Happy New year to you all!
I am starting to plan some changes to my 99 coupe. I am planning to install a performance intake and change out the exhaust. I am looking for as much horsepower boost I can get yet still be able to speak to my wife as we cruise down the highway.
My questions are:
What intake will provide the biggest bang for the buck, I have been told by my local shop to go with a blackhawk intake?
Regarding exhaust, I think I am sold on the Corsa pacecar with X pipe. Should I go with headers? If so why, I have no experience with headers at all.
If you have experience with some of the brands I mentioned and feel strongly for another, please add your comments.
Any suggestions on where to purchase to get the best price will also be appreciated.
This is the greatest forum

 

I just went through a similar mod upgrade to my 2000 FRC.

It had a Halltech CAI and Corsa Pace Car Exhaust. Ran good but just no attitude..... sounded ok..better than stock but again NO Pazzazzzz.

So I planned a few nice add-ons. A set of LG street long tubes system, a B&B Bullet 4" Dual exhaust, and some suspension pieces..AND a Baby Comp Cam.

All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOWWWWWWWWWW.

I picked up the car today.

Yes, do an X-Pipe, CAI and nice Exhaust system......

 

Most CAI systems all perform very similar---If you live in an emissions state--then you need to get one that has the CARB sticker so you won't have any problems with the test--Even if you don't--the CARB certified ones to me are made better--Same for headers--In Emmisions
states the long tubes are illegal--but you still may be able to use them as many smog shops overlook them because they are hidden so well--Shorty headers are legal but don't perform--Buy your cat-back for the sound--again most are all the same in HP gains--regardless of what the manufacturers say--choose looks ,sound and quality--

 

I have an 02 ZO6 with a complete 3" Stainless Works system and Stainless Works 1 3/4" primary headers with high flow cats and an X pipe and a VARARAM intake.

Purchase a CAT BACK exhaust for SOUND preference ONLY. Your NOT going to see a significant HP increase from one aftermarket set up tham another.

My 3 cents, Headers are a must for any significant mod up grade! Get a good 1 3/4" primary set of LONG TUBE SS headers!

I have RANDOM High flow CATs

I have very little in cabin drone (thats what makes an exhaust system untolerable!!! )

I have had numerous people tell me that they really like the sound of my exhaust. It not excessively loud but sounds very good! I always recommend riding/driving a car with simular MODs that you have /will have an aftermarket exhaust to see what it sounds like. If you like COPY IT!

Too many people have had 6-8 exhaust systems on their car before they found the right one.

BC

 

Blackwing CAI is a good choice and simple to install. But to get the full advantage of the CAI you will need to cut a hole in the shroud under the BW and install a cover like the IceBox over the top of the BW so it will get trye cold air from under the car and not just from under the hood in the engine. Install the LS6 intake. Next a set of headers i.e. LG street, Kooks or American Racing Headers. If you don't want "drone" inside the car, I'd recommend the Ti cat back mufflers. The reason is that with long tube headers, hi-flow cats and "X" pipe the sound will wake up the sound of the mufflers and may be too loud. These MODS and a good tune you may pick up 35 HP. My .02

Sleeper

 

IF $$ is tight this is the way to go....

1) Get a CAI off ebay..should only be like $40. They are all the same, just the brand logo you are paying for and maybe like .5hp
2) The the SS Autochrome "ebay headers" Do a search...ton of information. $400 installed.
3) I didn't touch my catback as Ive heard theres no point power-wise and I believe it.
4) Get 3.42 gears from a Z. You can get ring and pinions for around $150-200 used if you look around
5) Cam that b****. I just picked up a TR224r for $175...thats cheap but it can be done.

You are looking at about $800 in parts hopefully you can do your own labor. This will net you round 55rwhp id say (15 headers, 5 intake, 35 cam, thats all being modest) along with a great seat of the pants feel from the gears...it will feel like you gained 100 hp.

 

Thanks for responding, when you reference TI Cat back what brand is TI?

 

[QUOTE=Bill Curlee;1563360142]I have an 02 ZO6 with a complete 3" Stainless Works system and Stainless Works 1 3/4" primary headers with high flow cats and an X pipe and a VARARAM intake.

I see that there is company offering the VARARAM intake for $309 shipped. I am on the verge of ordering, are you happy with yours or would you go another direction?

 

The Ti exhaust he is referring to is the stock Z06 titanium catback exhaust that you can find in the C5 Parts section on this forum (or at www.z06vette.com) for approx. $400. It offers a good trade-off between the "no sound" (stock C5) and the louder aftermarket systems.

 

C5 ZO6 Ti off my 02 Z:










They weigh 16 lbs each vise the 25 of the regular stock mufflers.

BC

 

As you can clearly see from the posts in this thread, there is no "best" intake and exhaust. There are as many opinions as there are people who own Corvettes. My .02;

INTAKE FILTERS

Almost all aftermarket cold air intakes net about the same increase in horsepower (manufacturers claim anywhere from 10 to 18 hp - most overquote). The local guy that recommended the BlackWING (not Blackhawk) intake is recommending one that has a good reputation, it's easy to install, nets as high if not higher hp than the others. That's what I have. You'll like it. Like most, it has to be periodically cleaned and re-oiled depending on how dusty the conditions are you drive it in. More precisely is called the SLP Donaldson Blackwing. Go to SLP's website - they're the primary source for this item. Someone above posted that you have to cut a hole in the radiator shroud - not quite true. Many people do that (look for something call the Air Force box - it's just a housing to cover the filter and force air from the radiator area into the filter). But you don't have to cut a hole in the radiator shroud if you open up the aft end of the plastic housings that the fog lights are protruding through. You can either cut those yourself (Z06 screens are popular to dress this up after cutting), or you can find aftermarket replacement housings that already have holes cut in them. This allows a direct air path into the area where the filter resides. It doesn't actually "force" air into the filter, but then again, it's not stealing cooling air from your radiator either.

INTAKE MANIFOLD

Your vehicle is probably early enough in C5 model year that it has the original intake manifold on it that was only offered on coupes and convertibles. The first year or so of the Z06, it had a better flowing intake manifold, but the coupe and convertible still got the original. Around 2001 (do some searches on this forum, I'm not sure of the actual year), GM replaced the intake manifold with the better flowing Z06 intake on ALL Corvettes (even the coupes and convertibles). You can find one of these used here or on ebay, or a new one can be bought for about $400. Good for about 15hp. Easy to install.

HEADERS

Long tube headers (which move the location of the catalytic converters) are illegal in ALL USA states, not just the ones that do smog checks as quoted above. Some states do NOT have annual inspections. So many owners in those states install them even though they are illegal. The reason why so many people take that risk is because they add about 20hp (depending on which manufacturer you want to believe). Shorty headers, as long as they retain all the smog equipment accomodations, and do NOT move the location of the stock cats are NOT illegal. They are not as popular because they only add about half the hp as long tubes - although it is NOT zero, as claimed above.

EXHAUST

There are so many aftermarket cat back exhausts that it just comes down to personal preference. They all claim 10 to 18hp gain. Nobody believes those numbers, but actual numbers are generally accepted to be about half what the manufacturers claim. If you want more flow, without drone or resonance, you should be looking at Corsa. They actually own the patent for low frequency reflective sound cancellation (Bose stereo owns the high frequency patent) and put alot of effort into getting higher flow than stock with zero drone. If you want even better flow and can stand a little more noise, you should be looking at Borla, Magnaflow, Stainless Works, etc. General rule of thumb is, if the mufflers look similar to the stock ones, there is less noise, but also less flow. The ones that have either a very small muffler or not one at all have the best performance, but are VERY loud. It all depends on what you want (and what your neighbors will let you get away with). The quieter ones are more expensive (around $1200), the louder ones are cheaper ($600 to $800).

Hope this helps.

 

[QUOTE=Bell;1563384837]As you can clearly see from the posts in this thread, there is no "best" intake and exhaust. There are as many opinions as there are people who own Corvettes. My .02;

INTAKE FILTERS

Almost all aftermarket cold air intakes net about the same increase in horsepower (manufacturers claim anywhere from 10 to 18 hp - most overquote). The local guy that recommended the BlackWING (not Blackhawk) intake is recommending one that has a good reputation, it's easy to install, nets as high if not higher hp than the others. That's what I have. You'll like it. Like most, it has to be periodically cleaned and re-oiled depending on how dusty the conditions are you drive it in. More precisely is called the SLP Donaldson Blackwing. Go to SLP's website - they're the primary source for this item. Someone above posted that you have to cut a hole in the radiator shroud - not quite true. Many people do that (look for something call the Air Force box - it's just a housing to cover the filter and force air from the radiator area into the filter). But you don't have to cut a hole in the radiator shroud if you open up the aft end of the plastic housings that the fog lights are protruding through. You can either cut those yourself (Z06 screens are popular to dress this up after cutting), or you can find aftermarket replacement housings that already have holes cut in them. This allows a direct air path into the area where the filter resides. It doesn't actually "force" air into the filter, but then again, it's not stealing cooling air from your radiator either.

INTAKE MANIFOLD

Your vehicle is probably early enough in C5 model year that it has the original intake manifold on it that was only offered on coupes and convertibles. The first year or so of the Z06, it had a better flowing intake manifold, but the coupe and convertible still got the original. Around 2001 (do some searches on this forum, I'm not sure of the actual year), GM replaced the intake manifold with the better flowing Z06 intake on ALL Corvettes (even the coupes and convertibles). You can find one of these used here or on ebay, or a new one can be bought for about $400. Good for about 15hp. Easy to install.

Thanks for all the good advice, I really appreciate it.
I think I am going to go with the Black Wing this week and decide on the header muffler question a little later. Maryland does do emissions testing every two years. My last vette (98 coupe) they simply let me through because they had too much trouble with the height of the car on the dyno.
I am pretty sold on the corsa pace car exhaust with the x pipe, I like the sound of that system but it seems a shame to do all this and not install headers at the same time.
Thanks for the heads up on the intake manifold, I will look deeper into this adjustment as well.
Thanks,
Paul

 

[QUOTE=Bill Curlee;1563383050]C5 ZO6 Ti off my 02 Z:




The pics are great, Thanks for posting them!

 

[QUOTE=Bell;1563384837]As you can clearly see from the posts in this thread, there is no "best" intake and exhaust. There are as many opinions as there are people who own Corvettes. My .02;

INTAKE FILTERS

Almost all aftermarket cold air intakes net about the same increase in horsepower (manufacturers claim anywhere from 10 to 18 hp - most overquote). The local guy that recommended the BlackWING (not Blackhawk) intake is recommending one that has a good reputation, it's easy to install, nets as high if not higher hp than the others. That's what I have. You'll like it. Like most, it has to be periodically cleaned and re-oiled depending on how dusty the conditions are you drive it in. More precisely is called the SLP Donaldson Blackwing. Go to SLP's website - they're the primary source for this item. Someone above posted that you have to cut a hole in the radiator shroud - not quite true. Many people do that (look for something call the Air Force box - it's just a housing to cover the filter and force air from the radiator area into the filter). But you don't have to cut a hole in the radiator shroud if you open up the aft end of the plastic housings that the fog lights are protruding through. You can either cut those yourself (Z06 screens are popular to dress this up after cutting), or you can find aftermarket replacement housings that already have holes cut in them. This allows a direct air path into the area where the filter resides. It doesn't actually "force" air into the filter, but then again, it's not stealing cooling air from your radiator either.

I took a quick look at SLP and they show the Black Wing Flow Pac. This is the
Cold-Air Package, 1997-04 Corvette "FlowPac this combines the Blackwing™ Cold-Air Induction System and C5 Smooth Bellows to create a single, jointly engineered package. worth up to 23 horsepower over stock. Will I need any other parts to install this system? Does this filter fit into or replace the stock filter box.
Thanks

 

The Blackwing will NOT fit into the stock filter housing. You will have to remove the stock filter housing and replace it entirely with the Blackwing. The Blackwing element will simply be exposed in the same area. Nearly all of the other aftermarket CAI filters are the same (don't fit in the stock housing and are exposed).

 

get CAI, throttle body, ls6 manifold if your car is older than 01. long tubes, and a tune, gears too if you want, boom your car will be a beast.

 

on my 98 A4, i have an ls6 intake manifold, vararam air intake, z06 rear with the 3.42's, 2600 stall and corsa touring mufflers. the car runs 12.50's all day long, sounds throaty at idle, although a quiet throaty, but at wot, the best explanation of sound is like a nascar with boomtubes. also, it is tuned and the trans shift points were reset. no headers (yet) and no drone. not a lot of money in mods, but great seat of the pants feel, especially with the converter. the car dynoed with 307 hp at the tires but it probably puts 3-5 more hp at speed with the vararam. mileage is down from stock around town due to the converter, and on the highway due to the gears, but not bad, it's averaging 16mpg but i'm on the throttle often!
i agree that it's best to find forum members in your area with different exhaust's on their cars to listen to, to get an idea for your own car.
hope that helps

 

on my 99 A4 vert, I added the Varam intake, AR long-tube headers, x-pipe, and two high flow cats.

I had my car dyno'ed before and after:

Before mods: 275 HP / 277 ft-lbs Torque
After mods: 307 HP / 320 ft-lbs Torque

Decide for yourself if it was worth it!

 

Lots of options.

Blackwing CAI, and a good exhaust as others mentioned above ( Corsa )- leave stock headers, cats and H-pipe- and a great dyno tune will get you more out of what you have. $1,200 - $1,500 total.

A few more ponies, car runs smoother and more efficient and not too much louder in the cabin for the wife. but put the right foot down and you will hear the difference.

 

If you do a search, you will find that the Vararam( which I have and love), or the Callaway Honker are the two intakes which give the most seat of the pants (SOTP) performance improvement.
Catback exhausts, as mentioned before will not add HP, just change the sound.
Headers and a cam will improve HP.Depending on your present rear( 2.73 or 3.15, in an A4, or 3.42 in an M6) a gear swap will definitely be a great performance mod ( my car will be going into the shop for 3.42's as soon as the weather clears up here). Do a search based on whether you have an A4 or M6, and what your goals are.Most A4's go to a 3.42 unles you already have the 3.15( then it's not worth it to change). M6 owners usually go with 3.90's or 4.10's but find out what limitations each change brings with the HP gain.A cam also works great, but there are many ways you can go.
With any of this stuff, a good tune from a well known shop is a must.
The best advice is to check the section for your local events ( northeast for you) post an inquiry, and see if you can find people with the mods you want.Do lots of searches for posts on each mod. Then see them in person. Most forum members are more than happy to share, and will let you have a ride to see what the mods do in the real world, on real cars. Then it's up to you as far as how much money you have, and how fast you want to go.