Corvette Modifications Primer : A few things to consider if you wish to modify your Corvette for High Performance


So you want to modify your C6 or C5 Corvette for high performance. Here are some things that you should consider first.

What is your driving style? Are you a drag racer? Autocross? Road racer? Weekend warrior? Show car? Stoplight to stoplight? Or simply highway fun? Or a combination of all or some of these choices?

How you drive and enjoy your Corvette will directly determine what modification you should make to your Corvette.

Nothing is free. Every modification you make to your stock Corvette will involve some kind of compromise. You are not going to make 800 rear wheel horsepower and get 30 miles per gallon with a whisper quiet exhaust as well as drive and idle like stock. That is not going to happen.

The trick is to be totally honest with yourself and decide what compromises you can live with and which ones you cannot. For example, if you want to achieve 500rwhp naturally aspirated, expect a big cam with a loping idle. Expect to lose some fuel efficiency. Expect your Corvette to not drive like stock. Expect to void (at least in part) your GMPP warranty.

You can start with simple bolt-ons like an aftermarket air filter, long tube headers and cat-back exhaust system. The next logical step is a camshaft only upgrade or heads and camshaft. Along with the bolt-ons, you can be comfortably at the 425-450rwhp range, all naturally aspirated. Or you could bypass the bolt-ons and simply have a supercharger or twin turbocharger system installed. An alternative to bolt-on might be rear gears (along with a stall converter for the automatics). Gears can also compliment your other modifications.

It all depends on what you wish to achieve.

As you increase the stock Corvette from it's 300-340rwhp (C5-C6) or 435rwhp (C6 Z06) to circa 550rwhp on the stock bottom end, expect to have to upgrade other aspects of your drivetrain, cooling and suspension. Remember, nothing is free.

Beyond 550rwhp, we strongly recommend a forged engine as you will be on borrowed time. At this point, your clutch/stall converter will have to be upgraded along with torque tube connectors, transmission and differential. Cooling must be addressed as well as the always overlooked and often forgotten bulletproof fuel system. At this point, methanol injection for boosted applications is almost mandatory. Suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres should also be seriously addressed, along with additional safety systems like a 6 point or better rollcage and so on.A Corvette that is very fast is no fun if it also does not handle and stop.

High performance is not a cheap hobby and it is best to be very aware of this fact going in so you do not encounter any surprises.

But no matter what your budget, we can tailor a system to suit your current and future needs. So please drop us a line or give us a call to discuss your Generation 5 & 6 Corvette high performance needs.

Phone: 281 464 2800
Email: sales@englandgreen.com
AIM: englandgreeninc

Stephen

 

Stephen

great write up for people that are wanting more hp . some probably don't understand all the cost or things to be considered , at the time of wanting to do heads and cam pkgs.

oak

 

Also, don't forget to tell the wife about all these mods you've made on your car. Nothing worse than hearing her say, "I had to move your car this morning and kinda drove through our living room."

s'noJob

 

ttt

 

Great write up thanks for the info

 

Thanks for the info EG

 

Stephen,

Thats a great write up. TTT for ya

 

Well stated.

 

Fantastic write up

 

Awesome write-up, and I can attest to the cost of modding a Vette the correct way, and continue to upgrade as time goes by, not for those with a weak pocket book or a restraining wifey

 

Very good write up!

 

That write up should be a "sticky". It would help a lot new guy's (and oldies) out. Thumbs up for ya.

 

You folks would have to send a PM to the Moderators - I can't petition on my own behalf

 

Well said... EG for Prez.

 

Great write , and on that what is the word on Grond? You working to much to get her going? . Still waiting on news to where I can buy an EnglandGreen shirt!

 

Hey Stephen, very nicely done.... ...

 

No real updates on Grond recently - and T-shirts will be available next month. Again, thanks for the kind words

 

Good info Stephen

Chuck

 

Good info! I know what my needs are for my C5. I want to get as much power as I can out if it while maintaining close to stock drivability, reliability, and not loosing too much fuel economy. If that means the best I can do is 400-450rwhp than that's fine with me. Its my DD and I need to keep it comfortable to drive every day. There are plenty of other areas in which I will continue to mod my C5, Stereo, Electronics, Interior, Exterior, suspension etc. Its good to have a good handle on what you want to get out of a car.

 

thanks for the write up !