This is just a fun thing, but something I have pondered for a long time. I am sick of old muscle cars (been driving them almost 40 years) that make a lot of noise and ride like crap. They melt the tires and accelerate good in a straight line, but that’s about it. I recently sold my last muscle car (’68 big-block Camaro) and bought a 2004 C5 coupe. My intent is to make this C5 into a “Gentleman’s C5”.

Here’s my preliminary definition of a Gentleman’s C5, but I’m happy to add (or delete) based on relevant feedback, so fire away, but play nice!

Gentleman’s C5 Requirements:

• Purpose – pleasure cruising, with lots of performance but no racing

• Ride – ride quality must be as comfortable as possible and very smooth, no vibrating allowed

• Ride Height – must be at stock levels to retain drivability over rough roads and speed bumps. Lowering not allowed

• Handling – car must handle well, but not sacrifice comfort

• Interior Noise – interior must be relatively quiet. Addition of sound deadener a possibility. Massive stereo & MP3 player allowed, but must look stock. Wind noise and rattles not allowed.

• Exterior Noise levels – Exhaust note must be subdued, but noticeable, with no chance of any noise violation citation.

• Engine Performance – more power is always better, but must not sacrifice above qualities. Supercharger encouraged, but engine must not overheat. Engine must start, idle and smoothly accelerate; exactly as stock engine does.

• Transmission – auto trans only. Manuals are for real sports cars

• Tires – must be non-runflats, in order to facilitate ride comfort

• Colors – pretty much any stock colors OK, wild custom colors not allowed

• Safety – Safety is paramount. No disabling of any factory features which might increase risk of injury. Must be able to give keys to granny and she could safely drive to get groceries. Things like traction control would be left in stock configuration, so if granny accidentally mashes the go pedal, the wheels don’t break loose.

• Looks - Minor mods are OK, so long as they retain basically stock appearance. Nothing wild allowed

 

Going to be a neat thread

 

I agree with everything except the transmission....

I have to have the 6 speed. automatics are for camry's !!!!

 

You can have a fast car with great handling without sacrificing streetability. I can run at the track (which I do) and compete with the best, then with an adjustment of my shocks, I have a ride more comfortable that a stock C5. My car is loud because I want it that way, but with a milder cam (which I had previously) and stock exhaust, it is quiet. It all comes down to $$$. Mods are in my sig.

BTW for more power, increasing displacement is more reliable then adding FI.

 

In my opinion you checked off that whole list when you bought a stock Vette brother... give it a week until you get the itch to mod Congrats on you getting your car

 

Go buy a new ZR1. All your requirements would be covered and no mods needed.

 

 

Spiral Gray vert with ebony interior and black top, thats a classy color combo there you'd have a pretty good gentlemans car there.

I don't understand why you would want to add a supercharger though if you didn't want to ever race?

Good luck

 

I agree with Sully C5. It is very possible to accomplish what you want to. My .02...

I would go with big inches versus a supercharger. I have had my car both ways. I have had 2 different SC systems on it and now have a 428. For me I much prefer the big inches to the supercharger. It is quieter (even with a quiet SC head unit) and is totally reliable. If you use a mild cam and exhaust (the Z06 exhaust works great) your car will be completely drivable and will still get good gas mileage.

You can mildly upgrade the suspension for better handling without having the car ride like a cement mixer. There are many options here.

 

Lamborghini & Ferrari come with clutchless semi-automatics. I run an A4 at the track and shift it.

As computer technology improves performance and optimizes shift-points, the clutch becomes a determent. I see it at the track alot...time lost when shifting.

 

Here you go...but it's an M6.

 

Sounds like good ideas to me! Happy with my 03 auto! Congrats!!!

 

Ahhhh...someone after my own heart. This is exactly what I like in a car and it's the direction I've been going with my 2001. Here's what I've done so far:

Noise reduction - I've put in the Crazy Cowboy Insulation kit (front and rear). I've also replaced the stock tunnel plate with the coated aluminum item from Elite Engineering. The result is a tighter ride as well as reduced noise and in-cabin temperatures from the exhaust pipes. Still need to insulate the doors.

Lighting - I've replaced the stock plastic headlight assemblies with glass Cibie European Export Halogen units. While it's not an HID setup, it also doesn't come with the big price tag and there's a HUGE improvement over the stock units. Tail lights and running lights are LED bulbs. I retain the look of the stock tail lights but have the brightness and faster response of LED's.

Brakes - GM Drilled and Slotted Rotors and red powder coated calipers. Stock pads.

Exhaust - I have Borla Stingers. This is one area where I don't compromise. Corvettes should growl. Period.

Audio - Pulled out the Bose system and replaced with a Premier AM/FM/XM/CD unit. Infinity front and rear speakers, no amp.

TIres - Replaced the stock Goodyear F1's with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP's. MUCH smoother and quieter ride in a stock size and I retain runflat capability (something I was REALLY grateful for on the way to last year's Cruise-In!!! ).

Future Plans:

Interior - I've already ordered new seatcovers from Vette Essentials along with new seat foam. The stock leather is very low grade and this will make your interior look and feel stunning. Also I will insulate the doors, put in new weatherstripping around the doors and put LED bulbs in the dash.

Audio - I'll change over the head unit to one that includes HD radio and Bluetooth so I can have handsfree phone capability, and also add tweeters, a small subwoofer, amp and crossovers (this will be professionally installed).

Suspension - Stock shocks are shot. I'm still on the fence about what to buy new, but I'm leaning towards Bilstein HD's (not Sports). Nice combination of handling and performance. I'm also replacing all the suspension bushings...still weighing whether to go with rubber or synthetic. New tie-rod ends, new ball-joints and C5 Z06 Sway Bars w/metal end-links.

Engine - Most likely, I will order a 2004 Z06 Crate motor and massage it a bit to put out good, but not scorching horsepower. I don't know if I'll go with long tube headers or not, because long tubes are much louder than stock, but I completely recognize the performance gains that they give you.

That's the bulk of it. I want a car that's reasonably fast and very comfortable. I think this will give me what I want.

 

you can probably get a good deal on a cadillac!!!!

 

I agree with Iron Chef concerning the tires. If you feel the need for a little more security the Michelin Pilot Sports a/s ZP's are the way to go.

I've run them 3000 miles and love them.

 

CTS-V

 

Here is your car Sir!

 

I think your good to go

 

Noise reduction:
- Second skin Damplifier pro and Lux Liner open cell acustic foam.

Lighting (exterior):
- "radioflyer" LED Halo tail lights
- 194 LED red rear marker lights
- Corvette enhancements tag lights
- Custom pop up projector headlights (he he he)
- HID kit for foglights (match headlights for driving lights or 3000K for genuine fog lights)

Lighting interior:
- complete LED swap (everything white)

Audio:
- Head unit (up to your preference)
- Component front speakers with a-pillar mounted tweeters (flush mounted in the corners for OEM appearance)
- Sealthbox mounted subwoofer
- Amplifier(s) mounted behind seats

Suspension:
- Z06 swaybars
- Shocks are up to your ride preference

Performance:
- Custom CAI with centrifugal supercharger with supporting performance mods (keep stock hood)
- Long tube headers
- High flow cats
- Zo6 exhaust
- Drilled/slotted rotors
- HPS brake pads
- Stainless brake lines

Appearance:
- C6Z wheels