C6 Drag Car Build Differing Advice
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 209
From: Lake Mary Florida
C6 Drag Car Build Differing Advice
As I continune to plan for my 2010 GS A6 FI (centri) build primarly for regular drag racing with occasional street use I am getting differing information from very reputable tuners. I want to have a "reasonably bulletproof" and reliable car that will run 10.50's all day in the Florida heat. It seems I will need around 600 RWHP to meet my goals.
On the motor, one end of the advice is the stock bottom end will handle the 13-15 psi boost (w/meth and 100 octane fuel) required for the power I want. The other end of the advice is no way will the stock bottom end hold up and I need forged internals.
On the transmission, again one end of the advice is the stock 6L80 will work at this power level. The opposing view is that the A6 needs to be upgraded. (I note that I previously received Forum feedback not to even attempt to upgrade the A6 (calling it "junk") and replace it with a 2005 A4.)
I would appreciate Forum feedback as I am getting close to the point that I need to make decisions on my build.
BIGMAC
On the motor, one end of the advice is the stock bottom end will handle the 13-15 psi boost (w/meth and 100 octane fuel) required for the power I want. The other end of the advice is no way will the stock bottom end hold up and I need forged internals.
On the transmission, again one end of the advice is the stock 6L80 will work at this power level. The opposing view is that the A6 needs to be upgraded. (I note that I previously received Forum feedback not to even attempt to upgrade the A6 (calling it "junk") and replace it with a 2005 A4.)
I would appreciate Forum feedback as I am getting close to the point that I need to make decisions on my build.
BIGMAC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
You are in Florida, so I would get with Greg at FTI and have him build you a converter once you get your engine figured out and dyno tuned. We have a guy here in AZ doing 10.80's with under 500 rhwp and an automatic in his C6. Not sure if he is A6 or A4. A centri is going to be nicer to your engine than a turbo. The boost ramps up with RPM. I don't think you will need that much boost to reach 600rwhp. A good cam and headers with probably 9-12psi will probably get you there. At those power levels it's all about the tune. Don't tune it on the edge and don't rely on meth for fuel. If your $300 meth kit fails then it costs you $5k-$7k building a new engine. My opinion anyway.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
check out this guy and build, sounds like what you want. should easily run 10.50s get the details from him or ecs
About Vetter 1
Full Name
Artie
City
Nassau County,
State
N.Y.
Country
USA
Occupation
Retired
Year & Model
2008 C6 3LT A6 F-55
Color
Black/Ebony
Mods
ECS Paxton Novi 1500, American Racing Headers, Methanol Injection, ECS tune
Best 11.91 @ 119.55 on run flats
Best 11.41 @ 123.23 on drag radials
Best 10.37 @ 138.30 with ECS Novi 1500 and meth.
Best 10.00 @ 141.88 with ECS Novi 1500 and meth. (11/16/12)
Best 9.94 @ 144.43 (12/15/12)
Biography
Turbo Bob said to do a light burn out and then stage.
Signature
Artie
About Vetter 1
Full Name
Artie
City
Nassau County,
State
N.Y.
Country
USA
Occupation
Retired
Year & Model
2008 C6 3LT A6 F-55
Color
Black/Ebony
Mods
ECS Paxton Novi 1500, American Racing Headers, Methanol Injection, ECS tune
Best 11.91 @ 119.55 on run flats
Best 11.41 @ 123.23 on drag radials
Best 10.37 @ 138.30 with ECS Novi 1500 and meth.
Best 10.00 @ 141.88 with ECS Novi 1500 and meth. (11/16/12)
Best 9.94 @ 144.43 (12/15/12)
Biography
Turbo Bob said to do a light burn out and then stage.
Signature
Artie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 21
From: D Block
If you are looking to regularly race your car you will want to look further into the A6. Some love it, some hate it. Some have problems, some don't. I won't say don't build one and enjoy it, but I will say if you have the funds definitely look into going with a built A4. As for the motor, if you run with 100 octane your motor should last awhile. ECS has a lot of cars out there making over 600rwhp with no issues on a stock motor.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
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Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
You are in Florida, so I would get with Greg at FTI and have him build you a converter once you get your engine figured out and dyno tuned. We have a guy here in AZ doing 10.80's with under 500 rhwp and an automatic in his C6. Not sure if he is A6 or A4. A centri is going to be nicer to your engine than a turbo. The boost ramps up with RPM. I don't think you will need that much boost to reach 600rwhp. A good cam and headers with probably 9-12psi will probably get you there. At those power levels it's all about the tune. Don't tune it on the edge and don't rely on meth for fuel. If your $300 meth kit fails then it costs you $5k-$7k building a new engine. My opinion anyway.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
As I continune to plan for my 2010 GS A6 FI (centri) build primarly for regular drag racing with occasional street use I am getting differing information from very reputable tuners. I want to have a "reasonably bulletproof" and reliable car that will run 10.50's all day in the Florida heat. It seems I will need around 600 RWHP to meet my goals.
On the motor, one end of the advice is the stock bottom end will handle the 13-15 psi boost (w/meth and 100 octane fuel) required for the power I want. The other end of the advice is no way will the stock bottom end hold up and I need forged internals.
On the transmission, again one end of the advice is the stock 6L80 will work at this power level. The opposing view is that the A6 needs to be upgraded. (I note that I previously received Forum feedback not to even attempt to upgrade the A6 (calling it "junk") and replace it with a 2005 A4.)
I would appreciate Forum feedback as I am getting close to the point that I need to make decisions on my build.
BIGMAC
On the motor, one end of the advice is the stock bottom end will handle the 13-15 psi boost (w/meth and 100 octane fuel) required for the power I want. The other end of the advice is no way will the stock bottom end hold up and I need forged internals.
On the transmission, again one end of the advice is the stock 6L80 will work at this power level. The opposing view is that the A6 needs to be upgraded. (I note that I previously received Forum feedback not to even attempt to upgrade the A6 (calling it "junk") and replace it with a 2005 A4.)
I would appreciate Forum feedback as I am getting close to the point that I need to make decisions on my build.
BIGMAC
Anybody who tells you the A6 can't be built to withstand repeated abuse has absolutely no idea what they're talking about. While that used to be the case in the past it definitely isn't anymore.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
As I continune to plan for my 2010 GS A6 FI (centri) build primarly for regular drag racing with occasional street use I am getting differing information from very reputable tuners. I want to have a "reasonably bulletproof" and reliable car that will run 10.50's all day in the Florida heat. It seems I will need around 600 RWHP to meet my goals.
On the motor, one end of the advice is the stock bottom end will handle the 13-15 psi boost (w/meth and 100 octane fuel) required for the power I want. The other end of the advice is no way will the stock bottom end hold up and I need forged internals.
On the transmission, again one end of the advice is the stock 6L80 will work at this power level. The opposing view is that the A6 needs to be upgraded. (I note that I previously received Forum feedback not to even attempt to upgrade the A6 (calling it "junk") and replace it with a 2005 A4.)
I would appreciate Forum feedback as I am getting close to the point that I need to make decisions on my build.
BIGMAC
On the motor, one end of the advice is the stock bottom end will handle the 13-15 psi boost (w/meth and 100 octane fuel) required for the power I want. The other end of the advice is no way will the stock bottom end hold up and I need forged internals.
On the transmission, again one end of the advice is the stock 6L80 will work at this power level. The opposing view is that the A6 needs to be upgraded. (I note that I previously received Forum feedback not to even attempt to upgrade the A6 (calling it "junk") and replace it with a 2005 A4.)
I would appreciate Forum feedback as I am getting close to the point that I need to make decisions on my build.
BIGMAC
We have a lot of experience dialing in cars for 10.50 index, and have it down to a science with exactly what it takes to get there. We have so many stock bottom end customers making over 700 rwhp that we have lost count at this point. The reliability of these cars at that level with meth and 100 octane while racing is incredible.
My advice would be to go with our base Novi1500 supercharger kit, ARH or Pfadt headers, meth injection-single nozzle, and buy a drag radial for the rear and you are all set for 10.50 index classes.
The A6 trans is not my favorite Corvette trans, but the later model A6's such as would be in the GS have been holding up rather well, even after 100's of passes on them.
Feel free to give us a call if you would like to discuss this in length, and all these components are boxed ready to ship if your interested. We also have a couple of very good install centers in FL we can recommend you to go to if you are not installing it yourself, and if you chose to do the install yourself then we can send you a file to get you very close right from the start on the tune.
Thanks, Doug
Last edited by DOUG @ ECS; Jan 24, 2013 at 04:21 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
I'm pretty sure you're talking about Mike (SL33PER) and I'm the one who built his car. He's probably only making around 450rwhp and in his case it's the combo rather than high HP that's getting the job done as he still has stock injectors and stock heads but can regularly pull the front wheels off the ground with a good launch. The biggest bang for the buck mod(s) are probably the Z06 diff working in combination with the Yank SS4000 stall as he regular cuts mid 1.4 60ft times with only a 2000RPM launch.
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