Best "bang for the buck" mods?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Little Elm, TX
Best "bang for the buck" mods?
Already bought the Vararam but yet to install it. Thought about LS6 manifold, LS1 edit, Predator Programmer. Looking mainly for things that can be removed to go back to stock if needed. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
LS1 Edit will buy you very little with a stock car. If you have a A4, then the Predator is a good buy used. LS6 manifold is not a good use of your money - 5rwhp if you are lucky.
Best "bang for your buck" but can go back to stock easily? ZEX 75-100hp Wetshot Nitrous Oxide system. Under $500 for 100hp.
EG
Best "bang for your buck" but can go back to stock easily? ZEX 75-100hp Wetshot Nitrous Oxide system. Under $500 for 100hp.
EG
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 2
From: McKinney TX
Originally Posted by HmnRcn
Already bought the Vararam but yet to install it. Thought about LS6 manifold, LS1 edit, Predator Programmer. Looking mainly for things that can be removed to go back to stock if needed. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
depends how much money you want to spend really
nitrous is the cheapest HP per dollar, period.
headers are a good addition, but IMO don't do anything too extordinary without a decent cam and a little head porting
nitrous is the cheapest HP per dollar, period.
headers are a good addition, but IMO don't do anything too extordinary without a decent cam and a little head porting
USMC (retired)
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 7
From: Wimauma FL
Originally Posted by BAD_TCR
Might want to rethink the LS6 intake...pretty sure your 02 came with one. Other than what EG listed, and those will take you up in numbers fast, I would say a good set of headers will make quite a difference.
That is one mean lookin rear end.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Little Elm, TX
Its an MN6 so I can't see that I would get that much gain from the Predator or any other programmer. I could be wrong though. I also have a question about a couple of products I have seen from Mid America. Does anyone have any experience with the "Acrilyc Plate" that supposedly "rifles" air into your TB or the cone that slips into your TB allowing better airflow?
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Yes, but guys he wants to "go back to stock if needed". That would suggest the simplest bolt ons for the least effort, labour cost and modification.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 19
From: Streamwood illinois
you will lose a second and 4-5 mph w/ the following mods w/a 6 spd. Drag radials, 4.10s and a vararam. Cant ask for more bang for the buck then that. I tried an ls6 intake, 1.8 roller rockers, long tubes etc, none really helped that much > LTs helped more then the others though
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Originally Posted by HmnRcn
... Thought about LS6 manifold, LS1 edit, Predator Programmer. Looking mainly for things that can be removed to go back to stock if needed.
You should gain roughly 20 hp with the VaraRam.
I'd skip the Predator / LS1-Edit with your mods, it just isn't necessary at your power level, especially with an M6.
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Anything in the first 5 pages of Mid America is usually a joke. they all claim 5-10 HP increases so theoretically, a TB bypass,a thermostat, an air filter, smooth bellows, plug wires, blah blah blah should add 50 hp right?
I started with a full head to bumper exhaust, FLP longtubes, x-pipe and cats with Corsas and it ran low 12's@112. There really isno bang for the buck with C5's. The parts are all $$$ when you look at C3 or C4 stuff.
I started with a full head to bumper exhaust, FLP longtubes, x-pipe and cats with Corsas and it ran low 12's@112. There really isno bang for the buck with C5's. The parts are all $$$ when you look at C3 or C4 stuff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Cat back free flowing exhaust is reportedly worth 15-17 hp and costs about $700-$1000. The opening on the stock airbox is about 1 square inch and to small, so upgrading to the Z06 airbox which has about 4 times that opening should add about 5hp for about $75. I did the mod and expanded the opening considerably more. Those 2 mods did give me SOP gains. Other than these for a 2001+ 6 speed the best mod would be a 4:10 rear which is, as stated above, not removable but also not necessary to remove for resale IMO. The 6 speed nicely accomodates the 4:10 gears and very noticable acceleration incress.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by HmnRcn
Thanks for all the info. Does anyone run an MSD ignition?