Most Cost Effective LS1 Performance Mods
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
I'm in Kaulifornia, and long tube headers are hard to smog. For the same money(I had it installed), I put in a 3.90 rear axle from DynoTech Engineering.
HP is the same, but the low end torque is unreal. I did a before and after 10-60mph test and it went down .9 secs. That's HUGE.
But there's nothing like the sound of a good exhaust with LT headers.
Good luck.
HP is the same, but the low end torque is unreal. I did a before and after 10-60mph test and it went down .9 secs. That's HUGE.
But there's nothing like the sound of a good exhaust with LT headers.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 1
From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
LS6 is less than $5200! Try $3600 for a longblock, but no you do not have to pull engine for cam swap.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
Total $1142
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers for $695
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $197
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune $250
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
What do you guys think about this set-up? Is this the best way to spend $1200 on performance parts?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
When the bolt ons are there as well, that may be good for an additional 10.
LS6 with the RIGHT tune, ~ 370-375 hp, with 100 octane 380-385 hp
LS6 with all the bolts on the world, No turbo or N2 and not going inside the engine, with out tune 350, with tune 380-385.
all rwhp.
wont see 400 rwhp with out a cam and head work
for an LS1, take out ~ 30 hp less, do the LS1 cam and valves
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
1st I'd do the CAI and Cat-Back exhuast!
No need for bigger injectors unless you get a Cam change and Heads!
Then I would do Long Tube headers with Hi-Flow Cats and a Dyno Tune!
This would net you the most and is cost effective
Thanks,Matt
No need for bigger injectors unless you get a Cam change and Heads!
Then I would do Long Tube headers with Hi-Flow Cats and a Dyno Tune!
This would net you the most and is cost effective
Thanks,Matt
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
absolute is possible. The GOOD tuner will get more out of stock set up then all the bolt ons.
When the bolt ons are there as well, that may be good for an additional 10.
LS6 with the RIGHT tune, ~ 370-375 hp, with 100 octane 380-385 hp
LS6 with all the bolts on the world, No turbo or N2 and not going inside the engine, with out tune 350, with tune 380-385.
all rwhp.
wont see 400 rwhp with out a cam and head work
for an LS1, take out ~ 30 hp less, do the LS1 cam and valves
When the bolt ons are there as well, that may be good for an additional 10.
LS6 with the RIGHT tune, ~ 370-375 hp, with 100 octane 380-385 hp
LS6 with all the bolts on the world, No turbo or N2 and not going inside the engine, with out tune 350, with tune 380-385.
all rwhp.
wont see 400 rwhp with out a cam and head work
for an LS1, take out ~ 30 hp less, do the LS1 cam and valves
On an LS6 it might be possible. I think the thread starter has an ls1. I would be very interested in seeing a STOCK c5 LS1 dyno sheet showing a gain of 42.5rwhp off of just a tune. This would equal 50 at the crank. It would of course need to be realistic. I dont know anyone running 100 octane other than FI cars.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
which will give me better performance, a CAT back system or long tube headers. Obviously both would be the best, but let's assume I only have budget for one or the other.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
From: Qualicum Beach British Columbia
What are the most cost effective performance mods to get a 345 hp LS1 to about 400 hp? Assume my time to install parts is worth something too, about $50/hr. Also assume I don't have a lot of free time. NOS is not something I would consider.
What mods should be performed to pick up about 50 hp?
-Cold Air Intake?
-Larger Injectors?
-Aftermarket Programmer?
-Ignition Controller?
-High Flow Cats & Mufflers?
-Other Suggestions?
I appreciate your suggestions.
What mods should be performed to pick up about 50 hp?
-Cold Air Intake?
-Larger Injectors?
-Aftermarket Programmer?
-Ignition Controller?
-High Flow Cats & Mufflers?
-Other Suggestions?
I appreciate your suggestions.
I am counting the day's until I order a set ( 5-600.00 ) and get them installed ( 800-1000.00 ). I was just in the same car as mine 2002 vert with 6sp and those gears felt like another 100 hp at the wheels.
For about 1600.00 its the best money for the WOW factor!
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
If you're going to buy headers, get a header & x-pipe package
American Racing
Kooks
LG Motorsports
All make quality stuff.
As far as a Cat-back, get what ever sound you like to hear. The stock Z06 Ti performs very well and you can buy used sets here. For that matter, you can buy any brand used here if you are patient.
Also get a vararam air intake (or what ever you personal choice is.)
There are several good shops that you can send your computer to and they will retune it and send it back to you. Not quite as good as a dyno tune, but pretty darn close. It's usually about $150 -$200 for the service
Enjoy your car and good luck with the mods
American Racing
Kooks
LG Motorsports
All make quality stuff.
As far as a Cat-back, get what ever sound you like to hear. The stock Z06 Ti performs very well and you can buy used sets here. For that matter, you can buy any brand used here if you are patient.
Also get a vararam air intake (or what ever you personal choice is.)
There are several good shops that you can send your computer to and they will retune it and send it back to you. Not quite as good as a dyno tune, but pretty darn close. It's usually about $150 -$200 for the service
Enjoy your car and good luck with the mods
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
If you're considering headers in the future, just be careful which catback you get. I went with Corsa Xtremes which sounded great with the stock manifolds/cats, but are borderline obnoxious with th AR longtubes and x-pipe. Idle is only slightly louder, but once you get into the powerband, they can wake the dead.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Get yourself a good set of mufflers and start building from there it is a perfect starting point
Thanks,Matt
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 5
FWIW
Dont see the point in running race gas unless you have high compression. Especially given the cost of it!
I put down 341 horse in an A4 with Kooks long tubes, CAI and Tune.
If you want 400 rwhp...you're gonna have to get into heads/cam work NA or FI with stock heads/cam.
If you really want a kick in the pants get a 3200 stall and a 3.42 gear if you have an A4 and it will feel like 100hp SOTP or 3.90 if you have M6.
Dont see the point in running race gas unless you have high compression. Especially given the cost of it!
I put down 341 horse in an A4 with Kooks long tubes, CAI and Tune.
If you want 400 rwhp...you're gonna have to get into heads/cam work NA or FI with stock heads/cam.
If you really want a kick in the pants get a 3200 stall and a 3.42 gear if you have an A4 and it will feel like 100hp SOTP or 3.90 if you have M6.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
You looking for top end or the occasional stop light Gran Prix? For top end, do the things outlined. If for the latter, put in a 3.90 or 4.10 rear end and have the car tuned. You'll need good rubber and probably need to relearn launching to hook up and avoid laying down lots of $ every time you get on the loud pedal hard.
Charlie
Charlie
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
If I skip the CAT-back:
Total $1142
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers for $695
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $197
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune $250
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
What do you guys think about this set-up? Is this the best way to spend $1200 on performance parts?
Total $1142
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers for $695
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $197
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune $250
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
What do you guys think about this set-up? Is this the best way to spend $1200 on performance parts?
Here's a better price for a tune at a place that has more C5 experience. (link)
If you wanted a budget cat-back, you could always pick up a titanium Z06 system for ~$400 that will also save you several pounds and last forever.
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
I think that you have a great place to start. However I added the x-pipe and high flow cats to the header package, and highly recommend them.
Here's a better price for a tune at a place that has more C5 experience. (link)
If you wanted a budget cat-back, you could always pick up a titanium Z06 system for ~$400 that will also save you several pounds and last forever.
Good luck!
Here's a better price for a tune at a place that has more C5 experience. (link)
If you wanted a budget cat-back, you could always pick up a titanium Z06 system for ~$400 that will also save you several pounds and last forever.
Good luck!
Just get a custom tune and don't waste your money on a Mail Order or Hand Held.I have installed a few LG Streets and IMHO its the best header for the money. Fit and Finish are great. You should include the X pipe for a 100% bolt on install. If you do the off road pipe you'll need to have the rear O2s tuned out.