I have a 2006 C6 Vert with 6 speed stick, mechanically totally stock. What kind of difference can I expect with the addition of CAI, headers and a tune for those of you who have gone this route. Would it be close to the power of a Z06? Also, I have one year left on my warranty. I'm assuming this will void out the balance of the warranty? I have had this itch for a while

 

Short answer, NO. You might pick up a total of 25 hp with CAI, headers and a tune.

I currently have Kooks coated headers, CAI and a tune from England Green on my 2006 convertible (also in S FLA), and have purchased - but not yet installed - a FAST 92, Livernois heads at 11.7 to 1, and a Crane cam (224º/228º .590”/.590” 114ºLSA +2ºadvance) which, along with a tune at HorsePower Sales in Pompano, will get me real close to Z06 power.

The only substitute for cubic inches is rectangular dollars.

 

Wow, only 25 horsepower additional? That's not even as much as the LS3 motor.

 

You might do better than 25 hp. IMO they're worthwhile mods to make but no way will you be close to a Z06. Only you know whether they're worth jeopardizing your remaining warranty for.

 

25 addlitional horsepower doesn't sound right. Maybe he didn't get a good dyno tune after the headers were installed. I will include my signature with this post so you can see my dyno numbers with Kooks headers, x-pipe, Borla sport mufflers and a hurricane CAI. You will have to get a tune after you install the headers

Unfortuately I never had the car on the dyno before I did the mods, so I can't tell you the before numbers

 

On my 01 Vette I added headers,exhaust and cold air intake and it dyno at 360rwh, so I picked up about 60 horse.

Just stock it was about 300 rwh, I did also add a 160 therm.
I have a 08 Z51 and love it not sure if I will do the same mods, I don't want to void the warrenty.

 

I had a CAI, LT headers, and a tune on my C5. Although it was nice having the extra power...I don't plan on adding LT's to my LS3. The headers added some nice power...but, I consistently had O2 sensor issues the rest of the time I owned the car. It just wasn't worth the PIA.

 

 

Headers, CAI, and tune is worth 25 to maybe 40 rwhp. You'd be very lucky to get more than about 30-35. It's been done many times, with back to back dynos, so a search will confirm this. Headers alone are only worth 10-15 rwhp. Headers are one of the least cost-effective mods you can do.

 

Gannet, what do you think one of the more cost effective mods are that could be done to boost power?

 

That's relatively easy to figure. Divide the installed cost of the mod by the expected power increase. In most cases you can get a pretty good idea of the expected increase from looking at the results other guys get.

Some common examples, installed prices, rough figures:

Good CAI, $500, 10 rwhp, $50/hp
Tune, $500, 20 rwhp, $25/hp
Headers, $1900, 15 rwhp, $126/hp
Headers and tune, $2400, 35 rwhp, $69/hp
Med-big cam and kit, tune, $2400, 50 rwhp, $48/hp
CAI, headers, tune, $2800, 50 rwhp, $56/hp
CAI, headers, med-big cam, tune, $4900, 90 rwhp, $54/hp
Centri blower, tune, $7000, 150 rwhp, $47/hp

Basically, anything around $50/rwhp isn't bad. Over $100 and it's getting into either the dumb or last little bit range. For the small stuff, a tune is the best investment, but you possibly lose the warranty. For the bigger stuff, a big cam or a blower are expensive, but offer major increases and hence are most cost-effective.

Don't get me wrong, I like headers. But you buy them because they're cool, or you like the sound, or you don't want to go into the engine, or you are getting that last little bit. C6s have excellent factory exhaust systems and you don't get much extra power with headers unless you already have a significantly modded engine.

 

I went from 396rwhp/383rwtq to 424rwhp/418rwtq with just headers/tune. 90% of cars with headers will throw codes for the rear cats not getting hot fast enough if you do not get a tune. I have had mine one for over a year, 6000miles, no codes..

 

I am ordering Headers, x pipe and Acel back tomorrow, and tunnign it next weekend. hoping for 385 rwhp. but will retune with blower and cam soon.