Corvette newb, need your opinion.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Corvette newb, need your opinion. I have been an STi junkie for the last year or so ever since I purchased my 05' STi. I have not been familiar with many domestics at all, and dont know what they are capable of. The reason I want to get a Corvette is due to the lack of power the STi has up top. I was also wondering if most corvette power curves tend to lose or gain power in the high rpm range? 
I am in a dilemma. Many of my friends are telling me to ditch my STi and make about 500whp with basic power upgrades with the C5. (about how much does this cost?). I love the fact that this much power can be made N/A with N/A response!!
However, a few of my friends are telling me to slap on a big turbo and produce about 500whp with that. This, however, will most likely cause a hole in my pocket due to replacing new engine parts with so much power going to the 2.5 liter engine LOL.
I was wondering what you guys think I should do...since members from this forum, including yourself, are much much more experienced with the Corvette and domestics than I am. Basically, is it possible to get about 500whp/500wtq with basic bolt ons? And how much do most F/I kits cost for the C5? Wether it be turbo kits or supercharger kits...Thanks alot
I appreciate your comments or suggestions
..
(P.S. if ANYONE could give me a few websites as far as performance parts go that could give me a general idea for performance gains according to certain bolt ons that would help tremendously..)
-Patrick
I am in a dilemma. Many of my friends are telling me to ditch my STi and make about 500whp with basic power upgrades with the C5. (about how much does this cost?). I love the fact that this much power can be made N/A with N/A response!!
However, a few of my friends are telling me to slap on a big turbo and produce about 500whp with that. This, however, will most likely cause a hole in my pocket due to replacing new engine parts with so much power going to the 2.5 liter engine LOL.
I was wondering what you guys think I should do...since members from this forum, including yourself, are much much more experienced with the Corvette and domestics than I am. Basically, is it possible to get about 500whp/500wtq with basic bolt ons? And how much do most F/I kits cost for the C5? Wether it be turbo kits or supercharger kits...Thanks alot
I appreciate your comments or suggestions
..(P.S. if ANYONE could give me a few websites as far as performance parts go that could give me a general idea for performance gains according to certain bolt ons that would help tremendously..)
-Patrick
Last edited by wrxrick; Feb 21, 2006 at 10:52 PM.
You are looking at big big bucks for 500rwhp N/A. You won't get it with a heads and cam job, and that is one of the biggest na mods. No basic power mod will get you anywhere close to 500rw.
Cheapest way is to just blow a C5. Probably around $7k for an inexpensive SC with a "good" install and "good" tune by a "good" tuner. Now you're talking 500-550rwhp just waiting to snap anything that turns! Add extra cash for stronger support parts.
Several guys go with a 402 or 427 plus all of the goodies to get 500 to 550 rwhp. But again, that is cost ya.
I'm going to have about $3500 total in my '01 Z06 by March and I will be at a solid 400-415rwhp.
Cheapest way is to just blow a C5. Probably around $7k for an inexpensive SC with a "good" install and "good" tune by a "good" tuner. Now you're talking 500-550rwhp just waiting to snap anything that turns! Add extra cash for stronger support parts.
Several guys go with a 402 or 427 plus all of the goodies to get 500 to 550 rwhp. But again, that is cost ya.
I'm going to have about $3500 total in my '01 Z06 by March and I will be at a solid 400-415rwhp.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Hmm, thanks for your post. Perhaps I overestimated the V8 of the C5. So heads/cams and other bolt ons will get me to approximately what power range? Can anyone give me a good website so I can compare parts and find out more for myself what does what?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Theres a few people doing 500rwhp with full boltons + head and cam all though its not that common.
For 500rwhp with instant power response you may look into a maggie S/C
My Z06 keeps pulling past 6300+ RPMs
For 500rwhp with instant power response you may look into a maggie S/C
My Z06 keeps pulling past 6300+ RPMs
you could get real close to 500 if you started w/ a z06, then heads, cam, and full bolt on's w/good tune.... you could go FI but it will cost more in the long run, and most of us go FI not ONLY for power but the "fun factor" as well... remember either way you go you have to pay the "corvette tax" on 85% of the performance parts, check out thunder racing and some of the other sponsors for parts... and dont hesitate to test drive an 04Z06 if you can find one at a dealership, that should make your decision instantly...
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, MD
How do you want to use the car? ¼ mile? Highway? Road race? The Vette is a great platform on which to build.
On the stock motor there have been a few max effort heads and cam cars that have produced around 500rwhp, but this is not the norm. 450-470rwhp is common and not hard to do. These cars make great top end power (for a V8). They typically pull hard to about 7000rpm. A C5 Vette with 450+rwhp is capable of running high 10’s in the ¼ mile at 125+mph. A good supercharger kit (A&A or ECS) will put down good power 550+rwhp.
While it’s easy to make power, it’s not cheap. If you start with a stock C5 realistically it’s going to cost at least $7k-10k to do it right. Some people may say it can be done cheaper but if you add up EVERYTHING it gets expensive.
On the stock motor there have been a few max effort heads and cam cars that have produced around 500rwhp, but this is not the norm. 450-470rwhp is common and not hard to do. These cars make great top end power (for a V8). They typically pull hard to about 7000rpm. A C5 Vette with 450+rwhp is capable of running high 10’s in the ¼ mile at 125+mph. A good supercharger kit (A&A or ECS) will put down good power 550+rwhp.
While it’s easy to make power, it’s not cheap. If you start with a stock C5 realistically it’s going to cost at least $7k-10k to do it right. Some people may say it can be done cheaper but if you add up EVERYTHING it gets expensive.
Trending Topics
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
just steppin in here to say YOU CANT RACE DYNO #'s
a bone stock Z06 would walk all over your 05 STI, go test drive one and then you will understand why people buy vettes. you alos need to understand that if your STI were to make 500 peak rwhp and you raced a Z06 that made 475 rwhp with heads/cam.....well son, you would get owned HARD. Its all about the power under the curve. Peak HP is only for a brief moment and should only be used to COMPAIR cars, not race them.
just my 2 cents....
-taz
a bone stock Z06 would walk all over your 05 STI, go test drive one and then you will understand why people buy vettes. you alos need to understand that if your STI were to make 500 peak rwhp and you raced a Z06 that made 475 rwhp with heads/cam.....well son, you would get owned HARD. Its all about the power under the curve. Peak HP is only for a brief moment and should only be used to COMPAIR cars, not race them.
just my 2 cents....
-taz
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Originally Posted by Tripintaz
just steppin in here to say YOU CANT RACE DYNO #'s
a bone stock Z06 would walk all over your 05 STI, go test drive one and then you will understand why people buy vettes. you alos need to understand that if your STI were to make 500 peak rwhp and you raced a Z06 that made 475 rwhp with heads/cam.....well son, you would get owned HARD. Its all about the power under the curve. Peak HP is only for a brief moment and should only be used to COMPAIR cars, not race them.
just my 2 cents....
-taz
a bone stock Z06 would walk all over your 05 STI, go test drive one and then you will understand why people buy vettes. you alos need to understand that if your STI were to make 500 peak rwhp and you raced a Z06 that made 475 rwhp with heads/cam.....well son, you would get owned HARD. Its all about the power under the curve. Peak HP is only for a brief moment and should only be used to COMPAIR cars, not race them.
just my 2 cents....
-taz
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 0
From: Maypearl, TX
C5 Z06, CAI, Headers, 75-100 shot with conservative tune will get you very close if not more. Even w/o headers, you'll be close. CAI, and gogo juice, with tune will cost around $2K-2500 (depending on whether or not you can do install, or you have it done...If you're not familiar with the LS platform, have it professionally installed for a piece of mind, but your cost will go up considerably) 
Like several others have said, just go and test drive an 02-04 Z06; you'll be in for a big suprise; very good manners until you get into her. Good luck, and keep us posted with whatever decision you make!
Like several others have said, just go and test drive an 02-04 Z06; you'll be in for a big suprise; very good manners until you get into her. Good luck, and keep us posted with whatever decision you make! Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Thank you guys so much. Just wondering, but I have about 316tq to the wheels on my STi. How would a stock C5 do against that from lets say, a 30mph-120mph roll? Im assuming it would be close....But whose stock?!! 
Originally Posted by wrxrick
Thank you guys so much. Just wondering, but I have about 316tq to the wheels on my STi. How would a stock C5 do against that from lets say, a 30mph-120mph roll? Im assuming it would be close....But whose stock?!!
Originally Posted by wrxrick
^^ Oh I KNOW so lol I cant wait for this vette.
but once again, can anyone give me some websites that sell performance parts?
but once again, can anyone give me some websites that sell performance parts?
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.thevettedoctors.com/
http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/
10 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Check out the sponsors -------------------------->
They have lots of great stuff.
If you can get a Z06... they usually start off around 360rwhp/350rwtq...
500rwhp is easily doable with a cam and spray... On a Z06 a G5x3 cam and 150 shot would put you well over 500rwhp and over 550rwtq..
Another option is a S/C or turbo setup... this will cost anywhere from $6000 - well whenver you stop modding it...
A stock corvette can take about 550rwhp and more on a very good tune and good gas.. The bottom ends in these cars are pretty strong to start off with, and with some forged internals, a good tune and all the other requirements you can easily see 800rwhp on daily settings..
My car pulls hard all the way to 7000rpm.. I raced a modded STi that put down a little over 340 to the wheels and I walked all over him past 80mph... Probably a good 4 cars, and that's in an Fbody that weighs a good 400lbs more than an FRC or Z06...
They have lots of great stuff.
If you can get a Z06... they usually start off around 360rwhp/350rwtq...
500rwhp is easily doable with a cam and spray... On a Z06 a G5x3 cam and 150 shot would put you well over 500rwhp and over 550rwtq..
Another option is a S/C or turbo setup... this will cost anywhere from $6000 - well whenver you stop modding it...
A stock corvette can take about 550rwhp and more on a very good tune and good gas.. The bottom ends in these cars are pretty strong to start off with, and with some forged internals, a good tune and all the other requirements you can easily see 800rwhp on daily settings..
My car pulls hard all the way to 7000rpm.. I raced a modded STi that put down a little over 340 to the wheels and I walked all over him past 80mph... Probably a good 4 cars, and that's in an Fbody that weighs a good 400lbs more than an FRC or Z06...
Hey Patrick...I have told you on My Spacee several times now GET THE VETTE..... Trust me. you know what I had doen to my WRX and no matter what i would never go back tto one again... This is my 3rd vette but its the best so far.....We can do all the work our selves on this car....head/cam. Intake full exhaust etc...ust come look and hear mine
Originally Posted by DocT
C5 Z06, CAI, Headers, 75-100 shot with conservative tune will get you very close if not more. Even w/o headers, you'll be close. CAI, and gogo juice, with tune will cost around $2K-2500 (depending on whether or not you can do install, or you have it done...If you're not familiar with the LS platform, have it professionally installed for a piece of mind, but your cost will go up considerably) Like several others have said, just go and test drive an 02-04 Z06; you'll be in for a big suprise; very good manners until you get into her. Good luck, and keep us posted with whatever decision you make!
Like several others have said, just go and test drive an 02-04 Z06; you'll be in for a big suprise; very good manners until you get into her. Good luck, and keep us posted with whatever decision you make!Well said.
In the world of street raceing,..which it seems like your more geared towards, the vette will be hard to beat, with well thought out mods. Like assasian said, if you can get an 02 to 04 Z06, do it, your gonna start off with a big contender. If you take that car, do full exhaust, some sort of air box, like vararam, heavy duty valve springs, and a good cam,....you can EASILY be at 420 to 440 rear wheel horsepower. Throw a little, or alot of spray at it and,...we'll, you get the idea. a hundred shot will set you at 550 plus,...and well over 600 ft-lbs of torque.
I've never been beat by an import,.....not saying it can't happen,...just that it's hard to beat a well thought out corvette, in a dig, or from a roll.
Besides all that, the WRX will never react as well to speed, as the C5, or C6. Simply a better car, better platform....and in my opinion, no offense man, no comparison what so ever. You can make ANYTHING fast,...the question is, how do you do it. I'd go for the vette if I where you.
J
