[Z06] new Z06 owner, what mods first?
11-09-2016, 05:19 PM
#1
new Z06 owner, what mods first?
Just picked up an 07 Z06. Its stock with the exception of the exhaust valves open with the mild to wild switch. It also has a ZR1 front splitter because the stock one broke hitting a parking block i was told. So this car is a blank canvas. What are the first mods that will improve this car? I see lots of guys talking about a catch can. I was thinking I would get one of those and maybe a MGW shifter. Maybe tint the tail lights. Possibly figure out how to lower it slightly with stock bolts. What are your guys opinions on the list of basic mods I should look into? I'm new to the corvette world.
The following users liked this post:
Landru (11-10-2016)
11-09-2016, 05:49 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
At least get the heads checked. Depending on what you want from the car will depend on the route of mods. Headers, CAI, cam, intake, tune, gears is one route or interior/exterior mods is another route. Like I said, depending on what you want from the car, and how deep is your pocket.
11-09-2016, 06:00 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 2,734
Received 1,678 Likes
on
878 Posts
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10, '17
In addition to checking the heads for the obvious issues, here are the customary mods:
1) Intake
2) Ported throttle bottle and ported intake manifold
3) Cam
4) Ported/polished heads
5) Headers
6) Dyno tune
The LS7 responds very well to these modifications, and is easily worth 100hp if done right, while still being very street friendly and reliable.
Other items are:
1) MGW shifter
2) DRM valved Bilstein shocks
3) Side skirts
4) Other cosmetic mods to suit your taste
Anthony
1) Intake
2) Ported throttle bottle and ported intake manifold
3) Cam
4) Ported/polished heads
5) Headers
6) Dyno tune
The LS7 responds very well to these modifications, and is easily worth 100hp if done right, while still being very street friendly and reliable.
Other items are:
1) MGW shifter
2) DRM valved Bilstein shocks
3) Side skirts
4) Other cosmetic mods to suit your taste
Anthony
The following users liked this post:
JdmsubieZ06 (11-10-2016)
11-09-2016, 06:20 PM
#6
I say, drive the car. Figure out for yourself what you like and don't like about the car. Deal with the don't likes first, starting with at least having the heads checked. Take time to think about what you really want and expect from the car. It would not take much to ventilate your wallet while at the same time make the car no longer fun to drive on the street.
11-09-2016, 09:01 PM
#8
Safety Car
Park the car and pull the heads. Mine were bad at 3500 miles. If you drop a valve all you'll have left that you can use is one cylinder head. That sucks. So just get it over with and then you can go from there.
11-09-2016, 09:31 PM
#9
Safety Car
11-09-2016, 09:33 PM
#10
Safety Car
In addition to checking the heads for the obvious issues, here are the customary mods:
1) Intake
2) Ported throttle bottle and ported intake manifold
3) Cam
4) Ported/polished heads/new valve job/decked .010
6) Dyno tune
The LS7 responds very well to these modifications, and is easily worth 100hp if done right, while still being very street friendly and reliable.
1) Intake
2) Ported throttle bottle and ported intake manifold
3) Cam
4) Ported/polished heads/new valve job/decked .010
6) Dyno tune
The LS7 responds very well to these modifications, and is easily worth 100hp if done right, while still being very street friendly and reliable.
That above will get you an extra 100HP with complete stock drivability if you choose the right cam, and original exhaust.
11-09-2016, 09:38 PM
#11
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Harbor City California
Posts: 2,815
Received 1,012 Likes
on
533 Posts
In order:
Check the heads
CAI
Tune
If the heads are bad pull them off and send them into us for reworking. We have LS7 head rework package starting at just $1,308 (plus shipping). We also have core set on the shelf that are ready to ship out (so you don't have any down time).
310-326-2399
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
After all that is taken care of alot of people chose to do:
Cam
Intake (either MSD or ported stock)
TB (either 102 or ported stock)
Headers
If your looking to pickup some power while the heads are off we recommend milling and porting.
Check the heads
CAI
Tune
If the heads are bad pull them off and send them into us for reworking. We have LS7 head rework package starting at just $1,308 (plus shipping). We also have core set on the shelf that are ready to ship out (so you don't have any down time).
310-326-2399
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
After all that is taken care of alot of people chose to do:
Cam
Intake (either MSD or ported stock)
TB (either 102 or ported stock)
Headers
If your looking to pickup some power while the heads are off we recommend milling and porting.
The following users liked this post:
Landru (11-10-2016)
11-09-2016, 11:23 PM
#14
Race Director
#1, get the heads checked ASAP.
Get in some good driving time and then decide what you like and what you would want to modify. Even in OEM form these cars really haul.
What is your intended driving use? Any motorsports, straightline or road course?
The first mod I did was replace the shocks as the rear valving makes the car skittish on bumpy roads if driven using the performance in the car. Doug Rippie Motorsports periodically gets Bilstein to build re-valved shocks specifically for the Z06. I didn't know about them and got standard Bilstein Sports which I am happy with. Viking also makes reasonably priced adjustable shocks for our cars.
If you are going to run any time at 120+ MPH, you need a reinforcement that goes behind the front fascia to support that ZR1 style front splitter. If just quick spurts up to 130, not an issue. I have over 500 miles at 150+ and had the reinforcement installed so the splitter won't droop down at high speed.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy your car. Drive it!
Get in some good driving time and then decide what you like and what you would want to modify. Even in OEM form these cars really haul.
What is your intended driving use? Any motorsports, straightline or road course?
The first mod I did was replace the shocks as the rear valving makes the car skittish on bumpy roads if driven using the performance in the car. Doug Rippie Motorsports periodically gets Bilstein to build re-valved shocks specifically for the Z06. I didn't know about them and got standard Bilstein Sports which I am happy with. Viking also makes reasonably priced adjustable shocks for our cars.
If you are going to run any time at 120+ MPH, you need a reinforcement that goes behind the front fascia to support that ZR1 style front splitter. If just quick spurts up to 130, not an issue. I have over 500 miles at 150+ and had the reinforcement installed so the splitter won't droop down at high speed.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy your car. Drive it!
Last edited by AzDave47; 11-09-2016 at 11:23 PM.
11-09-2016, 11:44 PM
#15
Daily driver but it will be taken to the drag strip on occasion. Needs to be in the 10s on street tires. It's not fast enough for my liking. It doesn't even have a cold air intake. Would those make much improvement? I've heard the corvette factory air box is pretty good. What brands would be best?
11-10-2016, 01:46 AM
#16
Navigator
In addition to checking the heads for the obvious issues, here are the customary mods:
1) Intake
2) Ported throttle bottle and ported intake manifold
3) Cam
4) Ported/polished heads
5) Headers
6) Dyno tune
The LS7 responds very well to these modifications, and is easily worth 100hp if done right, while still being very street friendly and reliable.
Other items are:
1) MGW shifter
2) DRM valved Bilstein shocks
3) Side skirts
4) Other cosmetic mods to suit your taste
Anthony
1) Intake
2) Ported throttle bottle and ported intake manifold
3) Cam
4) Ported/polished heads
5) Headers
6) Dyno tune
The LS7 responds very well to these modifications, and is easily worth 100hp if done right, while still being very street friendly and reliable.
Other items are:
1) MGW shifter
2) DRM valved Bilstein shocks
3) Side skirts
4) Other cosmetic mods to suit your taste
Anthony
I will do as follow
11-10-2016, 03:25 AM
#17
Melting Slicks
Great looking car.
Do as they say. Too many times we see one go boom and the tears will follow. It cannot be over stressed enough as to how important it is to park it until you can get the heads reworked.
Do as they say. Too many times we see one go boom and the tears will follow. It cannot be over stressed enough as to how important it is to park it until you can get the heads reworked.
The following users liked this post:
Landru (11-10-2016)
11-10-2016, 07:11 AM
#18
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 2,734
Received 1,678 Likes
on
878 Posts
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10, '17
Many people will have many different opinions on this. But the LS7 has been modified for many many years and the community has a very good understanding now of what to do and what not to do. As for the parts, again many people have differing opinions, but here is one way to do it:
1) Intake - Haltech
2) Throttle Body - Nick Williams 102mm
3) Intake manifold - Tony Mamo ported MSD
4) Heads - Just send them to American Heritage and be done with it. If it is at a shop, have them take off the heads, literally give them to you and then send them to American Heritage. Don't screw around with this, unless you are 100% confident that the shop understands the issues with the exhaust valves and the valve guides.
5) Headers - LG or American Racing
6) Cam - Stick with a mild cam. No reason to over-do it here. None whatsoever and don't let anyone talk you into a big cam. Period. I have the Lingenfelter GT19 and it is perfect for this car and mods. There are many other mild cams that fit this car well. Again, do not go with a big, lopey cam or you will regret it if you drive the car regularly.
7) Have the whole operation tuned by a reliable tuner. (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT)
Grab the MGW shifter, DRM Valved Bilstein shocks and some side skirts and front splitter from RPI or ACS and you are done. These mods are good for another 100-125hp all day long. You have a monster on the street, that sounds mean as hell and is very reliable. You don't need to touch the exhaust other than headers. And you don't need much of anything else. Money is spent best on the 7 mods above. Most important of everything is two things: 1) Address the heads and 2) A good tuner. The rest is personal preference.
I have owned my C6 Z06 for 8 years and love every minute of it. I also have a C7 Z06 and honestly I enjoy the C6 more.
11-10-2016, 01:15 PM
#19
Drifting
Looks great as it is! Most mods lower the value of the car, so be careful. The car runs high 11's right out of the box, are you really looking for more speed? Take your time and do it right. If you wanna spend the money, consider some new C7 Grand Sport wheels and Michelin PSS tires, (they are the same Cup wheels from the C6 and offer ZR1 sized wheels/tires.)
Last edited by BigVette427; 11-10-2016 at 01:18 PM.
11-10-2016, 01:47 PM
#20
My SS camaro runs single digits so any of my daily drivers are slow IMO. I'm always looking for more speed lol. My winter beater Trailblazer SS had nitrous on it and was runin low 12's in a 5,000LB SUV lol.
Last edited by Bad00SS; 01-24-2017 at 05:15 PM.
