To mod or leave it alone?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
To mod or leave it alone?
So I bought a 1999 Coupe a couple years ago and I love the car! Its basically stock besides a K&N intake, BBK Throttle body, Magnaflo magnapack. Im pretty happy with the car but of course I want more power now. Here's why Im debating putting money into the car, she has 128,000 miles! Do I dare invest thousands into the motor/trans/drive trane etc...
If I did take the leap where would you guys start? Id love to squeeze another 100-150hp to the wheels but not sure what to do? Id like to leave the clutch/drivetrane/motor internals stock but is it possible? Can I do something like order a procharger and throw it on in my garage and be done or will there be several other things to upgrade along the way? Is my car to tired for all this at its age and miles?
Any help would be great!! Thanks
If I did take the leap where would you guys start? Id love to squeeze another 100-150hp to the wheels but not sure what to do? Id like to leave the clutch/drivetrane/motor internals stock but is it possible? Can I do something like order a procharger and throw it on in my garage and be done or will there be several other things to upgrade along the way? Is my car to tired for all this at its age and miles?
Any help would be great!! Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Other than "enjoy it" off stoplights and freeway entrances-- what would you do with extra power . . .or an improved suspension?
Would you be happier at this point, with investing that dough into a newer or different car . . .Z06 or C6 ?
Would you be happier at this point, with investing that dough into a newer or different car . . .Z06 or C6 ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
And yes its more for the stop light and freeway entrances as it never sees a track and I dont need to go 160mph Lol Another thing that kinda sparked this is a buddy just bought an 09 cts-v and all he talks about is how it eats vettes etc... I dont care that much as it doesnt look cool so im still happy with the vette but id still like to leave him in the dust if we ever do line up just keep his mouth shut
Of course I have been thinking about upgrading long before he bought his car thats just bringing it up again...When guys throw a procharger kit in there cars do they need to upgrade other parts or can the stock car handle the kit?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 46
From: Southaven MS
If you will be happy with 100-150 extra horsepower at the wheels then you could put a standard A&A or ECS supercharger kit on the car, and enjoy it without much if any difference in daily driving sacrifices or reliability issues. The snowball effect starts when you try to maximize the superchargers potential. I installed my first procharger kit with the help of a friend about 10 years ago with no prior experience over a 2 day weekend. Its gotten seriously out of hand ever since.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
If you will be happy with 100-150 extra horsepower at the wheels then you could put a standard A&A or ECS supercharger kit on the car, and enjoy it without much if any difference in daily driving sacrifices or reliability issues. The snowball effect starts when you try to maximize the superchargers potential. I installed my first procharger kit with the help of a friend about 10 years ago with no prior experience over a 2 day weekend. Its gotten seriously out of hand ever since.
Which kit would you recommend for this car? Im just worried that I would install it and something inside the motor or trans would give or who knows...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 46
From: Southaven MS
Haha yeah I can see how it would be tough to stop. I was reading that the procharger kits are fairly simple to install. Im not to bad in the garage so I think I could handle it, its also not my only car so it would be fine being down for a week or so.
Which kit would you recommend for this car? Im just worried that I would install it and something inside the motor or trans would give or who knows...
Which kit would you recommend for this car? Im just worried that I would install it and something inside the motor or trans would give or who knows...
Last edited by redcycle13; Jun 24, 2015 at 12:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
I would probably go with an A&A base kit. The price is a little lower for their kit, and their customer service is outstanding. I've also run a lot of ECS parts, they make great stuff, but I feel they are geared slightly more toward the guy who will eventually push the envelope of power. If you keep it around 500-550 to the wheels I think your car will last indefinitely unless your abusive to it. The only thing I'd say will be troublesome would be the stock clutch if your hard on it. Everything else really should be happy at that power level.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Sure sounds great until the extra power eats the transmission or rear end. Wonder why that happened with over 100k miles?
"Easy to install and free shipping this week!" 
Then you'll find it doesn't stop or handle good enough due to extra horsepower. 
No problem, just do more mods 
Can't pass the state emission test? Could it be those mods? 
The next step is for sale by owner. "$40,000 invested, asking $12,300 or best offer (less than a car with no mods) 
Or buy a Z06 and have time for better things
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I would probably go with an A&A base kit. The price is a little lower for their kit, and their customer service is outstanding. I've also run a lot of ECS parts, they make great stuff, but I feel they are geared slightly more toward the guy who will eventually push the envelope of power. If you keep it around 500-550 to the wheels I think your car will last indefinitely unless your abusive to it. The only thing I'd say will be troublesome would be the stock clutch if your hard on it. Everything else really should be happy at that power level.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Sure sounds great until the extra power eats the transmission or rear end. Wonder why that happened with over 100k miles?
"Easy to install and free shipping this week!" Then you'll find it doesn't stop or handle good enough due to extra horsepower. No problem, just do more mods Can't pass the state emission test? Could it be those mods? The next step is for sale by owner. "$40,000 invested, asking $12,300 or best offer (less than a car with no mods) Or buy a Z06 and have time for better things
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
I do enjoy the process of installing go fast parts and seeing/feeling the results. I am also a big fan of the coupes, I do like the looks of the Z06 but I prefer being able to pop the top on a nice day and im not a fan of the verts so eitherway whatever I do I would stay with a coupe...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Your questions are honest now...........you say you are good in
the garage what does that mean?? Have you modified cars over the
years?? Have you raced cars with modifications??? Or is this something
your buddy has prodded you to Beat his vette eating stock car.
Since I don't know the answer I would give you this advice.
1. No real mechanical experience, stay stock.
2. You are at least old enough to drive. Start with small projects
that are less expensive and build a tool box and experience.
3.If you have the experience from first hand from years of moding
car's I would say --I am not sure why you are asking.
No malice ..honest!! I just think that you read all about these
hot cars on CF and you don't realize what it takes to have a
modified vette. And what is worse; is, I want big hp buy a stock
vette with big hp so I can go out on the street and try to kill
somebody. Ya got big hp go to the track don't get stupid on the
street.
My apology if I am boring you.
Spend 6 or 7k and get can have a basic SC set up with 150 hp---
---to answer your question.
the garage what does that mean?? Have you modified cars over the
years?? Have you raced cars with modifications??? Or is this something
your buddy has prodded you to Beat his vette eating stock car.
Since I don't know the answer I would give you this advice.
1. No real mechanical experience, stay stock.
2. You are at least old enough to drive. Start with small projects
that are less expensive and build a tool box and experience.
3.If you have the experience from first hand from years of moding
car's I would say --I am not sure why you are asking.
No malice ..honest!! I just think that you read all about these
hot cars on CF and you don't realize what it takes to have a
modified vette. And what is worse; is, I want big hp buy a stock
vette with big hp so I can go out on the street and try to kill
somebody. Ya got big hp go to the track don't get stupid on the
street.
My apology if I am boring you.
Spend 6 or 7k and get can have a basic SC set up with 150 hp---
---to answer your question.
Administrator
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Would be a tough call spending $7-8K or more on mods to a 128K mile car or just buying a newer, lower mileage car. If it were me, I be looking at what newer cars are out there, perhaps with some mods already done (as long as you could verify the quality of work that was done).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Your questions are honest now...........you say you are good in
the garage what does that mean?? Have you modified cars over the
years?? Have you raced cars with modifications??? Or is this something
your buddy has prodded you to Beat his vette eating stock car.
Since I don't know the answer I would give you this advice.
1. No real mechanical experience, stay stock.
2. You are at least old enough to drive. Start with small projects
that are less expensive and build a tool box and experience.
3.If you have the experience from first hand from years of moding
car's I would say --I am not sure why you are asking.
No malice ..honest!! I just think that you read all about these
hot cars on CF and you don't realize what it takes to have a
modified vette. And what is worse; is, I want big hp buy a stock
vette with big hp so I can go out on the street and try to kill
somebody. Ya got big hp go to the track don't get stupid on the
street.
My apology if I am boring you.
Spend 6 or 7k and get can have a basic SC set up with 150 hp---
---to answer your question.
the garage what does that mean?? Have you modified cars over the
years?? Have you raced cars with modifications??? Or is this something
your buddy has prodded you to Beat his vette eating stock car.
Since I don't know the answer I would give you this advice.
1. No real mechanical experience, stay stock.
2. You are at least old enough to drive. Start with small projects
that are less expensive and build a tool box and experience.
3.If you have the experience from first hand from years of moding
car's I would say --I am not sure why you are asking.
No malice ..honest!! I just think that you read all about these
hot cars on CF and you don't realize what it takes to have a
modified vette. And what is worse; is, I want big hp buy a stock
vette with big hp so I can go out on the street and try to kill
somebody. Ya got big hp go to the track don't get stupid on the
street.
My apology if I am boring you.
Spend 6 or 7k and get can have a basic SC set up with 150 hp---
---to answer your question.
was answering the question. I apologize.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 636
Likes: 60
Sure sounds great until the extra power eats the transmission or rear end. Wonder why that happened with over 100k miles?
"Easy to install and free shipping this week!" Then you'll find it doesn't stop or handle good enough due to extra horsepower. No problem, just do more mods Can't pass the state emission test? Could it be those mods? The next step is for sale by owner. "$40,000 invested, asking $12,300 or best offer (less than a car with no mods) Or buy a Z06 and have time for better things
If it were me, and I wanted to keep the car, which you are on the fence about. I'd have the tranny, engine, suspension, and brakes redone and beefed up.
Otherwise, Sell it and get something more powerful. Adding a supercharger to a motor with 100+k on the clock is a recipe for a lot of future "upgrades" as things break. And I would never buy a car modified by someone else. You are just begging to inherit someone elses headache. Stock and clean is the way to go.
There's no cheap way to go about this kind of mod if you want to keep reliability. Can you put a supercharger on it? Sure. Will it drastically reduce the lifespan of the car? absolutely. Will it be worth as much when you go to sell it? Absolutely not. HP like that requires brake upgrades, tune, tire upgrades, etc, unless you want to end up in a tree or concrete barrier.
You will never get out of it whatever you put into it. You're better off upgrading the car itself.
Last edited by CriticalmassGT; Jun 24, 2015 at 02:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 28
From: Cedaredge Colorado
In my experience buying a car and moddin it, your better off selling your car, buyin a boosted car already done. You will save thousands in the end.
There was a boosted C5 on the for sale forum a bit ago for 19k, and I've seen boosted Zs in great shape as low as 24k.
Just my 2cents
There was a boosted C5 on the for sale forum a bit ago for 19k, and I've seen boosted Zs in great shape as low as 24k.
Just my 2cents