[Knicks402]

Hi all ! I just picked up a 2023 lt1 vivid orange ! Excited to do a few mods , I added an air intake , just bought an axle back exhaust - now thinking about long tube headers or lt2 intake manifold - which would you do ?
I read some say the intake manifold doesn’t require a tune , so that helps with cost /
Some say tune for sure -
Long tube headers I read do require a tune for sure so that adds to the cost -

Which one is more hp bang for the buck ?

Any thoughts ?

Any one also know does a handheld predator tuner count as making changes if I add either of these parts ?

Thank you !

[arpad_m]

The mods I would do are the exact ones in my signature (oops)

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by Knicks402

Hi all ! I just picked up a 2023 lt1 vivid orange ! Excited to do a few mods , I added an air intake , just bought an axle back exhaust - now thinking about long tube headers or lt2 intake manifold - which would you do ?
I read some say the intake manifold doesn’t require a tune , so that helps with cost /
Some say tune for sure -
Long tube headers I read do require a tune for sure so that adds to the cost -

Which one is more hp bang for the buck ?

Any thoughts ?

Any one also know does a handheld predator tuner count as making changes if I add either of these parts ?

Thank you !

All the tuners you want to use are on HP Tuners for this platform. I would not buy the Predator unit.

If a mod doesn’t need a tune it’s adding very little power FYI.

[CamaroDreams76]

You're in Connecticut, use JRE (Jannetty Racing Enterprises) Ted has been in the business for a LONG time and has a wealth of knowledge.

To answer your question personally I would do all of that at once. Headers, LT2 manifold with a 95mm throttle body. Get the tune done and have a full bolt on car. If I were to pick just one, headers.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

You're in Connecticut, use JRE (Jannetty Racing Enterprises) Ted has been in the business for a LONG time and has a wealth of knowledge.

To answer your question personally I would do all of that at once. Headers, LT2 manifold with a 95mm throttle body. Get the tune done and have a full bolt on car. If I were to pick just one, headers.

I for one would never do headers alone, they add only 40-50 hp, if that, but make the car much louder and the engine tickier (because they're all thinner than the stock shorty headers). The only reason I have them is to remove the bottleneck that would prevent the supercharger from making all that sweet freight train power.

OP could do an E85 conversion with a tune and gain the same 40-50 hp, plus the engine would be happier oveall with the much higher octane.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I for one would never do headers alone, they add only 40-50 hp, if that, but make the car much louder and the engine tickier (because they're all thinner than the stock shorty headers). The only reason I have them is to remove the bottleneck that would prevent the supercharger from making all that sweet freight train power.

OP could do an E85 conversion with a tune and gain the same 40-50 hp, plus the engine would be happier oveall with the much higher octane.

Hesders definitely do NOT add 40-50 HP on a naturally aspirated LT1 (or even a stockish LT4 for that matter). On a stock LT1 (OP’s car) it’s well *under* 20 HP gain, I’d bet a substantial amount of money that he would like see single digit WHP gain. E85 on a mostly stock LT1 will be 20-25 HP but it’s the preventing timing (and power) loss under very hot/high load conditions that really make E attractive. And it’s worth more power the stronger your build is going forward.

[Spaceme1117]

Flex fuel kit and long tube headers. And you will need a tune for both.

Flex fuel kit and ethanol is good for 25-30 hp/tq.

Long tube headers are good for 15-20 hp up to about 5000rpm. Over 5000 rpm, the gains are much more significant and power and torque don't drop off nearly as fast. I don't have the dyno graph handy but on my car (2017 Camaro SS), it was something like 50 hp/tq gain past 5000 rpm.

[Ventmaster]

+1 for the E-85 mod. I'm only guessing, but I expect Stratford has many stations with E-85 available. Yes, it will require a tune, but I believe JRE (also a +1), can provide you the conversion kit and a canned (handheld tuner) tune to make the magic happen.
Then just get to know your new 6th Gen. It's a great deal more car than the 5th Gen. (they're great too, just not nearly as capable outta the box as your new favorite car ever- trust me!).
After that save alot of money and aspire to match the monster that arpad_m
gets to drive- LOL.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by Knicks402

Hi all ! I just picked up a 2023 lt1 vivid orange ! Excited to do a few mods , I added an air intake , just bought an axle back exhaust - now thinking about long tube headers or lt2 intake manifold - which would you do ?
I read some say the intake manifold doesn’t require a tune , so that helps with cost /
Some say tune for sure -
Long tube headers I read do require a tune for sure so that adds to the cost -

Which one is more hp bang for the buck ?

Any thoughts ?

Any one also know does a handheld predator tuner count as making changes if I add either of these parts ?

Thank you !

1. Congrats on picking up a 6th Gen. Camaro! Welcome to the club!
2. You are doing the right thing by asking about mod phasing / parts... best to learn from others mistakes that have wasted time and money on bad combos / vendors.
3. Depending on which axle back you picked up... THIS rear bumper belly pan may help reduce drag and improve MPG depending on which one you went with.
4. Stay away from the handheld tuners. Either drive to or transport the car to a reputable tuner... or invest in HP Tuners so that you can have access to a long list of competent tuners that can calibrate your car remotely. Better yet, because you own the module, you can take your tune file with you wherever you go, and can change tuners as needed as you now have all the control.
5. Best bang for your buck is E85 hands down. All you need is a simple flex-fuel kit and a tune. Do you have access to E85 in your area?
6. Because tuning is an investment, it's best save, and bundle your mods into a larger phased plan so that you get maximum value from the time and cost investment it takes to properly tune the car.
7. Headers are a great mod for adding power and volume. There are also several other support mods to consider when going down the road of headers... Example; coating or wrapping, spark plugs, BMR motor mounts, ARP header studs, etc... You can read more about this Header Bundle Package HERE. We like KOOKS headers due to being made in the USA and due to the great fitment. Like most things, you get what you pay for.

Cheers and happy modding. Lots of great guys, and wisdom on the forum. You can to the right place!

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Ventmaster

+1 for the E-85 mod. I'm only guessing, but I expect Stratford has many stations with E-85 available. Yes, it will require a tune, but I believe JRE (also a +1), can provide you the conversion kit and a canned (handheld tuner) tune to make the magic happen.
Then just get to know your new 6th Gen. It's a great deal more car than the 5th Gen. (they're great too, just not nearly as capable outta the box as your new favorite car ever- trust me!).
After that save alot of money and aspire to match the monster that arpad_m
gets to drive- LOL.

It's a perfect Jekyll and Hyde car, I absolutely love it, too, it's fun even when not standing on the skinny pedal, then it roars up with a thunder when I do.

[beowulf556]

I’d imagine a ‘23 still has a factory warranty (could be wrong) so understand once you do headers, e85, and a tune then warranty is poof. If you’re looking for performance, you can’t go wrong with all the recommendations here. If you just want a better sounding ride, do an axleback and call it a day.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by beowulf556

I’d imagine a ‘23 still has a factory warranty (could be wrong) so understand once you do headers, e85, and a tune then warranty is poof. If you’re looking for performance, you can’t go wrong with all the recommendations here. If you just want a better sounding ride, do an axleback and call it a day.

Good point. I always seem to default that people don't care about their warranty... and then often realize many do, and just forget that just about everything they do would void it.

I tried to buy my ZLE without one at all for a credit and they looked at me like I was stupid... They could not get there head around the fact I was going to pull the engine out for a H/C package as soon as it was broken in

[Knicks402]

Hello, thanks for all the info ! It’s great advice and makes a lot of sense -
I am still under warranty which is a great point that I didn’t think of -
If I add a cold air intake and a axle back exhaust -
Does that void warranty as well just any one know ?

Thank you !!

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by Knicks402

Hello, thanks for all the info ! It’s great advice and makes a lot of sense -
I am still under warranty which is a great point that I didn’t think of -
If I add a cold air intake and a axle back exhaust -
Does that void warranty as well just any one know ?

Thank you !!

Those are *typically safe* mods but some dealers will be jerks if you touch the car at all. So…for the millionth time lol…. If you need or want your warranty then do NOT mod your car. If you want to own a really fast car, then mod your car and let the chips fall where they may. I kissed my powertrain warranty goodbye with 501 miles on the odometer and have zero regrets. But I don’t daily mine and have other transportation if my Camaro sits on a lift for two weeks. So it’ll depend on your situation.