C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

ready to pull trigger on cai and headers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:36 AM
  #21  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by scottycards
CEL = check engine light.

You'll get one with headers and CAI, most likely from the O2 sensors- either the rear ones, or the front ones not coming up to temp quickly enough.

Sounds like you've decided against the headers and CAI. I'm guessing you don't know what you're missing. Have you ridden in a car with headers/CAI and tune?

It's mmmm-mmmmmm good.
You're right, I decided against it (for now) and you're right too, I haven't ridden in one with headers, CAI and tune. That's why I've been on the fence about this for so long. I may still end up doing it at some point.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:50 AM
  #22  
PeterM's Avatar
PeterM
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From: NY NY
Default Warranty Worry

IMHO life is far too short to worry about a warranty, especially if you're not going to abuse the daylights out of the car. The difference from stock to a CAI, Headers and tune on a 08 C6 Z51 is quite impressive. Throw in a cam and gears, and the difference becomes mind boggling.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #23  
scottycards's Avatar
scottycards
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31,088
Likes: 23
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Default

Originally Posted by 2008COUPE
You're right, I decided against it (for now) and you're right too, I haven't ridden in one with headers, CAI and tune. That's why I've been on the fence about this for so long. I may still end up doing it at some point.
All good. I went through the same considerations. But in the end, I decided I bought the car to enjoy. A new LS3, should the absolute worst happen, and the motor totally grenades, is going to be 5-6 grand.

My driveline? Well, if something happens there, it's a great excuse to upgrade the shafts and add gears. I don't have any concerns about my transmission, as they've proven themselves to be pretty stout- I have the auto.

I ran my newly headered/CAI'd/tuned car at the Sandhills Open Road Race in Nebraska this last weekend, and it was

Something about ripping down a little farm road at speeds around 140, bombing into the turns at 70MPH, and just hammering it back up to speed, with the headers screaming...........well, it's a spiritual experience for this Corvette driver. The power to get back up to speed with the upgrades was really impressive.

And to think, the Pony Express 130 Open Road Race is next weekend, where they let us run 168MPH on a public highway that's closed for our use by the Nevada DOT.

Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:59 PM
  #24  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by scottycards
All good. I went through the same considerations. But in the end, I decided I bought the car to enjoy. A new LS3, should the absolute worst happen, and the motor totally grenades, is going to be 5-6 grand.

My driveline? Well, if something happens there, it's a great excuse to upgrade the shafts and add gears. I don't have any concerns about my transmission, as they've proven themselves to be pretty stout- I have the auto.

I ran my newly headered/CAI'd/tuned car at the Sandhills Open Road Race in Nebraska this last weekend, and it was

Something about ripping down a little farm road at speeds around 140, bombing into the turns at 70MPH, and just hammering it back up to speed, with the headers screaming...........well, it's a spiritual experience for this Corvette driver. The power to get back up to speed with the upgrades was really impressive.

And to think, the Pony Express 130 Open Road Race is next weekend, where they let us run 168MPH on a public highway that's closed for our use by the Nevada DOT.

It's hard to ride the fence on this. Every time I make a decision someone slaps me back to the other side. This thread was suppose to help
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:01 PM
  #25  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by PeterM
IMHO life is far too short to worry about a warranty, especially if you're not going to abuse the daylights out of the car. The difference from stock to a CAI, Headers and tune on a 08 C6 Z51 is quite impressive. Throw in a cam and gears, and the difference becomes mind boggling.
More food for thought. I do baby the thing, only 3500 miles the first year and that was with 2 600 mile trips in the last month. I guess it would be a good candidate for no warranty....
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 03:51 PM
  #26  
A-Pex's Avatar
A-Pex
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 463
Likes: 4
From: Park City, UT
Default

Originally Posted by 2008COUPE
More food for thought. I do baby the thing, only 3500 miles the first year and that was with 2 600 mile trips in the last month. I guess it would be a good candidate for no warranty....
I asked myself the following questions when it came to modding my car:

1) Will this mod void some portion of my warranty?
2) If voided, will this portion impact how I repair/improve the broken parts?
3) Can I afford $5k - $6K if I had to replace my engine and/or trans. in a pinch?
4) If my rear end and/or tranny blew up due to instability/weakness, would I improve it or repair it back to stock (and risk it happening again)?
5) Do I want to drive my car like I stole it, or never hear the tires squeel from high G turns while also keeping it below every posted speed limit?

If you're financially comfortable enough to not sweat the drivetrain portion of the warranty, then from there it's just a matter of deciding what to mod, when to mod it, and how to plan your mods into your personal budget and timeline.

If you're not comfortable enough to do that, I'd recommend keeping it stock and enjoying one of the finest stock cars on the road today!

Just my $0.02
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:01 PM
  #27  
Nightstalker Medic's Avatar
Nightstalker Medic
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River Alaska
Default

Originally Posted by A-Pex

Do I want to drive my car like I stole it, or never hear the tires squeel from high G turns while also keeping it below every posted speed limit?




Wait a minute

I drive mine hard at times
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:10 PM
  #28  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by A-Pex
I asked myself the following questions when it came to modding my car:

1) Will this mod void some portion of my warranty?
2) If voided, will this portion impact how I repair/improve the broken parts?
3) Can I afford $5k - $6K if I had to replace my engine and/or trans. in a pinch?
4) If my rear end and/or tranny blew up due to instability/weakness, would I improve it or repair it back to stock (and risk it happening again)?
5) Do I want to drive my car like I stole it, or never hear the tires squeel from high G turns while also keeping it below every posted speed limit?

If you're financially comfortable enough to not sweat the drivetrain portion of the warranty, then from there it's just a matter of deciding what to mod, when to mod it, and how to plan your mods into your personal budget and timeline.

If you're not comfortable enough to do that, I'd recommend keeping it stock and enjoying one of the finest stock cars on the road today!

Just my $0.02

All good points, but others that haunt me are dependability, getting inspection stickers and wife telling me "I told you so" if something blows up
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 05:46 PM
  #29  
scottycards's Avatar
scottycards
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31,088
Likes: 23
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Default

Originally Posted by 2008COUPE
All good points, but others that haunt me are dependability, getting inspection stickers and wife telling me "I told you so" if something blows up
There are only two guarantees in life: death and taxes.

The rest is a crapshoot.

I know I'm agging you on, but search here for how many have scattered their motors from adding headers/CAI/tune. Hint: it's a pretty darn low number, probably close to zero.......



Then go buy, and enjoy. Once you have them, you'll drive your car more- guaranteed! Hit up a member in your area, and do the install yourself- it's rewarding, and not difficult in the least. I'm sure there's someone near you willing to help turn a wrench.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 05:51 PM
  #30  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by 2008COUPE
All good points, but others that haunt me are dependability, getting inspection stickers and wife telling me "I told you so" if something blows up
Good point on the inspection sticker thing but one shouldn't worry about that 'wife' thing because afterall:
Corvette gets you through times of no wife better than wife gets you through times of no Corvette.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 06:53 PM
  #31  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Good point on the inspection sticker thing but one shouldn't worry about that 'wife' thing because afterall:
Corvette gets you through times of no wife better than wife gets you through times of no Corvette.
Uh....my wife bought it for me
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 07:54 PM
  #32  
Redeemd's Avatar
Redeemd
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

whose name on the title?
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:19 PM
  #33  
Wass's Avatar
Wass
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 145
From: Northcentral, Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
Default

The difference from stock to a CAI, Headers and tune on a 08 C6 Z51 is quite impressive. Throw in a cam and gears, and the difference becomes mind boggling.
Geez...What if we only have a lowly base or F55 C6 instead of the Z51 "model".
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:43 PM
  #34  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by Redeemd
whose name on the title?


Well, mine is but she would probably get it in the divorce...unless it had mods in which case she wouldn't want it.......ah ha! We need the mods!
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 10:28 PM
  #35  
'06 Quicksilver Z06's Avatar
'06 Quicksilver Z06
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Default

Originally Posted by 2008COUPE
Well, mine is but she would probably get it in the divorce...unless it had mods in which case she wouldn't want it.......ah ha! We need the mods!
When in doubt, don't.

Reading your most recent posts, I don't get the impression that you are the type cut out for putting up with modification failures.

And make no mistake, as sure as there are "death and taxes" if you modify your car, you will likely have one issue or another.

It might be a small, easy to manage issue, it might be a big, tough to manage issue. But make no mistake, you mod it, be ready for issues.

Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Aug 13, 2008 at 10:34 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 10:55 PM
  #36  
Just Buy It's Avatar
Just Buy It
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Default

Originally Posted by 2008COUPE
So tomorrow is the big day for the 08. My question, and guess I need some reassurance, is: will the car run fine with the CAI and headers but no tune (seeing I'm not ready to drop the engine warranty)?
I know the pitfalls of hydrolocking with the CAI and am willing to take the risk but do any codes ever come up from adding these 2 items?
I was going to do the same thing with mine but with a tune. Just keep reading the tech threads and see the problems this can cause. I am keeping mine stock, better resale value, and will buy a Z06 in 2 years!
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:37 PM
  #37  
2008COUPE's Avatar
2008COUPE
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by '06 Quicksilver Z06
When in doubt, don't.

Reading your most recent posts, I don't get the impression that you are the type cut out for putting up with modification failures.

And make no mistake, as sure as there are "death and taxes" if you modify your car, you will likely have one issue or another.

It might be a small, easy to manage issue, it might be a big, tough to manage issue. But make no mistake, you mod it, be ready for issues.
Thanks. That's some interesting reading and more than just a "few problems". I think I made the right decision and I can look at it as saving a few buck and headaches.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:59 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE