Simple Mods questions

[EvilZL1]

Currently planning to mod the Z finally and needed a few questions answered before purchasing items. I'm currently thinking about Pdaft Tri-Y headers. What is the difference between cats and w/o cats? I understand a tune must be done. I can't decide whether to go with Roto-Fab or CAI as a intake. I guess its a personal preference. Also thinking about swapping out the CAM for a more aggressive one that willcause more hp, rough idle, etc. I currently reside in TN and get mixed information about what I should do about taking it to the shops around the area. Some say they are good/bad, anywhere else close to TN that could do a great job for the right price? Any help will be appreciated.

[mmarx82]

Originally Posted by SSSylentZL1

Currently planning to mod the Z finally and needed a few questions answered before purchasing items. I'm currently thinking about Pdaft Tri-Y headers. What is the difference between cats and w/o cats? I understand a tune must be done. I can't decide whether to go with Roto-Fab or CAI as a intake. I guess its a personal preference. Also thinking about swapping out the CAM for a more aggressive one that willcause more hp, rough idle, etc. I currently reside in TN and get mixed information about what I should do about taking it to the shops around the area. Some say they are good/bad, anywhere else close to TN that could do a great job for the right price? Any help will be appreciated.

Sounds like you have some good ideas about what you want. I haven't heard about any shops in TN but I hear Vengeance Racing in Atlanta is pretty good and I've also heard good things about MTI but I'm not sure where they are based out of.

[RLHMARINES]

Atlanta.

[RedZL1]

Originally Posted by SSSylentZL1

Currently planning to mod the Z finally and needed a few questions answered before purchasing items. I'm currently thinking about Pdaft Tri-Y headers. What is the difference between cats and w/o cats? I understand a tune must be done. I can't decide whether to go with Roto-Fab or CAI as a intake. I guess its a personal preference. Also thinking about swapping out the CAM for a more aggressive one that willcause more hp, rough idle, etc. I currently reside in TN and get mixed information about what I should do about taking it to the shops around the area. Some say they are good/bad, anywhere else close to TN that could do a great job for the right price? Any help will be appreciated.

"Young ZL1 owner eating Mustangs, Challengers, and Chargers daily for nutritious value."

Not much nutritional value in "Junk Food".


If you go headers w/no cats, be prepared for it to be LOUD!

I cannot comment on shops in TN. If you're handy with wrenching on your own car, I recommend you give Ted at JRE a call. Ted has a ZL1 of his own and has done some significant research on various mods. He can help you with some "bolt-on" mods that will net you some decent HP gaiins.

[ZO6 Bryan]

Jerry Onks at The Performance Garage. Smyrna, TN

531 Huntley Industrial Blvd
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 250-3966

He can most definately do the install and tune for you. He has alot of LS1, LS2, LSA experience.

Also James Short in Ky at http://www.shortuning.org/ for tuning.

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by ZO6 Bryan

Jerry Onks at The Performance Garage. Smyrna, TN

531 Huntley Industrial Blvd
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 250-3966

He can most definately do the install and tune for you. He has alot of LS1, LS2, LSA experience.

Also James Short in Ky at http://www.shortuning.org/ for tuning.

He's the closest so I may give him a try. People tell me to stay away from Dynospeed here. I just need a tune and my headers done right. I can install the intake myself. I wish they had a website though. Hard to base my decision

[G Money]

Originally Posted by mmarx82

Sounds like you have some good ideas about what you want. I haven't heard about any shops in TN but I hear Vengeance Racing in Atlanta is pretty good and I've also heard good things about MTI but I'm not sure where they are based out of.

I have to ditto mmarx Vengeance Racing is the best shop IMO in this area. If you can put the intake on yourself don't cut yourself short you can install the headers yourself in 2 hrs.

[jessrayo]

If you are looking for power gains the best mod is a pulley change. GM was pretty conservative with boost on the stock engine. Headers are good if you want more sound, pulley is what you want if you want more power.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

If you are looking for power gains the best mod is a pulley change. GM was pretty conservative with boost on the stock engine. Headers are good if you want more sound, pulley is what you want if you want more power.

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by G Money

I have to ditto mmarx Vengeance Racing is the best shop IMO in this area. If you can put the intake on yourself don't cut yourself short you can install the headers yourself in 2 hrs.

I lack the equipment for such an install. I have no lift in the garage so I do not see it as possible.

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

If you are looking for power gains the best mod is a pulley change. GM was pretty conservative with boost on the stock engine. Headers are good if you want more sound, pulley is what you want if you want more power.

I understand the pulley will get me more power, I'm pursuing the headers first because I do want more sound. With cats or without cats is the question. Havent made my mind up yet.

[jessrayo]

Originally Posted by SSSylentZL1

I understand the pulley will get me more power, I'm pursuing the headers first because I do want more sound. With cats or without cats is the question. Haven't made my mind up yet.

There is some debate on cats, I think if you can run without them do it. They are expensive, they rob some power, and occasionally with high power engines they spontaneously puke their guts out and are worthless anyway. Just something else that can go wrong.

[Kelly@PCMofNC]

Originally Posted by SSSylentZL1

Currently planning to mod the Z finally and needed a few questions answered before purchasing items. I'm currently thinking about Pdaft Tri-Y headers. What is the difference between cats and w/o cats? I understand a tune must be done. I can't decide whether to go with Roto-Fab or CAI as a intake. I guess its a personal preference. Also thinking about swapping out the CAM for a more aggressive one that willcause more hp, rough idle, etc. I currently reside in TN and get mixed information about what I should do about taking it to the shops around the area. Some say they are good/bad, anywhere else close to TN that could do a great job for the right price? Any help will be appreciated.

Are you on the eastern side of TN? If so you may want to check us out. I just had a guy drive in from central TN (we added 200rwhp while he was here!), we often have folks come in from well out of town.

Cats vs. no cats is a personal decision for the most part. I keep them on all of my cars (600-700rwhp+ x 3) because even with good tuning, not having them can make it stink at idle, which I dislike. Also, not sure what your state inspections are like but keep that in mind too, some states will require you to run cats, so ditching them would make that harder for you to inspect it every year. Performance wise, a cat usually only dings you 5-10rwhp, so very worth it to keep it in my opinion.

You'll like either the RotoFab or the CAI, you picked the two best ones IMO. We are wrapping up a similar build right now, unfortunately it started snowing so we'll have to wait 'til tomorrow to finish tuning it, but here's how the Rfab looks,



We installed a Rfab, tstat, and Kooks Headers, along with our plug wires. Should pick up an easy 50rwhp with these mods - and with the intake/exhaust being done on this visit - his next step will be a cam!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions! I've also got one of the many ZL1's we've done up on our customer build blogs - here - ironically, that was a white car as well.

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by Kelly@PCMofNC

Are you on the eastern side of TN? If so you may want to check us out. I just had a guy drive in from central TN (we added 200rwhp while he was here!), we often have folks come in from well out of town.

Cats vs. no cats is a personal decision for the most part. I keep them on all of my cars (600-700rwhp+ x 3) because even with good tuning, not having them can make it stink at idle, which I dislike. Also, not sure what your state inspections are like but keep that in mind too, some states will require you to run cats, so ditching them would make that harder for you to inspect it every year. Performance wise, a cat usually only dings you 5-10rwhp, so very worth it to keep it in my opinion.

You'll like either the RotoFab or the CAI, you picked the two best ones IMO. We are wrapping up a similar build right now, unfortunately it started snowing so we'll have to wait 'til tomorrow to finish tuning it, but here's how the Rfab looks,



We installed a Rfab, tstat, and Kooks Headers, along with our plug wires. Should pick up an easy 50rwhp with these mods - and with the intake/exhaust being done on this visit - his next step will be a cam!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions! I've also got one of the many ZL1's we've done up on our customer build blogs - here - ironically, that was a white car as well.

Sadly, I'm in west Tn so it would be a bit of a drive for me. Still debating on cats because everyone has their opinion on them so I'm still 50/50 on them. Far as CAI or RotoFab, I've always leaned towards Rotofab because of the style. With number varying it makes it harder to just decide. Right now I just know for a fact that I will be going with Pdaft Tri-Y headers, since the power and sound increase is decent. Also they dont cut into my belly pan.