C5 horsepower upgrade
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C5 horsepower upgrade
Hello everyone. I am a new member but not new to being a fan of corvettes. I own a 1999 C5 convertible LS1 350hp and would like more horsepower. What is the best bolt on product too add an addtional 50 horse or more. Thanks for your input.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: the woodlands texas
bolting on 50hp isnt exactly 'easy' nor can be done with one product.
you can choose a combo of any of these to get you there.
- vararam intake
- 90 throttle body
- FAST 90mm intake or larger
- decent set of long tube headers, xpipe, and free flowing catback setup
- tune
none are really going to do 50hp alone, biggest gains will be from the headers and a tune. prolly close to 45 on a real good day.
none of the above listed are cheap.
or you could go internal and get a set of heads and a nice cam. 75hp would be pretty simple. then that comes with a whole list of negatives you may not want to deal with.
you can choose a combo of any of these to get you there.
- vararam intake
- 90 throttle body
- FAST 90mm intake or larger
- decent set of long tube headers, xpipe, and free flowing catback setup
- tune
none are really going to do 50hp alone, biggest gains will be from the headers and a tune. prolly close to 45 on a real good day.
none of the above listed are cheap.
or you could go internal and get a set of heads and a nice cam. 75hp would be pretty simple. then that comes with a whole list of negatives you may not want to deal with.
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
Headers, CAI, and a tune (for me it was LG Pro, Honker, and Tune) will get you there, but you're looking at spending around $1500 - $3000 if you buy new.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
^^I think you can get close to your goal by adding cold air induction (CAI), headers + Z06 Ti exhaust, and a tune. Might get you 35 to 40 hp, and a more responsive and lighter car. Probably save 40 to 50 lbs on exhaust system.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: Houston TEXAS
I'd go with an AM exhaust though. See which sound you like best. Plenty of vids with audio of different cat back sys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,294
Likes: 1,527
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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bolting on 50hp isnt exactly 'easy' nor can be done with one product.
you can choose a combo of any of these to get you there.
- vararam intake
- 90 throttle body
- FAST 90mm intake or larger
- decent set of long tube headers, xpipe, and free flowing catback setup
- tune
none are really going to do 50hp alone, biggest gains will be from the headers and a tune. prolly close to 45 on a real good day.
none of the above listed are cheap.
or you could go internal and get a set of heads and a nice cam. 75hp would be pretty simple. then that comes with a whole list of negatives you may not want to deal with.
you can choose a combo of any of these to get you there.
- vararam intake
- 90 throttle body
- FAST 90mm intake or larger
- decent set of long tube headers, xpipe, and free flowing catback setup
- tune
none are really going to do 50hp alone, biggest gains will be from the headers and a tune. prolly close to 45 on a real good day.
none of the above listed are cheap.
or you could go internal and get a set of heads and a nice cam. 75hp would be pretty simple. then that comes with a whole list of negatives you may not want to deal with.
I hate to break your ballon but if your 99 is stock,
you have 345 hp. You will fighting for another 5 hp,
and each and every hp is expensive. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Always make sure the mods you put on now, will be the ones you can grow with, and not replace. As an example, if you choose to get headers, consider getting the larger diameter ones like 1-7/8" vs 1-3/4". This will give you a benefit if you ever go forced induction. That is what I did early on, and am glad I did it!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
LT's with highflow cats, LS6 Intake, CAI and a Ti muffler set from a Z06.
You need to look at long term here. If could go back I would pull the trigger on a FI set-up, likley turbo. Hey Turbo a TT set-up like APS is Bolt-on...
Lastly a word from and addict. It only starts at "I want an extra 50RWHP" and grows out of control from there.
You need to look at long term here. If could go back I would pull the trigger on a FI set-up, likley turbo. Hey Turbo a TT set-up like APS is Bolt-on...
Lastly a word from and addict. It only starts at "I want an extra 50RWHP" and grows out of control from there.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
Always make sure the mods you put on now, will be the ones you can grow with, and not replace. As an example, if you choose to get headers, consider getting the larger diameter ones like 1-7/8" vs 1-3/4". This will give you a benefit if you ever go forced induction. That is what I did early on, and am glad I did it!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Mo
Of course, but if more mods are coming, like heads/cam or turbos/Supercharger/Nitrous, 1 7/8" is the best choice.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
