So I have had my vette for about 2 months now and all it has performance wise is a K&N CAI. I have been wanting an exhaust since the day I picked it up and Ive decided that I'm just going to do more mods at the same time.

I have been researching every free chance I get but it seems like every brand has there ups and downs just like everything else. So, I'm looking for some advice into what direction to go (brands and such and which combos work the best) since this is all new to me.

As far as mods I'm wanting to do:
-Full exhaust
-Headers
-Intake
-Cam
And thats really it for now unless I come across something else.

Just looking for some advice to get me going in the right direction. I would like to do it all ASAP but, I know that probably wont happen since I'm so busy between school and work.

Thanks

 

What is your budget? Will you be doing your own work?

 

I haven't really decided on a budget yet, at least a few grand. I just got to see where things go. And yes, I will be doing my own work so that will save me a ton.

 

Setting a budget helps everyone provide advice. It will make the difference on new v/s used parts, brand of parts, etc.

 

Check out our super pro header and VR intake combo. You'll notice a big improvement with just these two.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-save-big.html


I'm no expert in cams so I can't help there. I know LG has some nice cams to choose from though.

 

Well Im not needing the top of the line parts and I'm perfectly fine buying used parts if I can find a good deal on some. My guess on a budget would be around $3000 or so.

Ok thanks. I'll check those out

 

ok so my budget is $3000.

I was wondering for what I was looking at doing would an LS6 intake be plenty? And is 400hp possible with just those bolt ons?

 

Don't start...it never stops...$3K becomes $10K...becomes $20K.......but you will a lot of fun.

 

Are you going to do the work yourself? labor will eat a lot of that 3K. By your username I am guessing you have an 04. that means you already have the LS6 intake which is one of the best you can have. The next step up would be a FAST which unless you want to do heads as well may start to be overkill.

Texas Speed or XS power long tubes 700.00 or LG streets for 1K
underdrive pulley 250
unless you just want loud get the zo6 ti cat back for around 350-400. catbacks dont add a lot of performance just sound and the ti one is superlightweight compared to the steel.
tune 4-500.

a cam will run you 600-700ish for a cam kit
and then another 200ish for all of the gaskets.

then of course shipping to the UK will be more expensive.

 

I actually have a 99 the 04 is the year of my truck lol. But yes I will be doing all the work myself so I won't need to pay labor fees and shipping shouldn't be that bad. I'm not referring to the country when it saids UK, its for the college, I live in kentucky lol.

But thanks for the help. I'm wanting more than a Ti exhaust bc I want the sound. So I'll probably do long tube, x pipe and some sort of exhaust. I'm looking at a set of straight pipes now but I have a feeling that they might be too obnoxiously loud all the time.

Also, what would be a good cam to run with a ls6 intake, headers and exhaust? I love the sound of a big cam but I want more performance than just the sound.

 

Sounds like you already know quite a bit about camshaft selection. There is indeed a difference in cam selection between a cruise-in thumper and one that provides good street manners with strong torque curve. With a cam, intake, exhaust build you should stick with between a 224° - 228° camshaft. Lot's of threads with information on the 224° grind and Texas Speed's 228°. If you go much bigger, you will sacrifice lower rpm torque - especially with stock compression ratio.

 

Just know that the simplest of projects can cause more money and time


-Full exhaust ( GHL bullets, Corsa)
-Headers (LG or Kooks Longtubes, super pro would be nice)
-Intake (FAST 90/90)(Vararam)
-Cam (TSP 228R if out of the box cam)

 

Is this your daily driver? What's your down time with this car, can it be left sitting for a while? The reason I ask is some of the items can be more of a headache versus others. What type of lift or means to get the car in the air do you have. Considering you will be doing the work yourself and not knowing your mechanical experience some of these projects are best left to the experts.

Having said that a full exhaust with headers would be the place to start. You don't need a tune for this mod assuming you keep all the emissions equipment. Best way to get the sound you want and the HP return will be nice and pave the way to future engine mods. Putting a cam in without a free flowing exhaust is just a waste. Cost should be around 1,000 - 1,500 for a catback and headers depending on if all new or used parts and brand.

Next would be a cam or cam and heads and intake, and a tune becomes mandatory. This will really bring the HP level up, however if you plan to get this done in weekend your fooling yourself if you haven't torn down many LS1's prior. Cost wise will be north of 2,500 in parts and tuning and that's maybe a little conservative. With this and an exhaust you can get to 500 crank hp.

Many different roads but all the mods together will compliment each other and in the end you can't have one without the other to reach your goals.

Another thing to consider is avoiding having to tear into the car more than once. With a cam swap it's not neccesary to pull the heads or intake manifold, which means these 2 mods can be done at seperate times which can help for having to shell out a small fortune at once, but tuning will be needed a second time.

 

Agree- you will get the biggest bang for your buck with an intake(ours especially) and exhaust!!!!!!

 

I have 3 cars right now and the vette mainly just sits in the garage so down time is not an issue. I have worked on a lot of cars but never on an lsx motor. However, I don't have any means of a lift so everything will be done on the ground.

As of right now I will most likely just be piecing everything together over the winter and right before it starts to get warm enough to get it back out I will start the work and get it tuned. Its really hard to do any work on it right now bc I'm away at school in Nashville and the car is in Louisville so the only chance I have to work on it is on the weekend and I don't want to start a big project and not have time to finish it.

But thanks for the help! I doubt I do heads tho bc of cost but they are definitely on the list for long term mods!

 

Thanks! I've read a lot on the Texas Speed's 228 and have seen a lot of good reviews for it