Best bang for the buck
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville Texas
Best bang for the buck
Hi, I have a 2009 Corvette z51 a6. I am looking for some form of performance enhancement within my meager budget of about 1k. What is the best bang for the dollar spent?
Thanks,
Howard
Thanks,
Howard
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
1K isnt alot of cash to do much. I wouldnt waste it on just a tune at this time. Keep it in the piggy and keep feeding it until you get enough for longtubes and CAI, then get a tune. thats what I would do.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 20
How much power would you expect to get from this? I have an 05' LS2.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Most tuners will retune at very inexpensive rates for simple boltons.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
I wouldn't even bother with a CAI on the LS3 for now. I'd look for a used set of headers and get a tune along with them. You could probably do that for under $1500 assuming you install the headers yourself.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...ole-p-698.html
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 21
From: Placitas New Mexico
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...-w-o-cats.html
or http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...ipe-750-a.html
Install these yourself ($700), install a 160* t-stat ($30), and get a mail order ($150$) tune from Doug at ECS
Never mind, I see you have an 09, the x-pipe is different
or http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...ipe-750-a.html
Install these yourself ($700), install a 160* t-stat ($30), and get a mail order ($150$) tune from Doug at ECS
Never mind, I see you have an 09, the x-pipe is different
Last edited by tomiboy; Dec 2, 2010 at 05:27 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 21
From: D Block
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
As mentioned, about 35 or so. The good thing is most of the increases are in the middle of the powerband.It really fattens it up and is really noticeable SOTP when youre driving around. Headers are also a foundation building block for future mods down the road. Im at 600bhp now and looking for more. I started with LT's and most of us have. Again, I wouldnt waste it on a tune untill you do some mods firsts. That to me, is putting the cart before the horse.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Hey Howard...
Here's some sound advice...
CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!
There is absolutely NO WAY to get more bang for the buck (or spend less bucks)
than my A6 ATTACK TUNE.
Stay TUNED!
Chuck CoW
Last edited by Chuck CoW; Dec 4, 2010 at 09:16 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 20
For those of you with warranties, how does adding intake, headers, and even a tune affect that? I remember reading somewhere in my extended warranty that any modification would void coverage, or something to that extent.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Intake and Headers shouldn't void anything except for those components. A tune will void your powertrain warranty if they check for it.
That said....my car was tuned within the first 3 months.
That said....my car was tuned within the first 3 months.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
1K budget for mods on a 50K car isn't much.
Here's a few items to add or release untapped HP on the cheap.
Dyno tune (do a local guy who will do simple tweaks later at reduced prices)
160 stat
used Z06 exhaust (manifolds, cats, H-pipe, mufflers)
prop the shroud open
later add:
higher stall converter
drag radials
Vararam
switch to headers
a tuning program to log with
then still later add:
electric water pump
Z06 gears
FAST intake
skinnies
roll bars (because you're now below 11.50)
even later: ........... and the list goes on for a long ways.
Here's a few items to add or release untapped HP on the cheap.
Dyno tune (do a local guy who will do simple tweaks later at reduced prices)
160 stat
used Z06 exhaust (manifolds, cats, H-pipe, mufflers)
prop the shroud open
later add:
higher stall converter
drag radials
Vararam
switch to headers
a tuning program to log with
then still later add:
electric water pump
Z06 gears
FAST intake
skinnies
roll bars (because you're now below 11.50)
even later: ........... and the list goes on for a long ways.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
It will solely depend on the dealership and warranty rep but there's a 99% chance that any of the above will void your warranty. GM isn't playing around anymore.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
If you are going with new parts, and can part with another $200:
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co..._packages.html
This is the cost at ECS for Vararam, 160 stat, and dyno tune. Give them a call and see if they can do it thru one of their local partner shops. That price will also drop a bit if you decide to just do a maill order tune which many people have been really happy with. Give Chris, Mike or Doug a call.
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co..._packages.html
This is the cost at ECS for Vararam, 160 stat, and dyno tune. Give them a call and see if they can do it thru one of their local partner shops. That price will also drop a bit if you decide to just do a maill order tune which many people have been really happy with. Give Chris, Mike or Doug a call.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
The LS3 intake is already very good...open up the shroud for it to get some fresh air and save money on the Vararam. That's what I'd do.
Best bang for the buck would be to get a cheap set of headers, take 4-5 hours for the install and then get it tuned.
Headers and intake should not void your warranty at any dealership.
Best bang for the buck would be to get a cheap set of headers, take 4-5 hours for the install and then get it tuned.
Headers and intake should not void your warranty at any dealership.