Help me build a "Gentleman's C5"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,369
Likes: 73
From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Ummm...sounds like my car
500 hp, automatic, steers like it's on rails, authoratative sound on acceleration...
The secret to having mods done is to address all the areas.
Besides adding to the power, my Mallett conversion included some serious work on the steering/suspension/ride aspect.
Good luck on your 'gentleman's C5'.
500 hp, automatic, steers like it's on rails, authoratative sound on acceleration...
The secret to having mods done is to address all the areas.
Besides adding to the power, my Mallett conversion included some serious work on the steering/suspension/ride aspect.
Good luck on your 'gentleman's C5'.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Good ideas, thanks
Non-runflats -
- General UHP's being installed nowBlackwing -
- Vararam CAI on orderTune -
- ECM mail-order tune just done by Chuck CoW-
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Ummm...sounds like my car
500 hp, automatic, steers like it's on rails, authoratative sound on acceleration...
The secret to having mods done is to address all the areas.
Besides adding to the power, my Mallett conversion included some serious work on the steering/suspension/ride aspect.
Good luck on your 'gentleman's C5'.
500 hp, automatic, steers like it's on rails, authoratative sound on acceleration...
The secret to having mods done is to address all the areas.
Besides adding to the power, my Mallett conversion included some serious work on the steering/suspension/ride aspect.
Good luck on your 'gentleman's C5'.
Ooooooooooooooooooooh, this is nice work, looks great...........
Please tell - what kind of steering mods have you done to make it "steer like it's on rails"?
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Ride - Hopefully your car came with F55 suspension. If not add it to the car. Its soft when you want it and stiff when you want it. Best of both worlds. It can be added to the car with some work.
Ride Height - F55 retains that stock height
Handling - F55 will take care of this too
Interior Noise – its been a while since i did my soun damper installation but as i recall there are two forms of noise. One is where the panel itself vibrates and acts like a giant speaker. For this, people paint that gray paint everywhere and it basically thicken th panel so it wont fibrate. The second form is transmission of sound. Once the sound clears the panel, it vibrates the air and you hear it. For this, people were installing "rubber" foam to absorb any remaining noise.
Stereo system - Define stock looking? You can either retain the stock head unit or go with an aftermarket unit. If you go aftermarket, you can either retain the factory center console by purchasing a 1 or 1.5 DIN head unit or you can have the guys on the forum build you a double DIN center console for a navigational head unit. Either way you can retain the factory look on the center console. The stereo system is relatively easy to upgrade. People on this forum make and sell the adpater plates so you can stick upto an 8" speaker in the door. Most go with some sort of 6-6.5" component system. If you want a subwoofer, people make boxes that fit in the rear storage compartment and can even be hidden by the stock carpeted cover. The biggest problem is where to put an amp or two. I tried to desgn a system for a long time where the amps and sub could all be hidden and its virtually impossible unless you build false floors (PITA). I finally just stopped trying. Maybe ill just get small amps and put them behind the seats. Most people just bolt one on the rear wall right above the center compartment. Buts its only good for 1 amp and it is noticable.
Exterior Noise levels – I would shoot with a corsa touring. Its completely stock unless you put the hammer down. theres no resonance either.
Engine Performance – Depending on the performance levels you want, you could do a heads and cam and just keep a smooth cam. Superchargers are ok but they do whine.
Transmission – you can have the auto built to handle the power but add a good torque converter and a good tune. it makes a world of difference.
Tires – Goodyear GSD3
Colors – personal preference
Safety – leave all the airbags, seatbelts, and seats stock. If you go with a heavy subwoofer. make sure its bolted down so it doesnt fly out in the event of an accident.
For the record, the corvette was built mostly to be a gentlemens cruiser with the option of making it into a racecar. Not the opposite.
Ride Height - F55 retains that stock height
Handling - F55 will take care of this too
Interior Noise – its been a while since i did my soun damper installation but as i recall there are two forms of noise. One is where the panel itself vibrates and acts like a giant speaker. For this, people paint that gray paint everywhere and it basically thicken th panel so it wont fibrate. The second form is transmission of sound. Once the sound clears the panel, it vibrates the air and you hear it. For this, people were installing "rubber" foam to absorb any remaining noise.
Stereo system - Define stock looking? You can either retain the stock head unit or go with an aftermarket unit. If you go aftermarket, you can either retain the factory center console by purchasing a 1 or 1.5 DIN head unit or you can have the guys on the forum build you a double DIN center console for a navigational head unit. Either way you can retain the factory look on the center console. The stereo system is relatively easy to upgrade. People on this forum make and sell the adpater plates so you can stick upto an 8" speaker in the door. Most go with some sort of 6-6.5" component system. If you want a subwoofer, people make boxes that fit in the rear storage compartment and can even be hidden by the stock carpeted cover. The biggest problem is where to put an amp or two. I tried to desgn a system for a long time where the amps and sub could all be hidden and its virtually impossible unless you build false floors (PITA). I finally just stopped trying. Maybe ill just get small amps and put them behind the seats. Most people just bolt one on the rear wall right above the center compartment. Buts its only good for 1 amp and it is noticable.
Exterior Noise levels – I would shoot with a corsa touring. Its completely stock unless you put the hammer down. theres no resonance either.
Engine Performance – Depending on the performance levels you want, you could do a heads and cam and just keep a smooth cam. Superchargers are ok but they do whine.
Transmission – you can have the auto built to handle the power but add a good torque converter and a good tune. it makes a world of difference.
Tires – Goodyear GSD3
Colors – personal preference
Safety – leave all the airbags, seatbelts, and seats stock. If you go with a heavy subwoofer. make sure its bolted down so it doesnt fly out in the event of an accident.
For the record, the corvette was built mostly to be a gentlemens cruiser with the option of making it into a racecar. Not the opposite.
Especially with the highligted part.I have the F55. Its pricey if you need to replace it, but there is a reason Ferrari obtained a license agreement with GM to replicate this suspension in some of their cars.
I still have run-flats but I have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZPs. Really good run flat, quiet and enables me to run my C5 as a daily driver in MD.
To each his or her own, but IMHO, I don't see the point of modding for power unless:
a. you have plenty of cash to mod
b. you enjoy modding
c. you plan to use the extra power on the track
d. you have plenty of cash to mod.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
Not just a Ferrari either. Its their top of the line 599 GTB. The new ZR1 uses it too! There is a reason...you are right.
I actually have the same tire A/S ZP and i like it, but there are better performing tires that cost less if you dont mind a non runflat. For runflats the Michelin is pretty good...i agree.
I actually have the same tire A/S ZP and i like it, but there are better performing tires that cost less if you dont mind a non runflat. For runflats the Michelin is pretty good...i agree.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,452
Likes: 2
From: CFOTHQlikeaMofoForums.com
St. Jude Donor '09
Here's how I'd set up a car to do those things
-Performance - Gear swap and torque converter, lt headers through a Z06 titanium catback, and a cai should make for a pretty fun car without sacrificing any durability or driveability. A tune will bring it all together.
-Ride - I was happy with the ride of my Kumho non-runflats, but you may have different tire preferences. Handling was pretty good, rain or shine. I'd leave the stock suspension alone, especially if it was an F55.
-Looks/Interior - Closed cell sound deadening foam does wonders for road noise. I'd probably go for HID headlights and LED interior lights for a bit better useability at night and a bit of a cool factor. Otherwise leave the exterior stock. If you aren't against window tinting I find 35% is a good compromise with being able to see at night and still keeping interior temps down.
Color - Magnetic Red, Navy Blue, or Black
-Performance - Gear swap and torque converter, lt headers through a Z06 titanium catback, and a cai should make for a pretty fun car without sacrificing any durability or driveability. A tune will bring it all together.
-Ride - I was happy with the ride of my Kumho non-runflats, but you may have different tire preferences. Handling was pretty good, rain or shine. I'd leave the stock suspension alone, especially if it was an F55.
-Looks/Interior - Closed cell sound deadening foam does wonders for road noise. I'd probably go for HID headlights and LED interior lights for a bit better useability at night and a bit of a cool factor. Otherwise leave the exterior stock. If you aren't against window tinting I find 35% is a good compromise with being able to see at night and still keeping interior temps down.
Color - Magnetic Red, Navy Blue, or Black
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Thanks fella!
And don't you dare tell me it was the price!
Chuck CoW
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
I do agree with having to watch the road even at stock height
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,369
Likes: 73
From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
The suspension mods made a huge difference in handling. The ride is stiffer and tighter feeling, but not rough. There is a lot less roll when cornering. Even with the extra horsepower, it is very difficult to burn the tires on takeoff...they just hook up and go.
Took it on the Tail of the Dragon in Tennesee last year (319 curves in 11 miles), and left my buddy in his stock C5 in the dust.
It lowered the ride height quite a bit, and it does tend to scrape in a few places, but you get used to it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Ouchie, stiffer is only good in the bedroom IMO! And lowering is out of the question for a "Gentleman's C5". The roads around me suck, and I'd be rattling my teeth loose and scraping the bottom off the car.
-