Recommendations on first mods
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Recommendations on first mods
Well, Im just needing some help picking out my first mods for my 95 m6. I'm 20 years old with 3 car payments right now so I'm on a limited budget and needing the best bang for the buck. Which mods are best and make the most improvements? And could you also maybe list the price/gains of the mods. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :cheers:
Thanks,
Joe
Thanks,
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Iowa City IA
Re: Recommendations on first mods (joe-red78)
yeah, here are two worth about 15hp. pull the screen out of the MAF, then chop the little "wing" inside the MAF housing with a hacksaw and polish it all out. cost=free. second do a throttle body bypass. directions for this is in the tech tips section. cost=about 5 bucks. have fun! :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Re: Recommendations on first mods (kawboy5792)
An LT1 offers great daily driver power for the average guy. I would do it right (not the most desireable path) and redo all of the suspension with poly bushings and upgrade the springs and sway bars if needed. Then move to the SS brake lines. A hurst shifter is a nice choice as well. Once these bases are covered you will have a stout platform for laying the power down to the ground.
Good luck,
Robert
Good luck,
Robert
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Re: Recommendations on first mods (joe-red78)
well, I bought my set of Energy polys for 180 or so and have yet to install them.
I got a used VB&P spring for 200 with lowering bolts.
I am gearing up to buy a set of HAL QA1 coil overs for the front for ~350 for the pair.
The Z51 sway bars, 30mm fr. and 26mm rr., I got for 170 shipped via Jeff Kopp AKA "18carfan" on the forum.
After all of the parts are acrued I am doing the job. It will take some know-how, but I am ready for the kick butt handling!
If you are looking for some "cheap" added HP, there is no $9.99 special that will impress you. If you wish to perfect what you have, I would recommend a solid tune up. And make sure you clean the hell out of the intake. Carbon sticks to the sides like glue due to the EGR. That robs the power!!! A set of the delco platinums, new wires, O2 sensors, Air filter (K&N is the best b/c it never goes bad, just dirty) and a good injector cleaner will achieve the best performance. Jost my $.02.
Good luck,
Robert
I got a used VB&P spring for 200 with lowering bolts.
I am gearing up to buy a set of HAL QA1 coil overs for the front for ~350 for the pair.
The Z51 sway bars, 30mm fr. and 26mm rr., I got for 170 shipped via Jeff Kopp AKA "18carfan" on the forum.
After all of the parts are acrued I am doing the job. It will take some know-how, but I am ready for the kick butt handling!
If you are looking for some "cheap" added HP, there is no $9.99 special that will impress you. If you wish to perfect what you have, I would recommend a solid tune up. And make sure you clean the hell out of the intake. Carbon sticks to the sides like glue due to the EGR. That robs the power!!! A set of the delco platinums, new wires, O2 sensors, Air filter (K&N is the best b/c it never goes bad, just dirty) and a good injector cleaner will achieve the best performance. Jost my $.02.
Good luck,
Robert
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Recommendations on first mods (kawboy5792)
...pull the screen out of the MAF, then chop the little "wing" inside the MAF housing with a hacksaw and polish it all out....
Open air box/K&N filter ($60 for the K&N, cutting is free)
TB bypass (a couple of $$ for hose clamps)
That's about it. The next mods are gears ($500 if you pull the diff yourself, $1000 for turnkey), aftermarket shifter (B&M or Hurst), rockers and springs ($400 DIY, $600 turnkey). IMHO, the catback is not a great mod HP wise, but if you want a louder sound, it might make sense.
Another option is the suspension mods. Swaybars run ~$250 with poly bushings, poly bushings for the suspension run ~$175, Hal shocks ~$560.
Eric
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Iowa City IA
Re: Recommendations on first mods (silver & red CE)
...pull the screen out of the MAF, then chop the little "wing" inside the MAF housing with a hacksaw and polish it all out....
This is a great mod for L98's a bad mod for LT1s. Everyone I know with an LT1 that did this mod has hunting idle problems. For the LT1 the cheap and easy mods are:
Open air box/K&N filter ($60 for the K&N, cutting is free)
TB bypass (a couple of $$ for hose clamps)
That's about it. The next mods are gears ($500 if you pull the diff yourself, $1000 for turnkey), aftermarket shifter (B&M or Hurst), rockers and springs ($400 DIY, $600 turnkey). IMHO, the catback is not a great mod HP wise, but if you want a louder sound, it might make sense.
Another option is the suspension mods. Swaybars run ~$250 with poly bushings, poly bushings for the suspension run ~$175, Hal shocks ~$560.
Eric
This is a great mod for L98's a bad mod for LT1s. Everyone I know with an LT1 that did this mod has hunting idle problems. For the LT1 the cheap and easy mods are:
Open air box/K&N filter ($60 for the K&N, cutting is free)
TB bypass (a couple of $$ for hose clamps)
That's about it. The next mods are gears ($500 if you pull the diff yourself, $1000 for turnkey), aftermarket shifter (B&M or Hurst), rockers and springs ($400 DIY, $600 turnkey). IMHO, the catback is not a great mod HP wise, but if you want a louder sound, it might make sense.
Another option is the suspension mods. Swaybars run ~$250 with poly bushings, poly bushings for the suspension run ~$175, Hal shocks ~$560.
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Recommendations on first mods (kawboy5792)
Well...I have a '94 LT1 and have done this (and so has my friend on a WS6) and my car runs better than ever....as for idle problems, i dont think so.....
Eric
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,157
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Recommendations on first mods (silver & red CE)
I would put a suspension redo at the top of the list, thats what i'm workin on for my 86 first.
Best mod for any LT1 m6 is 4.10 gears, everybody who has them loves them. Then a Corsa exhaust if you want better sound.
Best mod for any LT1 m6 is 4.10 gears, everybody who has them loves them. Then a Corsa exhaust if you want better sound.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Re: Recommendations on first mods (joe-red78)
:confused: sounds like you have a nice car already, why not keep it stock untill you can get better mods. that's just my $.02 then you can do the mods you did to the other cars you have listed.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Recommendations on first mods (eddieL98)
I removed the maf screen on my 97 Lt1 Trans Am at the track one day and managed to gain 0mph and 0 tenths. I didn't have any hunting idle problems or any other driveability problems others have complained about.
What it comes down to though, is why risk the damage to your maf with no gains. I realize the Vettes are different, but the maf's are very similar if not the same. I removed the screens on my 86 Vette, and, while I didn't notice a seat of the pants difference, the flow bench numbers I have seen show a very significant gain by just removing the screens. The newer, LT1 mafs are a different and much more efficient design. The screens don't hinder flow much at all and actually help to smooth the flow of the air to the tb.
It's a free mod if you're careful and don't damage the maf, otherwise it turns into a 200+ dollar mod.
I have not met anyone that actually shaved any time or added any mph to their time at the track by removing the screen on their LT1's maf.
As far as the L98, some have some luck with it and other's don't.
Sorry for the long post, but just my experiences and $.02
What it comes down to though, is why risk the damage to your maf with no gains. I realize the Vettes are different, but the maf's are very similar if not the same. I removed the screens on my 86 Vette, and, while I didn't notice a seat of the pants difference, the flow bench numbers I have seen show a very significant gain by just removing the screens. The newer, LT1 mafs are a different and much more efficient design. The screens don't hinder flow much at all and actually help to smooth the flow of the air to the tb.
It's a free mod if you're careful and don't damage the maf, otherwise it turns into a 200+ dollar mod.
I have not met anyone that actually shaved any time or added any mph to their time at the track by removing the screen on their LT1's maf.
As far as the L98, some have some luck with it and other's don't.
Sorry for the long post, but just my experiences and $.02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,107
Likes: 0
From: California
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Re: Recommendations on first mods (joe-red78)
For a reference of both cheap and expensive mods, go here:
http://www.ws6.com/mycar.htm
Also, a bang for the buck chart here:
http://www.ws6.com/bangbuck.htm
Have fun with it!! :seeya :chevy
http://www.ws6.com/mycar.htm
Also, a bang for the buck chart here:
http://www.ws6.com/bangbuck.htm
Have fun with it!! :seeya :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Recommendations on first mods (okinawa86vette)
I removed the maf screen on my 97 Lt1 Trans Am at the track one day and managed to gain 0mph and 0 tenths.
I have never seen any real gains from this mod. The best dyno results I have seen were 1 hp, 0 torque, and .01 at the track. I would suggest not messing with the MAF.
Remember, when you do a mod on your car you're extra sensative to the way it drives, performs, etc., because you want to see if you have made an improvement. It is very hard to go by "feel" when you are optimistic that the mod has worked. Determining results from a mod by feel could result in a placebo effect = you've done something you think will increase performance so you think it actually did :nono: , but it didn't.
Check out this corvette sight for an opinion on the MAF mod: http://vette.ohioracing.com/index.html
