1999corvettels1

I've read on here before members saying stock C5 Corvettes are slow.

Mine (convertible, T56) is still factory since getting it April or May 2003.

It's cool weather in Arizona and I'm sure the low temps help the performance a lot, much better than summer.

Anyways, I disagree stock C5 is a slow car, at least the T56 cars, never drove a automatic C5.

99% of the time I can never go WOT, and if I do it's just a few seconds getting on a freeway and then I back off and cruise in 6th gear.

On regular roads with traffic lights/stop signs there is so much traffic there is really no chance to stomp it.

All these years I've had all these ideas to enhance the performance, a cam, and headers.

Then you need better heads to take advantage, and might as well get a LS6 intake or a FAST intake, might need 4.10 gears for that cam.

Oh, don't forget the upgraded clutch and drive train brace.

Then there was magnachargers, but need new hood, and it will just peel out too easy.

At last the A and A or East Coast supercharger kits seemed to make the most sense.

Then there was a video of a C5 Z06 with one of those, losing to a C6 Z06.

Maybe it's best to just leave it stock, certainly saves $$, use that $ to go on road trips, and also it will most likely be more reliable and retain decent mpg.

It still pulls out away from most cars with no trouble, just slightly easing into throttle and run up to 3000 rpm, hit 2nd gear gently and do same, by 3rd gear very little throttle then shift to 4th, look in mirror big gap from other cars. 😀

I only do that once in a while for fun.

1999corvettels1

To the ones with heavy mods, say 450 rwhp or higher, where are you able to let these cars rip?

Are you in big cities or in little towns, how do you not get constant speeding tickets or worse, lose driver's license car impounded?

I think it would be more tempting to just drive the car hard than to putt around all the time.

calguy

My 04 Convertible(automatic) is stock, and fast enough for me.
I nail it when getting on the freeway, and when I look in the rear view mirror, cars that were close to me when I entered the freeway are 3 or 4 hundred yards behind me in a very short time.

Bob.

Vetteman Jack

I have a 2003, A4 with only a Blackwing and Corsa catback as mods. Is it as fast as many of the new cars, no (heck, some four door sedans are quicker). But it still will put you back in the seat and has plenty of performance for me.

Not4spd

"Fast" depends on where you live. If you aren't around other cars that are putting down much power then you will think your Vette is fast. Or if you never attend any other car meets or surround yourself with other vehicles then 99% of the time you have no understanding of what "fast" is. My Z dynod a measly 375ish whp and it's slow as *****. I rode in my buddies stock 392 Hemi Scat Pack Challenger and I'm pretty sure it would be a decent run for my Z. I seriously don't see how anyone with an automatic Corvette with 2.73 gears can ever possibly think their Corvette is "fast". Unless of course they are comparing it to a Prius.

grantv

You're an animal! All the way up to 3000(!), hit 2nd gently... ease off is right after that. Funning with you.
My Z only has headers, intake, tune. I have one really good spot for my daily drive to hammer it (concrete barriers, no housing...), and do so when I can.

calguy

When I mentioned freeway driving, the cars on the freeway are doing about 75 mph, and I leave them in teh dust when getting on the freeway.

Bob.

awches

My 03 Coupe is my back road, chill out cruiser, cruise control set about 60 mph with the radio on, checking out the fields and homes. Does have a Corsa system that was put on by the 1st owner. At my age of 74, the go fast bug and spending money chasing it is pretty much history.

Yello95

A post that makes sense.....

capevettes

I find the C5, in stock form, to be very satisfying. Base cars run 13's and Z's run 12's. That isn't slow. I have a C7 Z06 and a Viper GTS. They are really overkill for the street. I still find the C5 fun to drive. The LS1 and the LS6 are great motors that pull very well.
The only thing I did to mine was install a Bullet exhaust. I did aftermarket intakes on previous C5's I owned and they did nothing.

VettesGoneWild

Mine is stock except for CAI and Corsa exhaust. Always get a thrill at WOT in first. Would I like a supercharger? Of course, but still love driving it as is. We have a mix of country roads and highways around here so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the car as a cruiser as well as a 0-80 shot off the line.

02BlownZ06

I could live with a stock C5 if needed. I actually have a Maggie on mine with Callaway Double D's and a tune. I put 305 30's on the back for a little wider grip. Do I get the chance to really stretch its legs? No. Going up on ramps, passing on the highway and that sort of thing I can romp on it for a bit but it better be warmer temps or she ain't hooking in 1st and 2nd. What is a lot of fun is having a passenger along and doing a 10 mph punch and run it through 4 gears on a deserted road and watch their reaction. It is plenty of power for me and with any more power, traction would become a real problem. I think a stock C5 is still a fine sports car and compares well with many today as it is not 100% about what's under the hood. Name any new sports car made in America or made overseas that sells for less than $100k that looks better than a C5 other than another corvette? I will save you the time, there is none!!!

C5 Kirkland

A C5 with a supercharger and supporting mods losing to a stock C6 Z06? That would be the driver, not the car.

Yello95

" it is not 100% about what's under the hood"

For me its 1% under the hood and 95%THE hood and 4% a few other mods, Titanium Z06 catbacks, C6 Z51 sway bars, Abs of steel insulated tunnel plate, Blackwing air filter, halo led tail lights, license plate led lights, exhaust plate led lights, custom trunk partition and a few other tastefully done mods

momo20

in my case ...supercharger break the motor ,,,rip the motor out then fully forge it and supercharge it again.break your trans then rip it out then build it ...now after 6 years i have a very very solid z06 with gobs of hp then is a very fun car to drive

chillin014

I've got a ~450 whp c5 and I can tell you there is no practical use for the power. But if you're going to make the argument of necessity , needs vs. wants, etc, we might as well all be driving civics. Where I personally start to draw the line is when the added power requires supporting mods that deteriorate driving quality and ease of use. Currently my car has driving mannerisms I consider annoying and I'm hoping a tune will solve. Also my clutch struggles to hold the power under full throttle so I upgraded to a tick Master cylinder which is stiff and at a lower pedal height requiring me to change driving position. Now the seat rocks when engaging the clutch. So I just made a permanent change to my driving comfort for the rare opportunity I can WOT shift through a few gears and the clutch won't hold me back. It's a domino effect and there are trade offs. A lot of guys here will feed you this "smiles per gallon" logic but i bet there are a lot of lower hp sports car enthusiasts driving around with just as many smiles. I know I had a lot of "smiles" in my 2-300hp cars with about half the drama. What doesn't make me smile is trying to convince my wife to ride in the damn thing because it's loud and uncomfortable. But that's okay because I might win a pissing contest should the opportunity ever arise.

dbgoodwin

1999corvettels1

chillin014

msandym

I have an 2002 automatic coupe and it’s fast enough for me . I’ve gone 145 , got a few speeding tickets , done light street race , light to light on Friday cruise nights . Daily driver , and don’t bring it to a track . I agree
with other posts specially nailing it entering parkway !