Performance for dummies
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Southport NC
Performance for dummies
I recently picked up a manual 2006 C6 Z51 convertible. I don't really know much about cars beyond the obvious. I can change oil and air filters and what not and that's about it.
I'm looking for things I can do to boost performance without breaking the bank. It's already got a Corsa exhaust on it (its only mod). I think I'm going to get an Airaid intake for it. I looked at the instructions and it seems mind-numbingly simple to install.
Is there anything else I can do myself pretty easily or not terribly expensive to have installed? Also, I'm only looking for things that have a low risk of trashing the engine and keep it street legal.
Everything else I want to do is cosmetic (minor).
I'm looking for things I can do to boost performance without breaking the bank. It's already got a Corsa exhaust on it (its only mod). I think I'm going to get an Airaid intake for it. I looked at the instructions and it seems mind-numbingly simple to install.
Is there anything else I can do myself pretty easily or not terribly expensive to have installed? Also, I'm only looking for things that have a low risk of trashing the engine and keep it street legal.
- Is there any value in an upgraded intake manifold without forced induction? (I understand this may require a different hood)
- What about headers? Would it be expensive to have them installed?
- I've seen mixed reports about dyno tunes. Some people claim wild gains and others are modest. Worth it? Any recommendations in the southeast NC / northeast SC area?
- Should I be worried about any of these when it comes to emissions testing?
Everything else I want to do is cosmetic (minor).
Last edited by Fissile; Jul 26, 2010 at 07:52 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,882
Likes: 4,333
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
I recently picked up a manual 2006 C6 Z51 convertible. I don't really know much about cars beyond the obvious. I can change oil and air filters and what not and that's about it.
I'm looking for things I can do to boost performance without breaking the bank. It's already got a Corsa exhaust on it (its only mod). I think I'm going to get an Airaid intake for it. I looked at the instructions and it seems mind-numbingly simple to install.
Is there anything else I can do myself pretty easily or not terribly expensive to have installed? Also, I'm only looking for things that have a low risk of trashing the engine and keep it street legal.
Everything else I want to do is cosmetic (minor).
I'm looking for things I can do to boost performance without breaking the bank. It's already got a Corsa exhaust on it (its only mod). I think I'm going to get an Airaid intake for it. I looked at the instructions and it seems mind-numbingly simple to install.
Is there anything else I can do myself pretty easily or not terribly expensive to have installed? Also, I'm only looking for things that have a low risk of trashing the engine and keep it street legal.
- Is there any value in an upgraded intake manifold without forced induction? (I understand this may require a different hood)
- What about headers? Would it be expensive to have them installed?
- I've seen mixed reports about dyno tunes. Some people claim wild gains and others are modest. Worth it? Any recommendations in the southeast NC / northeast SC area?
- Should I be worried about any of these when it comes to emissions testing?
Everything else I want to do is cosmetic (minor).
Best upgrade you can make for your car is a high performance driving school like Spring Mountain or Bondurant. When you can properly handle the 400HP you have.....
Be careful with the emissions. I didn't take the time to look up your county, but here in Guilford, you would fail emissions with headers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Southport NC
It had the exhaust when I bought it, but I'm not sure whether or not the cats were replaced with it. I don't fit under the car so it's hard to get a good look. Obviously I wouldn't buy anything without first figuring out what I've got on there.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,882
Likes: 4,333
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
In the C5 you could get away with long tubes because the cats remained in the OEM location. Not so with the C6. Best you can do with the C6 is to install Z06 (or ZR1) exhaust. Not as good as long tubes but better than nothing.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 469
From: Las Vegas Nevada
You can see the headers from the top - cats too. Moreover, that is how the emissions tester sees the cats. He sees them, you pass visual, he doesn't see them, you fail. First thing on his list!
In the C5 you could get away with long tubes because the cats remained in the OEM location. Not so with the C6. Best you can do with the C6 is to install Z06 (or ZR1) exhaust. Not as good as long tubes but better than nothing.
In the C5 you could get away with long tubes because the cats remained in the OEM location. Not so with the C6. Best you can do with the C6 is to install Z06 (or ZR1) exhaust. Not as good as long tubes but better than nothing.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Are you going to install the Vararam yourself? Order the cats with the headers.
Here's an example, you can see the cats in the middle.
http://www.lmperformance.com/7385/74.html
Here's an example, you can see the cats in the middle.
http://www.lmperformance.com/7385/74.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Southport NC
The Vararam looks like an easy install. I know what catalytic converters look like. We cut them out of my brother's car and replaced them with straight pipes when he moved to SC (no emissions requirements).
Why do exhaust systems like the linked one include cats at all? If you're not going to meet emissions requirements, then what's the point?
However, if headers are going to make it fail inspection, then I'm not installing them.
Why do exhaust systems like the linked one include cats at all? If you're not going to meet emissions requirements, then what's the point?
However, if headers are going to make it fail inspection, then I'm not installing them.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,882
Likes: 4,333
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,882
Likes: 4,333
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
The Vararam looks like an easy install. I know what catalytic converters look like. We cut them out of my brother's car and replaced them with straight pipes when he moved to SC (no emissions requirements).
Why do exhaust systems like the linked one include cats at all? If you're not going to meet emissions requirements, then what's the point?
However, if headers are going to make it fail inspection, then I'm not installing them.
Why do exhaust systems like the linked one include cats at all? If you're not going to meet emissions requirements, then what's the point?
However, if headers are going to make it fail inspection, then I'm not installing them.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
The Vararam looks like an easy install. I know what catalytic converters look like. We cut them out of my brother's car and replaced them with straight pipes when he moved to SC (no emissions requirements).
Why do exhaust systems like the linked one include cats at all? If you're not going to meet emissions requirements, then what's the point?
However, if headers are going to make it fail inspection, then I'm not installing them.
Why do exhaust systems like the linked one include cats at all? If you're not going to meet emissions requirements, then what's the point?
However, if headers are going to make it fail inspection, then I'm not installing them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 469
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
R.P.M (Ryan's Performance Machines) in Garner does great work on installs and dyno work. He knows Corvettes and how to make them run.
If you do go with headers make sure they install the back O2 sensors for visual. The back O2 sensors are turned off by the tuner to avoid throwing any codes but the computer the state uses can't tell they are turned off and they will be there for visual
.
Bought my first Corvette '05 out of state with headers and highflow cats and had to put in the back O2 sensors because I failed visual the first time but passed once the back ones were installed.
Hope this helps.
Steve
If you do go with headers make sure they install the back O2 sensors for visual. The back O2 sensors are turned off by the tuner to avoid throwing any codes but the computer the state uses can't tell they are turned off and they will be there for visual
. Bought my first Corvette '05 out of state with headers and highflow cats and had to put in the back O2 sensors because I failed visual the first time but passed once the back ones were installed.
Hope this helps.
Steve
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Southport NC
So after the air intake, next should be headers / cats?
What about after that? Apparently most people do custom cams, but I don't want to make any gross changes to the engine.
What about the intake manifold? Is it worth upgrading without forced induction or a cam upgrade?
What about after that? Apparently most people do custom cams, but I don't want to make any gross changes to the engine.
What about the intake manifold? Is it worth upgrading without forced induction or a cam upgrade?
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,882
Likes: 4,333
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Here are the NC rules:
A vehicle shall Pass an OBD inspection if:
(a) The Malfunction Indicator Light bulb check status is ok and
(b) The Malfunction Indicator Light bulb is not “ON” with engine
running and
(c) The Malfunction Indicator Light is not commanded on for any
Diagnostic Trouble Code and
(d) The number of supported readiness monitors that are set to “not
ready” does not exceed the maximum limits based on the vehicle’s
model year. (See note below)
8. A vehicle shall Fail an OBD inspection if:
(a) The Malfunction Indicator Light bulb check status is not ok
and/or
(b) The Malfunction Indicator Light bulb is “ON” with engine running
and/or
(c) The Malfunction Indicator Light is commanded on for any
Diagnostic Trouble Code and/or
(d) The Diagnostic Link Connector has been damaged, tampered with or
is otherwise inoperable.
Note: For model years 1996-2000, a maximum of two (2)
readiness monitors may be set to “not ready”. For model
years 2001 and newer, a maximum of one (1) not
completed readiness monitor is allowed.)
The manual here:http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/vehicle_ser...nforcement.pdf
Last edited by johnodrake; Jul 29, 2010 at 01:38 PM.