Any C5 tuneup tips and tricks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Junction WI
Any C5 tuneup tips and tricks
My base 2000 C5 automatic has 115,000 miles on it. I currently have no major issues with the car - knock on wood. Like most Vette owners, issues pop up now and then on the car, but I won't get into those right now. All fluids, spark plugs, brakes, belts, pulleys and harmonic balancer have been replaced. It's stock except for a set of used Z06 mufflers (originals rusted out) and newer Goodyear Eagle F1s. However, if I wanted the car to perform a "little" better (more zip) without spending a fortune, what parts or tuneup tips could you offer me? I live in snowy WI and want to be ready for spring driving.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Nothing much in tips or tricks to improve that you would really notice. Small changes still cost plenty. You have to go bolt ons and tune.
If you can deal with the worse (mostly highway) gas mileage, swap in some 3.42's from a manual car.
Headers.
Intake.
Cam...
If you can deal with the worse (mostly highway) gas mileage, swap in some 3.42's from a manual car.
Headers.
Intake.
Cam...
Last edited by grantv; Jan 4, 2019 at 10:46 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 24
From: Bloomfield Hills Michigan
The 3.42 differential will probably be the best bang for the buck for sure! I almost went that route, but swapped the auto trans for a six speed manual and 3.90 rear end instead. I think on the automatics the differential change will throw off the speedo from what I recall...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
You will not see much in the way of improvement without spending $$$$ and SOP dyno's are less accurate than chassis dyno's. One area that controls the engine performance is the PCM. A professional Scan/Tune program will be one of the cheaper performance mods you can make. There are several canned tunes that can also do a good job in performance. A few years ago we had a member in our local club who was always looking for performance mods he could add it his C5 to make it go faster. He had a VeraRam, Borla loudmouths, E3 plugs, large wires, etc and when we had our twice a year drags he kept going the same or slightly slower ET's. He and I were pretty close in times before the mods and later I was about 0.2 sec faster. After I had my tune I ended 0.4 faster so he finally had his tuned correctly and could beat me y 0.1 a few times.
Where the real speed increase occurs in a standard C5 is in the below peak torque tuning of the engine. The stock calibration for the Corvette was to let you drive it from Palm Springs, CA to Denver, CO without a problem. If you car is properly tuned for where you drive it, the under peak hp/tq gains will improve performance and usually mpg.
Where the real speed increase occurs in a standard C5 is in the below peak torque tuning of the engine. The stock calibration for the Corvette was to let you drive it from Palm Springs, CA to Denver, CO without a problem. If you car is properly tuned for where you drive it, the under peak hp/tq gains will improve performance and usually mpg.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Junction WI
It appears different folks have different points of view on how to increase a car's performance, eg, buy and add parts or use a tuner on the engine. I know where to purchase and how to install some parts (great suggestions everyone); however, I don't know anything about using a engine tuner, without potentially creating other problems. In your opinion, is this something a person should attempt on their own, or to look for a trained professional to do the job? If okay to do yourself, what is the best tuner available for this car? Any recommendations would be helpful.
Thanks again everyone!!!
Thanks again everyone!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Honestly, I think your original post was maybe a bit vague. Results depend on your budget, what end results you wish, and what you're willing to do to the car.
A tune by itself on a stock car may get you 10HP and better drivability.
Headers and a tune maybe 35-40
Every mod you add strengthens the other.
So, what's "a fortune"? And what are you hoping to accomplish?
A tune by itself on a stock car may get you 10HP and better drivability.
Headers and a tune maybe 35-40
Every mod you add strengthens the other.
So, what's "a fortune"? And what are you hoping to accomplish?
Last edited by grantv; Jan 6, 2019 at 05:48 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 954
Likes: 21
From: White Oak, GA
I have a diablosport tuner that you can have for $200. It has a performance tune that should help you, and it has the capability of tuning you car via email should you add headers, gears, etc. Send a PM if interested .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
My opinion---
I did a 3.42 gear awap on my car and was disapointed in the results
I would rather see you put in a 3000 stall converter insead -This is the single best mod you an do on any maker's auto car
It nearly triples the bottom end HP and TQ by skipping over the bottom end RPM bog
Next get a steet driven tune---Not a dyno tune These engines are well tuned already bone stock however you can get another 12-17 RWHP BUT more importantly you can get rid of all the bulit in throttle delays as well as the TQ management--- AND trans tuning on a auto car is huge !! I have seen stock auto C5's gain 3-5 tenths in the 1/4 mile with simply trans tuning without even adressing the engine
A stall inatalled may be about $1200-1500 ( about the same as a gear swap)
A street driven tune from $350-450
Next depending on your budget
LS6 intake manifold cost $400 RWHP about 10-12
Cold air intake cost $350 RWHP about 12-15
Shorty headers (smog legal cost $350 RWHP about 12-15
Long tube headers ( not smog legal) cost from $750-1200 RWHP 25-30 RWHP
these are all without labor installation-----
After these simple bolt ons you get into major moda like cam--heads etc---
I did a 3.42 gear awap on my car and was disapointed in the results
I would rather see you put in a 3000 stall converter insead -This is the single best mod you an do on any maker's auto car
It nearly triples the bottom end HP and TQ by skipping over the bottom end RPM bog
Next get a steet driven tune---Not a dyno tune These engines are well tuned already bone stock however you can get another 12-17 RWHP BUT more importantly you can get rid of all the bulit in throttle delays as well as the TQ management--- AND trans tuning on a auto car is huge !! I have seen stock auto C5's gain 3-5 tenths in the 1/4 mile with simply trans tuning without even adressing the engine
A stall inatalled may be about $1200-1500 ( about the same as a gear swap)
A street driven tune from $350-450
Next depending on your budget
LS6 intake manifold cost $400 RWHP about 10-12
Cold air intake cost $350 RWHP about 12-15
Shorty headers (smog legal cost $350 RWHP about 12-15
Long tube headers ( not smog legal) cost from $750-1200 RWHP 25-30 RWHP
these are all without labor installation-----
After these simple bolt ons you get into major moda like cam--heads etc---
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Junction WI
Great comments everyone. Thank you!
Grantv - In short I was hoping to give the car a little more energy. Maybe due to the automatic transmission or age of the car, when the gas is applied it just seems to lag a bit until it picks up rpm then it takes off. Maybe this is typical? My budget is $500-1000. I guess a tune would be the least labor, time and probably money. It just seems that once a person starts adding parts, it doesn't end. There's always something else that a person can do.
Grantv - In short I was hoping to give the car a little more energy. Maybe due to the automatic transmission or age of the car, when the gas is applied it just seems to lag a bit until it picks up rpm then it takes off. Maybe this is typical? My budget is $500-1000. I guess a tune would be the least labor, time and probably money. It just seems that once a person starts adding parts, it doesn't end. There's always something else that a person can do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I ended mine... TSP headers with TSP tune, Magnaflow cats, shortened my shifter, that's it for power mods, and it's enough for me.
What gears does your car have? I'd either do that or my go-to; headers.
Unsure what a used gear set is and install, but you can get TSP or XSP, or even used better headers used for around the high number if you install.
What gears does your car have? I'd either do that or my go-to; headers.
Unsure what a used gear set is and install, but you can get TSP or XSP, or even used better headers used for around the high number if you install.
Last edited by grantv; Jan 6, 2019 at 10:47 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 329
Great comments everyone. Thank you!
Grantv - In short I was hoping to give the car a little more energy. Maybe due to the automatic transmission or age of the car, when the gas is applied it just seems to lag a bit until it picks up rpm then it takes off. Maybe this is typical? My budget is $500-1000. I guess a tune would be the least labor, time and probably money. It just seems that once a person starts adding parts, it doesn't end. There's always something else that a person can do.
Grantv - In short I was hoping to give the car a little more energy. Maybe due to the automatic transmission or age of the car, when the gas is applied it just seems to lag a bit until it picks up rpm then it takes off. Maybe this is typical? My budget is $500-1000. I guess a tune would be the least labor, time and probably money. It just seems that once a person starts adding parts, it doesn't end. There's always something else that a person can do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 232
From: Round Rock Texas
Great comments everyone. Thank you!
Grantv - In short I was hoping to give the car a little more energy. Maybe due to the automatic transmission or age of the car, when the gas is applied it just seems to lag a bit until it picks up rpm then it takes off. Maybe this is typical? My budget is $500-1000. I guess a tune would be the least labor, time and probably money. It just seems that once a person starts adding parts, it doesn't end. There's always something else that a person can do.
Grantv - In short I was hoping to give the car a little more energy. Maybe due to the automatic transmission or age of the car, when the gas is applied it just seems to lag a bit until it picks up rpm then it takes off. Maybe this is typical? My budget is $500-1000. I guess a tune would be the least labor, time and probably money. It just seems that once a person starts adding parts, it doesn't end. There's always something else that a person can do.
My auto had all those problems you mention. I had a local tuner here do mine for $500. The best money I spent. I think ECS is still doing theirs for $150. but you have to send in you computer.
Also it was night and day after the tune even the wife said it sounds better.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,225
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Just start off with the basics and see if that's enough for you. Cold air intake, headers, and an ECS mail order tune. If you're not in a rush you can source some clean take off's in the F/S section if you want to save a few dollars.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 153
Likes: 16
It allows the engine to rev higher before you begin to move.
I would imagine the stock converter has a stall speed of 2000 rpms and a higher stall speed of 3000 would allow the engine to get into the powerband almost instantly.
For lack of better terminology, it allows your transmission to slip more, to keep the rpms higher, akin to slipping the clutch more if you were manual.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 4
TSP Longtubes with the ECS mail-in tune....Done. ECS will also adjust your transmission settings as well as tune for the longtubes and adjust fan settings so their tune is a win-win. Its well worth the $150 they charge. The headers, midpipe and ECS tune will put you at your $1K budget.