2011 c6 base build
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 67
Likes: 6
From: Taylorsville,ky
2011 c6 base build
Getting ideas for my first mods to the new to me 2011 base c6 a6. Looking for input, opinions and any recommendations as this will be my first ls3 build and will be my daily driver. The following is what I have in mind so far.
CAI: halltech (which I'm leaning towards, only thing not pushing me over edge is price) or vararam (dont like what I've read in regards to fitment)
Headers: lg or kook with x pipe. Also thinking about texas speed headers but worried about quality over time, but I like the price.
Exhaust: think I've decided on the billy boat prt, I like the deep tones.
Ported throttle body: is it worth it?
Also any recommendations on where to take to get tuned in ky, I live close to louisville. Thank you in advance
CAI: halltech (which I'm leaning towards, only thing not pushing me over edge is price) or vararam (dont like what I've read in regards to fitment)
Headers: lg or kook with x pipe. Also thinking about texas speed headers but worried about quality over time, but I like the price.
Exhaust: think I've decided on the billy boat prt, I like the deep tones.
Ported throttle body: is it worth it?
Also any recommendations on where to take to get tuned in ky, I live close to louisville. Thank you in advance
Last edited by Eapel; Sep 19, 2020 at 11:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 165
From: Lombard, IL (Chicago suburbs)
Getting ideas for my first mods to the new to me 2011 base c6 a6. Looking for input, opinions and any recommendations as this will be my first ls3 build and will be my daily driver. The following is what I have in mind so far.
CAI: halltech (which I'm leaning towards, only thing not pushing me over edge is price) or vararam (dont like what I've read in regards to fitment)
Headers: lg or kook with x pipe. Also thinking about texas speed headers but worried about quality over time, but I like the price.
Exhaust: think I've decided on the billy boat prt, I like the deep tones.
Ported throttle body: is it worth it?
Also any recommendations on where to take to get tuned in ky, I live close to louisville. Thank you in advance
CAI: halltech (which I'm leaning towards, only thing not pushing me over edge is price) or vararam (dont like what I've read in regards to fitment)
Headers: lg or kook with x pipe. Also thinking about texas speed headers but worried about quality over time, but I like the price.
Exhaust: think I've decided on the billy boat prt, I like the deep tones.
Ported throttle body: is it worth it?
Also any recommendations on where to take to get tuned in ky, I live close to louisville. Thank you in advance
Is it an automatic or manual? if it's an automatic consider a torque converter (if drag racing is a goal) and if it's a manual consider an MGW short throw shifter.
Also if you are looking for suspension improvements you could look at Z51 sway bars and Z06 shocks (or Bilsteins for a bit more money) and that will improve the handling significantly.
Finally, consider non-runflat tires if the ones you have are original (they are fairly old at this point) Alot of people really find that tires make a big difference on this car.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
By far... the biggest improvement you can make to a base Corvette per dollar spent is Z51 swaybars ($250) so the car no longer corners like a Cadillac. These can be added without sacrificing ride and are relatively cheap. They are easy for anyone to install and it takes about an hour.
Next up is Bilstein B8 shocks ($400) so the car no longer rides like a Cadillac and instead feels and handles like a sports car. Most anyone with a floor jack and tool set can install them in about 3 hours.
After those two items it depends on what else you want, but those are the must do items in my book.
If the car has NPP exhaust a mild to wild switch ($70) is a popular addition and takes 5 minutes to install.
A throttle controller ($100) is also a popular addition and takes about 15 minutes to install.
That's where I would start... YMMV
Next up is Bilstein B8 shocks ($400) so the car no longer rides like a Cadillac and instead feels and handles like a sports car. Most anyone with a floor jack and tool set can install them in about 3 hours.
After those two items it depends on what else you want, but those are the must do items in my book.
If the car has NPP exhaust a mild to wild switch ($70) is a popular addition and takes 5 minutes to install.
A throttle controller ($100) is also a popular addition and takes about 15 minutes to install.
That's where I would start... YMMV
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 67
Likes: 6
From: Taylorsville,ky
Got an automatic so the wife can drive it too (she loves the car more than me). I have the base so it did not come with the npp which is why I'm looking at the Billy boat prt exhuast. I will definitely look into the sway bar. And given the relative cheapness of the shocks may look into that as well. I was originally trying to keep my budget at 3k but looks like I'll easily reach 5k with everything (Paid 24k for my 11 with 23 clicks so it's tough bullet to bite) My factory wheels have new tires on them but looking at switching out for some TSW wheels going 265 front and 305 in the back (will swap setup for the colder months). So my main plan right now is to do headers, x pipe, exhaust, intake and sway bar. Won't be a drag car but will be daily driver for the most part.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
You don't HAVE to buy everything new. Lots of the items you're looking for come up for sale quite often in the parts for sale section. You can save a lot of money by ditching the high dollar axle back and find a used set of NPP, Z06, or ZR1 bi mode mufflers. I'm running ZR1 mufflers (bought used on the forum for $500) and they are nice and quiet at cruise and will raise the dead at WOT. Z06 mufflers can be had for $300. I bought my Vararam new in a box off the forum for $250. Guy bought it, then decided he needed a supercharger and never installed it. Bought litely used Z06 shocks for cheap off the forum.
Bob at House of Wheels has some really nice looking wheel options for a narrow body C6. Both OE and aftermarket. I think I paid around $700 for C7 black Z06 replicas in C6 narrow body sizes. You can put the 305/265 tire combo on stock narrow body rims also.
A ported throttle body doesn't cost much and is said to increase throttle response. I have one, but couldn't tell any difference because I did the ported throttle body, heads, cam, and all the bolt ons at the same time. Did the Z51 sways and Z06 shocks at that time too.
Save a few bucks here and there and you can afford to do more stupid **** to your Vette! Damn it's fun though...
Bob at House of Wheels has some really nice looking wheel options for a narrow body C6. Both OE and aftermarket. I think I paid around $700 for C7 black Z06 replicas in C6 narrow body sizes. You can put the 305/265 tire combo on stock narrow body rims also.
A ported throttle body doesn't cost much and is said to increase throttle response. I have one, but couldn't tell any difference because I did the ported throttle body, heads, cam, and all the bolt ons at the same time. Did the Z51 sways and Z06 shocks at that time too.
Save a few bucks here and there and you can afford to do more stupid **** to your Vette! Damn it's fun though...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You don't HAVE to buy everything new. Lots of the items you're looking for come up for sale quite often in the parts for sale section. You can save a lot of money by ditching the high dollar axle back and find a used set of NPP, Z06, or ZR1 bi mode mufflers. I'm running ZR1 mufflers (bought used on the forum for $500) and they are nice and quiet at cruise and will raise the dead at WOT. Z06 mufflers can be had for $300. I bought my Vararam new in a box off the forum for $250. Guy bought it, then decided he needed a supercharger and never installed it. Bought litely used Z06 shocks for cheap off the forum.
Bob at House of Wheels has some really nice looking wheel options for a narrow body C6. Both OE and aftermarket. I think I paid around $700 for C7 black Z06 replicas in C6 narrow body sizes. You can put the 305/265 tire combo on stock narrow body rims also.
A ported throttle body doesn't cost much and is said to increase throttle response. I have one, but couldn't tell any difference because I did the ported throttle body, heads, cam, and all the bolt ons at the same time. Did the Z51 sways and Z06 shocks at that time too.
Save a few bucks here and there and you can afford to do more stupid **** to your Vette! Damn it's fun though...
Bob at House of Wheels has some really nice looking wheel options for a narrow body C6. Both OE and aftermarket. I think I paid around $700 for C7 black Z06 replicas in C6 narrow body sizes. You can put the 305/265 tire combo on stock narrow body rims also.
A ported throttle body doesn't cost much and is said to increase throttle response. I have one, but couldn't tell any difference because I did the ported throttle body, heads, cam, and all the bolt ons at the same time. Did the Z51 sways and Z06 shocks at that time too.
Save a few bucks here and there and you can afford to do more stupid **** to your Vette! Damn it's fun though...
Not everything needs to be new, even if you buy the car new. However, I feel it's even more fun when you buy/install one thing at a time and can feel/see the difference, plus get the individual satisfaction. Case in point was for a ported TB. I made 2 passes at the track, then changed the TB and made 2 more. I felt no change and the timeslips confirmed it. After a couple months, I let a friend use it on his M6 Vette and he seemed to think there was a difference. Maybe it's me or maybe the A6 softens the impact.I'm far more of a performance guy than an appearance one, but looking back over nearly all my mods, the Vararam and TC's were the only ones I bought new. I guess that makes me either a cheap *** or frugal, even though I bought the car new.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
I put a set of the Billy Boat PRT’s on my 11’ base and I’m happy with them. They do have a nice deep throaty sound but I personally wouldn’t mind it to be a little louder. I am going to do long tubes and a cam eventually tho so that should fix the loudness.
My car is stock also, I think my next mods will be Z51 sway bars and Z06 shocks. After that prob will upgrade the brake pads/rotors. Then prob tires.
My car is stock also, I think my next mods will be Z51 sway bars and Z06 shocks. After that prob will upgrade the brake pads/rotors. Then prob tires.