CA Performance Mods
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
CA Performance Mods
What mods are legal for someone living in CA?
I’ve heard they're new emission laws passed in CA making modding an issue.
I have an stock 08 with only an exhaust system, but I’d like to get LT headers & a cam…
Which performance mods would you all recommend if any lol
I’ve heard they're new emission laws passed in CA making modding an issue.
I have an stock 08 with only an exhaust system, but I’d like to get LT headers & a cam…
Which performance mods would you all recommend if any lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
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From: West coast CA
Long tube headers were never legal. They'd fail visual in '08 and they'd fail visual today.
You might find a mild cam that can pass but it will have to do so with a stock tune.
Is there a particular performance problem you're trying to solve? I'd put the money into handling and reliability. Tires, brakes, shocks, preventative maintenance.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
There's no new law. After years of delay, the BAR started enforcing existing law by actually verifying that the ECU has a factory tune. They announced they were going to do this 10 years ago.
Long tube headers were never legal. They'd fail visual in '08 and they'd fail visual today.
You might find a mild cam that can pass but it will have to do so with a stock tune.
Is there a particular performance problem you're trying to solve? I'd put the money into handling and reliability. Tires, brakes, shocks, preventative maintenance.
Long tube headers were never legal. They'd fail visual in '08 and they'd fail visual today.
You might find a mild cam that can pass but it will have to do so with a stock tune.
Is there a particular performance problem you're trying to solve? I'd put the money into handling and reliability. Tires, brakes, shocks, preventative maintenance.
What will shocks do in terms of performance gains?
I’ve been contemplating the A&A CARB legal supercharger kit but I’d only do so if I plan to keep my C6…
How much HP & TQ is gained by the Z06 swap?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
I just got new tires, the shop I went to said the brakes I have on are still good for use.
What will shocks do in terms of performance gains?
I’ve been contemplating the A&A CARB legal supercharger kit but I’d only do so if I plan to keep my C6…
How much HP & TQ is gained by the Z06 swap?
What will shocks do in terms of performance gains?
I’ve been contemplating the A&A CARB legal supercharger kit but I’d only do so if I plan to keep my C6…
How much HP & TQ is gained by the Z06 swap?
A full Z06 exhaust will typically add 10-15hp, and a little less torque. Lots of threads about it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
If you have a base model, non Z51, shocks will make a big difference in handling. I went with bilstein B6(HD) and am very happy with them. It no longer feels unsettled when I hit a bump in a turn at speed, and it feels less floaty.
A full Z06 exhaust will typically add 10-15hp, and a little less torque. Lots of threads about it.
A full Z06 exhaust will typically add 10-15hp, and a little less torque. Lots of threads about it.
Also could I possibly tune my C6 & still be able to pass smog when the time comes?
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Draper Utah
In my humble opinion the best handling modification you can make to a base per dollar spent is Z51 swaybars, it will greatly improve the cars corning with almost zero effect on ride quality. Next up is a set of Bilsten shocks. Those to modifications together will completely transform a base car. You will feel like you're finally driving a sports car and not your moms Cadillac.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
You're pretty much limited to a very mild cam and Z06 exhaust engine wise. As long as you keep the cam on the mild side, it will run fine on the stock tune. Probably not optimum, but good enough to get your inspection. You might want to invest in tuning software so you can switch back and forth from a stock tune to a performance tune. Not sure if there's a CAI that's CARB compliant. If you want to stay legal to the letter of the law, a Magnuson or A&A supercharger kit would fit the bill...you'll just have to open your wallet a little wider. If you just install their kit and their tune, you're good.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
In my humble opinion the best handling modification you can make to a base per dollar spent is Z51 swaybars, it will greatly improve the cars corning with almost zero effect on ride quality. Next up is a set of Bilsten shocks. Those to modifications together will completely transform a base car. You will feel like you're finally driving a sports car and not your moms Cadillac.
You're pretty much limited to a very mild cam and Z06 exhaust engine wise. As long as you keep the cam on the mild side, it will run fine on the stock tune. Probably not optimum, but good enough to get your inspection. You might want to invest in tuning software so you can switch back and forth from a stock tune to a performance tune. Not sure if there's a CAI that's CARB compliant. If you want to stay legal to the letter of the law, a Magnuson or A&A supercharger kit would fit the bill...you'll just have to open your wallet a little wider. If you just install their kit and their tune, you're good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Any time you make more power you stress parts more. I've had a few boosted engines that went a long way. A few that didn't. One died of a broken valve spring (thanks Comp Cams and your 918 valve springs). One died when a fuel pump got weak and I didn't catch it soon enough. If you want the best reliability, leave it bone stock. Kind of boring though. I've never left a performance car or truck bone stock. Hell, even some of the tractors on my farm have mods.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Ventura, CA
Any time you make more power you stress parts more. I've had a few boosted engines that went a long way. A few that didn't. One died of a broken valve spring (thanks Comp Cams and your 918 valve springs). One died when a fuel pump got weak and I didn't catch it soon enough. If you want the best reliability, leave it bone stock. Kind of boring though. I've never left a performance car or truck bone stock. Hell, even some of the tractors on my farm have mods.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Only performance mod I have on my C6 are the B&B Bullet exhaust system, is that still considered bone stock? Fastest 0-60 I recorded was 3.87 sec on new Continental Extreme Sport tires! I’m pretty content with the performance of my 08 but I’m always wanting to maximize my C6 while keeping it reliable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
If you want more performance and you still want to live in Cali, I would consider a CARB legal supercharger kit your only option. Changing your cam to anything other than stock is illegal. Changing your exhaust to anything other than what your Vette came with is technically illegal. You might be able to get away with it....but you'll always be looking over your shoulder come inspection time.
Mild boost from either a Magnuson kit or AA kit is easily tolerated by an LS3 and is totally legal. Mild cam and Z06 exhaust might get you 40 or 50 hp and it's not legal. You can at least double that with a smog legal supercharer kit and not have to worry about the smog ****'s
If your Vette's 70K miles came with decent maintenance, you shouldn't have any problems. My current C6 was bought used with 30 of 40 K on the clock. Now has 70K with the last 30 or 40K being at 500 rwhp. Still makes me very happy every time I drive it.
Mild boost from either a Magnuson kit or AA kit is easily tolerated by an LS3 and is totally legal. Mild cam and Z06 exhaust might get you 40 or 50 hp and it's not legal. You can at least double that with a smog legal supercharer kit and not have to worry about the smog ****'s
If your Vette's 70K miles came with decent maintenance, you shouldn't have any problems. My current C6 was bought used with 30 of 40 K on the clock. Now has 70K with the last 30 or 40K being at 500 rwhp. Still makes me very happy every time I drive it.
Last edited by old motorhead; Nov 21, 2021 at 06:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
If you want more performance and you still want to live in Cali, I would consider a CARB legal supercharger kit your only option. Changing your cam to anything other than stock is illegal. Changing your exhaust to anything other than what your Vette came with is technically illegal. You might be able to get away with it....but you'll always be looking over your shoulder come inspection time.
Mild boost from either a Magnuson kit or AA kit is easily tolerated by an LS3 and is totally legal. Mild cam and Z06 exhaust might get you 40 or 50 hp and it's not legal. You can at least double that with a smog legal supercharer kit and not have to worry about the smog ****'s
Mild boost from either a Magnuson kit or AA kit is easily tolerated by an LS3 and is totally legal. Mild cam and Z06 exhaust might get you 40 or 50 hp and it's not legal. You can at least double that with a smog legal supercharer kit and not have to worry about the smog ****'s
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
I edited my last post to include my thoughts on 70K miles. I will say that if 5+ thousand dollars of engine work is going to change you standard of living, maybe you'd best leave it alone.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
I was quoted about $8,400 from A&A for kit, tune, & labor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Well shoot. I really enjoy taking a really good piece of machinery and making it better. Personalizing it to fit me. I know I've spent way too much money over the years on my "habit'. Wouldn't have it any other way. Don't regret one penny spent. Wife even enjoys my idiocy. When she sees a hood open, she says she doesn't even want to ask. Life's short. When you're creeping up on 70, the end of the ride is closer than the beginning. Have fun. You're only here for a moment.
