I have decided to go for it and buy a Z06 (my first Corvette). I want to have 3 small performance upgrades done by the dealership, but I need your advice on what is the best brands. The dealer is willing to order the parts and perform the install.

1) Air induction system. Is K&N the best ? Is there a part # ?

2) Cat-back exhaust by Corsa. I say Corsa because it is the brand approved by GM in their booklet of Corvette accessories. What is the best model for HP gain without being too loud for neighbors ? I heard about a "Touring" and "Sport" sound.

3) ECM chip re-program. Should I go with Superchip or Hypertech ?

The dealer is ready to sign me a paper saying that these mods will not affect my GM warranty. Any other ideas for increasing HP and not challenge the GM warranty ?

I'm ready to buy the car now, and the dealer is searching for a car with my desired options as we speak, so your help in selecting these performance parts will be appreciated. Thank you guys ! :cheers:


[Modified by jerome, 8:05 PM 11/28/2003]

 

1) Since you've decided on K&N for 1, that's a pretty good choice. I have the chrome twin K&N, but I bought it for looks, not power. The Blackwing, Vortex, or Vararam will give you more power, in that order too.

2) A cat back exhaust will not get you much in the way of hp gains, maybe a couple. The Corsa Indy/Pace is louder than the Corsa Touring. You may be better off waiting to hear a few different exhausts like Borla, GHL, B&B, etc. before deciding. It's a lot of $$ to risk on something you may or may not like.

3) Personally, I'd skip this. The C5/Z06 don't seem to respond to this mod like many other cars.

Congrats on the new car.
:cheers:

 

Thanks for the good advice. I turns out that I'm unsure what air induction system to get, so I appreciate your input with that. But when you say :Does the Blackwing provide the most or least power of the 3 ?

Is there any other performance mod I should be considering, that will not void the warranty ?


[Modified by jerome, 8:26 PM 11/28/2003]

 

I'd say they're all within 5hp from least to most, and in order from least to most, I'd say Blackwing, Vortex, then Vararam.

 

Jerome,

Its nice that you found a GM dealer that will install aftermarket parts and warranty them. You might want to keep them around for later installs, however, a good tuner can often do a better job. That said........ I give you my input:

1) K&N does make a complete system with a cone filter and airbridge. These are about $400. They are okay. K&N also makes a replacement filter that goes in the stock housing. These are about $60. A clean GM filter makes about the same HP on a stock Z06. You can install the K&N OEM filter yourself....... very simple. The Blackwing, Halltech and Vararam are all superior systems. They are priced at $200 and up. The blackwing is very simple to put in...... and you can usually find used for $150 on the forum. The Halltech and Vararam systems are $400 and up, but cheaper in the forum used section. They are more difficult to install, but net slightly better results. The Halltech is fairly simple........ the Vararam is an all day job, but still not hard to install. You can do it yourself!!

2) The catback exhausts are all simply a difference in sound. The only ones that make a hp gain on the Z06 stock are the straight thru (very loud) systems. Also you have a lightweight titanium system on your Z06 and adding a standard Corsa system will probably be adding weight. I wouldn't worry about this system for HP until you have more engine modifications. Also, you will want to listen to the systems before you purchase from both outside and inside the car. Some of the aftermarket systems add a lot of resonance to the cabin. I would hold off until you listen to some in person. Save up for some long tube headers. See if your dealer will install these and still provide the warranty waiver. Headers are a difficult install.

3) Pass on these. Waste of money. When you get some mods...... intake and headers........ then have a reputable tuner perform a dyno based LS1 edit to your Z06. The preprogrammed ones aren't that good for HP, if they add anything to a Z06. I know of no Chevy dealers that would do this type of performance tune.

 

I agree with the comments mad, avoid aftermarket exhaust except for sound, and avoid the weight. The Vararam is not an all day job, but it is 2-4 hours depending on skill - and will make the most power. If you don't plan to track the car a top breather like a Blackwing or Halltech T1 will do you fine, for maximum performance especially at the rack the Vararam is worth about 10 more RWHP on the top end.

And as for tuning, avoid mail order and get LS1Edit tuning, on a dyno with a wideband sensor, from someone who knows what they are doing.

Good Luck!

Les

 

I say purchase the car as is and enjoy it as is! I thought I wanted to add a lot of stuff but right now I don't need it! The car is beautiful right off the showroom. Thy only two items I am changing is the shift lock overide and putting in a better air filter. Good luck!

 

Les..... I have to disagree here. The Blackwing took me 3 hours to install and I helped a friend put in the Vararam, which took us about 7 hours. If you mean actual work time, then yes, about 2-4. But for the entire job, the installation goes something like........

1) Open box, read instructions........ throw out instructions :crazy:
2) Take a :cheers: break.
3) Remove OEM intake system from car.
4) Take another :cheers: break.
5) Remove radiator air deflector.
6) Take a restroom break.
7) Check out what the game score is on TV
8) Remove foglights and shrouds.
9) Take a :cheers: break yet again.
etc, etc, etc.

You can see how the hours stack up. :lol:

 

LMAO, you Texan's drink too much beer and take too many pee breaks :)

BTW I would add an hour to my time for a first install, cause you are right, the instructions and degree of difficulty are high with the Vararam. A realtivel "young" mechanic just removed my "old style" Vararam and replaced it with the "new style", had never done it before, and the shop charge was for 2 hours labor. He had the advantage of seeing how the old one went in though.

Les :cheers:

 

Wow very similar to the post I just put up, sorry I did'nt see it.

Did you consider and X-pipe????

I dicided to stay with the stock exhuast and add it. I dont know what the real deal is though???

I choose the Vara ram because it made full use of the front vents, but Now I've read much more. Still I love functional vents, if there's one thing I hate its false vents and hood scoupes.

You did'nt mention the T stat, and I dont know if thats a big deal on the ZO6 but I know a lower one really helped me on the LT4 here in Hotlanta Ga..

AS for Dynotuning my dealer has a tuner they use and warranty his work. So I guess this is worth while, as I said in m my post (Iknow I copied you unintentionally, but hey we are both in the same boat), I have asked for a before stock and after dyno sheet.

I don't plan on any mods after this so all opinions help.

Thanks for letting me in on your thread and Congrats :cheers:

 

Can't add much that hasn't already been said...my first mod was to ditch the stock Z06 rims and put chromies on. I had my rims on order before I had the car?!

Then the mods went like this

1) Vararam (maybe not the best but equal at worst and a nice clean install)

2) Borla's (not really that loud and the car sounds like it has 405 hp)

3) 1.8 rockers (too cheap for a cam/heads upgrade)

4) Waiting on LG LT Headers and then a dyno edit.

5) I will do no further mods.....yeah, right :rolleyes:

One bit of advice, you can't just do 3 small mods. It really becomes addictive and this forum is your daily fix that leaves you wanting more.

Welcome and don't forget to wave! :steering:

 

Matt, I dont know about Jerome, but this time I was really thinking I could stop at 3 small mods. Then I saw your post, how right you are :cheers:

 

Jerome, out of general intrest who is your dealer. I bought my MY/ Z from Selman in Orange. I was just wondering if it was them. You should check out Jim Hall's facility, and Westcoast Corvette. Both are close to you and they have quality parts and service.
http://www.corvettec5.com/store/index.php

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/default.cfm
:steering:

 

I just want to say thanks to all for helping me out.
My plan is to get a Z06 now at discount from MSRP and change it in 2 years when the C6 Z06 becomes available.

To Threed : The 2 dealers I am currently in contact with are the one in San Clemente, and Connell in Costa Mesa.

 

I went w/ the Vararam myself & love it. I felt an immediate difference. I felt even more of a difference after LS1 Edit tuning & a dyno. I would not go w/ a chip. The LS1can do so much more & can really be personally defined by the user.
For the exhaust, I don't plan on changing mine, it's plenty loud for me! I'm also 36, & this is my daily driver. Any louder & they'd expect a 20 year old to be getting out of the car.
Having said that, I did my Vararam install my self on ramps, having never worked on a Corvette, and w/ limited tools. I really took my time & had to figure out a lot by looking & thinking before acting (ie:removing the fan shroud took me 15 minutes before I picked up a tool!).Yes the directions were weak, & I had 2 different sets w/ pics! It took me about 5.5 hours. I feel if I had to do it again I could do it in 3 hours, give or take a few minutes.
To matt.. I also ordered my chromies before I took delievery on my Z.
Good luck.


[Modified by Dr.Ron, 5:19 PM 11/29/2003]

 

Hey Dr Ron,

I see you went Vararam 180 stat and dyno tune. Can I pick your brain, what was the originaL STAT?, Iplan on the same plus an Xpipe. Any sugestions before I get to the dynotune???

Thanks Gonzo