Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Should I modify or not ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 08:27 AM
  #1  
Pinski 1's Avatar
Pinski 1
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 9
From: olean ny
Default Should I modify or not ?

I have a '97 auto w75k on it. I love the car and have not had to put a dime into it besides a new battery. I was thinking of putting some money into it in mods ( S/C or heads,cam, headers) question is, is it too late? Is there too many miles and years on it to make these mods ? Should I save up my money for a few years and trade it off on an '08 when the prices come down a little bit ? Just seeing what you guys would do that have been around these cars for a while.

Thanks !
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 08:32 AM
  #2  
ParkerLSX's Avatar
ParkerLSX
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default

I began modding my Camaro SS I had before my FRC at that mileage and never had any problems. The LS series are GREAT engines! Have fun!
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 08:35 AM
  #3  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,500
Likes: 1,825
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

I'd just leave it the way it is.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 08:43 AM
  #4  
had2have-it's Avatar
had2have-it
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 2
From: Metairie Louisiana
Default

Good question, if you ultimately see yourself in a C6 then slap a catback on the C5 enjoy the rumble until you have the C6. If the 6 isn't a high priority mod up on the 5
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:06 AM
  #5  
sfc rick's Avatar
sfc rick
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Default

I seriously added horsepower after 75K on the odo. Never looked back!
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:10 AM
  #6  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

Waste of money-bet a S/C is about 1/2 what the car's worth today-get the C6-it already has 100hp more than your car.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:14 AM
  #7  
sfc rick's Avatar
sfc rick
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Default

Originally Posted by dougbfresh
Waste of money-bet a S/C is about 1/2 what the car's worth today-get the C6-it already has 100hp more than your car.
Yea it makes more sense to blow more money nowadays than it would to keep what you got and spend less to make more horsepower.

Is that the same concept as the Government?

Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:27 AM
  #8  
Black 02's Avatar
Black 02
Safety Car
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
Default

Do you really want a C6 or just think that its a safer car to mod because it's newer? An '08 is already four model years old and in a "few years" won't be much newer than what you have now. Might as well mod what you have and have fun with it.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:34 AM
  #9  
BWF07's Avatar
BWF07
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Default

If you plan on a C6 in a few years I would not do any real major mods to it. First of all you will never get your money back plus if you try and sell it you will be attracting a select group for a highly modded Vette (S/C or the heads, cam and headers). If you trade it you will get a lot less then the book value because dealers hate modded cars.
At least you are thinking of an 08 when you move up and with that you get the LS3 430hp.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:42 AM
  #10  
pluslt's Avatar
pluslt
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Airy MD
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dougbfresh View Post
Waste of money-bet a S/C is about 1/2 what the car's worth today-get the C6-it already has 100hp more than your car.


Originally Posted by sfc rick
Yea it makes more sense to blow more money nowadays than it would to keep what you got and spend less to make more horsepower.

Is that the same concept as the Government?

I can understand both of your points of view. Why put 7-8k into a car this is honestly probably worth 10-13k. Then again, why sell a perfectly good car to simply move to a new one when you could increase the hp on the old one and breath new life into a tired ride.

Here's an idea. You could pick up a used s/c in the classifieds here for less than 4k. I think I saw Theradioflyer with one for sale (not sure if it work on this car, you'd have to discuss with him). Then you wouldn't be dumping quite a much into an older car and you'd have a nice sleeper on your hands.

Good luck whatever direction you go.

edit.

Here is the link to radioflyers sc for sale.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...arger-kit.html

$3800 bucks with shipping sounds pretty good to me.

Last edited by pluslt; Sep 6, 2011 at 09:46 AM. Reason: added link to f/s ad
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 09:46 AM
  #11  
rwilkins's Avatar
rwilkins
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
Default

Originally Posted by jrose7004
I'd just leave it the way it is.
You've been happy with it so far. Mine is stock, but just added some low rumble with Borla s-type (revised stinger)....I'm good to go!
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:10 AM
  #12  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

Originally Posted by sfc rick
Yea it makes more sense to blow more money nowadays than it would to keep what you got and spend less to make more horsepower.

Is that the same concept as the Government?

Because a S/C is more than Just the S/C, it's headers, exhaust, tune, should probably do a timing chain while your in there at that mileage. Bet by the time he's done he'd have 10K in the car, again not worth it.

AND, bet the extra power would take the trans out in short order with that mileage on it and the 100 extra ponies.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:31 AM
  #13  
rootpooty's Avatar
rootpooty
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 1
From: LaPorte Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by dougbfresh
Because a S/C is more than Just the S/C, it's headers, exhaust, tune, should probably do a timing chain while your in there at that mileage. Bet by the time he's done he'd have 10K in the car, again not worth it.

AND, bet the extra power would take the trans out in short order with that mileage on it and the 100 extra ponies.
You obviously don't understand the concept of making horsepower. Why do you think the zr1 cost 100k? Regardless we have to pay good money to make our cars faster
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:37 AM
  #14  
Dominic Toretto's Avatar
Dominic Toretto
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Default

I'd say go test drive a C6 and see if you like it. While the C5 and C6 are very similar, there is more to the cars than simply a hp#. The C6 is smaller inside, newer interior, uglier outside in my opinion. Honestly, if modding is your thing, mileage shouldn't matter. If you plan to do it right, then the parts you are worried about breaking, you can replace anyway. However that will not substitute a different car. Go drive a C6 and see if you like that more, than a C5 with more power and go from there.

-Alex
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:39 AM
  #15  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

Originally Posted by rootpooty
You obviously don't understand the concept of making horsepower. Why do you think the zr1 cost 100k? Regardless we have to pay good money to make our cars faster
Buying one done is ALWAYS cheaper, addins 100hp to a car w/ 75K miles on it is a gamble-lots of other parts can break with the added HP and end up costin much more than the car is worth.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:43 AM
  #16  
Dominic Toretto's Avatar
Dominic Toretto
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Default

Originally Posted by dougbfresh
Buying one done is ALWAYS cheaper, addins 100hp to a car w/ 75K miles on it is a gamble-lots of other parts can break with the added HP and end up costin much more than the car is worth.


The OP stated that the car has 75k miles. Adding over 100hp and the transmission might make it to 76k miles. Gotta look at the whole package.

-Alex
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:56 AM
  #17  
rootpooty's Avatar
rootpooty
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 1
From: LaPorte Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Dominic Toretto


The OP stated that the car has 75k miles. Adding over 100hp and the transmission might make it to 76k miles. Gotta look at the whole package.

-Alex
Lol your right he could easily spend 4000 on a built rpm trans, torque converter and 342 gear swap
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Should I modify or not ?

Old Sep 6, 2011 | 11:48 AM
  #18  
Johnny_B_Good's Avatar
Johnny_B_Good
Safety Car
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,561
Likes: 33
From: Clark NJ
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Default

You didn’t say what gears you have. Did you consider a 3:42 rear? It certainly would NOT give a performance boost like a SC, or H/C would but it should kick things up a few notches.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 01:05 PM
  #19  
Dominic Toretto's Avatar
Dominic Toretto
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Default

Originally Posted by rootpooty
Lol your right he could easily spend 4000 on a built rpm trans, torque converter and 342 gear swap
True.

If the OP decides to modify the C5 for power, I'm just suggesting he look to make it worth the while by making the whole drivetrain stronger.

-Alex
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2011 | 01:07 PM
  #20  
peter pan's Avatar
peter pan
Life Time NCM #2196
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,698
From: Converse TX
Default

Mod it and enjoy, life is short
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:39 PM.

story-0
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE