Which upgrade should I do first?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Which upgrade should I do first?
I am kind of confused on what to do to my C5. I would say 50% of me want more performance and the other 50% wants the exotic looks…
I would say I am happy with my current performance since I never drag race the car. I use to be heavy in that scene 7 years ago when I had a 525 horsepower Vortech Supercharger Saleen. Although the one thing I do not miss is the issues I always had with parts breaking. I swear it was in the speed shop more than it was on the streets… I do miss the sound of the supercharger the rumble of the mufflers and how it would set off every alarm in the parking lot and a very few store alarms at night time. It truly was an awesome car…. The C5 has great looks just the way it is… There are things that I could do differently like the hood, rear brake air channeling duct system, hurricane air scoop, and possible wing but I do not want it to look to ricer either. I guess last option is leaving it stock…
What do you think? What would you do…
I would say I am happy with my current performance since I never drag race the car. I use to be heavy in that scene 7 years ago when I had a 525 horsepower Vortech Supercharger Saleen. Although the one thing I do not miss is the issues I always had with parts breaking. I swear it was in the speed shop more than it was on the streets… I do miss the sound of the supercharger the rumble of the mufflers and how it would set off every alarm in the parking lot and a very few store alarms at night time. It truly was an awesome car…. The C5 has great looks just the way it is… There are things that I could do differently like the hood, rear brake air channeling duct system, hurricane air scoop, and possible wing but I do not want it to look to ricer either. I guess last option is leaving it stock…
What do you think? What would you do…
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
When i bought my 99 C5 in March, I swore after blowing over $15k in mods on my 2000 Mustang GT with Saleen Supercharger system that I would leave my C5 stock. It now has full length LT headers, high flow catted X pipe and an 03 Z06 Ti exhaust all waiting in the garage for me to turn the wrenches.
Looking back now, I am not sure how I made it 4 1/2 months without modding it.
I would go for sleeper. It sounds like you miss the rumble of the exhaust. That will be my next mod (as it has already been purchased), and then maybe a "Maggie" p/d blower later with tune.
Looking back now, I am not sure how I made it 4 1/2 months without modding it.
I would go for sleeper. It sounds like you miss the rumble of the exhaust. That will be my next mod (as it has already been purchased), and then maybe a "Maggie" p/d blower later with tune.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula LA
My first and only real mod to date is a custom tune and it made a big difference for a small price. I can't seem to get enough of this thing. Custom programming of my computer made my c5 feel like a whole other car. 
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If you're happy with the performance now, go with some appearance mods - something like an MCM hood, Tigershark front/rear fascias, new custom interior, new wheels/tires - the possibilities are endless.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Go with a little of each, ,maybe just do a cat-back for the sound, cuz you don' t really gain anything HP-wise, then maybe do a hood.
If you wanted to just do performance only, most people start with a CAI, headers and a tune.
The C5 is a awesome car.
If you wanted to just do performance only, most people start with a CAI, headers and a tune.
The C5 is a awesome car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski