Engine mods, need advice
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 770
Hello everyone. So as most of us do when we get our beautiful machines, we start to change things and upgrade here and there. Well ended up doing more then expected and I am basically going further then said. I will put together my build list in the near future for all to see. I am sure there are some things that folks will like to use.
But, what I am listing here is my current engine mods, possible future mods and to ask for help for the smart gear heads around. Because basically, being a military vet I only know how to shoot, move and communicate lol.
What I would like to know and Hopefully someone can assist is if there are any supporting mods that I need or missed. For example, a fuel pump, oil pump or flexplate etc. Again, I'm not smart when knowing hat to look for here. When I'm done I'm gonna be looking to have around 600-650 hp depending on the tune and what the actual numbers are from the mods. Not sure about at the wheels but I got these figures from what the product is saying what to expect. I seriously thank you, I don't want to break my new 70 grand car more then what is usual lol. Lastly, this is and will be a daily driver. Why buy this gem of you don't drive it.
Here goes nothing.......
Already purchased engine mods (only thing installed is exhaust, waiting for parts to arrive)
-Oil catch can with air separator
-Spark plugs
-Spark plug wires
-Mass air flow sensor
-Air intake
-Throttle body
-Throttle body spacer
-Intake manifold
-Exhaust
-Headers with high flow cats with X pipe and ceramic coating
List of potential mods
-O2 sensor
-O2 sensor gauge
-curb alert
-spark plug wire insulators
-Electric fan
-flexplate
-torque converter
-distributor
-thermostat
But, what I am listing here is my current engine mods, possible future mods and to ask for help for the smart gear heads around. Because basically, being a military vet I only know how to shoot, move and communicate lol.
What I would like to know and Hopefully someone can assist is if there are any supporting mods that I need or missed. For example, a fuel pump, oil pump or flexplate etc. Again, I'm not smart when knowing hat to look for here. When I'm done I'm gonna be looking to have around 600-650 hp depending on the tune and what the actual numbers are from the mods. Not sure about at the wheels but I got these figures from what the product is saying what to expect. I seriously thank you, I don't want to break my new 70 grand car more then what is usual lol. Lastly, this is and will be a daily driver. Why buy this gem of you don't drive it.
Here goes nothing.......
Already purchased engine mods (only thing installed is exhaust, waiting for parts to arrive)
-Oil catch can with air separator
-Spark plugs
-Spark plug wires
-Mass air flow sensor
-Air intake
-Throttle body
-Throttle body spacer
-Intake manifold
-Exhaust
-Headers with high flow cats with X pipe and ceramic coating
List of potential mods
-O2 sensor
-O2 sensor gauge
-curb alert
-spark plug wire insulators
-Electric fan
-flexplate
-torque converter
-distributor
-thermostat
Replacing O2 sensor is completely unnecessary and is a waste.
Distributor? This is 2015.
Electric fan? Why?
Throttle body spacer is a complete waste.
Replacing mass airflow sensor is completely unnecessary and a waste.
Guy, this is 2015. Unless it's helping the engine get more air
in and out, you are wasting your money. You clearly don't have a fundamental understanding of what it takes to make more power. I'll help you.All these sensor "upgrades" don't do crap.
You want more power?
Since you're looking for upwards of 650 hp, just buy a supercharger for $5k and be done with it.
Of all the mods you listed, an intake, long tube headers and a dyno tune are the only things that are going to make any real difference. You're looking at 40 to 50hp with these combined.
Don't piddle around with any of this crap if you want to make any serious power improvement. Get a supercharger installed by a reputable shop. It's the best bang for your buck.
I did several cars with the basic bolt ons and was always left wanting more. Once I got my supercharger on a V8, I realized that I wasted time and money and the lesser mods.
My first power mod on my C7 will be a supercharger, otherwise I'm not modding the engine it at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Same with O2 sensor, why change them? Change the electric fans? Geeze.
Must not be too familiar with your car, it doesn’t have a distributor, been a long time since GM has sold cars with distributors. Don
Edited: Sorry C7 Pimp, I jumped on this post, you said it before.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 366
Likes: 175
From: North Carolina
Woodson, why do you talk about everything voiding the warranty on every mod post? I've yet to see anyone's warranty voided with simple upgrades like tuner/intake and such. The companies tell you this does not void the warranty.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,887
Likes: 1,555
From: Calgary Alberta
Because it's a discussion forum and I would not believe the vendors of these products regarding the warranty; I would believe GM since they are the ones writing the cheque when something goes wrong.
Why risk voiding your warranty over maybe 40hp which I doubt you'd feel?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 683
From: Austin Texas
St. Jude Donor '15
Hotrod304,
First: thanks for your service.
Second: Congrats on your new car.
Third: As a vet I am sure you know how to duck, as several are going to take pot shots at you.
Forth: If you want 600+hp then I suggest you send it to Callaway, get it supercharged and factory warranty, also. Cost ? around 20k I would guess. Or try Lingerfelter Performance Engineering. Both of these tuners do outstanding work and have been doing Corvettes for many years with great success.
This is the only way, out side of big cam, heads, porting and polishing along with blueprinting your engine, that you will get big hp. And, as an added bonus, fuel mileage will be close to factory.
Good luck on your build.
Oh, yeah, most tuners will void your warranty, regardless of what they say. GM will let you sneak on headers, exhaust and intake ( cold air or similar ), but if they (GM ) feels that the damage was caused by these additions...goodbye warranty.
First: thanks for your service.
Second: Congrats on your new car.
Third: As a vet I am sure you know how to duck, as several are going to take pot shots at you.
Forth: If you want 600+hp then I suggest you send it to Callaway, get it supercharged and factory warranty, also. Cost ? around 20k I would guess. Or try Lingerfelter Performance Engineering. Both of these tuners do outstanding work and have been doing Corvettes for many years with great success.
This is the only way, out side of big cam, heads, porting and polishing along with blueprinting your engine, that you will get big hp. And, as an added bonus, fuel mileage will be close to factory.
Good luck on your build.
Oh, yeah, most tuners will void your warranty, regardless of what they say. GM will let you sneak on headers, exhaust and intake ( cold air or similar ), but if they (GM ) feels that the damage was caused by these additions...goodbye warranty.
Last edited by rcooper; Jan 14, 2015 at 03:17 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 116
From: No Longer in CA! NV
As stated, supercharger is biggest bang for your buck.
Have an A&A or ECS sc installed, otherwise stock, do the exhaust if you wish, and you will reach your power goals and have a fun and reliable car for years without breaking the bank.
If you want a little more than that, add a blower cam. Also maybe spray meth if you must, but stock motor with an A&A will give you the grins and giggles and smiles all day long.
Mine does, and has for over a year now.
Have an A&A or ECS sc installed, otherwise stock, do the exhaust if you wish, and you will reach your power goals and have a fun and reliable car for years without breaking the bank.
If you want a little more than that, add a blower cam. Also maybe spray meth if you must, but stock motor with an A&A will give you the grins and giggles and smiles all day long.
Mine does, and has for over a year now.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 324
Likes: 7
From: Washington
Brother, forget all that sensor stuff and get that C7 blown!!!
My goals were the same, wanting 600+ hp/tq for a daily driver so I went with Procharger, TSP headers w/cats, and custom tune. I'll tell you feb 4th what it produces.
Good luck!
My goals were the same, wanting 600+ hp/tq for a daily driver so I went with Procharger, TSP headers w/cats, and custom tune. I'll tell you feb 4th what it produces.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
The only thing I don't have is that damn manifold that is expected to arrive mid-late April. But on paper it says to expect 36 hp at the wheels. I'm sure tere will be a lot of folks looking to get that piece when they read about, if they haven't a few months ago already at Sema.
dam you GM and not letting us do what we want and keep our warranty!
dam you GM and not letting us do what we want and keep our warranty!
Seriously??? You think GM should warranty an engine that someone pushed to grenade status?? NO ONE will do that and stay in business. Geeze. Don
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 324
Likes: 7
From: Washington
Do you really think that there is some manifold out there that gives 36HP at the wheels and GM is not aware of it?? They’d do it if that was possible w/o massive compromises.
Seriously??? You think GM should warranty an engine that someone pushed to grenade status?? NO ONE will do that and stay in business. Geeze. Don
Seriously??? You think GM should warranty an engine that someone pushed to grenade status?? NO ONE will do that and stay in business. Geeze. Don
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: Collingwood ON
Best I would think of doing for my Z51 is a K&N filter or an aFe intake kit to help her breathe easier. No plans to tune, boost or polish the inside of the throttle body to a mirror shine either. 460 horses to the wheels would be nice tho. I would do the throttle body spacer if I thought it would do any good.
Oh, I know, maybe a Holley double-pumper and an Edelbrock high-rise manifold!
Oh, I know, maybe a Holley double-pumper and an Edelbrock high-rise manifold!
Dazed Confused & Verklemp
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 109
From: Naples, FL & Clear Lake, IA
Well... I for one have 2 distributors ordered for my Z51. One for weekdays and one for the weekend.
I am also planning on pulling my 502 boat engine and shoehorning it into my Vette. That's so my boat will get the Vette engine and much needed HP! Zoom Zoom Zoom.
I am also planning on pulling my 502 boat engine and shoehorning it into my Vette. That's so my boat will get the Vette engine and much needed HP! Zoom Zoom Zoom.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 392
From: Long Island New York
Replacing spark plugs and wires won't do anything. Complete waste, unless you supercharge, then you need to change to a different spark plug.
Replacing O2 sensor is completely unnecessary and is a waste.
Distributor? This is 2015.
Electric fan? Why?
Throttle body spacer is a complete waste.
Replacing mass airflow sensor is completely unnecessary and a waste.
Guy, this is 2015. Unless it's helping the engine get more air in and out, you are wasting your money. You clearly don't have a fundamental understanding of what it takes to make more power. I'll help you.
All these sensor "upgrades" don't do crap.
You want more power?
Since you're looking for upwards of 650 hp, just buy a supercharger for $5k and be done with it.
Of all the mods you listed, an intake, long tube headers and a dyno tune are the only things that are going to make any real difference. You're looking at 40 to 50hp with these combined.
Don't piddle around with any of this crap if you want to make any serious power improvement. Get a supercharger installed by a reputable shop. It's the best bang for your buck.
I did several cars with the basic bolt ons and was always left wanting more. Once I got my supercharger on a V8, I realized that I wasted time and money and the lesser mods.
My first power mod on my C7 will be a supercharger, otherwise I'm not modding the engine it at all.
Replacing O2 sensor is completely unnecessary and is a waste.
Distributor? This is 2015.
Electric fan? Why?
Throttle body spacer is a complete waste.
Replacing mass airflow sensor is completely unnecessary and a waste.
Guy, this is 2015. Unless it's helping the engine get more air
in and out, you are wasting your money. You clearly don't have a fundamental understanding of what it takes to make more power. I'll help you.All these sensor "upgrades" don't do crap.
You want more power?
Since you're looking for upwards of 650 hp, just buy a supercharger for $5k and be done with it.
Of all the mods you listed, an intake, long tube headers and a dyno tune are the only things that are going to make any real difference. You're looking at 40 to 50hp with these combined.
Don't piddle around with any of this crap if you want to make any serious power improvement. Get a supercharger installed by a reputable shop. It's the best bang for your buck.
I did several cars with the basic bolt ons and was always left wanting more. Once I got my supercharger on a V8, I realized that I wasted time and money and the lesser mods.
My first power mod on my C7 will be a supercharger, otherwise I'm not modding the engine it at all.
Some good advice here based on reality.. Since you said you have a lot of money look to Callaway if you want to Super Charge it . If you want to go cam/heads go to Lingenfelter ..Many of the parts you listed are just replacing the original part with the same... Total waste of time and money.
Last edited by BlueDevilZ51; Jan 14, 2015 at 11:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas