Mods, where to start?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 34
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From: Brandon Manitoba
Mods, where to start?
Although I just got my mint '97 C5 I don't even get to drive it for the next five months...... the price paid for getting a Corvette on winters doorstep. However, being a glass half full kind of guy I figured it's a good time to start on a few mods. I'm looking at a C.A.I. and exhaust to start with and visit to Double D mods site. As far as the C.A.I. goes it looks the Vararam is the way to go? Exhaust wise I want something that isn't too aggressive (wife won't go for that), sugggestions? It needs new tires as well and I liked the look and reviews (and price) of the Potenza RE760's, thoughts?
Lots of questions, thanks for all the help in getting me this far. I love the ability to tap into others learned experience.
-Kris
Lots of questions, thanks for all the help in getting me this far. I love the ability to tap into others learned experience.
-Kris
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 256
From: St. Louis Missouri
Although I just got my mint '97 C5 I don't even get to drive it for the next five months...... the price paid for getting a Corvette on winters doorstep. However, being a glass half full kind of guy I figured it's a good time to start on a few mods. I'm looking at a C.A.I. and exhaust to start with and visit to Double D mods site. As far as the C.A.I. goes it looks the Vararam is the way to go? Exhaust wise I want something that isn't too aggressive (wife won't go for that), sugggestions? It needs new tires as well and I liked the look and reviews (and price) of the Potenza RE760's, thoughts?
Lots of questions, thanks for all the help in getting me this far. I love the ability to tap into others learned experience.
-Kris
Lots of questions, thanks for all the help in getting me this far. I love the ability to tap into others learned experience.
-Kris
Exhaust is pretty subjective. If you want quiet, light and high performance, the OEM Z06 (titanium) exhaust is hard to beat. You can find used systems in good shape for about $400. If you want something louder or with different tips, you have a lot of homework to do. Borla, GHL, B&B, and Corsa are the biggest names in C5 exhaust. You'll probably need to hear them in person before deciding which is best for you.
CAI is a matter of performance vs fit/finish vs appearance.
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Congrats on your C5 - lots of things you can do with it mod-wise. Dennis at Double D can set you up with a lot of stuff.
For the air intake - Vararam and Blackwing are two popular ones. I run the Blackwing and have been please with it, but it is not a CAI. Still, it's better than stock and very easy to install.
If you want a better sounding exhaust without being too loud, try the Corsa Touring. But I do agree - you really need to hear the exhaust in person before making your decision. If you have a Corvette club close by or get to go to a Corvette show when winter is over, that would be a good place to check out various makes of exhaust.
For the air intake - Vararam and Blackwing are two popular ones. I run the Blackwing and have been please with it, but it is not a CAI. Still, it's better than stock and very easy to install.
If you want a better sounding exhaust without being too loud, try the Corsa Touring. But I do agree - you really need to hear the exhaust in person before making your decision. If you have a Corvette club close by or get to go to a Corvette show when winter is over, that would be a good place to check out various makes of exhaust.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Congrats on your new ride!
Winter is mod time for sure
Check out our full line of Corvette Intake Systems for
some great deals.
We also have some great prices on the Corsa Touring
and Magnflow Exhaust systems. Each should give your
that nice mellow sports car sound you are looking for.
As always, feel free to call or shoot us a PM
Welcome to the Fourm and enjoy the addiction
Peace
Chip
Winter is mod time for sure
Check out our full line of Corvette Intake Systems for
some great deals.
We also have some great prices on the Corsa Touring
and Magnflow Exhaust systems. Each should give your
that nice mellow sports car sound you are looking for.
As always, feel free to call or shoot us a PM
Welcome to the Fourm and enjoy the addiction
Peace
Chip
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Good choice on starting with the VARARAM for the CAI.
Performance wise the next step is to do a good set of plugs and wires - NGK TR55's and MSD Wires, then a Xpipe and mufflers - Borla, Magnaflow, B&B - it will all depend on the sound you want -
"BUT" remember that "IF" you should add headers later the sound will be more aggresive - so choose wisely
Thanks,Matt
Performance wise the next step is to do a good set of plugs and wires - NGK TR55's and MSD Wires, then a Xpipe and mufflers - Borla, Magnaflow, B&B - it will all depend on the sound you want -
"BUT" remember that "IF" you should add headers later the sound will be more aggresive - so choose wisely
Thanks,Matt
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
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From: Chicago South Suburbs
S/C, headers, nice exhaust choice with a tune and be done.
You will spend about 7-8k, but with 500 ponies under the hood and stock drivability, You will have a cheap, and very fast sports car to enjoy for a very long time.
If you start with all the little mods, in time you will spend a lot and not get the seat of your pants feel that a S/C will give you.
Also don't forget about new leather interior and maybe a new steering wheel. I wish I did my interior sooner as it is my favorite mod next to my S/C. just my .02
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 426
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From: CT
Zip tie mod for your factory air box, do a search for it. Try to find a set of new or almost new American racing long tubes and a c5 z06 cat back. Car will sound quiet at cruising and just amazing at wot. Automatic or stick?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 34
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From: Brandon Manitoba
details
Car is a M6, I'm not looking for anything too crazy. I want 400 hp out of it and from talking to a Mod shop guy around home he's pretty comfortable he can get that with a tune alone. I was thinking intake and exhaust to get it breathing a little better and whoever said plugs and wires made a good point. I've been out of the car mod scene for a number of years but I have been playing with bikes and that was where I started with crotch rockets was, plugs, wires, exhaust and intake, and of course a tune to match. The car only has 36k miles on it, and with the shape it's in I'm pretty happy with it. I'm not looking at track days or strip time or anything like that, just something a little better than stock so I can say it isn't. And before anyone says you should have just bought a Z06, I'm not a FRC guy, I wanted targa and felt pretty confident I'd get the same HP as the Z06 with what I have. As far as exhaust goes, my son has a LT1 T/A with a flowmaster system and it's LOUD! Wife won't go for that on something she's going to drive as well. And for all the convincing I had to do to get this thing in the garage in the first place, I have to keep her happy as well!!
Last edited by Klemmy31; Nov 22, 2011 at 01:39 PM. Reason: addditions.
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Car is a M6, I'm not looking for anything too crazy. I want 400 hp out of it and from talking to a Mod shop guy around home he's pretty comfortable he can get that with a tune alone. I was thinking intake and exhaust to get it breathing a little better and whoever said plugs and wires made a good point. I've been out of the car mod scene for a number of years but I have been playing with bikes and that was where I started with crotch rockets was, plugs, wires, exhaust and intake, and of course a tune to match. The car only has 36k miles on it, and with the shape it's in I'm pretty happy with it. I'm not looking at track days or strip time or anything like that, just something a little better than stock so I can say it isn't. And before anyone says you should have just bought a Z06, I'm not a FRC guy, I wanted targa and felt pretty confident I'd get the same HP as the Z06 with what I have. As far as exhaust goes, my son has a LT1 T/A with a flowmaster system and it's LOUD! Wife won't go for that on something she's going to drive as well. And for all the convincing I had to do to get this thing in the garage in the first place, I have to keep her happy as well!!
To me it's not, but to others it's a must. Only you can decide that.
Have fun and enjoy!!
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
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From: Rio Rancho NM
You can easily get to 400 with just exhaust, to include headers, and more air, through the vararam or other type systems. Maybe new intake. But is 50 HP really worth the cost of these simple add ons?
To me it's not, but to others it's a must. Only you can decide that.
Have fun and enjoy!!
To me it's not, but to others it's a must. Only you can decide that.
Have fun and enjoy!!
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
OP just keep in mind that a bone stock 97 has about 290ish HP at the wheels. To get to 400hp, you will need to do headers, new heads, and a cam that your wife will not like!
If you put an A&A kit on your car, your wife will not know the difference from stock until she puts her foot to the floor! That system was built and designed for guys like you. Nice and quiet, but very quick when you want it too!
I suggest that you find someone with a S/C in your area and go for a ride before you start any mods! Then make your decision, Good luck!
If you put an A&A kit on your car, your wife will not know the difference from stock until she puts her foot to the floor! That system was built and designed for guys like you. Nice and quiet, but very quick when you want it too!
I suggest that you find someone with a S/C in your area and go for a ride before you start any mods! Then make your decision, Good luck!
Team Owner
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I know. I was talking HP. It won't go up 50 at the rw. I didn't catch that if that's where he was going.
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From: Rio Rancho NM
Last edited by Chicago1; Nov 22, 2011 at 02:44 PM.
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Check out our super pro headers and VR intake combo
http://shop.jwmotoring.com/product.s...&categoryId=12
The Vararam is the intake to go with IMO. I run one and love it.
http://shop.jwmotoring.com/product.s...&categoryId=12
The Vararam is the intake to go with IMO. I run one and love it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 34
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From: Brandon Manitoba
Exactly
Yeah I'm not looking for 400 rwhp, I know the only way I'm going to get that is, supercharger, or engine overhaul, like I mentioned, I'm new to Corvettes, not tuning completely. Wife will never, ever go for a blown motor and to do it right you'd have to re-inforce the the rest not just slap a blower on or you will run into trouble eventually. I'm just looking for some input on what intakes and exhaust everybody runs, to see whats best. Not alot of Vettes around here to compare with. If someday the motor needs a rebuild than I'll look at cam, heads, intake etc. but for now, bolt on and the power gains associated with it will have to do. After all, for the 15-16 grand I'll have in it afterwards, it's still alot of car for the money, IMHO.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Yeah I'm not looking for 400 rwhp, I know the only way I'm going to get that is, supercharger, or engine overhaul, like I mentioned, I'm new to Corvettes, not tuning completely. Wife will never, ever go for a blown motor and to do it right you'd have to re-inforce the the rest not just slap a blower on or you will run into trouble eventually. I'm just looking for some input on what intakes and exhaust everybody runs, to see whats best. Not alot of Vettes around here to compare with. If someday the motor needs a rebuild than I'll look at cam, heads, intake etc. but for now, bolt on and the power gains associated with it will have to do. After all, for the 15-16 grand I'll have in it afterwards, it's still alot of car for the money, IMHO.
400+ RWHP is easily attainable with H/C which is not much more than a used Supercharger that is a bolt on -
One just sold for $3100 - so that is not bad at all, you can pick up decent superchargers in the $3K range quite often and install it and then get it tuned and you will have 500+ RWHP safely -
Thanks,Matt 661-406-7516