What to do really lean for? Performance or Appearance?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
What to do really lean for? Performance or Appearance?
I hang out on this forum daily and I see awesome pics of some great looking VETTES! You guys and gals show off your appearance mods (paint work, wheels, lowering, under the hood detailing and more) and then I see those folks that speak of their dyno pulls and the intakes and gains from performance mods. I love seeing and reading about it all! 
I find myself wanting the best of both worlds, but here lately I have been doing a lot moe research for performance and where to get my gains to compromise my desires as to where I want to be in performance. I go
and find myself doing 
thinking of what to do...I am leaning more towards performance. YES, I know it is a matter of personal choice, but I wanted to hear your ideas, headaches and just comments.
I think my car is where I want it in external appearance and that is another reason why I want power now!
Micah
I find myself wanting the best of both worlds, but here lately I have been doing a lot moe research for performance and where to get my gains to compromise my desires as to where I want to be in performance. I go
and find myself doing thinking of what to do...I am leaning more towards performance. YES, I know it is a matter of personal choice, but I wanted to hear your ideas, headaches and just comments.I think my car is where I want it in external appearance and that is another reason why I want power now!
Micah
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Micah,I find myself in the same boat. I've never been able to decide between show and go. Other than an intake and exhaust, I've done mostly appearance mods to my car. The usual, wheels painted pieces and louvers (but now I'm leaning towards blackouts.
) My dilemma is that I don't care for street racing at all and I don't really care much for drag racing. My interest lies in autocross and road racing ( track days and such.) You spend most of your time in the powerband in second and third gear and I feel that too much power is wasted for those types of events. For performance in these areas I'm headed for new sways and better brakes. The problem in all of this is I also show my car in the New England area so some level "look good" stuff is almost required to stay with the competition (as well as a ton of cleaning.) I know that most won't admit it, but I believe that these cars have a ton of power, more than most will ever need. I know I didn't contribute much to your question other than show you that others of us are stuck here in the middle too.Paul
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Micah - For the most part, all I have done is appearance mods on mine since the car is under a warranty (either factory or now extended). I did not want to do anything that could give anyone a reason to deny a warranty claim should it arise. At least for another three plus years, I'll be keeping that same perspective. But, at some point I will want to do some performance tweaks to the car. I too have done just about all I want in the appearance department. If you are still under a warranty and that matters to you, then its a tough decision on whether or not to do performance mods. If you're not under a warranty or you just want to take the chance, then all you have to decide is what mods to do and set enough money aside to pay for any problems. I think many of us are in exactly the same situation as you.
In any case, enjoy the car.
In any case, enjoy the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
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"Slower Azz Dog"
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
What about both, it can't get any better than that.
Doing nothing at all, you have a great looking car, just maintain it.
The Mods are endless.
Getting there is half the fun
Doing nothing at all, you have a great looking car, just maintain it.
The Mods are endless.
Getting there is half the fun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,457
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From: bolckow missouri
i go more for looks . it has enough power for me ,if it will smoke the tires thats good enough for me , and i like to go to shows but could care less if i win anything i have enough trophies from sports hangin around in boxes they don't meen much . and i know my car looks great no matter what a judge would vote for . just my .02 so show go and just enjoy its a corvette . 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,779
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From: LOS ANGELES CA.
Go or show?
I don't think there is an answer to this question.Its just where your taste is.Some like looks and some like go.Some like both.Do what best suits your likes and you will have the perfect car for you. 
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'm one of the boring guys.
The basic performance is good enough for me so no go mods.
I'm trying to stay close to stock. Most of the mods I've done (such as euro tails) is to make the car comply with European regs for when I take it back to UK next year.
The basic performance is good enough for me so no go mods.
I'm trying to stay close to stock. Most of the mods I've done (such as euro tails) is to make the car comply with European regs for when I take it back to UK next year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,187
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From: Oakville Ontario,Canada
The car has great power as it is so I started with appearance, then I mixed in minor performance/sound with air, headers and exhaust but stopped there and moved right into handling....
I believe in well balanced modding 
I believe in well balanced modding
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
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From: Paducah Ky
I like a little of both. Went back and forth with mine, exhaust and intake at first then SS letter's and screens and exhaust plate and lowered on stock bolts. Then it was to 4:10 gears and headers. Now I cut front bushings and longers bolts in the rear. Just kinda flip flopped with both. Do what you want the most at first and go from there.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
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From: Mesa Arizona
Definitely Both!
I love both show and go but on the show side, I'm a purist at heart. I like keeping it as close to OEM as possible (at least until I can't stand it no more ). I would rather spend the money on performance than aftermarket goodies.
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I love both show and go but on the show side, I'm a purist at heart. I like keeping it as close to OEM as possible (at least until I can't stand it no more
). I would rather spend the money on performance than aftermarket goodies.[IMG]
[/IMG]
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
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From: Colorado Springs CO
Hmmm, good topic Micah, and one that I know is on a lot of people's minds everytime they have some spare cash to finally do something to their ride.
I would LOVE to do some serious performance mods to my ride, but as a daily driver I don't have all the time in the world to drop it off for a few weeks and get all the work done. Besides, I don't think I could live without driving it that long!!
I've spent all my money thus far on looks. Waxes, polishes, etc. I keep my daily driver clean come hell or high water. I don't like driving a dirty Vette.
You'll probably get a 50/50 response here with performance MAYBE coming out a little ahead, but bottom line - I think if everyone were given an equal amount of money, (hypothetically, an Eckler's gift card for $30,000) you'd see that people would get both. I would LOVE to get it blown and have Carvaggio do up the rest, but realistically, it wouldn't be much fun after my wife killed me!!
Good thread, Aloha!
Glen
I would LOVE to do some serious performance mods to my ride, but as a daily driver I don't have all the time in the world to drop it off for a few weeks and get all the work done. Besides, I don't think I could live without driving it that long!!
I've spent all my money thus far on looks. Waxes, polishes, etc. I keep my daily driver clean come hell or high water. I don't like driving a dirty Vette.
You'll probably get a 50/50 response here with performance MAYBE coming out a little ahead, but bottom line - I think if everyone were given an equal amount of money, (hypothetically, an Eckler's gift card for $30,000) you'd see that people would get both. I would LOVE to get it blown and have Carvaggio do up the rest, but realistically, it wouldn't be much fun after my wife killed me!!
Good thread, Aloha!
Glen
Race Director
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
All go for me
I guess I'm an "old school" hot rodder at heart and to me, appearance items (bling-bling) just add more weight. I've noticed that when I go to car shows people tend to be attracted to cars with "glitz" and not the performance oriented ones.
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by DevilDog II
I guess I'm an "old school" hot rodder at heart and to me, appearance items (bling-bling) just add more weight. I've noticed that when I go to car shows people tend to be attracted to cars with "glitz" and not the performance oriented ones.The few times I have entered my car in car shows it gets passed over because I do not have any bling bling.
But when I finally start my bad boy - the crowds come flocking
But I do have some small show...
Supporting Tuner
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
And your cars are sweet, Dennis
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 876
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From: Bar Mills Maine
As I'm a model builder & graphic artist I go with more of a visual look than mechanical enhancements. I'm just not a mechanic & don't play with such things... anyhow the car moves well & I'm thrilled just to sit behind the wheel ! So for me it's bling, bling, bling (on a budget !) 