$$Underhood: Looks...or Launch?$$
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
$$Underhood: Looks...or Launch?$$
So I know it's a matter of personal priorities in relation to budget...but...
With a limited budget, which is more important to you:
Visual/aesthetic mods?
Or mechanical/performance mods?
And you can talk about other mods too but in the same vein.
With a limited budget, which is more important to you:
Visual/aesthetic mods?
Or mechanical/performance mods?
And you can talk about other mods too but in the same vein.
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For now, I go with the bling mods. I still have an extended warranty on the car so I am hesitant to do any performance enhancing changes that could affect my coverage.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Well, that's kind of the thang for me too. The performance is exemplary already without mods. The visual can be upgraded a bit more easily with some artistic talent and more minor purchases.
but......it's hard to argue with that improved heart-stopping acceleration and handling.
"more-minor".....is that an oxymoron???
but......it's hard to argue with that improved heart-stopping acceleration and handling.
"more-minor".....is that an oxymoron???
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I'm more on the bling side for now. Then when I get that where I want it(is it ever done where we want it), I'll be going for some go parts. H/C swap and intake, eventually. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Virginia Beach
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If you don't drag race at all and/or don't run autocross or Driving Events (HPDEs) YOU SHOULD! 
then I'd leave the mods to an intake and a catback then a nice set of wheels.
Limited budget should not = going through the mid america catalog or ecklers catalog and buyeing every stipid $20-$50 sicker or colored trim add on like so many C5 owners tend to do.
The biggest visual impact you can make is w/ a fresh set of wheels, lowering the car a little, and a nice set of mufflers w/ more substantial tips.
My $0.02.
then I'd leave the mods to an intake and a catback then a nice set of wheels.Limited budget should not = going through the mid america catalog or ecklers catalog and buyeing every stipid $20-$50 sicker or colored trim add on like so many C5 owners tend to do.
The biggest visual impact you can make is w/ a fresh set of wheels, lowering the car a little, and a nice set of mufflers w/ more substantial tips.
My $0.02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Oh 2 Fun -
I really only put performance mods on my Z06 - one exception being the polished Z16 wheels - but I chose those for the oem matching quality and light weight AND the bling factor.
On my wifes 99 coupe I tend to do more cosmetic and interior mods, like CCW billet 19"s, leather armrest, sequential rear turn signal flasher, etc.
best regards -
mqqn
I really only put performance mods on my Z06 - one exception being the polished Z16 wheels - but I chose those for the oem matching quality and light weight AND the bling factor.
On my wifes 99 coupe I tend to do more cosmetic and interior mods, like CCW billet 19"s, leather armrest, sequential rear turn signal flasher, etc.
best regards -
mqqn
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Los Angeles CA
I try to do a little of both. I'll do some maintenance, then do something performance, and then looks and then repeat. Not always in the same order and sometimes a couple in a row before moving to the next category but generally it's just whatever I am feeling.
Bought car 09/2007
- maintenance: Oil change, new shocks, etc.
- Performance: I considered the new shocks kind of like a performance thing too cause I got C6Z ones. The car was lowered too. Also upgraded to a Halltech CAI setup.
- Looks: Then I recently did stripes and touched up the Z06 screens in the front bumper.
- maintenance: Next will be whatever maintenance is needed like maybe tires and an oil change.
- Performance: Then in spring will be some more performance like an intake manifold and a dyno tune.
- maintenance: Probably more maintenance after that.
So if my car doesn't need maintenance which is first to do if needed, then I just pick whatever I am feeling I want to do. My car is a DD for me though so I won't get too picky on the looks for now because it's going to get scratched up anyway. If I had to pick one I would be doing performance only though.
Most important rule is it's your car. Do what makes you happy.
Bought car 09/2007
- maintenance: Oil change, new shocks, etc.
- Performance: I considered the new shocks kind of like a performance thing too cause I got C6Z ones. The car was lowered too. Also upgraded to a Halltech CAI setup.
- Looks: Then I recently did stripes and touched up the Z06 screens in the front bumper.
- maintenance: Next will be whatever maintenance is needed like maybe tires and an oil change.
- Performance: Then in spring will be some more performance like an intake manifold and a dyno tune.
- maintenance: Probably more maintenance after that.
So if my car doesn't need maintenance which is first to do if needed, then I just pick whatever I am feeling I want to do. My car is a DD for me though so I won't get too picky on the looks for now because it's going to get scratched up anyway. If I had to pick one I would be doing performance only though.
Most important rule is it's your car. Do what makes you happy.
Last edited by PostShawn; Dec 5, 2007 at 03:30 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Palm Desert CA
If you don't drag race at all and/or don't run autocross or Driving Events (HPDEs) YOU SHOULD! then I'd leave the mods to an intake and a catback then a nice set of wheels.
Limited budget should not = going through the mid america catalog or ecklers catalog and buyeing every stipid $20-$50 sicker or colored trim add on like so many C5 owners tend to do.
The biggest visual impact you can make is w/ a fresh set of wheels, lowering the car a little, and a nice set of mufflers w/ more substantial tips.
My $0.02.
then I'd leave the mods to an intake and a catback then a nice set of wheels.Limited budget should not = going through the mid america catalog or ecklers catalog and buyeing every stipid $20-$50 sicker or colored trim add on like so many C5 owners tend to do.
The biggest visual impact you can make is w/ a fresh set of wheels, lowering the car a little, and a nice set of mufflers w/ more substantial tips.
My $0.02.
I totally agree 100%! The first day I had it I drove to my exhaust guy and ordered my Borla Stingers! The next week I also got a new air intake, MAF and most importantly the HOOD SEAL Then I added the wheels, Z06 screens and HIDs.I think I'm done...for now.
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Performance, then bling. Only catch is that I like to be quite meticulous on the already existing bling whilst doing the performance.
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Car will do 175 W/O mods- why screw with it now- A few prettys will liven that bay up!
I can always screw with it later!
Safety Car
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From: The Great Truth: "There ain't no free lunch"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Ahhhh..a question that none one can answer. 
..See you have a K&N/Flowmasters...Is performance OK for now? A better CAI should help....Sound OK for you? Lots of options here......Tight budget......Maintenance is mandatory since the former owner may not have done a great job....Next would probably be DIY, then bling....AND LOTS OF WAX PRODUCTS....
Good Luck and let us know Tom
..See you have a K&N/Flowmasters...Is performance OK for now? A better CAI should help....Sound OK for you? Lots of options here......Tight budget......Maintenance is mandatory since the former owner may not have done a great job....Next would probably be DIY, then bling....AND LOTS OF WAX PRODUCTS.... Good Luck and let us know Tom
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Southern California
Considering it is a Corvette you already have the best of both worlds. For what its worth performance over visual any day of the week. The surprise attack is always best. I lov e when a car looks stock and then shows up at the track and destroys the shiny POS next to it.
