C5 leave it original
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
If you like it stock then keep it stock. I like to change things to make it my own.
Mods fall into three categories (sometimes all 3 at once!):
1 - Upgrade
2 - Performance
3 - Personal
The biggest one for me is personal - making it my own. I wish I could do more like adding a rear spoiler, different hood and those chrome wannabe seat roll bars but having a PC limits the amount of stuff I can add because there's so much going on already.
FTW!
Mods fall into three categories (sometimes all 3 at once!):
1 - Upgrade
2 - Performance
3 - Personal
The biggest one for me is personal - making it my own. I wish I could do more like adding a rear spoiler, different hood and those chrome wannabe seat roll bars but having a PC limits the amount of stuff I can add because there's so much going on already.
FTW!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
you guys consider wheels, stereo etc mods?
i guess i really never did. mods would be like forged motors, turbos, reinforced drivelines, aero, changing the gearing in the transmission. weight balanced coilovers etc
i guess i really never did. mods would be like forged motors, turbos, reinforced drivelines, aero, changing the gearing in the transmission. weight balanced coilovers etc
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
Likes: 19
From: South Shore, KY
To the OP... As others have said, to each their own. It is good that people want to leave their cars completely stock because in a used car market, some people like myself want to buy a stock car that way they know the engine hasn't been apart 50 times. This also can indicate the car hasn't had the **** beat out of it as much as one that is highly modded for performance/racing. I would rather buy a stock car than a modded car any day but that is my preference because I like to do the modding myself. It allows me to learn about the car/bike while I'm doing new mods I maybe haven't done before. It's the same with motorcycles.
Last edited by got-20z; Apr 25, 2014 at 09:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 399
Likes: 11
From: Southern NH
I have modded cars in the past to massive degrees with fully molded kits, full cockpit relocation, air ride, fiberglass dash's you name it. Now? All stock cause its only original once. I used to goof on guys that would say that...now I'm one of them; go figure.
The title has your name on it, you don't need to do anything else to "make it yours".
If you like custom, go for it knowing your flushing money down the toilet with the only positive being the feeling that you've made it "yours" cause that money's not coming back. With that said, there is way too much bashing on this site. If someone is asking for an opinion before they do something, I give it positive or negative. Once they have done the mod, unless you have something nice to say I think its best to STFU.
If you like stock,that's even easier....they come in stock form from the factory! You get the car the way you want it and its a whole lot easier to sell when your ready and there is never a shortage of people that appreciate an un basterdized original. The same cannot be said for custom.
The title has your name on it, you don't need to do anything else to "make it yours".
If you like custom, go for it knowing your flushing money down the toilet with the only positive being the feeling that you've made it "yours" cause that money's not coming back. With that said, there is way too much bashing on this site. If someone is asking for an opinion before they do something, I give it positive or negative. Once they have done the mod, unless you have something nice to say I think its best to STFU.
If you like stock,that's even easier....they come in stock form from the factory! You get the car the way you want it and its a whole lot easier to sell when your ready and there is never a shortage of people that appreciate an un basterdized original. The same cannot be said for custom.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,768
Likes: 3,696
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I've seen some beautifully well-kept original stock C5s and I enjoy meeting the owners. Interestingly, this is the first car I've ever owned for 10 years and it still feels like new. Probably because I personalized it to my liking and went out to improve the areas where I felt GM stopped in 2004. Mostly cosmetic and non-HP performance. Now my car has a better interior, better stereo, improved HID/LED lighting, it brakes better, corners better, sounds better and is even more balanced.
It all started with the wonderful design GM developed as the C5 truly turned the Corvette into a world-class performance car. However, IMO the car was designed to be modified or "personlized" as I like to call it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 64
From: Gulf Coast Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
My car was completely stock when I got it, it stayed that way for less than a week, I have no intention of ever putting it up for sale, I will buy another one down the road, that's a given, but I'll never part with the one I have.
Stock to me = boring, but to each their own, if you take the time and build your car correctly it won't be any less reliable than any other stock car on the road.
Stock to me = boring, but to each their own, if you take the time and build your car correctly it won't be any less reliable than any other stock car on the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The only thing I've ever seen that comes close to being a "chip" is made by a company, JET performance, I think. It's a preprogrammed gizmo that plugs in between the harness and the computer. It's supposed to improve your tune somehow. Probably a piece of junk. Otherwise Ihave no idea what the OP is talking about.
To me, the C5 is like a blank canvas waiting for an artist's touch to embellish to personal taste. I've done many mods and regret none of them - performance or cosmetic. The people who mention performance mods ruining the reliability of our cars know not of what they speak. There are many performance items on the market that improve these cars without any detrimental effects on our cars, if you buy wisely. I've spent a lot on my car and nothing has ever created a situation that I regretted. I've got 127,000 daily driving miles with no problems to speak of or repairs needed. In fact my car has been incredibly reliable. 11 years driving and it still excites me to sit down for a drive. It makes a crappy work day so much better.
To me, the C5 is like a blank canvas waiting for an artist's touch to embellish to personal taste. I've done many mods and regret none of them - performance or cosmetic. The people who mention performance mods ruining the reliability of our cars know not of what they speak. There are many performance items on the market that improve these cars without any detrimental effects on our cars, if you buy wisely. I've spent a lot on my car and nothing has ever created a situation that I regretted. I've got 127,000 daily driving miles with no problems to speak of or repairs needed. In fact my car has been incredibly reliable. 11 years driving and it still excites me to sit down for a drive. It makes a crappy work day so much better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,495
Likes: 332
From: USA
My car was completely stock when I got it, it stayed that way for less than a week, I have no intention of ever putting it up for sale, I will buy another one down the road, that's a given, but I'll never part with the one I have.
Stock to me = boring, but to each their own, if you take the time and build your car correctly it won't be any less reliable than any other stock car on the road.
Stock to me = boring, but to each their own, if you take the time and build your car correctly it won't be any less reliable than any other stock car on the road.
Couldn't have said it better myself...
Last edited by MotoJB; Apr 26, 2014 at 02:48 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
Less than a year ago, I decided to add a chip, change the air intake, and chane the F45 select ride. I didnt really see or feel much of a change except in the ride which was a little hard. One night I asked myself why the mods? Corvette built the C5 the original way for a reason. The next day I removed the chip, ordered a new air box assembly and F45 shocks. Received OEM equipment, installed it myself, and my vette is running and riding better than it ever has. Point being, leave it original. You'll be glad you did.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 5
From: Central FL
Although I'd rather have and see a nice all original C5 or any Corvette for that matter then some super custom example I see nothing wrong with added tasteful mods like wheels/tires boltons etc that isn't hard or expensive to go back to stock if you want that makes the car look and perform better, there is no question a CAI and a tune makes the car run better unless installed incorrectly and the tune is off.
Last edited by F&Yb0dluvr; Apr 26, 2014 at 09:54 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 952
Likes: 100
From: Lehigh Valley PA
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm surprised no one has gone here yet. I have to. There are good mods and there are bad mods. Yes, I've said it. I'll also say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Some vettes look great modified. Other mods, IMO look ugly. Performance mods unless your racing are for what, to go the speed limit or better yet, brake the law? If your racing, you must mod!
There are corvette dealers by me and when you have 10 vettes or 30 and you heavily modified vettes ,stuck in. To me, the modified vettes stick out but they take longer to sell. You need that special beholder (see above).
I like seeing modified vettes, however some I would never buy. Love vette shows since I'm 12, even get great ideas to mod mine.
I think there are tasteful mods. There are great stock vettes.
Here is my analogy. I have a beautiful wife. I have a beautiful vette. Do I really want to change my wife's nose, lips, etc???
Mine, stock, I'm changing the wheels and tinting it, maybe something else. But If I had to get it back to stock, I could. Was this enough gasoline to through onto the fire?
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo New York
Modify
Not true in many cases (like mine).
My car is WAY better than it was stock.
I enjoy my car 100% more now that its modified.
Its faster, grips better, better brakes, better suspension,,,etc,,,etc,,,,
And that's 10+ yrs after I bought it new.
But if your happy than that is all that matters.
What "chip" did you get ? They did not do chips since the 80's Corvette's.
These days you actually modify the tune inside the computer directly.
Toque
My car is WAY better than it was stock.
I enjoy my car 100% more now that its modified.
Its faster, grips better, better brakes, better suspension,,,etc,,,etc,,,,
And that's 10+ yrs after I bought it new.
But if your happy than that is all that matters.
What "chip" did you get ? They did not do chips since the 80's Corvette's.
These days you actually modify the tune inside the computer directly.
Toque
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 129
From: Orlando Florida
I couldn't keep a car stock. To me the dealers do the bare minimum to please the masses. Since working on cars and bikes is a hobby of mine, I get a lot of satisfaction out of modding my vehicles. Most of the changes on my Vette have been for performance but my Vrod looks nothing like it did when I bought it.