With $1000 ?
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 470
Likes: 15
From: Corona CA
Paint the lower rear bumper. Sand, primer and paint the interior pieces (console, plastic around door levers). Raised logo for steering wheel, and pick up two tone leather for the seats and install it yourself. Save the leftover cash for the pricier stuff like exhaust, rims and tires.
Larry
Larry
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 19
From: Northern CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
good bang for the buck mods!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
A wise man once said...."send your computer to Chuck CoW"
I'll agree with that....
Call me any time.... I'm always here....
Chuck CoW
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: Georgetown TX
CAI, 160 t'stat, Ti exhaust (cuz it looks better than the ovals on stock), TUNE. Mail order, or dyno tune will really wake that puppy up! I picked up 22/28 at the wheels and spent way less than $1K 
It's a totally different car now!
It's a totally different car now!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 39
From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
i have the same dilemma. luckily the original owner of my car added 160 tstat, x-pipe, CAI, a nice exhaust, and a tune. So i'm ahead of the game. but that still doesn't make it any easier to budget the money.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
I spent a little more that $1,000, but it was well worth it.
LG Long Tube Street series headers w/ x-pipe and HF cats - new from LG
Blackwing CAI - bought off CF
Z06 Ti's - bought off CF
Chuck COW tune
All in all I believe it added about 40 rwhp
Total cost was roughly $1,600.00 and more than worth it.
Next will be heads, cam and LS6 intake which I hope will add in the area of 60 rwhp
LG Long Tube Street series headers w/ x-pipe and HF cats - new from LG
Blackwing CAI - bought off CF
Z06 Ti's - bought off CF
Chuck COW tune
All in all I believe it added about 40 rwhp
Total cost was roughly $1,600.00 and more than worth it.
Next will be heads, cam and LS6 intake which I hope will add in the area of 60 rwhp
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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If you can find a set of LT headers that will get your through your car's inspection process, that would be a good way to go. Otherwise, maybe a new set of wheels, some new custom interior pieces, painted engine covers.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
OP- hope you don't mind I slightly derail- although it may still help you as well.
No such thing as LT headers in Cali, unless you want to remove them every 2 years.
1.) What will a 6 spd get out of a CAI and tune?
2.) What CAI is recommended (best HP)?
3.) Does the 160 do anything to hp increase?
No such thing as LT headers in Cali, unless you want to remove them every 2 years.
1.) What will a 6 spd get out of a CAI and tune?
2.) What CAI is recommended (best HP)?
3.) Does the 160 do anything to hp increase?