New to Corvettes
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
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New to Corvettes
Alright, I am new to this forum and I just got my first Corvette, a C6 about 6 months ago. She's a 2007, black, LT1, 6 speed with 7,500 miles. I am wondering from all the experts out there, if you were me, what are the top 3 modifications you would perform first. If exhaust is something to recommend, I don't want anything that would be noisier than the OEM's.
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Brian in Maryland
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Brian in Maryland
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 70
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From: wesley chapel fl
I would say CAI and tune definitely. Headers too but will increase the exhause note even with stock cat back. I have an 08 ls3 and just with a CAI and tune I picked up 25 RWHP peak and up to 35-40 HP at certain points in the power band. Just need a good tuner, u definitely wont get that much with a diablo ot these preprogrammed devices. Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 3
From: Middle of No where AK
Headers vararam and tune. I ran headers with stock exhuast for a while and it really wasnt any louder. The other mods added about 30 rwhp and made the car noticeably more powerful. It shaved several tenths off my quater time.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Alright, I am new to this forum and I just got my first Corvette, a C6 about 6 months ago. She's a 2007, black, LT1, 6 speed with 7,500 miles. I am wondering from all the experts out there, if you were me, what are the top 3 modifications you would perform first. If exhaust is something to recommend, I don't want anything that would be noisier than the OEM's.
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Brian in Maryland
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Brian in Maryland
According to this you can't add headers or exhaust.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I would say CAI and tune definitely. Headers too but will increase the exhause note even with stock cat back. I have an 08 ls3 and just with a CAI and tune I picked up 25 RWHP peak and up to 35-40 HP at certain points in the power band. Just need a good tuner, u definitely wont get that much with a diablo ot these preprogrammed devices. Good luck
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
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From: Bethesda MD
Welcome to the board!
Top 3 depends upon how you drive and if you are budget constrained. What would you like to improve? Off the line? Highway speed? cornering?
A common choice is headers, cold air intake, and tune. Nice gains accross the power band and no negative effect on MPG or drivability. If you do a lot of stoplight racing, 4.10 gears, better tires and a MGW shifter could vastly improve 0 -60 MPH time.
As far as noise goes, headers (with highflow cats) on the stock exhaust are not loud. If you're in my neck of the woods come by and we'll take a ride and you can decide on the noise level for yourself.
Top 3 depends upon how you drive and if you are budget constrained. What would you like to improve? Off the line? Highway speed? cornering?
A common choice is headers, cold air intake, and tune. Nice gains accross the power band and no negative effect on MPG or drivability. If you do a lot of stoplight racing, 4.10 gears, better tires and a MGW shifter could vastly improve 0 -60 MPH time.
As far as noise goes, headers (with highflow cats) on the stock exhaust are not loud. If you're in my neck of the woods come by and we'll take a ride and you can decide on the noise level for yourself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,021
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From: HOUSTON TEXAS
welcome..
Alright, I am new to this forum and I just got my first Corvette, a C6 about 6 months ago. She's a 2007, black, LT1, 6 speed with 7,500 miles. I am wondering from all the experts out there, if you were me, what are the top 3 modifications you would perform first. If exhaust is something to recommend, I don't want anything that would be noisier than the OEM's.
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Brian in Maryland
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Brian in Maryland
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
First, do you want to still pass MD inspection? And second, how much are you worried about keeping your factory warranty?
Based on that, some of the answers above don't meet your criteria, or might. But the noise above OEM will most likely be affected by anything done to the exhaust, and that includes mufflers, cat back exhaust, X pipe or headers. So, if that's your criteria, those items are out.
The only other one that very likely won't affect noise or your warranty (as long as it's connected properly) is an intake as long as it doesn't cause a hydrolock (ingestion of water). Rear gears, tune, will void parts of the warranty as may/will headers.
Based on that, some of the answers above don't meet your criteria, or might. But the noise above OEM will most likely be affected by anything done to the exhaust, and that includes mufflers, cat back exhaust, X pipe or headers. So, if that's your criteria, those items are out.
The only other one that very likely won't affect noise or your warranty (as long as it's connected properly) is an intake as long as it doesn't cause a hydrolock (ingestion of water). Rear gears, tune, will void parts of the warranty as may/will headers.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,711
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From: Middle of No where AK
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2
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New to Forum
Wow, thanks to everyone so far that has replied. I like the idea of cold air intake and exhaust as I could probably do those myself with the help of a good friend with a lift in his garage.
What's the best CAI for the buck and what are a couple recommendations on a full exhaust system that isn't much louder that the stock one?
Thanks.
What's the best CAI for the buck and what are a couple recommendations on a full exhaust system that isn't much louder that the stock one?
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
vararam is probably the best CAI, although quality control hasn't always been their strong suit. Good news it has gotten better and customer service is very good. There are a couple others that are good too. Plenty of arguements on the topic in lots of threads that you can research here.
There is no point in replacing the cat back except to increase loudness or give the car a rumble. There's no real gain on a nearly stock C6 from messing with the exhaust. If you do the exhaust, its headers with cats and keep the stock mufflers so that you meet your goal of a relatively quiet car.
There is no point in replacing the cat back except to increase loudness or give the car a rumble. There's no real gain on a nearly stock C6 from messing with the exhaust. If you do the exhaust, its headers with cats and keep the stock mufflers so that you meet your goal of a relatively quiet car.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
I would say CAI and tune definitely. Headers too but will increase the exhause note even with stock cat back. I have an 08 ls3 and just with a CAI and tune I picked up 25 RWHP peak and up to 35-40 HP at certain points in the power band. Just need a good tuner, u definitely wont get that much with a diablo ot these preprogrammed devices. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Thats funny on my completely stock 06 mn6 with the diablosport 93 octane tune on 91 octane fuel I got 367 rwhp 370 tq {dynojet} and now same car with Xpipe, cai, roller rockers[1.7] DS 91 octane tune custom tuned to the car, I'm makeing 379 rwhp 380 tq on a mustang dyno!