Fastest C6 (but with caveats)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: CA
Fastest C6 (but with caveats)
I'm interested in seeing how fast I can get my C6 to go. However, I want to put one single restriction on what mods are allowed: no visible mods.
Basically, I am interested in seeing how fast I can make my C6 without any visible mods at all. This means headers, CAI, etc are all off the table.
What are the community's thoughts?
So far I've added gears, a 160 tstat, and a tune to my LS3 and this got me to 414 rwhp.
Clearly some sort of cam is the next option. Any other suggestions? Head porting is not inconceivable but on the LS3 with stock intake and exhaust, I doubt it's worthwhile.
Pat
Basically, I am interested in seeing how fast I can make my C6 without any visible mods at all. This means headers, CAI, etc are all off the table.
What are the community's thoughts?
So far I've added gears, a 160 tstat, and a tune to my LS3 and this got me to 414 rwhp.
Clearly some sort of cam is the next option. Any other suggestions? Head porting is not inconceivable but on the LS3 with stock intake and exhaust, I doubt it's worthwhile.
Pat
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 339
Likes: 2
From: Chatsworth
1. Hollow out your cats. That with another tune will give you some more power.
2. Add NPP which is a factory GM muffler if you do not already have it. 3. Change your run flats to non run flats which will reduce some rotational mass.
4. Change your flywheel to lighter one.
5. If you get rid of your cats you can use race gas to put out few more ponies with a race gas tune.
I think this is it.
Karn
2. Add NPP which is a factory GM muffler if you do not already have it. 3. Change your run flats to non run flats which will reduce some rotational mass.
4. Change your flywheel to lighter one.
5. If you get rid of your cats you can use race gas to put out few more ponies with a race gas tune.
I think this is it.
Karn
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: CA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: CA
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
But if your budget is limitless and everything MUST be internal, do a bore and stroke to the limit for starters. Include a cam, titanium rods, lighter pistons with more compression, some serious head work, lighter/larger valves and springs, bigger injectors. Too bad though that all the stuff you want to do will be restricted by the ability to breathe properly, which is the single most thing the ls3 needs.
Then the greatest difficulty with all the extra power is getting it to the ground with the stock tires.
If you're trying to hide mods from your wife, she probably already knows.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
1. Hollow out your cats. That with another tune will give you some more power.
2. Add NPP which is a factory GM muffler if you do not already have it. 3. Change your run flats to non run flats which will reduce some rotational mass.
4. Change your flywheel to lighter one.
5. If you get rid of your cats you can use race gas to put out few more ponies with a race gas tune.
I think this is it.
2. Add NPP which is a factory GM muffler if you do not already have it. 3. Change your run flats to non run flats which will reduce some rotational mass.
4. Change your flywheel to lighter one.
5. If you get rid of your cats you can use race gas to put out few more ponies with a race gas tune.
I think this is it.
Port your intake manifold and throttle body.
Better clutch (while you're already in there doing the above mentioned flywheel) if you're a manual...higher stall torque converter if you're an automatic (I assume from the horsepower numbers that it's a manual)
I was going to say gears but I see you already have them
Lighter brakes
You could also pull some sound deadening/carpet padding out
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
I'm interested in seeing how fast I can get my C6 to go. However, I want to put one single restriction on what mods are allowed: no visible mods.
Basically, I am interested in seeing how fast I can make my C6 without any visible mods at all. This means headers, CAI, etc are all off the table.
What are the community's thoughts?
So far I've added gears, a 160 tstat, and a tune to my LS3 and this got me to 414 rwhp.
Clearly some sort of cam is the next option. Any other suggestions? Head porting is not inconceivable but on the LS3 with stock intake and exhaust, I doubt it's worthwhile.
Pat
Basically, I am interested in seeing how fast I can make my C6 without any visible mods at all. This means headers, CAI, etc are all off the table.
What are the community's thoughts?
So far I've added gears, a 160 tstat, and a tune to my LS3 and this got me to 414 rwhp.
Clearly some sort of cam is the next option. Any other suggestions? Head porting is not inconceivable but on the LS3 with stock intake and exhaust, I doubt it's worthwhile.
Pat
Tune to run mixture of E85 and premium gasoline.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hjdPtcBXlgw
I don't believe anyone can get more stealth than that. This might be hands down the most stealth method of improving your car's performance if you are not too concerned about the possible "long term" effects of it on your fuel system components.
In the long run though, as long as you aren't running it all the time, every tank, its probably not carrying considerably more risk than some of the other stuff you could do.
.
.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jun 25, 2008 at 10:50 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Western NY New York
Hey Pat,
I actually suggested this on another thread and I think its a really neat idea. I wish you the very best of luck and can't wait for the results.
As far as Cam's, check out the Cartek website as they have a couple of smaller semi-stealthy cams that would make decent power.
Are better tires an option as long as they are on the same rims? R888's might help you hook that power up a lot better and would look pretty stock other than a different tread.
I actually suggested this on another thread and I think its a really neat idea. I wish you the very best of luck and can't wait for the results.
As far as Cam's, check out the Cartek website as they have a couple of smaller semi-stealthy cams that would make decent power.
Are better tires an option as long as they are on the same rims? R888's might help you hook that power up a lot better and would look pretty stock other than a different tread.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,404
From: Bethesda MD
Thinner head gasket and mild clean up of the LS3 heads will gain more power. Yes, there are cams that are very hard to detect, especially using stock manifolds (absorb sound) and an 850 rpm idle to eliminate lope. The key is stay zero overlap or less. I'd spec the cam and not buy off the shelf and do it as a package with a compression bump.
a full Z06 exhaust system looks like factory and will add some power. An underdrive pulley, depending upon the brand, requires a pretty good eye to spot.
a full Z06 exhaust system looks like factory and will add some power. An underdrive pulley, depending upon the brand, requires a pretty good eye to spot.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
I would do a mild cam, port the intake, port the TB, and maybe extrude hone the manifolds. Just some ideas.
Give us a call if you have any questions. It sounds like a fun project.
Max
908.317.4496
Give us a call if you have any questions. It sounds like a fun project.
Max
908.317.4496
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
If this is truely open ended funding, I would max bore and stroke the short block (or use the LS7 4.125" bore block). Use a Callies Magnum lightweight crank and Carrillo or Oliver light weight steel rods with JE forged pistons with coated skirts. Tapered tool steel wrist pins. Have the heads fully ported and install Manley titanium valves (both intake and exhaust), dual springs, titanium retainers, a good aftermarket shaft rocker system. Also port the stock intake manifold and throttle body. Cam selection should involve dyno work by a talented individual or shop to maximize the combination through stock exhaust manifolds. I agree with the recommendation to hollow out the stock cats and free up the exhaust by extrude honing the cast iron exhaust manifolds.
Consider 4.10 gears and some good drag radials and lighten the car as much as possible.
Consider 4.10 gears and some good drag radials and lighten the car as much as possible.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: CA
Pat
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Milford PA
If money is no object (or of very little), I would go the stroker/ported heads/sleeper cam/Z06 manifolds and exhaust route. If you wanted nitrous, you can add a hidden kit as well 
. If you are on a budget- maybe the Z06 exhaust setup with nitrous.
. If you are on a budget- maybe the Z06 exhaust setup with nitrous.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Pull the motor out, replace it with a larger engine, then put the stock engine covers on... Stealthy unless someone was to read the numbers on the block..
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 11
From: Toronto Ontario
I don't get it. Who are you trying to fool? You can build a powerhouse engine that appears (visibly) stock but it won't sound like stock. Even headers will change the sound. Are they just going to look at your engine but not hear it run? What's the point?