i have learned the hard way about wanting more power.. my other car is a NA, AUTO MK3 Supra.. i went down the rabbit hole of wanting to build a 500HP 2j... yeah I found out real quick that i cant afford that... I was about $12k alone in just parts on paper... so i gave that dream up and just enjoy the car for what it is.. a supra.. but i wanted something more fun a canyon carver of sorts, a backroad blaster lol. and the Z is just that with a few minor upgrades. and i have done all the minor stuff thats affordable. sure everyone wantd to tune for pops and bangs and slide.. but not me .. i just cant do that. i want clean simple and fun. i think i did just that

 

Pops and bangs are so dumb. I'll never understand.

If you've done any NA mods, then you need a tune to optimize those. Otherwise, leave it stock and enjoy it!

 

You know my z was 286 whp, current vette is 30-ish whp short of being double that. While the z was more nimble, I do really like the extra ponies. That is the good thing about the LS/LT motors, easy power for reasonable

 

yes they are so stupid. maybe I am just getting old .. pops and bangs are meant for purpose built racecars. This is my build list for my car:
WHEELS VOLK RACING LE37s 19X9.5 FRONT 19X10 REAR
TIRES FRONT 245/35 ZR19
TIRES REAR 275/35 ZR19
HKS CAT BACK EXHAUST
HOTCHKIS SWAY BARS
CRAWFORD Z INTAKE PLENUM
BC COILOVERS BR
M-Spec Street Intake
75mm Throttle Body Upgrade
Berks High Flow Cats

 

that is very true cheap and easy power..

 

There are some "kool kids" in my neighborhood with NA late model BMW 3 series (328s I think). They have them slammed, with loud exhaust systems, probably no cats, with the pops and crackles tune done. I hate them. They are extremely annoying, going 15mph over the mild speed bumps (you know, the ones that are more like a ramp vs. harsh half-circle), but making enough noise to wake the dead. I'm all for customizing your car, but when you roll through the suburbs at 1AM making that much noise, you're just being a douchebag. Don't even get my started on the Harley riders that rip out the baffling on their bikes.

I love my Z with the mild NA bolt-ons I've done, sounds like you're of the same mindset. But I would like some more ponies in the future, sadly CA makes that unfeasible if you wish to stay street legal. Trav makes a solid point, it's probably best/easier/cheaper to just buy a different car entirely. I've seen some amazing deals on new old stock (2023-2024) C8 Vettes lately for under 60k. Most have probably sold already, and to get those deals, travel would be required.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

it's funny you mention the C8. I work at a GM dealer, so i see these cars all the time .... i would much rather get a Cadillac CTS-V.

 

C8's have a TON of trans problems, some people on vette forum have sub 1k miles and need a new one. Honestly you couldn't pay me to get a c8

 

With the exhaust, plenum, intake, TB, and HFCs, I would definitely get a tune.

Just tell them you're not a **** and you don't want the "flame map" and "pops and bangs."

You get all the ARC features with an Uprev tune. Probably never need them, but you get "burnout mode" when it's time to let your inner child out and send your tires to their grave in proper style. lol.

 

I am totally trying to go about this the ADULT way. lol. and that's my build, clean and simple.