What performance modification next
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 14
LS2 cars suffer from terrible air intakes so I would grab a Vararam and a ported throttlebody but be sure to add the smooth couplers, the devil is in the details. I even suggested your next few steps. 
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Dual Valve springs
Custom cam (search what really performs for you plans)
UD pulley
Another tune.
It will never really stop though.
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Dual Valve springs
Custom cam (search what really performs for you plans)
UD pulley
Another tune.
It will never really stop though.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
LS2 cars suffer from terrible air intakes so I would grab a Vararam and a ported throttlebody but be sure to add the smooth couplers, the devil is in the details. I even suggested your next few steps.
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Dual Valve springs
Custom cam (search what really performs for you plans)
UD pulley
Another tune.
It will never really stop though.
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Dual Valve springs
Custom cam (search what really performs for you plans)
UD pulley
Another tune.
It will never really stop though.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 133
From: Short Hills, NJ
LS2 cars suffer from terrible air intakes so I would grab a Vararam and a ported throttlebody but be sure to add the smooth couplers, the devil is in the details. I even suggested your next few steps.
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Vararam should easily outperform it (I have the Vararam as well) though both units get the job done.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Do you plan on modding much after this? If not, I'd just get a tune. If you do plan on additional mods in the near future you should figure out your goals for the car and make a game plan. No sense in spending money twice.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 14
I wouldn't even bother with a tune until you have installed the Vararam, ported TB and the FAST 102.....maybe even wait until you do the headers since you would make very nice power with just those mods.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I'm really not sure how far I plan on modding my ride. I only plan on a few mods. Plan that is! When you say a tune, do you mean like a dyno tune? I know that's probably a rookie question, but I'm not tracking.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Yes a dyno/street tune is what I'm referring to. If you don't plan on any future mods, a tune can help with drive-ability, torque management, and add some power making the car much more fun to drive. I believe you have a manual? Tunes really help the autos but are also useful on manuals. Many shops offer free/discounted re-tunes if you have them install minor bolt-ons at a later time. Living in TX you have some great tuners to work with. I'd speak with them and they can probably put together a nice conservative package for a decent price and a good power increase. It sounds like a basic CAI, LT, tune package would be perfect for you.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Yes a dyno/street tune is what I'm referring to. If you don't plan on any future mods, a tune can help with drive-ability, torque management, and add some power making the car much more fun to drive. I believe you have a manual? Tunes really help the autos but are also useful on manuals. Many shops offer free/discounted re-tunes if you have them install minor bolt-ons at a later time. Living in TX you have some great tuners to work with. I'd speak with them and they can probably put together a nice conservative package for a decent price and a good power increase. It sounds like a basic CAI, LT, tune package would be perfect for you.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I have absolutely no experience with these shops so please don't just take my word on them. I am only going by what I have read on various forums. Your best bet is to speak with them and their customers and see which shop you feel will treat you and your car right.
In no particular order:
http://www.latemodelracecraft.com/
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.latemodelengines.com/
http://21stcenturymusclecars.com/
http://www.englandgreen.com/
http://www.gforce-tx.com/
http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/
In no particular order:
http://www.latemodelracecraft.com/
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.latemodelengines.com/
http://21stcenturymusclecars.com/
http://www.englandgreen.com/
http://www.gforce-tx.com/
http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I have absolutely no experience with these shops so please don't just take my word on them. I am only going by what I have read on various forums. Your best bet is to speak with them and their customers and see which shop you feel will treat you and your car right.
In no particular order:
http://www.latemodelracecraft.com/
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.latemodelengines.com/
http://21stcenturymusclecars.com/
http://www.englandgreen.com/
http://www.gforce-tx.com/
http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/
In no particular order:
http://www.latemodelracecraft.com/
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.latemodelengines.com/
http://21stcenturymusclecars.com/
http://www.englandgreen.com/
http://www.gforce-tx.com/
http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: NJ
LS2 cars suffer from terrible air intakes so I would grab a Vararam and a ported throttlebody but be sure to add the smooth couplers, the devil is in the details. I even suggested your next few steps.
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Dual Valve springs
Custom cam (search what really performs for you plans)
UD pulley
Another tune.
It will never really stop though.
Then a FAST 102 (LS2 intakes are absolute junk)
Tune
Kooks/LG/ARH headers
Tune
Dual Valve springs
Custom cam (search what really performs for you plans)
UD pulley
Another tune.
It will never really stop though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Depends on what you want to pick up first.
A full long tube header kit will pick up HP and TQ both across the board. Even our entry level Street Series kits will show 26-32 rwhp and 30-35 rwtq. Big difference, not only in sound but also in seat of the pants. While not everyone cares I have seen 1-2 mpg increase with a cold air at the same time on the highway.
A FAST intake manifold will pick up a lot of mid range torque and a little bit of mid to upper end HP. I think these do as much for torque as the headers do. I managed to gain 65 rwtq with this intake, cold air, and our Pro headers.
A cold air intake for them should show 8-12 hp and not so much for torque. Not a big gain, but it should be done if for nothing else for a supporting modification and effeciency.
Mufflers don't seem to do much more than change the sound of the car, at least not until you start making a big dent in the modification lists.
A full long tube header kit will pick up HP and TQ both across the board. Even our entry level Street Series kits will show 26-32 rwhp and 30-35 rwtq. Big difference, not only in sound but also in seat of the pants. While not everyone cares I have seen 1-2 mpg increase with a cold air at the same time on the highway.
A FAST intake manifold will pick up a lot of mid range torque and a little bit of mid to upper end HP. I think these do as much for torque as the headers do. I managed to gain 65 rwtq with this intake, cold air, and our Pro headers.
A cold air intake for them should show 8-12 hp and not so much for torque. Not a big gain, but it should be done if for nothing else for a supporting modification and effeciency.
Mufflers don't seem to do much more than change the sound of the car, at least not until you start making a big dent in the modification lists.
