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Sold my '81 and I've now had my 2005 for 2-1/2 years. I promised I'd keep it mostly stock, which lasted exactly 2 years. It all started with me tuning the trans shift scheduling to make it more fun to drive. Through that process I learned about the weak '05 rear end and decided that may be a winter project. While there, may as well do a converter swap so it's not so doggy off the line. etc. etc. I just finished the rear end project and it's a blast to drive. Next up will be a cam/intake upgrade and i should be able to leave it alone for a little longer. I would like to change out the head/tail lights in the future. Below is a list of mods I've done, next up, and some pics.Completed:
Sony XAV-7000 Head unit- Gotta have my Apple Car-Play.
C7 Backup Camera- Looks factory, would highly recommend on any C-6.
EOS ZR1 aero kit- Looks Cool
Vette lights LED Hi,Lo,Fog- Super bright?
Vararam Cold Air Intake - Money to blow.
Speed Engineering 1-7/8 Headers and X-pipe-
Ceratoke coated headers and X-pipe- Trying to mitigate heat.
Borla Cat back exhaust- Actually came on the car, no need to change.
DEI Tunnel/starter/Trans lines heat shields- Mitigate heat
Hayden Transmission Cooler- Trans was running around 208* before converter.
Yank 3200 stall converter- launch
C5 Z06 3.42 Rear end- Stronger, and launch
Z06 shocks/sway bars- Meh?
Z06 Wheels- Came on the car, don't plan on changing.
Car looks great! I have been modding an 05 as well. Did the fast intake and the fuel lines took the most time. I wonder if you will run out of fuel pump with the cam swap.
Nice progress. You made the right call - stock is boring.
Be careful with your 4l65. They are monsters when built by RPM, but in stock form you are going to be fast approaching boom status on the 3/4 with the cam and intake upgrades. It will be fine until it's not so be careful. I would be budgeting a Level V from RPM for your power levels. Once that is done, you can drive it like you stole it.
Speaking of intake i.e. FAST 102, I would pass on that and go with stock LS3 heads and intake. The gains will be similar but with a lot more room to grow down the road. My first C6 was an LS2 with heads, cam, ported FAST etc (dynoed 479 rwhp). If I was doing another LS2 NA build, it would be an LS3 top end without question. Also, I would recommend you go with CHE trunnions vs Comp. They are well worth the extra $100 over the comp.
Moot point now but the A4 diff in the 05 wasn't an issue. It was the M6 diff that would crack with wheel hop. Overall great build. Can't wait to see what final dyno numbers are.
Moot point now but the A4 diff in the 05 wasn't an issue. It was the M6 diff that would crack with wheel hop. Overall great build. Can't wait to see what final dyno numbers are.
I'm wondering if you could've used a AMT double barrel mount for the diff and only using the smaller triangle under the cradle. either way I'm definitely taking notes since this is what I need to do to 05 as well since my 408 from smeding performance is almost done.
I'm wondering if you could've used a AMT double barrel mount for the diff and only using the smaller triangle under the cradle. either way I'm definitely taking notes since this is what I need to do to 05 as well since my 408 from smeding performance is almost done.
I had a similar thought. I bought a C-5 mount to try and it didn’t fit for me. The C-5 crossmember is parallel to the diff, where as the C6 is slanted and offset to the rear a bit.
That escalated quickly!
