Best cheap performance mod
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
If you don't already own them, a scan tool and a factory service manual would be the best possible ways of spending that money. Get to know each one well 
The performance upgrade road is long, windy, and treacherous
. Generally, you get what you pay for. In the world of Corvettes, $300 won't really give you a noticeable difference, though a customized tune (NOT a hypertech chip) might be able to get the most from what you've already got.
The performance upgrade road is long, windy, and treacherous
. Generally, you get what you pay for. In the world of Corvettes, $300 won't really give you a noticeable difference, though a customized tune (NOT a hypertech chip) might be able to get the most from what you've already got.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Originally Posted by byebyeL98
$300 won't really give you a noticeable difference, though a customized tune (NOT a hypertech chip) might be able to get the most from what you've already got.
Have Alvin @ pcmforless.com (or somebody local) burn you a chip. If you're still running the stock exhaust, you could also use that $300 or so for some upgrades there.
Last edited by JEFNLSA; Apr 10, 2006 at 02:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Alvin's a great guy and I would not want to cost him any business, but you'd really be silly to spend money on a performance chip if your car is stock. Save the chip tuning until you have some performance mods that dictate it and you'll save money and see a noticable difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
Nitrous. You could piece together a kit from various parts off E-bay and your local hardware store for $300.
Other than that, the best gain at the drag strip for $300 would be tires.
I think the most power (other than nitrous) for $300 is probably rockers, or maybe a cheap cat-back system.
Other than that, the best gain at the drag strip for $300 would be tires.
I think the most power (other than nitrous) for $300 is probably rockers, or maybe a cheap cat-back system.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Alvin's a great guy and I would not want to cost him any business, but you'd really be silly to spend money on a performance chip if your car is stock. Save the chip tuning until you have some performance mods that dictate it and you'll save money and see a noticable difference.
The last stock car I did picked up 17rwhp last wednesday.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The best mods for the buck are ones that won't gain you any hp at all, but will make the car quicker.
Gears (about $300 not including labor)
Shift kit
Higher stall tq converter
Gears (about $300 not including labor)
Shift kit
Higher stall tq converter
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,965
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Alvin's a great guy and I would not want to cost him any business, but you'd really be silly to spend money on a performance chip if your car is stock. Save the chip tuning until you have some performance mods that dictate it and you'll save money and see a noticable difference.
Nathan really knows what he's talking about. But if (like me) you are not a wrencher, and all you want is to spend $200 and get more responsiveness, and a noticeably better top end, I would bet PCMforless (or an equally reputable chip burner -- not a "one size fits all") is the absolute best mod for the money hands down. Do be sure your maintenance is fully up to date, first, otherwise you are polishing a t*rd!
I did it and was amazed at the improvement. Others will confirm this.................
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Let me make a suggestion and also I am going to assume you will do the work yourself and assume you are in a area where smog test are not required.
1. Purchase or find someone giving away a LT1 stock exhaust. Install it and cut and weld back to your existing exhaust close to the motor.
2. Take Alvin up on his offer of tuning with a moneyback guarentee.
These two things should be able to be done for $300.00 if you do all the labor yourself. Next start saving for a set of 1.6 rockers and springs.
1. Purchase or find someone giving away a LT1 stock exhaust. Install it and cut and weld back to your existing exhaust close to the motor.
2. Take Alvin up on his offer of tuning with a moneyback guarentee.
These two things should be able to be done for $300.00 if you do all the labor yourself. Next start saving for a set of 1.6 rockers and springs.