Questions about intake mods & first logical mods for the ZO6

[Rockin_Ron]

I am new to the boards and have tried to familarize myself with most of the posting on intake mods and such. I just got my TR ZO6 on 12/30 so I haven't felt her full potential yet. My question is with these intake mods talked about here, can you really feel any difference in what is called the butt dyno (ie push back in the seat).

I remember with my Supra TT after both intake and even CATBACK exhaust I really couldn't feel any difference. Never took it to the track. The BIG difference came with the full BPU which included the DP and turning up the boost to 18 psi.

I understand the manuf. claim 20 HP and the guys have said it increased their 1/4 times. But with the ZO6 being such a torque monster already, do you really feel any difference in it for everyday driving? Is it worth the $400-500 if all I am going to do is drive around town and not compete at the track?

Thanks
Ron

[emf]

Ron --

Congrats on the Z and welcome to the forum!!

You'll typically pick up some noticable SOTP performance gains with intake mods . . . like you've mentioned, it won't really be a 'night and day' performance difference, but there is an overall performance increase. Fortunately or unfortunately, there's only a handful of intakes in the $500 range . . . most are quite lesser expensive, ie. the Halltech T-1C and Donaldson Blackwing, but can end up putting more $$$ if you'd really like. Personally, I've got a Vararam on my '02, and have had great luck overall.

Hope it helps!

[GroundFighter]

The Vortex CAI in another system you might consider, that is what I use and I like it a lot. At the time the VaraRams were so hard to get, I am impatient and did the Vortex, works great for me.

[dsinned]

But with the ZO6 being such a torque monster already, do you really feel any difference in it for everyday driving? Is it worth the $400-500 if all I am going to do is drive around town and not compete at the track?

Short answer: NO

[Rockin_Ron]

TY for the responses y'all. sounds like 2 yes and 1 no, any other responses?

[Zippy]

With a Z06 the first mod should be to your windshield.....use the suction cups suplied with every new V-1 radar detector to attach it to your windshield! Now that you have your "protection on," go play!

2nd mod: Aftermarket exhaust/muffler system......I'm running Corsa Indys and love 'em!

Zippy

[Backlash]

With the Z06, intake and exhaust mods do not have as dramatic effect as they would on another car. And depending on how you drive everyday, you may not notice the difference. But if you do get on it, you will feel (and hear it).

[ZO6/Les]

If you want to be a little bit faster on the street or track than the stock Z06 in the other lane an intake is a good mod. The Halltech T1 (top breather) and Vortex and Vararam (bottom breather) add RWHP and trap speed. I had the T1, loved it, got even more from the Vararam which IMO is the best.

Value is up to the buyer. If 1-2 MPH improved trap speed and 10-20 RWHP floats your boat for around $400 plus install I say do it, otherwise stay stock.

Les

[sujimo]

ron,

the first mod i did was the vararam intake and the corsa ti race exhaust. those two mods made a BIG difference in the performance of the Z. however, the cost was in the $2000 range--the exhaust was about $1500. if you have the money, do the intake first. it can make a difference. but as has been stated--the Z is already fast in the stock clothing.

jack

[LEVI]

i feel that $2000 should go towards bigger horsepower like supercharge/heads cam. i am deciding on what to do with mine.

[JBsZ06]

I bought an intake for the Z06 and felt it made a nice improvement. I would also say the same for the FLP headers and one of my favorite bolt on mods has been the $169 Shaner throttle body..

I"m sure your already set but in case your not..the first mod should really be a Valentine V1 that can help you avoid a ticket..

These cars are wickedly fast right out of the box..and torch red is a total cop magnet..Good choice on color!

and although I don't have it..LS1edit is a smart move too for 2002 and newer Z's especially..(or have it dyno tuned locally)


It really all depends how much you want to spend in total and how much the GM warranty means to you..

An aftermarket installed cam is a cool mod done by MTI (~1,000) during one of their promos.. or even better heads and cam (~5000)..Superchargers( ~8,000)..then cerras new single turbo...(the cost on that one I don't know off hand)

Congratulations on your new ride.

JB

[Social_Engineer]

Here is my take on it. Give CARTEK a call ... they can tell ya what you need to do ... based on budget and of course .... power requirements. Their # is (908) 317-4496, located in NJ.

However .... the most obvious 3 things to do , for immediate increase in throttle response and output in RWHP is ...

TPIS Headers (most proven header out there)
VaraRam Air Intake (best results, most air flow)
Gears (3.73, 3.90 and 4.10's) (for that added pep
A shifter and good tuning session on a DynoJet SAE corrected w/ Wideband (before the cats) dyno session / tuning session, also helps and is HIGHLY recommened .. using LS1Edit.

[aintskeered]

I suggest the Vararam intake and Shaner TB to start off with.

[urpow]

Only Vararam and S2 Throttle Body here (plus a hurst shifter and some cooling mods)... made a 11.98 @ 118 mph... my stock was 12.34 @ 116mph... this is money well spent... proven to work! (May not work on the dyno though)... because Vararam is RAM air... and you gotta be moving....

You can install the Vararam by yourself... only need some rachet and sockets (it will take about 3 hours). Patrick has a 24/7 help installation. Mark shaner does the S2 throttle body. He is willing to help you install your throttle body as well.

Too very good mods... why settle for anything else besides ram air??

As far as difference... hell yeah! When I finished installing these mods... man I was being pushed back to my seats as I wasn't before... And the rev was SOOOOOOOO much quicker.