Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech
View Poll Results: Mod Options
Callaway Honker and MGW Shifter
4
14.29%
Corsa Catback
19
67.86%
Neither
5
17.86%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

First Mod, Need Opinons

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 01:52 PM
  #1  
aTeam's Avatar
aTeam
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Default First Mod, Need Opinons

I have about $1500 to spend on a first mod for the vette. The car is stock with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires.

My ideas are Callaway Honker and MGW shifter OR Corsa Xtreme.
What would you do if you were in my shoes? Poll attached
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 02:00 PM
  #2  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,696
Likes: 24,669
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

I would get a Corsa system (even used is good) and the Callaway Honker, a Vararam or even a Blackwing.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 02:13 PM
  #3  
aTeam's Avatar
aTeam
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Default

Yeah I guess if I can find a used one it will cut down the cost so I can mix it up
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 02:18 PM
  #4  
Maxx_Z06's Avatar
Maxx_Z06
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 285
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
Default

I picked Callaway Honker and MGW shifter because anything is better than that stock POS oem shifter. The exhaust can wait.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 02:58 PM
  #5  
imgn tht's Avatar
imgn tht
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Default

I voted neither, because I think you could find ways to get more for your money. The used marketplace is filled with opportunities. I'm assuming your maintenance is all up to date? If not, I'd put some money there too.

My path:
Used Blackwing = $125
Used GHL = $600
Lowered on stock bolts = FREE
New Clear Corners = $50
New Switchback LEDs = $50
New 2-tone GS Fender Stripes = $150
New Low Beam/Fog Light HID = $150
New LED CREE Reverse lights = $50
That's about $1175 give or take as I quoted the new products from memory. Get rid of all the lighting/stripes crap and you'd have enough to do a used set of long tubes, or just get your shifter and come out with extra for something else.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 04:49 PM
  #6  
LoneStarLizzard's Avatar
LoneStarLizzard
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 959
Likes: 50
From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas
Default

Your list of "first mods" indicates you are focused on increasing performance. If so then here's what I'd do within your budget:

1. Used set of LG (or similar) long tube headers
2. Used C5 Z06 Ti exhaust
3. Cold air intake of your choice
4. A good tune.

Those items should really wake up your car's performance.

Just beware...you won't be happy with that improved performance for long, and the cost of further performance gains keeps going up, up, up.


The Lizzard
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 04:59 PM
  #7  
Witmer's Avatar
Witmer
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 90
From: '97 Coupe & '07 Coupe in Allentown, PA
Default

I'll ask the question a different way... If I was to only make one modification to an otherwise stock Corvette, what would it be?... a performance exhaust. Therefore, that would be my first mod.

I went Vararam, Corsa Xtreme and tune during my first summer of ownership.

Good luck with your decision.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 05:00 PM
  #8  
zeevette's Avatar
zeevette
Race Director
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarLizzard
Your list of "first mods" indicates you are focused on increasing performance. If so then here's what I'd do within your budget:

1. Used set of LG (or similar) long tube headers
2. Used C5 Z06 Ti exhaust
3. Cold air intake of your choice
4. A good tune.

Those items should really wake up your car's performance.

Just beware...you won't be happy with that improved performance for long, and the cost of further performance gains keeps going up, up, up.


The Lizzard
True, but a lot depends on what the trans/gearing is for initial go-fast gains. If you've got an A4 with 273s, gears/converter might get better SOTP.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 05:15 PM
  #9  
LoneStarLizzard's Avatar
LoneStarLizzard
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 959
Likes: 50
From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas
Default

Originally Posted by zeevette
True, but a lot depends on what the trans/gearing is for initial go-fast gains. If you've got an A4 with 273s, gears/converter might get better SOTP.
That may be true...however, it won't "sound" any faster.

The Lizzard
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 05:34 PM
  #10  
SilverBullet95's Avatar
SilverBullet95
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown Tx
Default

I have all three and love them! Lucky for me, they were already on the car when I bought it so there was no dent in my pocket right after to get them
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 06:40 PM
  #11  
JiVe's Avatar
JiVe
Intermediate
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: New Berlin WI
Default

I'd pick the cup holder mod !
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 07:07 PM
  #12  
bobeast's Avatar
bobeast
Drifting
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 80
From: Hollister CA
Default

I know its not on your list, but IMNHO upgrading the stock headlights is a must do. The stock ones are down right dangerous.

My personal favorite is the bi-xenons from RadioFlyer.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 07:47 PM
  #13  
aTeam's Avatar
aTeam
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by imgn tht
I voted neither, because I think you could find ways to get more for your money. The used marketplace is filled with opportunities. I'm assuming your maintenance is all up to date? If not, I'd put some money there too.

My path:
Used Blackwing = $125
Used GHL = $600
Lowered on stock bolts = FREE
New Clear Corners = $50
New Switchback LEDs = $50
New 2-tone GS Fender Stripes = $150
New Low Beam/Fog Light HID = $150
New LED CREE Reverse lights = $50
That's about $1175 give or take as I quoted the new products from memory. Get rid of all the lighting/stripes crap and you'd have enough to do a used set of long tubes, or just get your shifter and come out with extra for something else.
Good mods, but my goal is to do some performance mods first then get into aesthetics and I'm not sold on the sound of the GHL
Originally Posted by LoneStarLizzard
Your list of "first mods" indicates you are focused on increasing performance. If so then here's what I'd do within your budget:

1. Used set of LG (or similar) long tube headers
2. Used C5 Z06 Ti exhaust
3. Cold air intake of your choice
4. A good tune.

Those items should really wake up your car's performance.

Just beware...you won't be happy with that improved performance for long, and the cost of further performance gains keeps going up, up, up.


The Lizzard
This is a great suggestion, if I can line up the parts I might have to do it.
Originally Posted by Witmer
I'll ask the question a different way... If I was to only make one modification to an otherwise stock Corvette, what would it be?... a performance exhaust. Therefore, that would be my first mod.

I went Vararam, Corsa Xtreme and tune during my first summer of ownership.

Good luck with your decision.
True. The stock exhaust kind of bothers me, it sounds okay but it is not very loud compared to any car with a catback. Econo 4 bangers are louder than me lol. I really love the xtremes sound which makes me want it bad
Originally Posted by bobeast
I know its not on your list, but IMNHO upgrading the stock headlights is a must do. The stock ones are down right dangerous.

My personal favorite is the bi-xenons from RadioFlyer.
I plan on getting them after my initial mods. I can see pretty well with the stock headlights, I'm young and live in a well lit area so they aren't a problem yet. Still, I want HIDs
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 08:23 PM
  #14  
RedZMonte's Avatar
RedZMonte
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
Default

Option 1:
* LT headers (lightly used will be about a grand)
* C6Z06 shifter and ****
* 2nd hand Ti mufflers
* Tune (COW or ECS Mail order)

Option 2:
* Callaway Honker or halltech Intake
* LS7/LS9 Exhaust manifolds, Downpipes and Hpipe
* Gently used Catback (Corsa or whatever you want)
* Dyno Tune

If you shop well on nice lightly used stuff you will be at or close to your budget and get more then just 1-2 mods done at once.

Any $$ Left:
* C6Z06 shocks
* C6Z51 Swaybars w/ C6Z06 metal Endlinks

Last edited by RedZMonte; Mar 28, 2014 at 08:28 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 08:31 PM
  #15  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,489
Likes: 1,810
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

I'd do the Corsa system.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 09:01 PM
  #16  
2CRUZIN's Avatar
2CRUZIN
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County Pennsylvania
Default

First mod would be great sounding exhaust system.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 09:48 PM
  #17  
Silverbullet00's Avatar
Silverbullet00
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Default

Originally Posted by CE 2004
First mod would be great sounding exhaust system.

That was my first mod, Corsa Touring, knowing the LT headers were next.


I agree that the headlights suck,,,JW Motoring can fix that problem. My low beam lights are awesome, never hit the highs!
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 11:30 PM
  #18  
imgn tht's Avatar
imgn tht
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Default

Originally Posted by aTeam
Good mods, but my goal is to do some performance mods first then get into aesthetics and I'm not sold on the sound of the GHL
I wasn't specifically suggesting you follow my exact path or brands. Merely trying to make the point that your poll and direction seemed limited to specific brands. If that is what you want, then just save up some more money and do them. But as you can see from many of the responses, there are ways to stretch your dollar better AND get more performance. At the end of the day it's your money and your car.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To First Mod, Need Opinons





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:57 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE