Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Horn upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 8, 2020 | 08:57 PM
  #1  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default Horn upgrade

So the stock horn in these cars is absolute garbage. I've gone through two sets now - the first I presume to be the originals, and the other a set I got from eBay.

What are people doing to make it useful? I live in Florida, land of old people and inattentive tourists... a working horn is essential.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2020 | 09:20 PM
  #2  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 4,564
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

I've read that the Cadillac 4 note horn is a good mod upgrade

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CADILLAC-DE...IAAOSwhcJWKJk2

Reply
Old Sep 8, 2020 | 09:22 PM
  #3  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

I love those - have a set on my Caprice - but not sure if they will all fit in the little area where the C5 horn sits.

They are amazing.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2020 | 11:28 AM
  #4  
strand rider's Avatar
strand rider
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
Default

ah OOHGA or la cucaracha horns are the only replacement horns for the traditionally thinking man.

I agree, a working horn is a required safety item. I just got the hurt buying a little membrane switch for the horn trigger, I felt the part shockingly overpriced, but beggars can't be choosers, my horn button is intermittent. GM no longer makes the part, so I figured get when when I can, while new reproductions are available.

I don't feel the stock horns problematic, but I also didn't pay them any particular attention, so I replaced mine with OEM units at around 80,000 miles, . My horns just got corroded ,probably from non use and salt air. folks post they can be restored with cleaning. I went OEM, for a fresh start, since it is a safety item and the car was used with multiple owners.



Maybe you got a counterfeit part from Ebay, I have been reading here for years, ever since I got a vette. Yours is the first complaint, but you weren't specific as to what makes them garbage, the tone, or is it function. I don't question ithat you feel the horn unsuitable for your needs, but It is possible you had a defective part, since the only regular complaints about functionality have the horn trigger membranes get old and fail.

Good luck with your horn.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2020 | 11:53 AM
  #5  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 3,322
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

Originally Posted by Stingroo
So the stock horn in these cars is absolute garbage. I've gone through two sets now - the first I presume to be the originals, and the other a set I got from eBay.

What are people doing to make it useful? I live in Florida, land of old people and inattentive tourists... a working horn is essential.
Are you saying that you don't like the sound of the horn, or that your horn has actually failed? I personally find the OEM horn to be loud enough. As long as the other drivers can hear you, it doesn't need to be any louder. Anything more than that is simply obnoxious. If your horn is actually failing, have you identified the specific failure point?
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2020 | 11:58 AM
  #6  
tabbruzz's Avatar
tabbruzz
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Default

The stock horns seem ok to me...Not sure why we have two as it was nothing but a PITA to get my super charger piping past them...I was sooooo tempted to throw them on a shelf....
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2020 | 12:03 PM
  #7  
LilNutSac's Avatar
LilNutSac
Safety Car
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 537
Default

Invest in a nice PA system. 100 watt or better
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2020 | 12:46 PM
  #8  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

Originally Posted by MWWarlord
Are you saying that you don't like the sound of the horn, or that your horn has actually failed? I personally find the OEM horn to be loud enough. As long as the other drivers can hear you, it doesn't need to be any louder. Anything more than that is simply obnoxious. If your horn is actually failing, have you identified the specific failure point?
The stock horn sucks. lol Not sure why the one I bought failed. The original, I suspect 270,000 miles of road use would have been enough for it to fail, so I didn't bother investigating further.


Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 9, 2020 | 12:47 PM
  #9  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

Originally Posted by tabbruzz
The stock horns seem ok to me...Not sure why we have two as it was nothing but a PITA to get my super charger piping past them...I was sooooo tempted to throw them on a shelf....
Harmony, pretty much. They use multiple notes to make a certain tone that people are used to hearing. Most American car horns are in the key of F.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 10:54 AM
  #10  
hotfrank's Avatar
hotfrank
Instructor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 150
Likes: 56
From: Va
Default

I ordered horns from Rockauto so far so good.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 12:50 PM
  #11  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

I pilfered a set of the 4-note Cadillac horns and made them work on the stock bracket. Took some creative placement, but it clears the brake duct and all on that side.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 05:40 PM
  #12  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 4,564
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

Sweet does it sound much louder/stronger?
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 07:47 PM
  #13  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

Significantly. They are great.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 08:22 PM
  #14  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 4,564
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

Can you post up how you wired them? I may get a set too
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 11:57 AM
  #15  
jackthelad's Avatar
jackthelad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Default

You need air horns if you want loud. Years ago I had a set made by Maserati of all people - two short trumpets that gave that classic high note Italian sound. Definitely got people's attention.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Horn upgrade





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:31 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE