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Best Mods for adding Horsepower

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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 05:17 PM
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Default Best Mods for adding Horsepower

What are the top 3 best mods for adding horsepower without adding superchargers/turbo/prochargers ?
Starting with the factory Car.
Thanks
Charlie
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 05:29 PM
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Headers/Cam/Heads
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 05:30 PM
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You'll get a lot more respones if you look in the tech section. There are tons of threads in there on this topic.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 05:43 PM
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1. Camshaft. This is THE MAJOR determinant of engine performance.
2. Heads. Better breathing.

If you do 1. and 2., then 3. is mandatory:

3. Excellent tune by a skilled tuner.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 05:53 PM
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Long Tube Headers
Cold Air Induction
Cam
Tune
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 09:40 PM
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Get the Procharger, I did the 3 recommended and I would have been better off w/ the Procharger.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:58 AM
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Although it won't add horsepower, 3.90 rear will liven up the car.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:42 AM
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first you need money.............. many, many moneys.

just a tip
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 02:04 AM
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Default Mods

Originally Posted by furniss5
What are the top 3 best mods for adding horsepower without adding superchargers/turbo/prochargers ?
Starting with the factory Car.
Thanks
Charlie
I asked Dick Gulstrand ( Legendary Corvette Racer) the exact same question at a Corvette function in South Lake Tahoe a few months back. His response was #1) Exhaust w/ X-pipe ( i went with Borla Stinger ) #2) Air induction( He recommended Black Wing) #3) As 1320 responded in this thread--Rear end gearing. I have been told by track people that the rear end change has the most impact as far as noticable feel off the line and track. If Gulstrand recommends it then it's sure as hell good enough for me!! i've got two to go and the rear gear change is next ( hopefully in the next two weeks). HAPPY MOTORING, Steve
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:00 PM
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Just add NOS and call it a day.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by blkvc6
I asked Dick Gulstrand ( Legendary Corvette Racer) the exact same question at a Corvette function in South Lake Tahoe a few months back. His response was #1) Exhaust w/ X-pipe ( i went with Borla Stinger ) #2) Air induction( He recommended Black Wing) #3) As 1320 responded in this thread--Rear end gearing. I have been told by track people that the rear end change has the most impact as far as noticable feel off the line and track. If Gulstrand recommends it then it's sure as hell good enough for me!! i've got two to go and the rear gear change is next ( hopefully in the next two weeks). HAPPY MOTORING, Steve
I effectively did all three on my C5 and got great results. I checked your profile and I guess that you have the base coupe with the 3.42 rear end. If this is the case, you will be amazed with the gear change. However, if you have an MZ6 transmission on the Z51 option, then your transmission is giving you apprximately the same results as a stock coupe with 3.90 gears. I wouldn't recommend replacing the 3.42 gears on the Z51. Overall, I liked my 4.10's better than these 3.90's but I'm not going to make any changes for just that difference. And remember, there's a warranty issue as well.
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 02:47 AM
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Default mods

Originally Posted by FunDriver
I effectively did all three on my C5 and got great results. I checked your profile and I guess that you have the base coupe with the 3.42 rear end. If this is the case, you will be amazed with the gear change. However, if you have an MZ6 transmission on the Z51 option, then your transmission is giving you apprximately the same results as a stock coupe with 3.90 gears. I wouldn't recommend replacing the 3.42 gears on the Z51. Overall, I liked my 4.10's better than these 3.90's but I'm not going to make any changes for just that difference. And remember, there's a warranty issue as well.
Fundriver, Appreciate your feedback. According to my build sheet it shows 2.56 axle. I've got F55 w/FE2 Base suspension. i drove my buddies 99 FRC and he has 3:44 which he says came from factory. Even though he has 50HP less there is a big difference in the pop factor he has off the line than i do. i do agree with the danger with the warranty issue, but after driving his i am getting greedy!!
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 02:52 AM
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Originally Posted by furniss5
What are the top 3 best mods for adding horsepower without adding superchargers/turbo/prochargers ?
Starting with the factory Car.
Thanks
Charlie
1)Nitrous

2)Dual stage Nitrous

3)Progressive Nitrous
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 02:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Moto
Just add NOS and call it a day.

true...
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by jjohn918
Long Tube Headers
Cold Air Induction
Cam
Tune


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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jjohn918
Long Tube Headers
Cold Air Induction
Cam
Tune
oh yeah and nitrous of course
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by blkvc6
I asked Dick Gulstrand ( Legendary Corvette Racer) the exact same question at a Corvette function in South Lake Tahoe a few months back. His response was #1) Exhaust w/ X-pipe ( i went with Borla Stinger ) #2) Air induction( He recommended Black Wing) #3) As 1320 responded in this thread--Rear end gearing. I have been told by track people that the rear end change has the most impact as far as noticable feel off the line and track. If Gulstrand recommends it then it's sure as hell good enough for me!! i've got two to go and the rear gear change is next ( hopefully in the next two weeks). HAPPY MOTORING, Steve

Definitely not questioning Mr. Gulstrand's opinion however the catback will get you about 3-5 and the blackwing is one of the lower gaining air intakes. The rear end will not get you any more HP/TQ it will just get you out of the hole quicker. In fact it may rob top end if you go with too low of gear. Of course if you are happy then that is all that matters. The bright side is that with those mods you dont even need a tune.
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 01:01 PM
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There's alll sorts of stuff you can do. Our C5 Big Box of Goodies works on a C6 with just some minor parts tweaking...

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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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May I suggest the Z06 mod?
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 02:23 PM
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Default Mods

Originally Posted by ccajun4real
Definitely not questioning Mr. Gulstrand's opinion however the catback will get you about 3-5 and the blackwing is one of the lower gaining air intakes. The rear end will not get you any more HP/TQ it will just get you out of the hole quicker. In fact it may rob top end if you go with too low of gear. Of course if you are happy then that is all that matters. The bright side is that with those mods you dont even need a tune.
I do agree with your statement on the blackwing as it would not be my first choice either. My build sheet shows 2.56 axle and after driving my buddies C4 w/ 3.44 it kinda got me excited. Im not sure what the right gear set-up would be to have best of both worlds, but most of the thrill is in the pull in lower gears! The last time i had fun on the top end side i beat the NSX but got the ticket!! Appreciate the feed back, Thanks, Steve
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