C5 Beginner Mods...whats the list
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
C5 Beginner Mods...whats the list
Ok heard lots of debates....here is what I did/know and what I need to know.
I have a 2002 6 speed
So far mods include:
Corsa Tigershark Pacecar Exhaust
Z06 modified air lid w/K&N and dual vararam takeoff ramair setup.
New GM iridium plugs
New GM performance wires
I would like to do some more bolt on mods....nothing huge, just whatever would be next to compliment what I have done and maybe help the car in the future. I don't have mucho $$$$ right now as I have just moved and my money is all pretty tight.
I would like to get it professionally street tuned, but really don't think with my mods that it would be worth it. If I am wrong please, set me straight.
I have read all the posts about headers and Xpipes and I really can't afford to go down that road right now....just way to $$$$ now.
I can afford little things or things that I can do myself to save on labor.
Any tips, thanks guys.
Jeff
I have a 2002 6 speed
So far mods include:
Corsa Tigershark Pacecar Exhaust
Z06 modified air lid w/K&N and dual vararam takeoff ramair setup.
New GM iridium plugs
New GM performance wires
I would like to do some more bolt on mods....nothing huge, just whatever would be next to compliment what I have done and maybe help the car in the future. I don't have mucho $$$$ right now as I have just moved and my money is all pretty tight.
I would like to get it professionally street tuned, but really don't think with my mods that it would be worth it. If I am wrong please, set me straight.
I have read all the posts about headers and Xpipes and I really can't afford to go down that road right now....just way to $$$$ now.
I can afford little things or things that I can do myself to save on labor.
Any tips, thanks guys.
Jeff
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Riverview FL
With an intake and an exhaust you're next logical step is probably LT headers and then a tune. I've got Magnaflows now and will be installing a vararam this weekend ... then in a couple months i'll be going to lt headers.
Not sure what else you can do, performance wise, that will be relatively inexpensive. Maybe change gears but that isn't cheap either.
Not sure what else you can do, performance wise, that will be relatively inexpensive. Maybe change gears but that isn't cheap either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
IMO there is nothing cheap for LS gen.engines or the car for that matter.
I'll be waiting a while for major mods. Well you could always spruce up the interior. Cheaper than any engine mods
If you can't afford exhaust work there is DIY on gutting out you stock cats for IMO better sound and flowing exhaust
Old famous saying "you got to pay to play"
I'll be waiting a while for major mods. Well you could always spruce up the interior. Cheaper than any engine mods
If you can't afford exhaust work there is DIY on gutting out you stock cats for IMO better sound and flowing exhaust
Old famous saying "you got to pay to play"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
A shifter can make all the difference in the world as far as driving enjoyment goes, and will only run you ~$150 - then anti-venom on top of that is about $.07 and it'll shift like a whole new car...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
Throttlebody
Get ahold of Mark Shaner in Arrlington, Texas and have him send you a ported throttlebody. This will give you better throttle response, maybe alittle added torque and horsepower. Cost is $125. Also bypass the coolant line on the thottlebody when you switch them.
Mark will do a nice job for you.
Roger T
Mark will do a nice job for you.
Roger T
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
sorry, but I have to call BS on this part - throttle body coolant bypass is a myth power mod that won't do any good for you. some people have even routed it wrong and pumped all their coolant into the PCV line...
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
For the DIY mods that you can do with home tools:
- Ported TB
- Shorty headers (most of these can be installed yourself w/o cutting/welding
- LT headers if you're good with the torch
- X pipe
For your performance $ The two best mods have historically been a good set of Headers and a Cam but cam installs can get a bit pricy. ~$800-1500 w/cam
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
On an unmodified engine, is the throttle body mod even worth it? Others have posted on here before with gains so small, it was hardly worth the money. A full exhaust is $$, for what? 30 HP? I agree with the previous post, do the gear, and feel the acceleration : )
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Porting a standard LS1 75mm to 78mm may not seem like much, but it gives you an additional 3 cm^2 of intake cross sectional area. Your Engine will see noticable throttle response especially at lower RPM because you're volumetric effeciency is increasing as a result of lesser restriction in the TB.
Most forum members with ported/aftermarket throttlebodies will tell you the biggest difference is throttle response. While there is a slight HP gain, the proted TB just allows you to reach higher RPMs faster (similar to the overall principle of a high stall torque converter)
Most forum members with ported/aftermarket throttlebodies will tell you the biggest difference is throttle response. While there is a slight HP gain, the proted TB just allows you to reach higher RPMs faster (similar to the overall principle of a high stall torque converter)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
Also as far as I know the stock throttle body flows more air than the stock intake will, so throttle response is likely the only thing you will gain. Instead of porting the throttle body for that response, add a Honker that will relocate the MAF and give you the advantage of a bottom breather CAI - it made a huge difference on mine...
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Also as far as I know the stock throttle body flows more air than the stock intake will, so throttle response is likely the only thing you will gain. Instead of porting the throttle body for that response, add a Honker that will relocate the MAF and give you the advantage of a bottom breather CAI - it made a huge difference on mine...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
it doesn't effect power, but it does effect throttle response. that's why I made the statement cause it was sounding like the main reason for the ported MAF was throttle response, so I recommended just getting a honker that will relocate the MAF for the throttle response and also provide HP by shortening the distance the air needs to travel from outside the car to the motor and providing true cold-air...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
I wish I had an uber scientific explanation for this, but I don't. I read a good explanation a while back and will try to re-iterate it.
As is stock there is some lag time between when you open the throttle plate and when the MAF senses the additional air flow, then adjusts for that flow. When you move the MAF directly in front of the throttle plate it will sense the air change the second the throttle plate changes - and increase throttle response. Wow that was a horrible explanation, I might see if I can find a better one.
FWIW - I noticed a huge difference when I went from a VaraRam to the Honker. Throttle response was crisp and precise compared to the VaraRam, and the engine ran much smoother in the higher RPM's.
As is stock there is some lag time between when you open the throttle plate and when the MAF senses the additional air flow, then adjusts for that flow. When you move the MAF directly in front of the throttle plate it will sense the air change the second the throttle plate changes - and increase throttle response. Wow that was a horrible explanation, I might see if I can find a better one.
FWIW - I noticed a huge difference when I went from a VaraRam to the Honker. Throttle response was crisp and precise compared to the VaraRam, and the engine ran much smoother in the higher RPM's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
Been there done that. Don't waste your money on the little stuff. The gain to cost is not worth it. I would suggest:
1) Vararam
2) Long tube headers
3) Tune
4) Gears
5) This is where it gets fun. Heads/cam, supercharger, turbo, etc.
1) Vararam
2) Long tube headers
3) Tune
4) Gears
5) This is where it gets fun. Heads/cam, supercharger, turbo, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32,269
Likes: 35
From: Somewhere between mild insanity and complete psychosis
I'll say it again.
Corvette Tax is self imposed.
You can get great performance for the dollar if you shop wisely.
DO NOT waste your time with Vararams, throttle bodys, MAFs, airbridges, bypasses, x-pipes, etc.
You've already spent some serious coin on a Corsa exhaust, and your gain in performance was minimal. But that's ok. From here on you're going to shop smartly.
If you want your car to be a basic bolt-on car, the only PERFORMANCE mods you should buy are Headers and gears. Cat-backs are not a performance mod, they are sound only.
From what you have now, you should only add headers and gears if you want just a bolt-ons car.
But you need to decide if that's it, or if you want to go further down the road. Head/Cam? Forced Induction?
Decide NOW where the end point is power wise and whether you want to get there N/A or FI. Then you can map out a plan of exactly what is needed, and you can avoid nickle-and-dimeing yourself to death along the way on useless garbage or even good parts not needed for your plan. Which is exactly where the "Corvette-Tax" myth comes from.
Corvette Tax is self imposed.
You can get great performance for the dollar if you shop wisely.
DO NOT waste your time with Vararams, throttle bodys, MAFs, airbridges, bypasses, x-pipes, etc.
You've already spent some serious coin on a Corsa exhaust, and your gain in performance was minimal. But that's ok. From here on you're going to shop smartly.
If you want your car to be a basic bolt-on car, the only PERFORMANCE mods you should buy are Headers and gears. Cat-backs are not a performance mod, they are sound only.
From what you have now, you should only add headers and gears if you want just a bolt-ons car.
But you need to decide if that's it, or if you want to go further down the road. Head/Cam? Forced Induction?
Decide NOW where the end point is power wise and whether you want to get there N/A or FI. Then you can map out a plan of exactly what is needed, and you can avoid nickle-and-dimeing yourself to death along the way on useless garbage or even good parts not needed for your plan. Which is exactly where the "Corvette-Tax" myth comes from.