Have You Ever Regretted a Mod?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Back on my third C3 I did a mako shark conversion, flared the rear fenders, added aftermarket wheels and some power to the motor. When it came time for me to buy a C4 I found out the hard way there was a very limited market for modified custom cars. If I had left it original it would have sold faster and for a lot more money. The only mod I have ever done that was worth it was adding the Hurst shifter to a C3 DD. The only reason I did that was the original shifter was broken, the local Chevy dealer couldn't fix it and it was realily available without mail order. I saved all the original parts in the Hust box for the next owner. Not likeley I'll ever mod a car again
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
1: flip up radio....now a dd
2: halo rings for gauges( I ****ed up install)
3: smooth below coupler..didn't do **** it's a 50 dollar coupler that I could of got for 10 bucks off ebay..I got suckered into that deal lol
3: vararam power duct--againt didn't do ****
2: halo rings for gauges( I ****ed up install)
3: smooth below coupler..didn't do **** it's a 50 dollar coupler that I could of got for 10 bucks off ebay..I got suckered into that deal lol
3: vararam power duct--againt didn't do ****
Last edited by Chicago1; Sep 29, 2013 at 01:27 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 7
From: Sneads Ferry NC
I tried to go cheap at first and did the swiss cheese mod to the air box till my Vararam came in, now I am left with a messed up air box if I ever wanted to go back. Not that I ever would want to take out the Vararam...lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I correctly wired up everything. But like I said, the C5s weren't built for LEDs (other than the 3rd eye brake light).
I had the LED Halo tail lights. 3 out of the 4 tail lights had pretty bad issues. I had everything from flickering LEDs to completely burnt LEDs. I even had a halo that would go in and out... (Eventually just going out until you hit the thing!)
I've had the same thing happen with the LED reverse lights.
At the end of the day, it comes down to the current fluctuating too much. This could have easily been an issue isolated to my C5, but that really don't change the fact that both a current and voltage regulator must be used with LEDs.
I've had talks with LED specialists and electronics engineers before on things like this. I have my own projects I'm working on involving much higher numbers of LEDs and higher power consumption.
So really, it was a mod I wasn't happy with because doing it right requires a lot of stuff I (as a consumer) didn't even know about.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Not yet for the Vette. Thanks to this forum and patience, I have researched everything I have done thus far and know what my end goal will be so I don't go overboard. It also helps that I've modified every car that I have owned in my life to some degree, so I've learned along the way. 
On one of my previous cars I lowered it on adjustable coil-overs. I think I went too low, and while it looked awesome it rode like crap. I raised it up some, but it never drove the same and I soon traded it in.
On one of my previous cars I lowered it on adjustable coil-overs. I think I went too low, and while it looked awesome it rode like crap. I raised it up some, but it never drove the same and I soon traded it in.
Last edited by imgn tht; Sep 29, 2013 at 08:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,758
Likes: 1,211
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
For someone who hasn't done any mods, what a great thread!! I'm glad the original owner added the Corsa Pace so I didn't have to post another exhaust thread!!
Personally, I like $$ in my pocket so I don't think there will be any mods on my car!!
I had my fill of mods and throwing away money years ago!
Carry on!
Personally, I like $$ in my pocket so I don't think there will be any mods on my car!!
I had my fill of mods and throwing away money years ago!
Carry on!
Last edited by Jeff T.; Sep 29, 2013 at 09:24 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
For someone who hasn't done any mods, what a great thread!! I'm glad the original owner added the Corsa Pace so I didn't have to post another exhaust thread!!
Personally, I like $$ in my pocket so I don't think there will be any mods on my car!!
I had my fill of mods and throwing away money years ago!
Carry on!
Personally, I like $$ in my pocket so I don't think there will be any mods on my car!!
I had my fill of mods and throwing away money years ago!
Carry on!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
In my 12 years here, I've had a couple dozen members PM me complaining about over modding there car, and having things break all the time, many said they wish they had not invested so much money, because before they started heavily modding their car it was a pleasure to drive and with the confidence that they could drive it across country. Now I'm not against people modifying their car for their own enjoyment, as long as no one gets hurt. What I am referring too is the grief that some members experience after they start to modify their car. Most of these members knew up front that things are going to break. The couple dozen members that PM me that have 300K + on the clock are slightly modified, exhaust, cold air intake , and some appearance mods.. most of those guys are smiling daily and bragging about their car still looking like its new. We even have several members with 400K on their original motor with only slight external problems like water pumps, batteries, wiper motors, AC comprssors, brakes and rotors, etc. Most of the guys who PM me said the exact same thing, I was happier being stock.. IM not sure that is true, but along the line, their modifications crossed the line of dependability. I can easily see in their comments their frustration.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Sep 30, 2013 at 12:03 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
For someone who hasn't done any mods, what a great thread!! I'm glad the original owner added the Corsa Pace so I didn't have to post another exhaust thread!!
Personally, I like $$ in my pocket so I don't think there will be any mods on my car!!
I had my fill of mods and throwing away money years ago!
Carry on!
Personally, I like $$ in my pocket so I don't think there will be any mods on my car!!
I had my fill of mods and throwing away money years ago!
Carry on!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I've got many mods on my car, lowered, wheels, a little more power, improved brakes and several cosmetic upgrades both inside and out. I think long and hard before I do any mod. I just want to spend my money once on anything. So, so far I have not done any mods I regret. My car is 120k miles and I'm still loving it. Still looks brand new, runs like it too, and I get compliments on it all the time. Just haven't done anything too extreme.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 643
Likes: 40
From: Wauregan CT
I think the stock Corvette was well conceived as manufactured. I also see an aftermarket loaded with stuff. Some of it is worthwhile; but I feel much more of it is money wasting crap. So unless the item will absolutely make my stock Vette a lot better off I will pass on it. All but the LCM5 I installed are all from the previous owner who happened to have good judgment in this regard, so his mods are still in place and it’s very unlikely I would pursue more…with the likely exception of that fix it kit for the rocking seat problem.
