New (to me) C6. What are the must haves?
#1
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New (to me) C6. What are the must haves?
Well it's been almost 7 years since I've owned a Corvette. BUT, thanks to a divorce and a new lady (massive upgrade), I am back in a fun car.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
#3
Well it's been almost 7 years since I've owned a Corvette. BUT, thanks to a divorce and a new lady (massive upgrade), I am back in a fun car.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
#4
Team Owner
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Why a performance exhaust and some nice painter fuel rail cover. And maybe some different forged wheels.
#5
Drifting
Well it's been almost 7 years since I've owned a Corvette. BUT, thanks to a divorce and a new lady (massive upgrade), I am back in a fun car.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
I don't know if this is still true, but the a4 in the c5 (which I think carried over to the c6 for 05) benefits greatly from a torque converter. It is a little more involved install but if you can handle a TT kit, a torque converter should be doable. Also, i am not sure if you need to retune for a new converter or not, but if you do, I would wait for after the TT kit is installed.
Just out of curiosity. While the 2005 isn't a bad car, the 06-07 fixed some of the problems from the first year (05) Why not start with a car that had a 6 speed auto instead of the 4, and a host of other improvements?
#6
Burning Brakes
Mmmm,,, My first mod with my vette have been, replace the junk sterio with a good system.. Gotta have tune's
Now its a rocking
Now its a rocking
#7
Le Mans Master
My understanding is that he already has the car. If not, then I'd suggest he move to an '08 to get the LS3.
#8
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Well it's been almost 7 years since I've owned a Corvette. BUT, thanks to a divorce and a new lady (massive upgrade), I am back in a fun car.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
It's a 2005, A4. What are the "first things first" mods for these guys?
I'm assuming a Vararam is one of those, and I will probably be adding one within the next week. What other easy DIY mods can I add on without spending too much money? I plan on having a TT kit installed within the next 4 or 5 months, but want to do a few things now to give it some added pep.
Second, the "first things to mod" really depends on your personal tastes and how you plan to use the car (cruiser, daily driver, occasional racing, road racing, drag racing, garage queen, etc.).
My car is an almost daily driver/GT cruiser that gets put up in the winter and if the weather is particularly gloomy/rainy stays in the garage.
One thing I believe should be required reading given the bolded part of your statement above is England Green's modifications primer below:
http://www.englandgreen.com/blog/mod...ns-primer.html
England Green is a forum vendor and Stephen (the owner) is one of the finest chaps you'll ever deal with.
Corvette Modifications Primer : A few things to consider if you wish to modify your Corvette for High Performance.
So you want to modify your C6 or C5 Corvette for high performance. Here are some things that you should consider first.
What is your driving style? Are you a drag racer? Autocross? Road racer? Weekend warrior? Show car? Stoplight to stoplight? Or simply highway fun? Or a combination of all or some of these choices?
How you drive and enjoy your Corvette will directly determine what modification you should make to your Corvette.
Nothing is free. Every modification you make to your stock Corvette will involve some kind of compromise. You are not going to make 800 rear wheel horsepower and get 30 miles per gallon with a whisper quiet exhaust as well as drive and idle like stock. That is not going to happen.
The trick is to be totally honest with yourself and decide what compromises you can live with and which ones you cannot. For example, if you want to achieve 500rwhp naturally aspirated, expect a big cam with a loping idle. Expect to lose some fuel efficiency. Expect your Corvette to not drive like stock.
You can start with simple bolt-ons like an aftermarket air filter, long tube headers and cat-back exhaust system. The next logical step is a camshaft only upgrade or heads and camshaft. Along with the bolt-ons, you can be comfortably at the 425-450rwhp range, all naturally aspirated. Or you could bypass the bolt-ons and simply have a supercharger or twin turbocharger system installed. An alternative to bolt-on might be rear gears (along with a stall converter for the automatics). Gears can also compliment your other modifications.
It all depends on what you wish to achieve.
As you increase the stock Corvette from it's 300-340rwhp (C5-C6) or 435rwhp (C6 Z06) to circa 550rwhp on the stock bottom end, expect to have to upgrade other aspects of your drivetrain, cooling and suspension. Remember, nothing is free.
Beyond 550rwhp, we strongly recommend a forged engine as you will be on borrowed time. At this point, your clutch/stall converter will have to be upgraded along with torque tube connectors, transmission and differential. Cooling must be addressed as well as the always overlooked and often forgotten bulletproof fuel system. At this point, methanol injection for boosted applications is almost mandatory. Suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres should also be seriously addressed, along with additional safety systems like a 6 point or better rollcage and so on. A Corvette that is very fast is no fun if it also does not handle and stop.
High performance is not a cheap hobby and it is best to be very aware of this fact going in so you do not encounter any surprises.
But no matter what your budget, we can tailor a system to suit your current and future needs. So please drop us a line or give us a call to discuss your Generation 5 & 6 Corvette high performance needs.
So you want to modify your C6 or C5 Corvette for high performance. Here are some things that you should consider first.
What is your driving style? Are you a drag racer? Autocross? Road racer? Weekend warrior? Show car? Stoplight to stoplight? Or simply highway fun? Or a combination of all or some of these choices?
How you drive and enjoy your Corvette will directly determine what modification you should make to your Corvette.
Nothing is free. Every modification you make to your stock Corvette will involve some kind of compromise. You are not going to make 800 rear wheel horsepower and get 30 miles per gallon with a whisper quiet exhaust as well as drive and idle like stock. That is not going to happen.
The trick is to be totally honest with yourself and decide what compromises you can live with and which ones you cannot. For example, if you want to achieve 500rwhp naturally aspirated, expect a big cam with a loping idle. Expect to lose some fuel efficiency. Expect your Corvette to not drive like stock.
You can start with simple bolt-ons like an aftermarket air filter, long tube headers and cat-back exhaust system. The next logical step is a camshaft only upgrade or heads and camshaft. Along with the bolt-ons, you can be comfortably at the 425-450rwhp range, all naturally aspirated. Or you could bypass the bolt-ons and simply have a supercharger or twin turbocharger system installed. An alternative to bolt-on might be rear gears (along with a stall converter for the automatics). Gears can also compliment your other modifications.
It all depends on what you wish to achieve.
As you increase the stock Corvette from it's 300-340rwhp (C5-C6) or 435rwhp (C6 Z06) to circa 550rwhp on the stock bottom end, expect to have to upgrade other aspects of your drivetrain, cooling and suspension. Remember, nothing is free.
Beyond 550rwhp, we strongly recommend a forged engine as you will be on borrowed time. At this point, your clutch/stall converter will have to be upgraded along with torque tube connectors, transmission and differential. Cooling must be addressed as well as the always overlooked and often forgotten bulletproof fuel system. At this point, methanol injection for boosted applications is almost mandatory. Suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres should also be seriously addressed, along with additional safety systems like a 6 point or better rollcage and so on. A Corvette that is very fast is no fun if it also does not handle and stop.
High performance is not a cheap hobby and it is best to be very aware of this fact going in so you do not encounter any surprises.
But no matter what your budget, we can tailor a system to suit your current and future needs. So please drop us a line or give us a call to discuss your Generation 5 & 6 Corvette high performance needs.
Cheap, fast, reliable.
Pick two because you can't be all three.
Good luck and hope to see more of you on the forum
#9
Drifting
#11
Drifting
#12
Le Mans Master
#15
Le Mans Master
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2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
You don't have anything until you post photos. Once you do post them, then do what your heart tells you. My 2012 GS got Corsa exhaust and x pipe, splash guards, clear bra, and floor and rear deck mats with logos. Take your time and look at other Vettes and get ideas. I don't race, so I didn't do any performance mods.
#16
Race Director
Last thing I would waste my money on is a stereo upgrade. Put your money into things that enhance looks and performance. By the way, congrats on the 05.
#18
If you don't already have one, I would invest in a "hud". Kits are available for the c6 series of vetts and some vendors on this forum can do the install; even some members.
#19
Advanced
Thread Starter
You don't have anything until you post photos. Once you do post them, then do what your heart tells you. My 2012 GS got Corsa exhaust and x pipe, splash guards, clear bra, and floor and rear deck mats with logos. Take your time and look at other Vettes and get ideas. I don't race, so I didn't do any performance mods.
I should have been more specific I suppose. I was asking about performance mods. I may throw a stereo in at some point, but I'm not into that as much now. Stock wheels are fine for now, will end up with some CCWs or TrueForged down the road.
My old C5 put down 638 sae corrected. I'm not sure how far I'll end up going with this one. I've just been out of the scene for a while and didn't know if there were new additions to the market, or certain things that really woke up the LS2.
As far as why the A4 -- I love twisties, but I also love 1/4 mile. The A4, from everything I've heard, is better at this. I test drove one with the paddle shift and just didn't like it. I am tired of rowing gears. I also end up in a lot of stop and go traffic every time I go to the DFW area (I live in Texas).
I got a great deal on it, and it has been very well taken care of. That is just as important to me as anything else.
Here are a few crappy pictures for now.