To Mod or Not to Mod
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 611
Likes: 36
From: Dallas Texas
To Mod or Not to Mod
I recently picked up a 2002 Z06 with 60,000 miles. It appears to be stock other than a Borla Cat-Back and a K&N intake. I had a local corvette shop check it out and they said it looked mechanically clean. My only purpose for the car is entertainment (how fast can I go around the track on occasional track days and from 0-70, 70-0 and around a corner without sliding off on the road on weekends). Will likely drive the car once a week on average. I am considering a cam, header and head upgrade. My questions are, given the hard driving, what can i expect in terms of mechanical wear (replacement of engine, transmission, clutch, etc) for the stock versus the mod that I expect may add an extra 75hp? Also, any recommendations for the cam, header and head hardware? Thank you for any insight.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Mod or not
Stock is good the right mods make it even better my 02 Z currently has coilovers and headers I am in the process of fitting C6 Z front brakes. Next sway bars ? (I will have to ask if aftermarket are a improvement) various minor suspension mods ,tryes then a supercharger. all of these will still make the car a DD or an occassional track and as things break they can be replaced with stronger components
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Your profile is small so I don't know much about
you and your mechanical experience. If you start
down the Mod path things can get expensive very
quickly. Things just seem to snowball. The Mods
will be for your enjoyment but don't expect the
value of your vette to increase.
If you falter from the DD make a plan on what you
want now and into the future. Do alot of research.
Think carefully about your wants.
There is nothing wrong with a stock vettes.
If you have a long history of modification of cars
you wouldn't be asking the question.
Modding is a great hobby. Everyone starts at the begining.
Keep us informed of your progress.
you and your mechanical experience. If you start
down the Mod path things can get expensive very
quickly. Things just seem to snowball. The Mods
will be for your enjoyment but don't expect the
value of your vette to increase.
If you falter from the DD make a plan on what you
want now and into the future. Do alot of research.
Think carefully about your wants.
There is nothing wrong with a stock vettes.
If you have a long history of modification of cars
you wouldn't be asking the question.
Modding is a great hobby. Everyone starts at the begining.
Keep us informed of your progress.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 611
Likes: 36
From: Dallas Texas
I appreciate the input. I have mechanical experience doing the basics (fluids, pads, rotors, CAI, and carb rebuilds) but no modern engine experience. I live in DFW and plan to use Quality or 21st do the engine mods. I'm currently on the fence between C/H and SC. Seems like a good H/C would be $4,500 and SC $7,000. I think H/C would get me from 350 hp to 420, but SC would get me to 500. I'm leaning toward SC, especially since my neighbors already give me teh evil eye when I start her up (expecting the headers would be a lot louder than SC at low RPM). If I go down the SC road, do I need new a new clutch, rods pistons, or other parts to handle the large hp increase?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
basiclly you need to beef up the drive train to support your new found hp either sooner or later
Steve
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Mod or not
Having modified several cars if you were allowed only one modification for a daily driver that already has good handling it would have to be a supercharger and for trackdays only it would be to remove weight
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
I appreciate the input. I have mechanical experience doing the basics (fluids, pads, rotors, CAI, and carb rebuilds) but no modern engine experience. I live in DFW and plan to use Quality or 21st do the engine mods. I'm currently on the fence between C/H and SC. Seems like a good H/C would be $4,500 and SC $7,000. I think H/C would get me from 350 hp to 420, but SC would get me to 500. I'm leaning toward SC, especially since my neighbors already give me teh evil eye when I start her up (expecting the headers would be a lot louder than SC at low RPM). If I go down the SC road, do I need new a new clutch, rods pistons, or other parts to handle the large hp increase?
Add heads, FAST 90/90 = 450rwhp +/-
Once you hit >430-450 rwhp you will need to upgrade your clutch. The LS6 Clutch will not hold the extra torque. I went with the LS7 Clutch and Flywheel and things have been great! I have done several track days and the clutch is perfect. I have heard that the LS7 FW is heavy and that I should have gone with a light-weight aluminium FW.
FYI, Long-Tube headers are LOUD, even with the Stock Ti Cat-back.