Adding power to C5

[lov-n-life]

I'm ready to start tinkering with some aftermarket performance goodies on my '04 6-speed coupe. I've decided on a ZO6 cat-back exhaust, simply because this is a daily driver and I love how the ZO6 sounds, but I am not impressed with any after market systems sound, or $ per HP gain... crazy, insane. Not gonna do it. Found a ZO6 cat-back for $600. Next goodie will be air induction... now I would love to throw a few grand on the table at my local Corvette specialist's shop and have him shoehorn a nice supercharger or blower under the hood. However, I don't have that kind of pocket change laying around. So I'm going to start small with the air filter and housing. I have heard good things about the Donaldson Blackwing and the Vararam systems. I also have seen that Callaway now has a filter box system available as well. Everyone of the aftermarket suppliers claims their system is the best. I'm looking for an unbiased opion. If price were no object, who has the best $ per HP induction system? If anyone happens to have some technical knowledge in this arena, and could tell me what intake would best compliment the ZO6 exhaust, that would be outstanding!Again, the car is a daily driver, and eventually I may autocross it or run road courses. I hate drag races, so if the type of racing makes a difference, there ya go. Thanks for the help!

 

[vettepilot]

There are several ways to improve intake flow. I have the Blackwing as you know, I also know several in our Vette Club who have other than the Blackwing. K&N, Haltec etc. Vararam is very expensive, and the dollars vs gains above and beyond the other intakes is what should be considered, not just the total gain. I thought about it for my car, and couldn't justify it for what I wanted.
You could also go with the Z06 airlid, that is a vast improvement over the LS1 stock lid. But in the end, you still have a slightly more restrictive outlet on the lower end of the filter housing than what you will see on the aftermarket housings.
For lowspeed autocrossing, I don't think the vararam will give you the gains that it would at higher speeds. The Vette already has so much low end torque that you may not be able to use much more than 1/2 to 3/4 of it getting around the course. So I don't think the vararam will help much in that case.
Plus with vararam, you should do something about screens to replace the airdeflectors, and also consider the fog lights on the coupe. I'm not sure if the vararam has provisions for them or not.
The other choices are so close that it's really a case of which brand you feel comfortable with, and how much money you can spend. Shop around for the best pricing and shipping rates before jumping in. There can be as much as a 100 - 150 dollar difference in the same product if you look around.
Whoops... breakfast is ready gotta go for now.

vettepilot

 

[Hib Halverson]

The Z06's Ti exhaust is a great choice for an LS1 car for the reasons you cite. I'd caution, though, the 04 LS1s use the more restrictive four cat system. You'll need to change that to the Z06's two cat system if you really want low restriction exhaust and...as you move forward in your mod program, you'll need that, or some of the money you spend on mods will be wasted. Once you get to about the 375hp level, the 4 cats become a noticeable restriction.

As for the intake kit, I'd go with the Vararam. I tested Magnuson's supercharged development C5 two months ago. Adding a supercharger really increases the air flow across the engine. When I opened the hood, what did I see for an intake kit? The Vararam. Magnuson's development engineer told me, in on-road testing, he's measured pressure increases in the intake tract ahead of the blower when the vehicle is moving at 80 mph.

 

[lov-n-life]

There are several ways to improve intake flow. I have the Blackwing as you know, I also know several in our Vette Club who have other than the Blackwing. K&N, Haltec etc. Vararam is very expensive, and the dollars vs gains above and beyond the other intakes is what should be considered, not just the total gain. I thought about it for my car, and couldn't justify it for what I wanted.
You could also go with the Z06 airlid, that is a vast improvement over the LS1 stock lid. But in the end, you still have a slightly more restrictive outlet on the lower end of the filter housing than what you will see on the aftermarket housings.
For lowspeed autocrossing, I don't think the vararam will give you the gains that it would at higher speeds. The Vette already has so much low end torque that you may not be able to use much more than 1/2 to 3/4 of it getting around the course. So I don't think the vararam will help much in that case.
Plus with vararam, you should do something about screens to replace the airdeflectors, and also consider the fog lights on the coupe. I'm not sure if the vararam has provisions for them or not.
The other choices are so close that it's really a case of which brand you feel comfortable with, and how much money you can spend. Shop around for the best pricing and shipping rates before jumping in. There can be as much as a 100 - 150 dollar difference in the same product if you look around.
Whoops... breakfast is ready gotta go for now.

vettepilot

$ to intake efficiency is why I asked which intake is best. I don't really have a mod program set up that this is what I want the car to do, especially since now I've seen spy shots of the next ZO6 that have me anticipating my next car already! I researched the vararam and they have the new system out that takes into consideration water drainage and the fog-lights. It is a pur bolt on installation now. As for screens, I intend to install the ZO6 screens pretty soon anyways. I prefer the look of the screens to that of just the black emptiness that goes nowhere. As for performance increases, I don't expect the vararam system to give me any kind of ram effect on the autocross course. The courses they set up around here are typically too short. I was looking more at DE and road race courses where the ram pressure would be great enough to have potential with a ram air system. There are also a few autocrosses in the state at airports where it is not uncommon for the higher powered cars to reach speeds in excess of 70-80MPH, some even higher. Since $ does not fall into the "$ is no object" catagory for me, I may start out with a ZO6 airbox coupled with the exhaust for now. Since CATS are not exactly cheap, and as HIB has mentioned above, my car is running the more restrictive 4 CAT system, I don't beleive spending $300 on the vararam, or even upwards of $200, at this point will net me enough gain to make it worth the money. I have a quote from Corvette Salvage of $600 for a ZO6 cat back system, but yesterday at our annual Porsche Club Picnic I won a gift certificate from a salvage yard about 45 minutes away. So I'm going to call them first and see if they have Corvette parts and if so, what they can do for me on a ZO6 system before I order anything.

 

[DRTH VTR]

As for the intake kit, I'd go with the Vararam.

I have one and I like it a lot. I got improvement at the strip (4MPH and about 0.3 seconds). What that tells me is that I got an improvement in both horsepower and torque.

 

[Bioscache2]

I haven't purchased it yet but from reasearch I plan on buying the Vararam. It is a little more expensive but I plan on having my car awhile and I know that I'm gonna be constantly trying to upgrade it so if I can wait a little and spend more to put the best part on then I'm gonna do that rather then put a good, but not best part on and then later end up upgrading it again and losing that money.

 

[lov-n-life]

Thanks for the input

Thanks everyone for the input. When I hear back from Corvette Salvage, I am going to ask them about getting the complete ZO6 exhaust, to include the lower restrictive CATS and see what the price difference is. The full exhaust may have to wait awhile, but it's worth checking in on now. I'm still not real sure about the induction system yet, leaning towards the Black Wing due to the $ to HP issue, but since I haven't had a chance to track the car yet I really haven't made up my mind. Both systems have their pros and cons, so it may have to boil down to my wallet. I'm going to try and find time to get down to one of our Porsche Club sponsor's and see if I can swing a good deal on a set of dyno runs as well, stock, after market intake (whichever I end up with) only, exhaust only, and combination of new intake and exhaust. Should give some good information to report back with. Maybe I can pull a good deal for a dyno day for the club and won't have to pay and arm and a leg for 4 runs!

 

[P-ColaVette]

One overlooked fact...

Hello Luv-n-Life,

After reading thru the posts, I think everybody overlooked the fact that you said your car is your daily driver ? If this is the case, the VaraRam IS NOT for you ! I do think the VaraRam is the best cold air intake set up on the market, however, in a hard rain situation they are VERY prone to suck in a lot of water. I would recomend looking on the CF website, and going with a Vortex setup. Usually you can purchase a good used one for around $125. shipped ! I will be upgrading to a VaraRam myself, and will have my Vortex for sale in a monthe or so, to include the pre-cut radiator shroud, if you are interested ? Just my thought's on the subject,



Steve.

 

[lov-n-life]

Hello Luv-n-Life,

After reading thru the posts, I think everybody overlooked the fact that you said your car is your daily driver ? If this is the case, the VaraRam IS NOT for you ! I do think the VaraRam is the best cold air intake set up on the market, however, in a hard rain situation they are VERY prone to suck in a lot of water. I would recomend looking on the CF website, and going with a Vortex setup. Usually you can purchase a good used one for around $125. shipped ! I will be upgrading to a VaraRam myself, and will have my Vortex for sale in a monthe or so, to include the pre-cut radiator shroud, if you are interested ? Just my thought's on the subject,



Steve.

Thanks Steve. That is just the kind of information I needed to make an informed decision! Did you dyno your car before and after with the Vortex set up? Or was it a "seat of the pants" dyno, and if so is there a noticable difference? Thanks, and keep me in mind when you are ready to sell the Vortex system. After I conclude my research (I had forgotten about Vortex!) I may just end going with it!

Mike

 

[Bioscache2]

Hello Luv-n-Life,

After reading thru the posts, I think everybody overlooked the fact that you said your car is your daily driver ? If this is the case, the VaraRam IS NOT for you ! I do think the VaraRam is the best cold air intake set up on the market, however, in a hard rain situation they are VERY prone to suck in a lot of water. I would recomend looking on the CF website, and going with a Vortex setup. Usually you can purchase a good used one for around $125. shipped ! I will be upgrading to a VaraRam myself, and will have my Vortex for sale in a monthe or so, to include the pre-cut radiator shroud, if you are interested ? Just my thought's on the subject,



Steve.

I heard about the problem with the vararam and water but I heard that the new redesign they did (better water diffusion and accomidates the fog lights) fixed this problem, is this not true?

 

[DRTH VTR]

Yes, there is a change in the design. I have a Vararam, and there are a few precautions that I take. I am more afraid of puddles and large splashes than I am of rain. There is a foam filter upstream of the engine, and it seems to dissipate the rain into a manageable form. So I stay away from any standing water, and keep it in the garage when the weather would produce that standing water. I have not driven it in a downpour, either.

For what it is worth, I have a Vararam and my Z06 is a daily driver.

 

[Bioscache2]

Yes, there is a change in the design. I have a Vararam, and there are a few precautions that I take. I am more afraid of puddles and large splashes than I am of rain. There is a foam filter upstream of the engine, and it seems to dissipate the rain into a manageable form. So I stay away from any standing water, and keep it in the garage when the weather would produce that standing water. I have not driven it in a downpour, either.

For what it is worth, I have a Vararam and my Z06 is a daily driver.

Thanks for the advice as my C5 is my daily driver and I plan to purchase the VaraRam shortly.

 

[04cmnthru]

Hi Hib-

Just want to confirm - only 04 LS-1 use a 4 cat system?
Thanks

 

[P-ColaVette]

Dyno Numbers...

Hello Lov-N-Life..

I did not do any before & after dyno testing, but I can say that the Vortex cold air knocked a couple of 1/10's off my 1/8th mile track times at the drag strip. I have a friend who is running identical mod's on a '99 FRC, the only difference being he has a VaraRam, and we are within 3/10's on ET, however, his trap speed is consistently 3-5 MPH higher than mine. In it's current state of tune, which is strictly bolt on parts, my car has ran a best 1/8th mile ET of 8.25 and pulled a 1.91 60ft time. I did dyno the car after installing the shorty headers, and with a custom ECM program thru a Diablo Motorsports Predator programmer, my car did a peak HP pull of 321 RWHP, 320 RWTQ. However, the timing was to aggressive on that pull, causing the KR to engage. The tuner backed some timing out of it, and we nailed it down at a very respectable 318 RWHP 319 RWTQ. I am stepping up to a CarTech Stage 2 H/C package this week, and will post some numbers on the Dyno pulls after I get the programming straightenend out ! Hope that gives you some more info. and BTW, my car is NOT a daily driver, allthough I do drive it on weekend getaway's ! ( See the thread "Helen/Dragon Run" in the SE Region forum !)



Steve.

 

[JBsC5]

I would buy a K and N cone filter and throw it on the end of your maf..or any used donaldson or Halltech Trap systems for under 150 dollars..


Probably 50 bucks...and Personally instead of buying a salvage yard Z06 manifold and dual cat setup..

I'd buy a set of headers down the road....Car doesn't really get much louder than stock with the Ti and header/x pipe option..just breaths better...

JMO

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hi Hib-

Just want to confirm - only 04 LS-1 use a 4 cat system?
Thanks

00 w LS1 sold in CA use four cats
01-04 w LS1 and 01 w LS6 use four cats
02-04 w LS6 use two cats

 

[lilgdad]

FYI. Going rate for a used Z06 exhaust is around $450, not $600. You can find them all over the net selling for $450. That is what I bought mine for including shipping. Just had it installed today. Not much difference in performance. Bought a huge difference in weight between the 2 systems. Like 25lbs! I also have the Halltech Stinger intake, now that made a big seat of the pants difference. Next step is to go to 2 cat system.

 

[lov-n-life]

FYI. Going rate for a used Z06 exhaust is around $450, not $600. You can find them all over the net selling for $450. That is what I bought mine for including shipping. Just had it installed today. Not much difference in performance. Bought a huge difference in weight between the 2 systems. Like 25lbs! I also have the Halltech Stinger intake, now that made a big seat of the pants difference. Next step is to go to 2 cat system.

I've not had much luck finding a ZO6 exhaust anywhere. I found one on Ebay that ended at $564 plus shipping, and today 2 more appeared, however both of them had the pipes cut "for easier shipping." I'm no welder, but I'm sure there is a difference in welding titanium vs steel, and I want a simply bolt on installation so I can do it myself if I'm able to find a lift close by. Where were you able to find your system at for only $450? Thanks for the info, and saving me @$200!!! (sorry, no kick backs this month... moving is EXPENSIVE!!! Especially when you buy a new car at the same time!!! :eyerole )

 

[lilgdad]

Z06vette.com

There is always someone selling their old parts, wheels, exhaust, heads, sway bars, shocks etc. Great site to buy stock Z06 parts.

 

[vettepilot]

Check right here on the CAC C5 Parts for sale / wanted section. Or leave a "wanted" note you may get faster results.

This is what you're looking for. But notice this set is damaged slightly, the r/side is slightly bent out of position where it goes over the axle.

vettepilot