Questions about headers, cam, etc.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Questions about headers, cam, etc.
My engine is completely stock. I have been meaning to put some money into for sometime now. But I am working full time and going to graduate school as well full time. So not only am I strapped for time but tuition is eating me up. With that unrequested prologue I will get to my point. I am interested in headers, cam, etc. but don't really know what I am looking for. Please chim in with some information on header specs, cam specs (& meanings), etc. Reccomendations are welcome as well. Remember it's a bone stock engine at the moment (besides Borla's). 
NIX
NIX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
First of all is your car an M6 or an A4? Because if your car is an A4 you really should go to a high stall converter (if you don't have one) before installing a cam. Also what are your plans for your car (do you plan on racing your car or are you looking for just a nice street cam)?
Last edited by Mitch C; Jul 30, 2004 at 02:25 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 52
From: Wentzville, MO.
First you need intake....lots of opinions but I favor the Blackwing... next depends on auto or 6 speed...
Auto TC and gears esp. if you don't have the performance axle ratio...
6 speed get some long tubes...
Is a smog test an issue?
What are your goals and your budget? take a look at the vendor sites...
Auto TC and gears esp. if you don't have the performance axle ratio...
6 speed get some long tubes...
Is a smog test an issue?
What are your goals and your budget? take a look at the vendor sites...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
First of all thanks for the input. I have a 2000 A4 vert. with a lot of cosmetic mods but nothing to improve performance besides a K&N filter, borla's, and some dyno tuning at a local tuner. It does have the 3:15 gears and I live in Alabama so it is not a smog test issue.
GOAL & BUDGET????
I love the power of my Vette but like anything else, it's not enough anymore. I want gains on the low end. I don't care for going 140 mph +++ but I would like to be able to get to 100 ASAP. In other words it would be nice if the car was capable of dislocating your sholder off the line and still get 18 mpg in the city. Asking for a lot I know.
On the subject of funding this passion (girlfriend refers to it as a sickness even though she buys almost as much for the car as I do). Well I just dropped a large amount on some Z06 motorsports (18x19 combo), tires, and some cross drilled/slotted rotors so at the moment the budget is tight. But paychecks will come soon enough and I can fuel this addiction a little more.
GOAL & BUDGET????
I love the power of my Vette but like anything else, it's not enough anymore. I want gains on the low end. I don't care for going 140 mph +++ but I would like to be able to get to 100 ASAP. In other words it would be nice if the car was capable of dislocating your sholder off the line and still get 18 mpg in the city. Asking for a lot I know.
On the subject of funding this passion (girlfriend refers to it as a sickness even though she buys almost as much for the car as I do). Well I just dropped a large amount on some Z06 motorsports (18x19 combo), tires, and some cross drilled/slotted rotors so at the moment the budget is tight. But paychecks will come soon enough and I can fuel this addiction a little more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
If I were you the first thing I would do is install a better intake. I would get the Vararam if I wanted a cold air intake or a Blackwing if I wanted to stay with a non cold air intake. Since you plan on doing a cam I would want to install at least 3.42 gears along with my hi stall T/C. If your money is very tight you can stay with your 3.15s but you will feel more looseness with a high stall T/C with 3.15 gears. For my T/C I would get the Yank SS3600 or the SS3800, either of these two will give you very good performance and excellent street manners. The next thing to get would be L/T headers you need headers so your new cam can breath. With stock heads go with 1 3/4 headers, Kooks headers perform very well and are reasonably priced. If you want a nice street cam with good power the TR220 or the TR224 are excellent choices among many others. If you want something bigger the TSP228/228 or the Futral F11 would be good choices.
Last edited by Mitch C; Jul 31, 2004 at 07:54 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
As mentioned above, I would start with an intake (Blackwing), gears (at least 3.42 but go for 3.90 if you are really interested in whiplash acceleration), and a torque converter. I have a 2800 stall and am very happy with it as I autocross. Drag racing and you would want the higher stalls mentioned. Cracking the engine is a slippery slope. You will spend big bucks really fast. There is the, while I am in there.......Unless you are willing and have the financial means, I would just do the air intake, headers, gears, and torque converter. That is still going to cost you a fortune. Call Roger at vinci high performance (forum sponsor on left) and see what they recommend. They have done all my mods! 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,066
Likes: 4,149
From: Bergen county NJ
Moneys is tight? Leave the awesome corvette Convertible's performance as is...
Look in the used parts section for a vararam or blackwing or halltech ..
Slap it on and leave the rest of the car alone..
Look in the used parts section for a vararam or blackwing or halltech ..
Slap it on and leave the rest of the car alone..
