Ironman433

I'm looking for ADVISE on the best BRANDS / MODELS of Cold Air Intake Systems and Exhaust Systems to buy to add on to my stock 1999 Z51 Coupe. What types are best, brands, etc... Should I put headers on with the new exhaust system? I don't want to spend $10K or anything or start racing it at Daytona - just add better performance and fuel economy for around $2K +/- (and I pulled that figure out of a hat after browsing eBay and getting a rough idea of what those items cost)

Also... Where's the best place to pick those items up at for a reasonable price? eBay...?? Eckler's...?? Corvette Central...??

CHJ In Virginia

IMHO for best power results VS cost, I would do the following:
1) Callaway Honker CAI
2) American Racing Headers 1 3/4" long tubes (made in America)
3) C5 Zo6 titanium mufflers (lighter, sound better, cost effective)
4) Get a dyno tune at a competent race shop.
Going to cost a bit more than $2K but you should be satisfied with the results.
Check C5 parts for sale on mufflers and forum vendors for other items. One of the vendors has a sale going on now for the ARH headers.

warren s

Does that price range include installation - or just for parts?

If you doing the work yourself:
Vararam Intake - all over ebay
XSPower catted headers - less than 1/2 the price of the "Domestic" top names. (I installed 4 sets so far, no problems)
LS6 - axle back / mufflers.

Doesnt "need" a tune but it would help. The gains will be modest at best but feel like more.

PRE-Z06

I agree with the Vararam intake, 1.75" American Racing Headers and TI Z06 exhaust, but would definitely recommend a dyno tune or atleast making some pulls on a dyno logging AFR to make sure the computer is compensating enough for the extra airflow and not doing damage to your motor.

bracketshark

I think we are doing some of the same things with our 1999 cars. I put a vararam and the larger MAF on my 99 FRC and a set of the Z06 mufflers. Those 3 pieces made a huge difference without a tune. I have a set of 1-7/8" LG's to go on when I add the AI ported heads, cam and fast 90. I just can't get a hole cleared long enough in my shop to start the mods.

diehpy

If you just want a little more pep and sound and save your money.

use your stock exhaust headers, cats

install an x-pipe, cat back exhaust system(search youtube for sound clips)they all vary in loudness

ls6 intake, ported polished throttle body, blackwing intake

I have bought all of these parts off the forum and saved a ton of money. There's also a idle re-learn procedure you can do after you install parts. Not like a tune , but hey it works and you will definitely see the difference.

with this setup I average 24 plus mpg highway/ city driving


99FRC

85corvettec4

could you link the headers?

VGLNTE1

Long tubes, no cats, zo6 ti mufflers, and a vararam

neutron82

any of the big brand headers will do you good, I personally run lg superpros but arh, kooks, or maybe even xs would be decent and the new pfadt system looks nice... most of those will run you in the ~$1500 range depending on if you want cats or not... the axle back exhaust is subjective and really just personal preference... you won't see much of a gain from one system compared to another, it is mainly just what sound you are going for... many people swear by the z06 ti's but they are far too tame for me and were the first thing to go from my z... corsa xtreme is more up my alley and what I run on my car, I also like ghl but that is just my opinion ... I would try to listen to as many as you can to see what you like... the exhaust system isn't cheap so do your research before you buy so you don't end up doing it over more than once... intakes are far cheaper and easier to test and swap out if you don't end up liking it... I ran a vararam on mine for a few years and it does it's job but it isn't a work of art... their build quality is pretty crappy and they can be a pain to install initially but once they are in they do work

baxsom

TSP stainless or XS power headers 750ish
zo6 titanium around 400
vararam 250ish

ecs mail in tune 150

Just remember the axle back is mainly sound, you are going to have to be pushing a lot of horses for the stock one to be a restriction. The z06 ones flow extremely well and save a lot of weight off the car.

warren s

There are lots of threads:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...e-headers.html

PM Superman09 for current deals , he is the registered supporting vendor for them on the forum.

VGLNTE1

And il add, the ti mufflers sound better than any catback. They all sound like boats. Horrible. Even the new corsa system for the c7 sounds like you should go fishing instead of racing.
Better sound, lighter, cheaper. Win win

neutron82

the gurgling sound on the c5 is mainly due to the factory h-pipe... if you switch it out to an x-pipe it will get rid of that sound... even the ti have that gurgling sound but it is less noticeable because you can hardly hear them at idle

z99ls1

I've got a vararam with powerduct I'll let go for a good price!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ower-duct.html