California Mods
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Gilroy Ca
California Mods
Still new to Corvette.
What are some good low budget mods, that will yield moderate to high HP & Torque returns, that are still Ca legal and will pass smog.
In other words, best bang for the buck.
I am not looking for the fastest 1/4 mile. But I know there is a lot more then just the stock 400hp the car comes with. That LS2 sounds like it is begging to be unlocked.
It's not a daily driver but I would like to retain its reliability.
Any suggestions?
What are some good low budget mods, that will yield moderate to high HP & Torque returns, that are still Ca legal and will pass smog.
In other words, best bang for the buck.
I am not looking for the fastest 1/4 mile. But I know there is a lot more then just the stock 400hp the car comes with. That LS2 sounds like it is begging to be unlocked.
It's not a daily driver but I would like to retain its reliability.
Any suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Still new to Corvette.
What are some good low budget mods, that will yield moderate to high HP & Torque returns, that are still Ca legal and will pass smog.
In other words, best bang for the buck.
I am not looking for the fastest 1/4 mile. But I know there is a lot more then just the stock 400hp the car comes with. That LS2 sounds like it is begging to be unlocked.
It's not a daily driver but I would like to retain its reliability.
Any suggestions?
What are some good low budget mods, that will yield moderate to high HP & Torque returns, that are still Ca legal and will pass smog.
In other words, best bang for the buck.
I am not looking for the fastest 1/4 mile. But I know there is a lot more then just the stock 400hp the car comes with. That LS2 sounds like it is begging to be unlocked.
It's not a daily driver but I would like to retain its reliability.
Any suggestions?
If you want to stay legal, you need CARB numbers on everything. A CARB legal supercharger is probably the way to go.
San
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: East Bay Ca
I have to agree with oldmansan. If you want to stay completely smog legal your only options are a CARB legal supercharger and either a cat back or axle back exhaust system. I've even heard of guy's failing the visual portion of the smog test because of an aftermarket air induction system. CARB has gotten way out of hand and needs to be stopped. www.killcarb.org
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
I have to agree with oldmansan. If you want to stay completely smog legal your only options are a CARB legal supercharger and either a cat back or axle back exhaust system. I've even heard of guy's failing the visual portion of the smog test because of an aftermarket air induction system. CARB has gotten way out of hand and needs to be stopped. www.killcarb.org
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 711
From: Sausalito CA
Camshaft w/ Cat back exhaust.
or
CARB Supercharger.
Any intake (without CARB sticker) will fail the visual inspection. There are no CARB headers yet some recommend Z06 exhaust manifolds.
Some computer tunes will increase performance and still pass smog.
Ask Rick at Synergy Motorsports in Fremont.
or
CARB Supercharger.
Any intake (without CARB sticker) will fail the visual inspection. There are no CARB headers yet some recommend Z06 exhaust manifolds.
Some computer tunes will increase performance and still pass smog.
Ask Rick at Synergy Motorsports in Fremont.
Last edited by Kenny94945; Jul 31, 2011 at 09:38 AM. Reason: add info
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I picked up around 40 rwhp with Z06 manifolds/cats and "H" pipe with tune on a LS3.
Numbers were adjusted due to the change in gears. Actually rwhp with 4:10's and stated mods was 403. Stock was 375 rwhp. Most say 10 rwhp loss due to 4:10's. I came up with closer to 12 rwhp. I figure my number is 415 rwhp with the gears but adjusted to read without gear change.
While not a totally legal change I suspect no problems passing visual inspection. The Z06 gear is OEM just not specific to the LS3. Looks stock to me.
Stock air intake too.
Numbers were adjusted due to the change in gears. Actually rwhp with 4:10's and stated mods was 403. Stock was 375 rwhp. Most say 10 rwhp loss due to 4:10's. I came up with closer to 12 rwhp. I figure my number is 415 rwhp with the gears but adjusted to read without gear change.
While not a totally legal change I suspect no problems passing visual inspection. The Z06 gear is OEM just not specific to the LS3. Looks stock to me.
Stock air intake too.
Last edited by Boomer111; Jul 31, 2011 at 10:43 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Rocklin CA
Actualy there are CARB legal headers :-) JBA makes a set ! Personally go with te full ZO6 manifold cutback setup - then a carb legal intake of some sort - mild street cam and a
Good tune and your in like sin
. I posted this same question about 3 weeks ago when I picked up my baby in sacramento
Good tune and your in like sin
. I posted this same question about 3 weeks ago when I picked up my baby in sacramento
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
Actualy there are CARB legal headers :-) JBA makes a set ! Personally go with te full ZO6 manifold cutback setup - then a carb legal intake of some sort - mild street cam and a
Good tune and your in like sin. I posted this same question about 3 weeks ago when I picked up my baby in sacramento
Good tune and your in like sin
. I posted this same question about 3 weeks ago when I picked up my baby in sacramentoDJ
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,402
From: Bethesda MD
won't help with dyno numbers, but gears and tires (M6) or a torque converter and tires (A6) will go a long way to improving off the line performance and the fun factor w/o needing a carb sticker.
Or exterior mods and save for an Eforce setup or procharger
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Only problem with cam is additional valve train wear/maintenance.
I guess if you go small enough it would be ok, but you could get the same power from bolt on mods without having to open the engine up and still pass emissions going with the Z06 set up/tune.
Most power and legal is the FI route but then it is $$ and engine longevity is questioned.
I went with the Z06 system/tune and 4:10 gears. You could get it done for around $3500.
I guess if you go small enough it would be ok, but you could get the same power from bolt on mods without having to open the engine up and still pass emissions going with the Z06 set up/tune.
Most power and legal is the FI route but then it is $$ and engine longevity is questioned.
I went with the Z06 system/tune and 4:10 gears. You could get it done for around $3500.
Last edited by Boomer111; Aug 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Rocklin CA
Only problem with cam is additional valve train wear/maintenance.
I keep reading about this issue... As comming from the mustang world and the NSR setups (No springs required) Im not certain i grasp this concept completely.. wouldnt a mild cam and good tune elminate the valve train wear ..?? As for gears what are the stock M6 equipped with anyway...?? I assume with 6 speeds 4.10s will be just fine anyway street and freeway.. also with a cam in the LS engines, is it needed to run a higher gear ratio to offset the loss of low end trq..???
I keep reading about this issue... As comming from the mustang world and the NSR setups (No springs required) Im not certain i grasp this concept completely.. wouldnt a mild cam and good tune elminate the valve train wear ..?? As for gears what are the stock M6 equipped with anyway...?? I assume with 6 speeds 4.10s will be just fine anyway street and freeway.. also with a cam in the LS engines, is it needed to run a higher gear ratio to offset the loss of low end trq..???
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I picked up around 40 rwhp with Z06 manifolds/cats and "H" pipe with tune on a LS3.
Numbers were adjusted due to the change in gears. Actually rwhp with 4:10's and stated mods was 403. Stock was 375 rwhp. Most say 10 rwhp loss due to 4:10's. I came up with closer to 12 rwhp. I figure my number is 415 rwhp with the gears but adjusted to read without gear change.
While not a totally legal change I suspect no problems passing visual inspection. The Z06 gear is OEM just not specific to the LS3. Looks stock to me.
Stock air intake too.
Numbers were adjusted due to the change in gears. Actually rwhp with 4:10's and stated mods was 403. Stock was 375 rwhp. Most say 10 rwhp loss due to 4:10's. I came up with closer to 12 rwhp. I figure my number is 415 rwhp with the gears but adjusted to read without gear change.
While not a totally legal change I suspect no problems passing visual inspection. The Z06 gear is OEM just not specific to the LS3. Looks stock to me.
Stock air intake too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
Still new to Corvette.
What are some good low budget mods, that will yield moderate to high HP & Torque returns, that are still Ca legal and will pass smog.
In other words, best bang for the buck.
I am not looking for the fastest 1/4 mile. But I know there is a lot more then just the stock 400hp the car comes with. That LS2 sounds like it is begging to be unlocked.
It's not a daily driver but I would like to retain its reliability.
Any suggestions?
What are some good low budget mods, that will yield moderate to high HP & Torque returns, that are still Ca legal and will pass smog.
In other words, best bang for the buck.
I am not looking for the fastest 1/4 mile. But I know there is a lot more then just the stock 400hp the car comes with. That LS2 sounds like it is begging to be unlocked.
It's not a daily driver but I would like to retain its reliability.
Any suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Only problem with cam is additional valve train wear/maintenance.
I keep reading about this issue... As comming from the mustang world and the NSR setups (No springs required) Im not certain i grasp this concept completely.. wouldnt a mild cam and good tune elminate the valve train wear ..?? As for gears what are the stock M6 equipped with anyway...?? I assume with 6 speeds 4.10s will be just fine anyway street and freeway.. also with a cam in the LS engines, is it needed to run a higher gear ratio to offset the loss of low end trq..???
I keep reading about this issue... As comming from the mustang world and the NSR setups (No springs required) Im not certain i grasp this concept completely.. wouldnt a mild cam and good tune elminate the valve train wear ..?? As for gears what are the stock M6 equipped with anyway...?? I assume with 6 speeds 4.10s will be just fine anyway street and freeway.. also with a cam in the LS engines, is it needed to run a higher gear ratio to offset the loss of low end trq..???
Usually the performance cam will require more lift hence tougher on the springs. Although wanting a smog legal upgraded cam would not be as tough on the springs. Still though upgraded springs are recommended.
