Some performance advice please
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Some performance advice please
I recently purchased a Callaway Honker (three weeks back ordered) and 180 degree thermostat. I have been looking into getting some Callaway ignition wires and more importantly a Diablosport programmer. I am not sure if I should even bother spending the money on the programmer and wires. I have been looking at the forum day and night for two weeks and sI am still not sure. Any advice? BTW I would spend the money on a set of headers and cats but the wife would kill me (new baby at home). I am on a budget
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City
You won't really get anything out of the wires unless the oness you have are already old. Unless you have to pull the wires for some other mod, in which case you'll probably break at least one, the stock wires will be more than enough. Porting the TB and intake would probably get you decent value.
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I recently purchased a Callaway Honker (three weeks back ordered) and 180 degree thermostat. I have been looking into getting some Callaway ignition wires and more importantly a Diablosport programmer. I am not sure if I should even bother spending the money on the programmer and wires. I have been looking at the forum day and night for two weeks and sI am still not sure. Any advice? BTW I would spend the money on a set of headers and cats but the wife would kill me (new baby at home). I am on a budget
i was there once, i have the callaway and the diablo, I definitely noticed an improvement with the diablo (see my prior review) and you will get a couple extra mpg, i tried the 180 stat w/out success, car ran hotter than stock, dont think ignition wires alone are worth the upgrade, hope this helps
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
and skip the diablo and wires, do yourself a favor and get your car dyno tuned by one of the many professionals here.
If you would list your location in your profile I am sure there are many we can recommend.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
I am from the Toronto area and it is much more difficult to get a decent tune around here. Anyone know a good place to go. I am still on the fence about the predator though. Will it tune based on the upgrades I have? I have changed my order to the 160 degree. Thanks.
Last edited by reza; Jul 13, 2008 at 01:40 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
Definately the 160 stat, forget about the wires, re-think the Predator as I have one and it doesn't do everything I would like to do with re-programming the computer, so I'm not exactly happy with it. Do more research before you spend well over $300 for this!
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
A 160 degree tstat may not be a good idea in Canada. Below is a recent discussion about 160 degree thermostats.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=160+degree
Here is a quote from the above thread:
"In the old days ('60s and '70) our performance cars had woefully inadequate cooling systems, and a lower temperature stat actually made a difference. Sometimes I would remove the thermostat entirely. The big block Fords I campaigned with at the strip would bake in the staging area. We ran the heaters at full blast and popped the hoods to try to bleed off heat, sweating like pigs. That isn't the case today. And you're right about optimum operating temperature for performance and longevity. I even had better performance with my hot-running Vorteched LT1 with the stock stat. Of course, temps have to be moderate enough that the knock sensor doesn't pull out timing.
Engines like cool air, but not cool operating temperatures. There's a distinction. I wouldn't go lower than a 180 degree stat in any situation, and the one time I used a 160, I was way down in power and had no heat in the winter. BTW, if you run a 160 degree stat in the winter, you are a fool. Flat out. At least make this a seasonal mod, like snow tires. Or wear an extra sweater."
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=160+degree
Here is a quote from the above thread:
"In the old days ('60s and '70) our performance cars had woefully inadequate cooling systems, and a lower temperature stat actually made a difference. Sometimes I would remove the thermostat entirely. The big block Fords I campaigned with at the strip would bake in the staging area. We ran the heaters at full blast and popped the hoods to try to bleed off heat, sweating like pigs. That isn't the case today. And you're right about optimum operating temperature for performance and longevity. I even had better performance with my hot-running Vorteched LT1 with the stock stat. Of course, temps have to be moderate enough that the knock sensor doesn't pull out timing.
Engines like cool air, but not cool operating temperatures. There's a distinction. I wouldn't go lower than a 180 degree stat in any situation, and the one time I used a 160, I was way down in power and had no heat in the winter. BTW, if you run a 160 degree stat in the winter, you are a fool. Flat out. At least make this a seasonal mod, like snow tires. Or wear an extra sweater."
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
A 160 degree tstat may not be a good idea in Canada. Below is a recent discussion about 160 degree thermostats.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=160+degree
Here is a quote from the above thread:
"In the old days ('60s and '70) our performance cars had woefully inadequate cooling systems, and a lower temperature stat actually made a difference. Sometimes I would remove the thermostat entirely. The big block Fords I campaigned with at the strip would bake in the staging area. We ran the heaters at full blast and popped the hoods to try to bleed off heat, sweating like pigs. That isn't the case today. And you're right about optimum operating temperature for performance and longevity. I even had better performance with my hot-running Vorteched LT1 with the stock stat. Of course, temps have to be moderate enough that the knock sensor doesn't pull out timing.
Engines like cool air, but not cool operating temperatures. There's a distinction. I wouldn't go lower than a 180 degree stat in any situation, and the one time I used a 160, I was way down in power and had no heat in the winter. BTW, if you run a 160 degree stat in the winter, you are a fool. Flat out. At least make this a seasonal mod, like snow tires. Or wear an extra sweater."
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=160+degree
Here is a quote from the above thread:
"In the old days ('60s and '70) our performance cars had woefully inadequate cooling systems, and a lower temperature stat actually made a difference. Sometimes I would remove the thermostat entirely. The big block Fords I campaigned with at the strip would bake in the staging area. We ran the heaters at full blast and popped the hoods to try to bleed off heat, sweating like pigs. That isn't the case today. And you're right about optimum operating temperature for performance and longevity. I even had better performance with my hot-running Vorteched LT1 with the stock stat. Of course, temps have to be moderate enough that the knock sensor doesn't pull out timing.
Engines like cool air, but not cool operating temperatures. There's a distinction. I wouldn't go lower than a 180 degree stat in any situation, and the one time I used a 160, I was way down in power and had no heat in the winter. BTW, if you run a 160 degree stat in the winter, you are a fool. Flat out. At least make this a seasonal mod, like snow tires. Or wear an extra sweater."
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
You won't really get anything out of the wires unless the oness you have are already old. Unless you have to pull the wires for some other mod, in which case you'll probably break at least one, the stock wires will be more than enough. Porting the TB and intake would probably get you decent value.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
Without headers porting the intake is a waste of time and honestly without a proper dyno tune , porting the intake is a waste of time and money as well. Does not matter how much air you can get in the motor if you can't get it out just as effectively. Do you have a laptop?
I would buy HP tuner software, data log your car and then email the info to spinmonster here on the forum and have him set you up with a proper email tune. The tune will make a large difference in performance and throttle response especially when combined with a good CAI like the LPE or Callaway unit.
I would buy HP tuner software, data log your car and then email the info to spinmonster here on the forum and have him set you up with a proper email tune. The tune will make a large difference in performance and throttle response especially when combined with a good CAI like the LPE or Callaway unit.
Last edited by C6400hp; Jul 13, 2008 at 03:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Without headers porting the intake is a waste of time and honestly without a proper dyno tune , porting the intake is a waste of time and money as well. Does not matter how much air you can get in the motor if you can't get it out just as effectively. Do you have a laptop?
I would buy HP tuner software, data log your car and then email the info to spinmonster here on the forum and have him set you up with a proper email tune. The tune will make a large difference in performance and throttle response especially when combined with a good CAI like the LPE or Callaway unit.
I would buy HP tuner software, data log your car and then email the info to spinmonster here on the forum and have him set you up with a proper email tune. The tune will make a large difference in performance and throttle response especially when combined with a good CAI like the LPE or Callaway unit.
Lots of different opinions I think I am more confused now than when I stareted the post but these all sound like great options. I wish I could get some more opinions. I looked at the HP tuner software it is quite expensive. Is this then the best bang for buck?
Last edited by reza; Jul 14, 2008 at 07:05 AM.