Ive been reading alot lately about people dipping into the low 12s in Auto
C5s by JUSTreplacing the TQ converter. My engine, exhaust, and induction are ALL STOCK, and I plan on keeping it that way. I have been considering a TQ converter, but my concerns are as follows:

1. I daily drive this car....like 2500miles a month!!! Mostly highway.
2. I have 2.73s and have no intention of changin them...will this defeat the purpose?
3. Am I going to run into the same driveablility issues that are keeping me from camming THIS car like I have all my others?
4. Will I still beable to drive 'Roadcourse style'?

I would love to be a lil quicker, but not at the expense of driveablility. I love this car, it is smooth, quiet, reliable, I just always have my mind going on how to better it!
Any suggestions? Stall reccommends?

 

A converter just by its self will not get you into the 12s, more so with the 2.73 gears. For the price of the converter and install, it is just not worth as it will be about $1200.

Keith

 

If you do not plan on modding the engine at all and you plan to autocross the car then i see no point in installing a stall. Yes there are people in the 12s with bolt-ons and a stall so if thats your goal then i would say go for it but if not then stay away from it. Hope this helps.

 

Actually, it will.
I have no doubts that I could put a bone stock C5 with 2.73s and a properly chosen high stall torque converter in the 12s. Add some drag radials, a Vararam CAI, thermostat and some tuning and it's a solid 12.4 second (or quicker?) car in good air.

A bone stock 2.73 geared C5 is still capable of running low 13s...with the factory optional 3.15 gears it's high 12 second car.




I can't argue with ya there, foer the minimal gains on stock/street tires that is a lot of money on top of the potential reduction in fuel economy around town.

 

You missed the point in that he want to keep his engine, exhaust, and intake STOCK. Even with a 4800 stall converter, I see no way a 2.73 geared stock vette can hit the 12s.

Keith

 

No I didn't miss it, I saw that part and answered it accordingly, I only mentioned the other mods as support for my discussion but maybe I should clarify a bit more.
Depending on weather conditions and geographical location, a 2.73 geared C5 with a higher stall aftermarket torque converter as it's only mod is truly capable of going 12s.
You are partially right though, in Colorado during July and August it likely cannot happen.
Here in New Jersey in November, it most certainly can (and has).

 

Get a vararam intake and it will add to your fuel mileage since you are mostly highway.

 

I've seen a 3500 stall torque converter can easily knock .7 off the time of a 2.73 F-body. I'd be surprised to see less than .5 on a vette, so there should 12s in his future with just a good TC.

 

Buy a cobra and hit 12's stock



j/k i dont see why a stall couldnt put a vette in the 12's

 

Good info. Apparently there is some debate on this. I guess I need to go to the track and see what it lays down stock, first.
BTW, its not that I dont WANT to do an intake, just that from what I have read, they are not worth all that much on a C5, so Ill save my $300!lol
I do not, however, have any interest in headers, so a catback wouldnt give me any gains really.

 

What year C5 do you have? If you have an older one with an LS1 intake on it, upgrading to an LS6 intake is totally worth the money.

Keith

 

I dont like the way a car drives with high stall for a daily driver... If feels like you are slipping the clutch until the converter locks up... Especially with a loud exhaust feels and sounds wierd.

 

Definitely a trade-off with a high stall. I like a medium stall better than stock, though. stock has enough slip to be annoying without any benefit.

If you have a high stall, raising part throttle shift points has take some of the slop out.

 

 

I have a Yank 3200 stall and it drives pretty close to factory with my 3:42 gears. I think 12's are a real possibility with 2:73's