Mod Advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Mod Advice
Hi All, I could really use some advice.
I've been allocated somewhere in the $3,000-$3500 range (by my wife, of course) to spend on mods for my 2007 Z51 MN6.
I currently have a Vararam CAI, ported intake manifold, Corsa Sport axle-back exhaust and mail-order tune.
I need to keep my C6 very drivable and reliable (so no aggressive cam), but hope to get a good seat-of-the-pants upgrade out of this.
I can DIY headers though a cam upgrade is way out of my expertise. I have HPTuners, but haven't had time to really learn the ins and outs of tuning, so I'll have to pay for that (either mail-order or local shop).
I'm also not really looking at suspension mods at this time -- I'll tackle that in the future if I ever get to a driving event and feel the limitations of the stock set-up.
Any thoughts on the best bang for that range of bucks? Long tube headers seem really expensive for the amount gained -- but I don't wanna do chinese knock-offs if possible.
Thanks in advance for the help!!!
Dan
I've been allocated somewhere in the $3,000-$3500 range (by my wife, of course) to spend on mods for my 2007 Z51 MN6.
I currently have a Vararam CAI, ported intake manifold, Corsa Sport axle-back exhaust and mail-order tune.
I need to keep my C6 very drivable and reliable (so no aggressive cam), but hope to get a good seat-of-the-pants upgrade out of this.
I can DIY headers though a cam upgrade is way out of my expertise. I have HPTuners, but haven't had time to really learn the ins and outs of tuning, so I'll have to pay for that (either mail-order or local shop).
I'm also not really looking at suspension mods at this time -- I'll tackle that in the future if I ever get to a driving event and feel the limitations of the stock set-up.
Any thoughts on the best bang for that range of bucks? Long tube headers seem really expensive for the amount gained -- but I don't wanna do chinese knock-offs if possible.
Thanks in advance for the help!!!
Dan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
Nothing wrong with that, if that is the case though I'd stick to bolt ons that can be reversed down the road to help retain a little $ when you eventually sell. Long tubes would certainly be my plan if I were in your shoes. Especially since you will save on labor doing it yourself. Unfortunately other than a cam, spray, or gears I don't know what else would really be noticeable seat of the pants in that price range. Could always save up a little more and bolt on a nice blower setup 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Nothing wrong with that, if that is the case though I'd stick to bolt ons that can be reversed down the road to help retain a little $ when you eventually sell. Long tubes would certainly be my plan if I were in your shoes. Especially since you will save on labor doing it yourself. Unfortunately other than a cam, spray, or gears I don't know what else would really be noticeable seat of the pants in that price range. Could always save up a little more and bolt on a nice blower setup
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
This is an LS2 so with your current mods, I suggest CNC ported stock heads and headers.
You can purchase CNC stock ported heads on an exchange basis from a number of shops for less than $1500. Not too difficult to install yourself.
Headers would be my next suggestion. Kooks, LG Streets, and Dynatech are common.
Then a tune. Close to $3500 for parts and not that hard to install yourself (except for the tune).
You can purchase CNC stock ported heads on an exchange basis from a number of shops for less than $1500. Not too difficult to install yourself.
Headers would be my next suggestion. Kooks, LG Streets, and Dynatech are common.
Then a tune. Close to $3500 for parts and not that hard to install yourself (except for the tune).
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
And yeah, I was thinking about just stopping by LG and seeing what they can do in that price range.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
This is an LS2 so with your current mods, I suggest CNC ported stock heads and headers.
You can purchase CNC stock ported heads on an exchange basis from a number of shops for less than $1500. Not too difficult to install yourself.
Headers would be my next suggestion. Kooks, LG Streets, and Dynatech are common.
Then a tune. Close to $3500 for parts and not that hard to install yourself (except for the tune).
You can purchase CNC stock ported heads on an exchange basis from a number of shops for less than $1500. Not too difficult to install yourself.
Headers would be my next suggestion. Kooks, LG Streets, and Dynatech are common.
Then a tune. Close to $3500 for parts and not that hard to install yourself (except for the tune).
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,105
Likes: 929
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
definitely check out LG, theyve got a lot of experience. Stay away from dallasperformance, because once that FI bug bites youll invest a small fortune into your motor
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
I got about 100 rwhp with all my mods but ported 243 stock heads and headers should give 50 rwhp but not sure since I did the headers first, then added the CNC heads and cam later. Then the FAST92.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Headers are one of the first mods to make. They are a foundation for future mods and give a real SOTP improvement with the side benefit of adding a more testosterone sound to the exhaust.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
That's becoming my ideal plan. If I install the headers / catted x-pipe myself (and find a good price), I may be able to take it in somewhere for a cam upgrade and dyno tune and maaaaybe be somewhere in the high $3,000 range total. That may be wishful thinking though (from what I've read, a cam install can be $3,000 alone).
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Park City Utah
That's becoming my ideal plan. If I install the headers / catted x-pipe myself (and find a good price), I may be able to take it in somewhere for a cam upgrade and dyno tune and maaaaybe be somewhere in the high $3,000 range total. That may be wishful thinking though (from what I've read, a cam install can be $3,000 alone).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX