I have a '98 Coupe (automatic trans) with 110,000 miles on it. The only performance modifications to the car are a K&N filter assembly and reprogramming the computer using a Hypertech programmer.
I recently ran a 13.206 1/4 at 106 mph. I'd really like to get this down to a 12.8-12.9 I'm not looking to go to the expense of a supercharger or turbo charger. Can anyone offer suggestions on modifications that can be done to pick up this .3-.4 of a second?
Also, can anyone recommend a good tuner in the Cleveland, Ohio area?
Thanks
Tim

I have a '98 Coupe (automatic trans) with 110,000 miles on it. The only performance modifications to the car are a K&N filter assembly and reprogramming the computer using a Hypertech programmer.
I recently ran a 13.206 1/4 at 106 mph. I'd really like to get this down to a 12.8-12.9 I'm not looking to go to the expense of a supercharger or turbo charger. Can anyone offer suggestions on modifications that can be done to pick up this .3-.4 of a second?
Also, can anyone recommend a good tuner in the Cleveland, Ohio area?
Thanks
Tim


Easy one buddy - Pick up a different CAI like a Vararam or Honker, 160 thermostat, Borla, Corsa, Bassani X-Pipe and back exhaust and you should be sitting pretty good. What tires are you using? And how you have your suspension set up?

It depends on whether your looking for power, handling or braking?

My thoughts:

1. Power: The most expensive. Folks mess around and spend $1,000-$2,000 looking for 30-50 hp. Complete waste of time, you really won't feel it. If you want power you can feel you need to go FI, which is beyond your budget.

2. Handling: If your on run flats, going to a non run flat will make the car ride smoother and handle better (assuming it's time for new tires). If you go with an R compound tire (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup) the handling characteristics are much better. For road racing this tire will make the car corner 100% better. The rub: their only good for around 6,000 miles. You can mess around with Bilstein shocks and T1 sway bars, which are great, but don't really mean much except at the track.

3. Brakes: Unless you road race, don't bother. After market brakes look great. All bling unless your on the track.

Conclusion: Your vette's a great car. Enjoy and save your money. If you want to dress it up with new wheels, or a high rise hood, or make the exhaust sound racier, let me know. I have a ton of suggestions.

If you want to road race your car, ditto I have many suggestions. Just be careful about pumping a bunch of money into your car and getting marginal results.

To Tom Snitzer;
To begin with, I'm looking to improve engine performance - specifically in the 1/4 mile. I've seen lot's of ads for throttle bodies, intake manifolds, MASS air flow sensors and exhaust components. I am wondering what I can do to pick up .3-.4 in my ET.
Secondly, I love the look of the front end on your Vette. What front end did you install to get that look?
Thanks.
Tim

If you're looking to improve 1/4 mile performance, I offer the following ideas you might want to discuss with a good tuner:
1. Air intakes and all the other stuff you mention, will get you 30-50 hp tops. That's not going to make a meaningful difference in your 1/4 miles times.
2. Getting some drag radials that help you hook up will help or a different back end (for example a 3.9) might (good question for the tuner).
3. I'm more of a rr guy than a 1/4 mile specialist (so please double check the info above w someone who is). When you start modding a vette to get lower 1/4 miles times, you can start spending big money very fast. I think it's better to save your money and do it right the first time, rather than spend moderate $$, and keep sinking $$$ into something that produces marginal results.

Honestly, to take a stock vette and make it significantly faster on the 1/4 miles is $10,000-15,000 by the time your done (engine fi, tires, cooling mods.....). $3,000-$5,000 doesn't buy that much and may not be useful once you go to FI.

PS. My "tigershark" front end is made by starcraft. You can get it from them directly or buy from Ligenfelter. You can skip the chin spoiler, as I did and save about $400.

Also, I'm no stranger to mods. As you can see from my profile, I'm running a blower with 16 lbs boost, have meth inj, extensive cooling upgrades, a custom fuel pump system, coil overs, brembo gts....... My point is, don't spend the money on this stuff unless you can get results.

To Tom Snitzer;
To begin with, I'm looking to improve engine performance - specifically in the 1/4 mile. I've seen lot's of ads for throttle bodies, intake manifolds, MASS air flow sensors and exhaust components. I am wondering what I can do to pick up .3-.4 in my ET.
Secondly, I love the look of the front end on your Vette. What front end did you install to get that look?
Thanks.
Tim
One last point: If you install all the engine upgrades you mention above, you won't produce more than 30-50 in addl hp. You might pick up 75 hp with a head cam package which is less than FI, but not cheap.

In contrast, an APS twin turbo, will take a stock C5 (350 hp at crank 280 at rear wheels) and if tuned properly produce 550-575 hp at rear wheels. That's doubling your hp! You will feel that at the 1/4 mile!!!

If you're looking to improve 1/4 mile performance, I offer the following ideas you might want to discuss with a good tuner:
1. Air intakes and all the other stuff you mention, will get you 30-50 hp tops. That's not going to make a meaningful difference in your 1/4 miles times.
2. Getting some drag radials that help you hook up will help or a different back end (for example a 3.9) might (good question for the tuner).
3. I'm more of a rr guy than a 1/4 mile specialist (so please double check the info above w someone who is). When you start modding a vette to get lower 1/4 miles times, you can start spending big money very fast. I think it's better to save your money and do it right the first time, rather than spend moderate $$, and keep sinking $$$ into something that produces marginal results.

Honestly, to take a stock vette and make it significantly faster on the 1/4 miles is $10,000-15,000 by the time your done (engine fi, tires, cooling mods.....). $3,000-$5,000 doesn't buy that much and may not be useful once you go to FI.

PS. My "tigershark" front end is made by starcraft. You can get it from them directly or buy from Ligenfelter. You can skip the chin spoiler, as I did and save about $400.

Also, I'm no stranger to mods. As you can see from my profile, I'm running a blower with 16 lbs boost, have meth inj, extensive cooling upgrades, a custom fuel pump system, coil overs, brembo gts....... My point is, don't spend the money on this stuff unless you can get results.


What meth kit are you using? I have a procharged 2004.

One last point: If you install all the engine upgrades you mention above, you won't produce more than 30-50 in addl hp. You might pick up 75 hp with a head cam package which is less than FI, but not cheap.

In contrast, an APS twin turbo, will take a stock C5 (350 hp at crank 280 at rear wheels) and if tuned properly produce 550-575 hp at rear wheels. That's doubling your hp! You will feel that at the 1/4 mile!!!

I had a Comp Cam and I forget the heads that they put in, we saw 82 HP gain and I think it was nearly 70 TQ added. As pointed out, its not a cheap install but worth it. And don't expect to get your car back in one day, this job took over two weeks to get my car back. It sounds great and has a nice idle. I did this first then added other mods.

I'm also a cam guy, I'm not sure if the heads were done on mine or not, but I'm estimating 450-ish rwhp at the moment (stock c5 z06 is usually about 340-370ish). I'm hoping to dyno sometime soon, but probably not this year! :(

I do want some extra juice at some point, and will go the supercharger route. Just waiting on time and money! :D

What meth kit are you using? I have a procharged 2004.

There are two meth kits widely used.
1. Snow performance: 50% meth, 50% water
2. East Coast Supercharging: 100% meth. All the serious guys I know go form the ECS. It's a little more expensive but the hardware and fittings are superior and it's 100% meth.

I'm happy with mine.

http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/

Of course a Snow meth kit could be yours for FREE (since this started as a low cost post) right here if you post your car!

http://www.smokinvette.com/corvetteforum/showthread.php?t=1294


(whoo hoo, pimpin' at it's finest! :D )

I have a '98 Coupe (automatic trans) with 110,000 miles on it. The only performance modifications to the car are a K&N filter assembly and reprogramming the computer using a Hypertech programmer.
I recently ran a 13.206 1/4 at 106 mph. I'd really like to get this down to a 12.8-12.9 I'm not looking to go to the expense of a supercharger or turbo charger. Can anyone offer suggestions on modifications that can be done to pick up this .3-.4 of a second?
Also, can anyone recommend a good tuner in the Cleveland, Ohio area?
Thanks
Tim


Have you done the free airbox mod? you already have the K&N so you need to mod the airbox next. As tom said, bolt ons will only show you small increases, and won't be enough to pick you up 3-4 tenths. Better tires, low air pressure, perfecting the launch technique, shift technique (if you're an M/T) these things will definately get you 3-4 tenths faster.

A good rule of thumb is, 3-4 tenths improvement can be had with a driver change alone!

This is not meant in a disrespectful way, just to point out that prefecting the launch, and the trip down the track will show you the improvements you are looking for.
Also, we're about 3 hrs from Cleveland, and I'm sure we can help you out.

Hope this helps,
Ed

Here's info on the ECS Kit

http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/Alcohol%20Kit.html

I have a '98 Coupe (automatic trans) with 110,000 miles on it. The only performance modifications to the car are a K&N filter assembly and reprogramming the computer using a Hypertech programmer.
I recently ran a 13.206 1/4 at 106 mph. I'd really like to get this down to a 12.8-12.9 I'm not looking to go to the expense of a supercharger or turbo charger. Can anyone offer suggestions on modifications that can be done to pick up this .3-.4 of a second?
Also, can anyone recommend a good tuner in the Cleveland, Ohio area?
Thanks
Tim

Dude. Get some slicks & a set of 16" drag wheels for the rear!
You will be able to hook up and get into the 12.8-12.9 very easy.

Bolt on mods aren't really gone help you pick up the better ET. Start with tires. And then look into doing your gears and a stall converter. With drag racing its all about your launch.

Do the CAI, Intake Manifold & headers when you and if you decide to put a bigger cam in the motor, these mods should be some of the last things to consider.

VARARAM

3 tenths or more in the quarter mile. $329.00 less 12% this weekend with PRESIDENT coupon code at checkout!

http://www.rpidesigns.com/images/c5vara.gif

In stock here:

http://www.rpidesigns.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=892

ECS Alky Kit :thumbsup:

http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/Alcohol%20Kit.html