Mods questions for perf improvements
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 170
Likes: 84
From: Camarillo, CA
Mods questions for perf improvements
I have a 2024 C8 HTC 3LT with about $20k in options (that’s how the car was built by the dealership) of which the Z51/magnetic-ride is the one worth mentioning for the reason of this post.
I started reading about the mods that people do for their C8s and I came up with a short list of stuff that I might consider with the following caveat: all mods should add to the car performance (HP, torque, etc). I’m not into “… it just sounds better” type of mods. The mods should not be extreme like ECU re-programming, etc.
Here’s the list (I’m a totally novice at this so please forgive me if I say something that doesn’t make sense or is incorrect):
I’m not too much into changing my Z51 plastic front splitter or the Z51 spoiler as I don’t care too much for extra winglets, etc.
I would appreciate information about the specific HP/torque increase for each of the items above and whether any of them would void the warranty or may produce a CEL situation (I heard that we need a valve-relearn process for any new exhaust, etc). Thank you for reading this lengthy post!
I started reading about the mods that people do for their C8s and I came up with a short list of stuff that I might consider with the following caveat: all mods should add to the car performance (HP, torque, etc). I’m not into “… it just sounds better” type of mods. The mods should not be extreme like ECU re-programming, etc.
Here’s the list (I’m a totally novice at this so please forgive me if I say something that doesn’t make sense or is incorrect):
- Front shock towers caps (I have an engine cover which covers the rear shock towers area so I assume I don’t need caps in the rear)
- Blue Atak air filter (when I need to change my factory filter based on maintenance schedule)
- Corsa cold intake
- Borla Atak exhaust (I have the Z51 exhaust which added about 5HP over stock so I would need a real good reason to change it for the Borla system which I hear that also adds about 5-8 HP - again just the “it sounds better” won’t cut it for me)
- Slotted rotors and no-dust brake pads (looking for recommendations for a good quality brand but I’ll do these when I have to change the brakes)
I’m not too much into changing my Z51 plastic front splitter or the Z51 spoiler as I don’t care too much for extra winglets, etc.
I would appreciate information about the specific HP/torque increase for each of the items above and whether any of them would void the warranty or may produce a CEL situation (I heard that we need a valve-relearn process for any new exhaust, etc). Thank you for reading this lengthy post!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 496
From: Glenelg MD
Intermediate<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/100-500.gif" border="0">
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 31
From: St Petersburg, Florida
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Here's my 2 cents, I have a 21 3LT Z51.
Dealer installed the GM Borla Cat Back system, keeps warranty intact (possible others may void warranty), 12 Hp which I believe the S type and Atak produce 10HP.
Your not going to feel the difference, all 3 systems sound great, personal preference should dictate your choice. Additionally I liked the look of the carbon fiber round tips. I also added the Blue attack air filter at the same time. Whether there was a performance increase is debatable but seat of the pants driving felt like the tack moved quicker near redline. Lots of expense for little gain. Sounds and looks great.
I think waiting to buy the Blue Attack when you need to replace your stock filter is a good call.
Dealer installed the GM Borla Cat Back system, keeps warranty intact (possible others may void warranty), 12 Hp which I believe the S type and Atak produce 10HP.
Your not going to feel the difference, all 3 systems sound great, personal preference should dictate your choice. Additionally I liked the look of the carbon fiber round tips. I also added the Blue attack air filter at the same time. Whether there was a performance increase is debatable but seat of the pants driving felt like the tack moved quicker near redline. Lots of expense for little gain. Sounds and looks great.
I think waiting to buy the Blue Attack when you need to replace your stock filter is a good call.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
I have a 2024 C8 HTC 3LT with about $20k in options (that’s how the car was built by the dealership) of which the Z51/magnetic-ride is the one worth mentioning for the reason of this post.
I started reading about the mods that people do for their C8s and I came up with a short list of stuff that I might consider with the following caveat: all mods should add to the car performance (HP, torque, etc). I’m not into “… it just sounds better” type of mods. The mods should not be extreme like ECU re-programming, etc.
Here’s the list (I’m a totally novice at this so please forgive me if I say something that doesn’t make sense or is incorrect):
I’m not too much into changing my Z51 plastic front splitter or the Z51 spoiler as I don’t care too much for extra winglets, etc.
I would appreciate information about the specific HP/torque increase for each of the items above and whether any of them would void the warranty or may produce a CEL situation (I heard that we need a valve-relearn process for any new exhaust, etc). Thank you for reading this lengthy post!
I started reading about the mods that people do for their C8s and I came up with a short list of stuff that I might consider with the following caveat: all mods should add to the car performance (HP, torque, etc). I’m not into “… it just sounds better” type of mods. The mods should not be extreme like ECU re-programming, etc.
Here’s the list (I’m a totally novice at this so please forgive me if I say something that doesn’t make sense or is incorrect):
- Front shock towers caps (I have an engine cover which covers the rear shock towers area so I assume I don’t need caps in the rear)
- Blue Atak air filter (when I need to change my factory filter based on maintenance schedule)
- Corsa cold intake
- Borla Atak exhaust (I have the Z51 exhaust which added about 5HP over stock so I would need a real good reason to change it for the Borla system which I hear that also adds about 5-8 HP - again just the “it sounds better” won’t cut it for me)
- Slotted rotors and no-dust brake pads (looking for recommendations for a good quality brand but I’ll do these when I have to change the brakes)
I’m not too much into changing my Z51 plastic front splitter or the Z51 spoiler as I don’t care too much for extra winglets, etc.
I would appreciate information about the specific HP/torque increase for each of the items above and whether any of them would void the warranty or may produce a CEL situation (I heard that we need a valve-relearn process for any new exhaust, etc). Thank you for reading this lengthy post!
- Unnecessary
- A drop-in air filter is a nice little mod for ~5whp
- A full intake system is my personal choice vs. just doing a drop-in filter, if you got the funds to spare. It's good for about double the gains...at more than double the cost, for whatever that's worth to you.
- Borla exhausts are worth about 10-12whp on average and shave off 15 lbs.
- I have PowerStop drilled/slotted rotors along with PowerStop Z26 brake pads. Drops a little rotational mass and greatly reduces brake dust.
BONUS:
You may want to look into headers & cats if you're chasing maximum WHP gains w/o going into the ECU.
Here's my personal setup on my 2021 Z51 w/22k miles, and no CEL:
- aFe Track Series intake w/custom oversized ProDryS filters (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-arrived.html & https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ed-intake.html)
- Soler Performance ported throttle body (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1603979441)
- SoCal Porting ported intake manifold (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604041634)
- aFe Twisted Steel headers (Cerakote titanium ceramic coated) (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...port-cats.html)
- Corsa high-flow cats (Cerakote titanium ceramic coated) (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604776422)
- Borla GM-optional exhaust system (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...my-dealer.html)
- Eibach rear swaybar (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-swaybars.html)
- fully lowered on stock collars
- PowerStop drilled & slotted brake rotors (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...installed.html)
- PowerStop Z26 brake pads
- Probably some more stuff I'm forgetting...
Last edited by Kracka; Jul 9, 2024 at 02:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 889
From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by Kracka;1607972134
BONUS:
You may want to look into headers & cats if you're chasing maximum WHP gains w/o going into the ECU.
Here's my personal setup on my 2021 Z51 w/22k miles, and no CEL:[list
BONUS:
You may want to look into headers & cats if you're chasing maximum WHP gains w/o going into the ECU.
Here's my personal setup on my 2021 Z51 w/22k miles, and no CEL:[list
[*]aFe Track Series intake w/custom oversized ProDryS filters[*]Soler Performance ported throttle body[*]SoCal Porting ported intake manifold[*]aFe Twisted Steel headers (Cerakote titanium ceramic coated)[*]Corsa high-flow cats (Cerakote titanium ceramic coated)[*]Borla GM-optional exhaust system[*]Eibach rear swaybar[*]fully lowered on stock collars[*]PowerStop drilled & slotted brake rotors[*]PowerStop Z26 brake pads[*]Probably some more stuff I'm forgetting...[/list]
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
I agree Kracka......I was thinking headers before an ECU tune. I am constantly looking at the ARH but not sure they will fit my convertible up to this point. But there is an indication that the AFE fits according to them. Could you shade some light regarding this or do you know of anyone that has AFE Headers on their convertible base model?
Last edited by Kracka; Jul 9, 2024 at 02:23 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Hate to break it to you, but bolt-ons are basically a waste of time for this car, especially since you said you don't care how it 'sounds' but only how it 'performs'. Take your Corsa intake and catback exhaust. You could easily be into that stuff for $6,000 if you're paying someone to turn wrenches. To gain what? 10-15whp? What a joke. Either go all in and get meaningful modifications like a head/cam/tune package that is going to give you 80+whp and perhaps a flexfuel tune if E85 is available to you or just leave the car alone. Want to know what's even more depressing? These cars are still dog **** slow even at 675-700hp levels with forced induction. It's the gearing. Nothing you can do about it as of now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 889
From: Tampa Florida
That's it......save tons of money doing my own labor. Only spent $1300 for bolt-ons and the car went 10s. Do I really care about the horsepower gains since that was accomplished? Having said that, I just believe the right headers would give me just a tad more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 889
From: Tampa Florida
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 170
Likes: 84
From: Camarillo, CA
you’re absolutely right! I may know the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver but that’s about it!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 170
Likes: 84
From: Camarillo, CA
Thanks Kracka for your detailed answer and to everyone else for chiming in. As someone observed, it’s probably not worth the cost for the performance gained (just speaking for myself). I may change my mind but for now I’ll stick with my “extreme” Z51 package! Thanks everyone!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Thanks Kracka for your detailed answer and to everyone else for chiming in. As someone observed, it’s probably not worth the cost for the performance gained (just speaking for myself). I may change my mind but for now I’ll stick with my “extreme” Z51 package! Thanks everyone!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 866
I will however with my procharged c7😁
Dig
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,467
Likes: 1,127
From: Port Saint Lucie FLORIDA & HONDURAS
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Man, the way that C7 is bouncing around at the end of the run is unnerving. And on skinnies no less. Incredibly stupid thing to do on a public roadway. At least it looks like a public roadway. Sure can't be any kind of sanctioned event with people stopped on the shoulder 30" from cars going 150mph.