I often wonder, if it's better, why didn't Chevy do it that way to start with? I realize many things are a balance between performance and longevity.

1. Lower Temp Thermostat.
There must be a reason why Chevy wants it to run at 190-something.
Emissions, fuel economy? Burn the junk out of the oil?

2. Coolant Bypass at Throttle Valve Kit.
I think Chevy wanted a leaner fuel mixture sooner, and run leaner, and more MPG.

3. Cold Air Intake Kits.
Again, to run leaner, and get better MPG. Colder air, you need more fuel.

4. There are more, but these come most readily to mind.

I don't know, I think I know why Chevy didn't do these things to start with, but I must say it makes me hesitate to do them.

For my car, louder pipes and the CAGS defeat Kit seemed like a personal preference thing, and are all I did, after that, I'm not so sure...

 

Emissions is probably the biggest answer for most of those.

 

The coolant in the throttle body is meant to keep ice from forming and causing the throttle to hang open. This shouldn't be a problem however unless it's pretty cold I would think, but GM wasn't taking any chances.

The lack of a cold air intake was probably to prevent the possibility of water ingestion in the intake.

 

 

Chevy has to build Corvettes that survive and run perfectly in all climates. They do have customers in the northern states that drive them in -30 degree temps.
They also have emissions and CAFE requirements to meet, sound standards to adhere by, as well as making the car as maintenance-free as possible.
Most "non-boxed in" air filters increase intake noise a great deal. Also, most aftermarket gauze-style filter elements require oiling for proper filtration...a stock "maintenance-free" paper type filter wouldn't survive a month in exposed conditions.

A lower temp thermostat does nothing to control how hot the car runs. it only controls how cold the car will run. A 160 Tstat may be ideally suited for Fl and Az people, but not so much for Mn and Alaska folks in the winter. If you've ever driven in subzero temps, the battle is often keeping the engine warm enough. This is the primary function of the thermostat. Yes, you should be getting your engine to 190+ to burn contaminants and condensation out of the oil. Your climate can best determine what fan settings and Tstat rating you should use. The LSx engine are designed to run hot, and can do so without worry. Does that make it best for power? Nope, but the stock cooling system compromises for all weather conditions it may experience.

Cold air intakes work by reducing IAT (Intake air temp). If the incoming air is cooler, it is richer in oxygen, which subsequently means timing is not being retarded by the PCM to compensate for the hot (lacking oxygen) air. It's not a rich/lean issue. If you're getting a denser shot of oxygen into the engine, you'll get more fuel, you'll get full timing advance, and you'll get more power.

As car owners, most of us do not have to adhere to all those Gov't regulations, and most aren't driving in such adverse climate conditions...so it leaves us the option of outfitting the car to ideally suit our indivdual needs.

 

Well, from what I've seen Grumpy seems to be OK - quiet lately though. Pewter99 seems reasonable too, and it seems like you can get cross with Allbottle pretty easily if you try. I really hadn't noticed any others. Which ones bother you?

- Wisdom

Hmmm, nevermind... topic was car mods...

 

Cute, very cute!

 

Thats why I didn't touch a thing on my car, stock is well enough for me, the only thing that isn't stock is the catch can...

I'm not knocking mods, but I like the car as is....

 

There is nothing wrong with a C5 totally stock. It rolled off the line with great power and handling capabilities.

Some of us just want more of that. Pick your mods or none at all.

 

Probably a smart thing to do………….besides this post and your user name….kinda an oxymoron eh

As for car mods, the government gets involved..........all the stupid stuff on cars is mandatory after that.

 

Ya tell him so!! He's my gym sniper!!! SO I now have to snipe on HIM!

 

OK Speedy - let's play. Saw your car first, not you. Your tags seemed familiar from somewhere and then I recalled why. But I wouldn't recognize you if we were at the same shopping mall in the same line. I'm far from a sniper - or a highway speeder for that matter. That post you keep jumping on was intended as a compliment. But it will be withdrawn.

Allbottle - fair comeback. I wouldn't want to mess with a mod! I don't post much, but I've read enough to know that most of the OP's questions/comments have been addressed in many threads. I was trying to lighten it up based on the title of the thread.

- Wisdom

 

Thats why I posted what I did............Mods like to have fun too
Right Syl CI is ALWAYS fun

 

Totally agree! It's all about fun ... no harm meant at all as I always think CF is a 'fmly place'

 

1. Lower Temp Thermostat.
There must be a reason why Chevy wants it to run at 190-something.
Emissions, fuel economy? Burn the junk out of the oil?

That and Thermostats have nothing to do with the temperature at which the vehicle operates. It only sets a minimum temp. Once it's open, it's open and coolant is flowing.

2. Coolant Bypass at Throttle Valve Kit.
I think Chevy wanted a leaner fuel mixture sooner, and run leaner, and more MPG.
I'm assuming that you're talking about the throttle body bypass. warm coolant is routed through there to prevent icing. if you think the air is in there long enough to be affected by the temp, I've got some ocean front property Arizona to sell you.

3. Cold Air Intake Kits.
Again, to run leaner, and get better MPG. Colder air, you need more fuel.
GM Standard is that all vehicles be able to drive in water up to a certine depth (don't remember exactly but it's something like 12"), CAI would prevent that.

 

5. Turbo Setup. Nothing extreme just around 450 rwhp to 500 rwhp. Just enough to have still have the stock bottom end but have that extra power when you want it. Maybe someday

 

As several people on here have learned the hard way....

 

Somewhere in this post I got lost

 

Here is a option/modification the C5 Corvette should come with:

 

I would check that box