C5 mods/bolt-ons help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 24
From: Leavenworth, KS
C5 mods/bolt-ons help
Hello all, I am new to the forum. My 97 bone stock automatic C5 is new to me (bought last month). My question is what bolt-on's and mods can I do to produce a mid to low 12 sec 1/4 drag car but also use as a daily driver so I want to have good streetability. There are so many products out there, what is the best combo I can put together to achieve my goal? Any input will be greatley appreciated my ceiling for cost is around 3,000.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 260
From: Jamison Pa
St. Jude Donor '11-'25
Mods!
Welcome,
First item! Mods are addicting, it's like eating chips, you can't just have one!
A cold air induction package, small cam, heads, and headers/cat back will get you there very easy. A high stall torque converter also would help. If you do the work yourself you might be able to stay within your budget (you can get some great deals from other members/supporting vendors).
Another easy way is to change your rear drive ratio. Going to a 3:73/3:90/4:10 rear. This is going to give you a great seat of the pants feeling.
BTW fill out your profile so people can make suggestions about supporting vendors who might be local to you.
Bob K.
First item! Mods are addicting, it's like eating chips, you can't just have one!
A cold air induction package, small cam, heads, and headers/cat back will get you there very easy. A high stall torque converter also would help. If you do the work yourself you might be able to stay within your budget (you can get some great deals from other members/supporting vendors).
Another easy way is to change your rear drive ratio. Going to a 3:73/3:90/4:10 rear. This is going to give you a great seat of the pants feeling.
BTW fill out your profile so people can make suggestions about supporting vendors who might be local to you.
Bob K.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: Norco La.
Welcome,
I bought my 97 a couple of months ago and have pretty much the same goals. My car went 13.4X stock on a humid night in the 90*'s . Here's what I've done so far:
Culumn lock bypass- a must (read the sticky)
160* thermostat- optional
Borla Stingers- Sounds alot better
Vararam B2- Makes a good difference, cheap quality
Next are TSP headers which should be here today
After that I'm gonna put a converter and keep the stock gears.
Cam of choice
Besides a few more mods (ls6 intake, crank pully,tune) this "recipe" should get in the 11's on tires
I bought my 97 a couple of months ago and have pretty much the same goals. My car went 13.4X stock on a humid night in the 90*'s . Here's what I've done so far:
Culumn lock bypass- a must (read the sticky)
160* thermostat- optional
Borla Stingers- Sounds alot better
Vararam B2- Makes a good difference, cheap quality
Next are TSP headers which should be here today
After that I'm gonna put a converter and keep the stock gears.
Cam of choice
Besides a few more mods (ls6 intake, crank pully,tune) this "recipe" should get in the 11's on tires
Vettaholic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Wherever I drive my vette
Step by step...
I suggest a step by step approach allowing you to get to know your car, avoid investing in useless stuff, and if you plan on doing it yourself as I do, you will have confidence and accumulate the right knowledge.
So here's a list...
1) cold air induction: easy, rewarding
2) catback: easy, you get to learn how to raise the car, work your way around underneath, and so on; nice sound, a few ponies extra
3) headers: will give a significant boost in SOTP, work your way in the engine bay, and so on
4) next you got to decide if you want head/cam/tune or forced induction. Personally I feel that a Vette should remain a naturally aspirated design (no offence meant to all fellow CF members who took the other route) so I plan to get one of these. Make sure you have a tuner not too far, you will need.
5) Check out the Grond Chronicles, to see where this modding thing can lead you ! Not for the faint hearted !
In addition for true performance minded people who know that performance isn't only engine, you can do a big brake kit, plug in a Z06 suspension package, put in a monster stereo setup, etc
Have fun and tell us from time to time where you are on this project
So here's a list...
1) cold air induction: easy, rewarding
2) catback: easy, you get to learn how to raise the car, work your way around underneath, and so on; nice sound, a few ponies extra
3) headers: will give a significant boost in SOTP, work your way in the engine bay, and so on
4) next you got to decide if you want head/cam/tune or forced induction. Personally I feel that a Vette should remain a naturally aspirated design (no offence meant to all fellow CF members who took the other route) so I plan to get one of these. Make sure you have a tuner not too far, you will need.
5) Check out the Grond Chronicles, to see where this modding thing can lead you ! Not for the faint hearted !
In addition for true performance minded people who know that performance isn't only engine, you can do a big brake kit, plug in a Z06 suspension package, put in a monster stereo setup, etc
Have fun and tell us from time to time where you are on this project
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
With an Auto car I say that a Stall and gear change are a MUST. This sadly will likely eat up the 3K you have marked and may only net mid 12's. A fellow member has an 01 with only a Zip Tie mod and 3:42 gear change has managed a best of 12.95.
With the above LT headers and Dr's should put into the lower limits of the 12's.
With the above LT headers and Dr's should put into the lower limits of the 12's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
Originally Posted by ROJO99
With an Auto car I say that a Stall and gear change are a MUST. This sadly will likely eat up the 3K you have marked and may only net mid 12's. A fellow member has an 01 with only a Zip Tie mod and 3:42 gear change has managed a best of 12.95.
With the above LT headers and Dr's should put into the lower limits of the 12's.
With the above LT headers and Dr's should put into the lower limits of the 12's.
TC and gears will make a LOT of difference!
If you shop around, you can do both (at the same time of course) for around $1500. Add headers and a vararam and you'll be cooking
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 24
From: Leavenworth, KS
Thanks for all the info. I did some research and came up with the same ideas. If I do not do the cam/heads right away what type of Torque Converter should I use I was thinking yank3000 and rear end gear around 3.7. thanks again for all the useful info. Whats the zip tie mod????
Last edited by OIF2XVET; Jul 6, 2006 at 01:31 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 61
From: montreal quebec
these are my result
stock car was 2.73 car did a mid to high 13
450$ for a tci ssf3500 stall
500$ for a used 3.42 diff
100 $ vette doctors mail tune
car did 12.75 at 111mph
added texas speed headers removed cats $700 plus $500insatll
added ported tb $100
added ls6 intake $300
added mt 275.40.17 drag radials $450
car did 12.35 @110
personal if i was to do it again i would have gone with a bigger stall like 4000 and more gear 3.73 and a dry 100 shot car would be easy in the 11's
forget the ls6 intake its a waste unless going to heads and cam later ...
pulley is also to much labour to pay if thats all u are doing wait for h&c
Headers are nice but if you are paying labour on the instal its to much money for the gains..again unless you are going for heads and cam later
stock car was 2.73 car did a mid to high 13
450$ for a tci ssf3500 stall
500$ for a used 3.42 diff
100 $ vette doctors mail tune
car did 12.75 at 111mph
added texas speed headers removed cats $700 plus $500insatll
added ported tb $100
added ls6 intake $300
added mt 275.40.17 drag radials $450
car did 12.35 @110
personal if i was to do it again i would have gone with a bigger stall like 4000 and more gear 3.73 and a dry 100 shot car would be easy in the 11's
forget the ls6 intake its a waste unless going to heads and cam later ...
pulley is also to much labour to pay if thats all u are doing wait for h&c
Headers are nice but if you are paying labour on the instal its to much money for the gains..again unless you are going for heads and cam later
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 61
From: montreal quebec
these are my results
stock car was 2.73 car did a mid to high 13
450$ for a tci ssf3500 stall
500$ for a used 3.42 diff
100 $ vette doctors mail tune
car did 12.75 at 111mph
added texas speed headers removed cats $700 plus $500insatll
added ported tb $100
added ls6 intake $300
added mt 275.40.17 drag radials $450
car did 12.35 @110
personal if i was to do it again i would have gone with a bigger stall like 4000 and more gear 3.73 and a dry 100 shot car would be easy in the 11's
forget the ls6 intake its a waste unless going to heads and cam later ...
pulley is also to much labour to pay if thats all u are doing wait for h&c
Headers are nice but if you are paying labour on the instal its to much money for the gains..again unless you are going for heads and cam later
stock car was 2.73 car did a mid to high 13
450$ for a tci ssf3500 stall
500$ for a used 3.42 diff
100 $ vette doctors mail tune
car did 12.75 at 111mph
added texas speed headers removed cats $700 plus $500insatll
added ported tb $100
added ls6 intake $300
added mt 275.40.17 drag radials $450
car did 12.35 @110
personal if i was to do it again i would have gone with a bigger stall like 4000 and more gear 3.73 and a dry 100 shot car would be easy in the 11's
forget the ls6 intake its a waste unless going to heads and cam later ...
pulley is also to much labour to pay if thats all u are doing wait for h&c
Headers are nice but if you are paying labour on the instal its to much money for the gains..again unless you are going for heads and cam later
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: Norco La.
Looks like the biggest gains are from the gears and the converter, which has me reconsidering sticking with the 3.15's.
Wonder why you didn't see any gains from the headers? Got a part number on that converter?
Wonder why you didn't see any gains from the headers? Got a part number on that converter?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
Not real familar but this is my take on the ZIP TIE MOD. Using the stock Air Box install a K&N airfilter the use nylon Zip ties to hold the filter inplace.
Some people drill a series of 1 to 2 inch holes in the factory Lid along with a K&N airfilter.
Besure to drill the LID only if you go with option 2.
If you get a chance to look at the factory airbox you will be amazed. In my 99 there where only 4 small holes for air to travel into to feed the engine. I was horrified, but then agian the factory design must pass many federal standards related to noise, polution and many other things.
Good luck and get us some before and after results.
Some people drill a series of 1 to 2 inch holes in the factory Lid along with a K&N airfilter.
Besure to drill the LID only if you go with option 2.
If you get a chance to look at the factory airbox you will be amazed. In my 99 there where only 4 small holes for air to travel into to feed the engine. I was horrified, but then agian the factory design must pass many federal standards related to noise, polution and many other things.
Good luck and get us some before and after results.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 24
From: Leavenworth, KS
It looks like I will be going with a Yank 3000 Torque converter and higher gears. Some one asked about a part No# for the TC just go to Yank website and they have all the info. Prices range from $454-$670. Also I am deployed to Iraq and won't be home for about 3 more months. When I get back to Michigan I plan on an initial dyno, then I will add everything Dyno again and post my results. Thanks for all the great info again.
Cruising
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by OIF2XVET
Hello all, I am new to the forum. My 97 bone stock automatic C5 is new to me (bought last month). My question is what bolt-on's and mods can I do to produce a mid to low 12 sec 1/4 drag car but also use as a daily driver so I want to have good streetability. There are so many products out there, what is the best combo I can put together to achieve my goal? Any input will be greatley appreciated my ceiling for cost is around 3,000.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
Originally Posted by 5 USA
There are big variations between individual models of apparently identical cars. My stock 99 auto has always been curiously quick. Last week I ran a PB of 12.27 @ 104 on a dry track at sea level in UK. An identical car with light modification (Vararam only) ran 12.20. It's good these early Vettes with modest bhp and granny-tranny are so quick!
A Stock 99 running 12.27@104
I need to see this one run.