to that you should see just over 400whp.
This is obviously dependent on the cam you choose as well as a good dyne tune.
Last edited by no vtec 4me; Jan 7, 2018 at 03:21 PM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have a manual 6. Based on the answers, I think I'll start adding mods in following sequence.
CAI
LTH
INTAKE
CAM
TUNE
If this gets me over 350whp I'll be happy. I'm trying to keep up with my brother's Subaru WRX lol
What do you guys think
CAI
LTH
INTAKE
CAM
TUNE
If this gets me over 350whp I'll be happy. I'm trying to keep up with my brother's Subaru WRX lol
What do you guys think
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 1,515
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Keep in mind, with exceptions, every time you mod your vette
you will need a new tune. That means 100's of dollars extra
per new parts. I should say 100s and 100's of dollars.
Bundle your mod's to save tuning costs.
Good luck.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Honestly you probably don't need a cam to get to your goals. I think doing things in stages is probably the bast way to avoid getting bored with the car.
Start with bolt ons, and don't worry too much about comparing to other cars if you're happy with driving it
Start with bolt ons, and don't worry too much about comparing to other cars if you're happy with driving it
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,554
Likes: 1,347
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
The problem with modding for power is that it's never enough. You get used to the power after a while , then you want more. It never ends.... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
The only thing his car has, if needed, is extra seats. Otherwise not a fan.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Yep, it's a rabbit hole for sure. One other thing to keep in mind is when you start increasing power there are other items will need attention sooner than later. I did exhaust/heads/cam all at once and my clutch needed attention very soon after. And since most of the drivetrain is out you should probably rebuild the torque tube while it's apart. And, oh yea, this would be a great time to change the gear.But I'm done now...
Last edited by Time for a C-5; Jan 9, 2018 at 12:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Someone will always have more. Focus on your preferences.Yep, it's a rabbit hole for sure. One other thing to keep in mind is when you start increasing power there are other items will need attention sooner than later. I did exhaust/heads/cam all at once and my clutch needed attention very soon after. And since most of the drivetrain is out you should probably rebuild the torque tube while it's apart. And, oh yea, this would be a great time to change the gear.But I'm done now...
And the idea of changing the gear ratio may be valid depending upon what's already in the car. For a lot of people that adds a great seat of the pants feel to the performance of the car.
Best wishes with your build.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 219
From: Los Angeles CA
If it were me, and that's the power I was going for, I'd do the Dorman/Fast Replica, ebay long tubes, whatever used CAI you find and a mail order tune. Would be less than 1k if you install yourself and should get you to ~360rwhp or so. A small cam would put you in the 400-420 area.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Cold air intake, long tube headers and exhaust, tune. That will get you a honest 50-60hp. Next would be a LS6 intake and 80mm throttle body. Good luck!
Last edited by meadowz06; Jan 11, 2018 at 07:34 PM.
