Help with power gains
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Help with power gains
I have a base model Ls1 M6 Coupe, with only a axel back Corsa extreme exhaust, i want more power and would like to hear your suggestions, like to keep it N/A, this year i am going to upgrade the sway bars to C6 Z51 Bars, and next year plan on adding a Callaway honker intake, i am thinking of cam and heads but not sure if i wanna drop that kind of money yet, i want good power at a reasonable amount, like to buy small upgrades right now, my end goal i would like to have close to 400RWHP but don't want to spend a fortune, what should i do next after Honker CAI. Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Cheap and easy stuff is going to be 243 heads, ls6 intake (if you don't already have one) and a set of longtube headers along with a decent cam and that callaway CAI. You're going to spend a couple grand even if you do the work yourself for all that and a good tune.
Many tuners will only charge you for dyno time if you get the car tuned by them, then make small changes and want a retune. A couple places I talked to told me that, anyways. Personally I would start with bolt on's (CAI, LS6 intake, Longtubes) and a good tune, then run it till you're bored again and add a cam.
Many tuners will only charge you for dyno time if you get the car tuned by them, then make small changes and want a retune. A couple places I talked to told me that, anyways. Personally I would start with bolt on's (CAI, LS6 intake, Longtubes) and a good tune, then run it till you're bored again and add a cam.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Cheap and easy stuff is going to be 243 heads, ls6 intake (if you don't already have one) and a set of longtube headers along with a decent cam and that callaway CAI. You're going to spend a couple grand even if you do the work yourself for all that and a good tune.
Many tuners will only charge you for dyno time if you get the car tuned by them, then make small changes and want a retune. A couple places I talked to told me that, anyways. Personally I would start with bolt on's (CAI, LS6 intake, Longtubes) and a good tune, then run it till you're bored again and add a cam.
Many tuners will only charge you for dyno time if you get the car tuned by them, then make small changes and want a retune. A couple places I talked to told me that, anyways. Personally I would start with bolt on's (CAI, LS6 intake, Longtubes) and a good tune, then run it till you're bored again and add a cam.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Yes, the 243 heads will help, but if you're willing to head swap, I would at least make sure the valvetrain is upgraded to better springs. For the money, 243s make a good base for a CNC, and you can bump the compression ratio by shaving the heads, and/or thinner gaskets. Personally, I'd go with shaved heads to about 60cc chambers and use GM MLS gaskets.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 196
Likes: 4
From: Keego Harbor MI
heads, cam, (with all the goodies), LT headers, x-pipe and axle back, upgraded fuel system, upgraded plugs, wires, coils, CAi and dyno tune...got me just over 400...it takes a lot to get there...HP=$$$. I had my buddies performance shop do it all. If your going to get a good tune, do as much as possible before, as they can run 600+ for a good tune. Big difference form 'stock'. I have also read some posts of changing out gears to get better response...I just did full suspension upgrade this winter, so now handling will be awesome, stock suspension on these leaves something to be desired.
Good luck with whatever you do and enjoy your vette
:thumbs :
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
You could do long tube headers, cai and a tune. That would be a nice Phase I bump without opening up the engine.
As soon as you crack open the engine to do the cam now you're upgrading the entire valvetrain... Definitely springs and pushrods, and probably rocker trunions. should do the lifters too. And while the heads are off, well... And since it's apart to pull the cam out why put the old oil pump and timing chain back on? Now you're over 400rwhp and your clutch just waived the white flag. Phase II gets expensive. But the car is a that much more fun now and I would do it again!
As soon as you crack open the engine to do the cam now you're upgrading the entire valvetrain... Definitely springs and pushrods, and probably rocker trunions. should do the lifters too. And while the heads are off, well... And since it's apart to pull the cam out why put the old oil pump and timing chain back on? Now you're over 400rwhp and your clutch just waived the white flag. Phase II gets expensive. But the car is a that much more fun now and I would do it again!
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
You could do long tube headers, cai and a tune. That would be a nice Phase I bump without opening up the engine.
As soon as you crack open the engine to do the cam now you're upgrading the entire valvetrain... Definitely springs and pushrods, and probably rocker trunions. should do the lifters too. And while the heads are off, well... And since it's apart to pull the cam out why put the old oil pump and timing chain back on? Now you're over 400rwhp and your clutch just waived the white flag. Phase II gets expensive. But the car is a that much more fun now and I would do it again!
As soon as you crack open the engine to do the cam now you're upgrading the entire valvetrain... Definitely springs and pushrods, and probably rocker trunions. should do the lifters too. And while the heads are off, well... And since it's apart to pull the cam out why put the old oil pump and timing chain back on? Now you're over 400rwhp and your clutch just waived the white flag. Phase II gets expensive. But the car is a that much more fun now and I would do it again!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Headers and the midpipe are $1,000 to $2,000 depending on which brand. A cold air intake, long tube headers and a good tune is worth 40-50 hp+/- to the wheels from bone stock.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
That does sound like a nice boost, but its going to be a little while before i can do a good tune and headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 865
Likes: 53
I have a base model Ls1 M6 Coupe, with only a axel back Corsa extreme exhaust, i want more power and would like to hear your suggestions, like to keep it N/A, this year i am going to upgrade the sway bars to C6 Z51 Bars, and next year plan on adding a Callaway honker intake, i am thinking of cam and heads but not sure if i wanna drop that kind of money yet, i want good power at a reasonable amount, like to buy small upgrades right now, my end goal i would like to have close to 400RWHP but don't want to spend a fortune, what should i do next after Honker CAI. Thanks