Q: How much horsepower can I expect to get from an airbox kit or a set of headers?
A: A Vararam airbox alone will normally yield an approximate 10+ RWHP gain (on the dyno). Vararam claims up to 40 HP increase through the RPM range. We have found that Vararam shines on the track not the dyno and Vararam proves its value time and time again on the track. A set of Long Tube headers can bring in 25 to 30 RWHP. The combination of the two coupled with ECS tuning usually translates to a solid 35-45 RWHP increase. These mods are often entry level and a great foundation for all of your future performance modifications.
Q: Should I replace my Mass Air Flow Sensor?
A: Mass airflow sensors should never be replaced without proper recalibration of the PCM. The vehicle has been programmed from the factory to your existing MAF and will no longer be properly tuned if it is simply switched out. In general there is very little to gain from changing out the MAF. The larger you go, the less resolution you get out of it, so you do not want to increase the size of the MAF unless you have increased the airflow demands of the engine enough to warrant doing so.
Q: How much boost can a stock bottom end handle?
A:Our standard SC Packages leave with 8-9 lbs. of boost. This is a very safe level when tuned accordingly and we have hundreds of them on the road at those levels. We have had many customers ask us to push the boundaries and raise the boost some. So far they are all holding up well but we highly recommend a forged bottom end if you plan to add more than 9 lbs. of boost.
Q: What clutch do you recommend and for what HP levels?
A:Clutches are often listed by HP ratings. We like to give recommendations based on overall usage.
Generally, for stock HPup to 650 HP cars that see heavy street use and occasional track use we find the Textralia OZ-700 to be a great clutch.We have used the OZ-700 on 750rwhp cars with great success, however we can't overemphasize how much driver and the type of driving impacts the longevity of any clutch.
If your budget allows, even for 650 horsepower and under bracket, we like to see customers upgrade to the Twin Disc setup since it yields smoother shifts at high RPM, and power shifting becomes more consistent.
For applications between 650 RWHP and 900 RWHP we recomend the Textralia Exo-Skel Twin Disc. In this HP range, the Twin Disc can hold up to some substantial abuse.
For 900+ HP, step up to the Textralia Triple Disc setup. For avid racers on the drag strip or the road coarse, this clutch has been an excellent performer for our customers over the years.
Q: As I start to increase HP in my Vette what are the weak links going to be?
A:Some of this depends on usage. The first item to show weakness is usually the clutch on six speeds.
As horsepower increases, the stock tires will also become hard to hold.
For drag racers there is an axle shaft in the differential that is common to break, that is why you often see high horsepower cars with "hardened output shaft" in their mods list.
Another common problem, particularly for drag racers with big power, is actually snapping the entire rear housing off the transmission on hard launches. We combat this problem by using a brace that ties the rear and tranmission together giving these assemblies increased rigidity for drag and high horsepower abuse.
Q: How much horsepower can a stock bottom end hold?
A:ECS has produced several LS1s and LS6s with at or near 600 RWHP, however we feel a safe zone with proper tuning is below 550 RWHP. We have found that the LS2 and LS3 engines can handle more power than their predecessors as we have a handfull of them raced regularly that are at or near the 700 RWHP mark. Even with those, however we feel the comfort zone is at or about 600 RWHP. The addition of the Alky (methanol injection kit) that we offer, does increase the level of safety, and in turn, allows us to push the power levels higher. One of our customers for example has run a 9.82 @138.9 with his stock bottom end LS1 and just our Paxton Novi SC600 kit, Alky injection, and our Custom Blower Cam. This C5 is the fastest and quickest stock piston LS1 that we know of.
Q: I don't want to use too much gas, or run my engine too hard on the highway, what kind of RPMs will I see after a gearswap?
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