What defines "bolt-on" ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,311
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From: Chicago IL
What defines "bolt-on" ?
I know the obvious, like headers, CAI, exhaust are all bolt-ons. But where does that line end? Cam is not considered a bolt-on because its internal, but a SC isnt internal and yet is not considered a "bolt-on". Are gears considered bolt-ons? They are internal changes too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
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Generally easy to install external engine parts, generally $100-$1000 that don't significantly change the attitude of the car. You get the idea-
Gears, clutches and driveshafts would NOT be considered bolt ons.
Gears, clutches and driveshafts would NOT be considered bolt ons.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
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From: Southampton NJ
I know the obvious, like headers, CAI, exhaust are all bolt-ons. But where does that line end? Cam is not considered a bolt-on because its internal, but a SC isnt internal and yet is not considered a "bolt-on". Are gears considered bolt-ons? They are internal changes too.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,711
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From: Middle of No where AK
on that a while ago since it spills fluid when you change em but what the hell do I know. My opinion on "bolt ons"
headers, cai, intake, cat back, ud pulley you get the idea.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southampton NJ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: CA
I consider boltons to be any external performance part that you can bolt up to the engine that doesn't touch oil. For example; Intake manifold, pulley, headers, EWP, TB, CAI, etc. Clutches, stalls, gears, are all boltons because they are not engine parts.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
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From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
BOLT/ON is more or less a ruling defined by LS1TECH of the guys who race, its nothing in the engine that touches oil so heads cam rockers valves, it only pertains to the engine not the trans or rear as far as a supercharger or turbo or nitrous then its forced induction
j/k of course
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You could also define bolt-ons by process of elimination. It's not increased displacement, nor FI/nitrous, nor does it touch engine oil, but yet it is a change from bone-stock that affects performance.
An aftermarket stereo, padded console lid, or stainless alternator covers are not considered bolt-ons even though they are bolted in place because they don't affect performance. However, removing the NPP fuse is a bolt-on because it supposedly does affect performance.
Personal opinion regarding the NPP fuse decision.
I'd still like to see a GM dyno chart that compares the NPP open to closed at 3500 rpm. It's hard to believe that even 1 hp of the 6 claimed happens that early.
An aftermarket stereo, padded console lid, or stainless alternator covers are not considered bolt-ons even though they are bolted in place because they don't affect performance. However, removing the NPP fuse is a bolt-on because it supposedly does affect performance.
Personal opinion regarding the NPP fuse decision.
I'd still like to see a GM dyno chart that compares the NPP open to closed at 3500 rpm. It's hard to believe that even 1 hp of the 6 claimed happens that early.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Short Hills, NJ
100%As long as the modification doesn't touch engine oil (and is also naturally aspirated) then it's considered a bolt on.
This really isn't even open to interpretation as these guidelines/completely universally accepted definitions were put into place in the LSx racing world LONG before the C6 was even on the drawing board.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,311
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From: Chicago IL
100%As long as the modification doesn't touch engine oil (and is also naturally aspirated) then it's considered a bolt on.
This really isn't even open to interpretation as these guidelines/completely universally accepted definitions were put into place in the LSx racing world LONG before the C6 was even on the drawing board.
Can you link me to those "universally accepted" definitions please?
I guess by your logic, a full racing transmission swap would be considered a "bolt-on"....correct? Why is it ok to swap out a 2.56 rear end for a 4.11 rear end and classify it as a "bolt-on", but if you swapped the 6.2L motor for a 454 motor, thats not a "bolt-on"? Both procedures are simply swapping part for part. You say engine oil is the definer....so trans oil doesnt matter?
Last edited by C6Phil; Oct 13, 2010 at 06:04 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
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From: Southampton NJ
Can you link me to those "universally accepted" definitions please?
I guess by your logic, a full racing transmission swap would be considered a "bolt-on"....correct? Why is it ok to swap out a 2.56 rear end for a 4.11 rear end and classify it as a "bolt-on", but if you swapped the 6.2L motor for a 454 motor, thats not a "bolt-on"? Both procedures are simply swapping part for part. You say engine oil is the definer....so trans oil doesnt matter?
I guess by your logic, a full racing transmission swap would be considered a "bolt-on"....correct? Why is it ok to swap out a 2.56 rear end for a 4.11 rear end and classify it as a "bolt-on", but if you swapped the 6.2L motor for a 454 motor, thats not a "bolt-on"? Both procedures are simply swapping part for part. You say engine oil is the definer....so trans oil doesnt matter?
__________________
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/drag-r...1-74-bump.html
like i said gears were an option and transmissions. motors are not, we all got into the bolt/on game playing by the same rules. are there any other games you would like to change the rules of, maybe chess, or baseball 4 strikes and your out
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
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From: Short Hills, NJ
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/drag-r...1-74-bump.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/perf...uick-list.html
Yes, transmission fluid does not matter.
If I converted my A6 to an A4 or even an M6 but made no other changes my car could still fall under the title of 'bolt ons only'.
That's how it is and that's how it's always been.
For the record I still have stock 2.56 gears so my motivation for discussing this topic is not a self serving one, I'm merely speaking up for the other legitimate bolt on cars that do have gears.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/perf...uick-list.html
Yes, transmission fluid does not matter.
If I converted my A6 to an A4 or even an M6 but made no other changes my car could still fall under the title of 'bolt ons only'.
That's how it is and that's how it's always been.
For the record I still have stock 2.56 gears so my motivation for discussing this topic is not a self serving one, I'm merely speaking up for the other legitimate bolt on cars that do have gears.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
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From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
...... Hey wait till everyone starts debating "bolt offs" 
We here on the Corvette Forum beat every issue to death
and then revisit it and beat it a bit more 
just to insure that it is really dead kinda like the wicked witch With regard to the 1/4 list way back in the beginning when we set the rules in stone it was decided what were bolt ons. Please see page one of the list for the rules.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
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From: CA
