C5 leave it original
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 72
From: Seminole, FL
I bought my C5 in October last year from a guy who said "100% Original" and he was truthful. I knew the day I bought it, it needed shocks and tie rod ends and stabilizer links.
A Tune up, Oil Change, and Maintenance....
I came here and joined this forum and have since saved a TON OF MONEY bringing the car from "Stored and Undriven" to Daily Driver with Upgraded suspension (GM Parts House "KIT"), and some minor bolt-ons. 4K in just of two months of driving time, and I'm going to have this car when I die.
The C-5 is the Vette that 'Brought me BACK"... I got me one, and intend to make love to this BEAUTY for the rest of my life.... LOL
A Tune up, Oil Change, and Maintenance....
I came here and joined this forum and have since saved a TON OF MONEY bringing the car from "Stored and Undriven" to Daily Driver with Upgraded suspension (GM Parts House "KIT"), and some minor bolt-ons. 4K in just of two months of driving time, and I'm going to have this car when I die.
The C-5 is the Vette that 'Brought me BACK"... I got me one, and intend to make love to this BEAUTY for the rest of my life.... LOL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
I think this is an interesting thread. I've owed a *lot* of cars over the years. Other than shade tree mechanics I used to do as a teenager I haven't done much with my cars. A strut tower brace here or there and that's about it. I went through this rationalization every time I bought something mod-worthy (i.e. 2005 and 2008 Mustangs): - Assemble wish list, generally power/handling oriented. - Price parts and labor either self or professionally installed. - Ask myself why I need to go faster on the street, how many cars out there can I not handle already with what I've got. - How often do I race? Do I need the potential trouble that comes along with it? - Scratch parts list and make it look good I'm not a street racer but I will admit to occasionally hammering it on interstate on-ramps or fooling around a little on open highways. So after I got over the excitement of a new car and the possibilities, I normally do what you're suggesting and keep it stock. I see the Vette and my Harley differently though because they are bucket list vehicles and not merely passing through my garage. I spent more modding my 2006 Road King Custom than any of my cars up until now. I'm currently researching Maggy vs ECS vs A&A and fully intend on going FI to go along with what I've already done. Aside from painting the tins, I turned every bolt on this bike. The same will be true for the Vette to the extent of my abilities/facilities. I prefer to turn my own wrenches although I will have the FI installed by a pro.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
im for both ironically. my 99 has only been changed in the way of a zo6 torque tube and ls6 intake and cold air intake. its been lowered with billy boats and bullets and c6 wheels. I plan to do headers but I want to do more to the interior. to each his own of course but I was recently asked if I would get a second c5 and the answer is yes. id like to have this one the way I want it but id like to have a very nice stock zo6. mine has a lot of miles and for that I know it isn't worth much and therefore I want to customize it to my likes but at the same time id like another one but stock. so each his own, but I think each person is right because this is a topic where you will never satisfy everyone,you win some and not but make the car your want it, as long as YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT.
just my .02
just my .02
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Alpine TX
They did MANY of the things they did to save money. Exhaust manifolds vs LT headers? Headers cost a ton, of course they're going to put on regular manifolds. The interior is also cheap plastic crap, I plan to modify that until I'm happy with it. I swear the car companies didn't start learning how to make a decent looking and feeling interior until 2005 or so.
It's all a game of tradeoffs. Cheap vs reliable/quality vs fast, pick any two.
It's all a game of tradeoffs. Cheap vs reliable/quality vs fast, pick any two.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
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?
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?
There are times where I wish I didn't get bitten so hard with the mod bug and think about what it was like and it wasn't bad at all.. For those who think their stock car handles better then a modified one are blowing smoke up their asses.
There are a LOT of cars out there at least here around the jersey shore that are on the roads all summer long that would humble any of us, even those who can run single digits at the track. I am not in favor or against street racing but for those out there that do, know there is ALWAYS someone faster
My cars are toys and I just want to have fun with them at this point in my life and that includes just driving it to work or the track or a show. They all seem unique in their own way IMHO
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
You're assuming that those here who own modified cars plan to sell them at some point. I am slowly but surely working on a very long list of planned modifications but have no intentions of ever selling my car so I am not concerned about its market value or how long it would take to sell once it has all of the planned modifications installed. It already stands out in a crowd, and I've barely scratched the surface of what I plan to do to it. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 399
Likes: 11
From: Southern NH
For those who think their stock car handles better then a modified one are blowing smoke up their asses.
There are a LOT of cars out there at least here around the jersey shore that are on the roads all summer long that would humble any of us, even those who can run single digits at the track. I am not in favor or against street racing but for those out there that do, know there is ALWAYS someone faster
IMHO
FOR THE STREET, these cars have more than enough power, cornering ability and braking right out of the box to get you in plenty of trouble (or outrun it).
Leaving them stock isn't a crime, its not like your starting with a Cavalier...a Corvette its a pretty nice place to "settle" for stock IMO.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 72
From: Seminole, FL
Ab-so-tiv-ly BEEE--UU--TTT--FUL Rocket Ship you have there.
But, although I've done some minor cosmetic mods (wheels, targa, headlights), my ride is totally original. I plan to do some serious 'cross-country touring' in this baby (remember Route-66 TV series?)..
As much as I LOVE what you've done there (DROOLING OVER THE SC) I doubt that's compatible with my current plans....
But I've done screen captures of your underhood for my later wish list.
But, although I've done some minor cosmetic mods (wheels, targa, headlights), my ride is totally original. I plan to do some serious 'cross-country touring' in this baby (remember Route-66 TV series?)..
As much as I LOVE what you've done there (DROOLING OVER THE SC) I doubt that's compatible with my current plans....
But I've done screen captures of your underhood for my later wish list.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 4
I added a HUD to my 98, and an Ipod interface, so not techically stock I suppose.
I added Streetbob bars to my FXD, so it is not stock either.
I restored my 67 Camaro to look 100% stock, except that it had a 350 in it when I got it, and it was born a 6 banger.
My 87 Ninja 750r is 100% stock, minus the tires, grips, brake pads and filters.
I like stock stuff. Anymore, those are the ones that look different from the others.
I added Streetbob bars to my FXD, so it is not stock either.
I restored my 67 Camaro to look 100% stock, except that it had a 350 in it when I got it, and it was born a 6 banger.
My 87 Ninja 750r is 100% stock, minus the tires, grips, brake pads and filters.
I like stock stuff. Anymore, those are the ones that look different from the others.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
Agree. We seem to have similar cars and similar opinions on most things. Regarding your FI decision, I have wrestled with that quite a bit. I now have the opportunity to do it and I have made the decision to keep this car NA. I am going to try to squeeze a little more out of my NA setup and then it will be maxed out (on LS1 and within reasonable budget that is). If I do go FI in future it will be Turbo but it is so expensive to do it right that I doubt I will do it.
Interested to hear your rationale on Turbo vs Supercharger, but don't want disrupt the OPs thread any further. Maybe we can take this discussion to my Bender thread??
