No doubt that modding is the most popular recreational activity on this forum (with showing off coming in a close second place). For those of you who've just purchased a vette that's relatively or completely stock, you'll find yourself in a world aftermarket products for your car. So, before you go breaking out every credit card you have, here are a few tips that have helped me in the past....and some that i wish i knew before:

Modding Catagories - There are essentially 3 different catagories for modding:
1) Performance - Anything that makes your car handle/accelerate/brake or otherwise drive better. While the corvette has plenty of performance from the factory, many drivers have a need for speed (aka the "speed-bug") I reccomend that newbies considering this catagory should drive their car stock until you get that needy feeling for more power. Keep in mind that performance parts are some of the most expensive pieces you will buy for your car. You'll find that the nearly half of your costs will go to labor and install. Even the experienced gear head may not have all the tools needed to install the parts they want. It's also a good idea to do performance upgrades in stages until you find what best suits you. (For instance: My stage I performance upgrades consist of a Cat back exhaust, Vararam intake w/ air coupler and power duct, and a computer tune. I currently live where there are stoplights every 20 feet so this is enough for me....for now) It's also important for newbies to consider braking and handling as well as the almighty HP/TQ numbers. There are few things more embarrising than not being able to control your 800hp monster because you're brakes or suspension isn't up to par with your motor.

2) Cosmetic - Making your car look different. This can be either inside or outside and is a way for owners to personalize their car. Such modifications can be as simple as a shiny new exhaust plate or as complex as a wide body kit. For the most part Cosmetic upgrades are relativly inexpensive and easy to install. They only start getting pricey when you get into fiberglas, body panels and installation. Again, take a while before pulling the trigger on parts to see if you really want to change how your car looks. Members on the forum use photoshop to get an idea of how things will look and i can't tell you how many times people have thought somthing would look good....and didn't realize how bad it looked until they saw it. On other occasions, the idea was so cool that other members made the same purchase. Take your time when buying cosmetic products to make sure you get the look you're really after.

3) Electronics - Anything that makes sound, or lights up... This is my personal favriote catagory because it requires the least amount of high cost specilized tools. A good auto electronics expert can do just about anything with electrical tape, wire crimps/strippers and a voltmeter. Electronics is one of the easiest and most difficult catagories in the mod world. Basic electronics installations can take from 60 seconds to several months. They key with electronics is seperating the truth from the BS. Since most electronics are not corvette specific, this is an area where specialty forums help out tremendously when it comes to picking products. When it comes to installation, this forum has saved me countless hours, cash and aggrivation by following the tutorials from other members. The world of electronics typically is comprised of the visual/audio world and lighting. There are so many routes to go with both that it took me 2 months to decide on and design my sound system. This forum is a great place to see what works and looks good.

Reguardless of what catagory you choose to attack first, my advice is to set a specific goal: (i want "x" HP/TQ, i want it to look like "x" or i want it so sound like "x") write down your goals and compare products and prices. Don't be in a rush to finish your projects. Many a forum member has made careless errors because they rushed. Remember:
"it's the journey, not the destination" - EG



oh and most importantly, DON'T FORGET TO POST PICS!!!

 

sup RadioFlyer...talkin about the mod bug...last night i started the looooong process of painting my wheels and calipers...i put the car up on jackstands at about 5:00pm and finally got to put the wheels back on at 11:15pm...then i let my Beast sleep in the garage where it could further dry in peace....its soooo hard to STOP!!! tomorrow after work im lowering my car...then im going to continue with the sound system...holy crap...im in trouble!!!

 

Forgotten:

This addiction has a Forum support group - Modaholics Anonymous.

Meetings are once a week.

Success rate of participants is less than .001% (some members have passed onto the great Corvette heaven).

Some Charter Members are:

England Green
Z06-Jim
Y2KVert4Me
etc.

For a full list - come back often to the C5 General Section.

Help is available - most members do not take it

 

I seem to be hit with the same illness

 

I think part of the problem, is these cars are relatively easy to work on, and compared to all the OHC multi-valve sewing machines, more rewarding. I gave up on modding a '01 Cobra for many reasons, but realized the futility of making this cammer motor perform was not within my skill set.

 

just a couple suggestions from my experiance

-1 have a plan and work toward it rather than just going out and buying random parts

-2 do you homework, just because company X says their part will give you 20hp and company Y says they can give you 10hp doesn't mean you'll end up with 30hp, you be lucky to get 15hp. Also, don't just shoot for peak #s, most people spend most of their time in the lower RPM band, so if your car doesn't make any power below 4K rpm, you'll hardley ever feel the power.

 

Thanks for the advice TheRadioFlyer. My experience with the addictive personality types is that no matter what sage advice or wisdom you try to impart on them, they will have to experience rock bottome for themselves.

When I hit rock bottom, please help me up!

 

My car is stock!!!

 

 

the number one reason i emphisize taking your time and planning is for roughly 2 months, i had a garage full of parts that i couldn't install because i was waiting for an integral part of the initial installation to arrive. (my HO alternator that ended up taking almost a month to get)

 

Yes, yes it is..............


NOT

 

Good post

I'm trying to withstand the temptation of modding my car......

It's killing me

 

He's in denial

 

resistance is futile

 

I'm sure if we look hard enough we could find a stock part in there somewhere.

 

Hi, my name is Arch, and I'm a "Mod-oholic" (as everyone then say's: "Hi Arch") My Modoholism started back in 74 when I was just a kid. I'm kidding!!!

I can totally relate to everything you said. For the most part I do my homework and research a lot of what I buy,.....but many times I've just bought before really thinking about the whole project beginning to end. So, like you mentioned above,......I have a section of my garage that's full of new parts, yet I'm waiting on others so that I can install what's already there. (My Corsa catback has been there for 3 months, as I'm still waiting on my headers and X-pipe)

Or, when I have a few extra dollars and I'm searching for something inparticular, if I don't find it within a few days, I'll get impatient and just buy a new one. Then as soon as I get it installed, there's a least 3 or 4 people try to sell a "like new" one for half the price!!! That happens to me all the time. If I had only waited another week or two, I could have save as much as $1000 in a few cases.

So while this Mod-addiction I have is like any other addiction out there, and though I realize any true addiction is with you for the rest of your life, I'm now learning how to control my impulses and be more patient. (My '96 Z28 about put me into the foodbank line)

 

I gave up. I am weak-willed.

I just went and bought a bunch of parts. Got a nearly new LS-6 stroked and bored to a 408, g5x3 cam, LS-6 heads ported, polished and shaved. LG 3" long tubes, RPM stage 4 trans and 3:73 rear end. Oh, I almost forgot, a Callaway honker, BBK manifold, billet fuel rails, aluminum head covers that look old school. Phew..... a lot of the parts I had powdercoated.

Now my "Midnight" '99 Coupe is in my mechanics garage, looking like a gutted fish, as the drivetrain is slowly being replaced.

I am an addict and I know it. For all the money spent, I guess I could have just about gotten C6.....but you know us addicts do not have the capacity to think things through....

 

Oh....pictures will be forthcoming.

 

You have it BAD - meetings are needed - spend time repenting

 

How do you get a 408 out of a LS6?