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Often people are looking for what is the best way to get X performance on X budget but that is not the point here. I don’t care if you did a mod that made the car slower as long as it made your experience better. What are the mods you made just for user experience (I will say we can eliminate shifters from this as that subject has been beaten to a bloody pulp) .
I recently did a bit more extensive stereo than I ever have before and I used a lot of foam sound dampening material and dynomat and the difference is significant. Aside from the doors which I covered pretty well, I used a good bit under the carpet under the console on the tunnel and behind the seats as well as in the trunk. Behind the seats was a very big difference as was the trunk. I will definitely pull the seats and carpet out of the next car, it's not much more work but I'd bet the results are worth it.
For cheap, black visor decal with Z06 logo to cover the air bag warning. Short seat belt extenders that make buckling a lot easier.
Installed dead pedal and gas pedal to match existing pedals.
SharpLightInnovations ACA headlights, a good short shifter like TMOD or MGW, an exhaust you like the sound of (I have a corsa sport, perfect mix of civilized and rowdy imo)
When I bought my new to me 2003 in May, first couple things I did: exhaust, CarPlay radio, Callaway shifter, and LEDs all around. And of course, I changed all the fluids for good maintenance.
I think that I do want to invest in some better seats at some point. One thing I notice is I feel like I am flopping around in the turns. And this goes without saying but I am a firm believer that the biggest upgrade you can make is the best tires you can get.
I modernized and improved most of the components of my interior. My justification is that I use the interior every time I drive the car no matter how fast or slow I'm driving and since I'm the original owner, I've enjoyed the improved creature comforts for over 10 year so I've enjoyed a nice return on my investment. I also upgraded with various performance mods plus upgraded all exterior bulbs to LED/HID.
The stock C5 seats don't get a lot of love, but they can be rebuilt with better than OEM seat foam, support, and real (full) leather cover. I personally like the style of the C5 Sport Seats and wanted to maintain them, knowing there are better aftermarket seats that provide better lateral support especially if you track the car.
The biggest WOW moment for me was when I went from my factory wheels with run flats to the Z06 wheels/non run flat tires. During that transition I also had Bilstein's put on, but I could REALLY tell the difference.
I modernized and improved most of the components of my interior. My justification is that I use the interior every time I drive the car no matter how fast or slow I'm driving and since I'm the original owner, I've enjoyed the improved creature comforts for over 10 year so I've enjoyed a nice return on my investment. I also upgraded with various performance mods plus upgraded all exterior bulbs to LED/HID.
The stock C5 seats don't get a lot of love, but they can be rebuilt with better than OEM seat foam, support, and real (full) leather cover. I personally like the style of the C5 Sport Seats and wanted to maintain them, knowing there are better aftermarket seats that provide better lateral support especially if you track the car.
I love what you've done with the gauges! What trim ring kit did you use, and would you recommend it?
I love what you've done with the gauges! What trim ring kit did you use, and would you recommend it?
They are aluminum gauge rings. One of the first mods I ever performed way back in 2005. Bought them from West Coast Corvettes (WCC) and they are still in place so I recommend them. Note that the aluminum rings have a cool purplish glow at night when the gauges light up but the cheaper plastic rings that are available do not have a similar reflective glow.
Originally Posted by trloh
MSG, did you change the parts of a mod red interior or add? I see you have black speaker covers (I like the look) and no red knee panels.
I have mod red in my car and it is fine but I wish to tone it down a bit.
Thanks.
My stock interior was jet black. I originally upgraded with custom gray/black leather components from Vette Essentials back in 2012 but then over the last two years, moved into a more mod red interior with custom leather from Top Flight, Apsis, and Redline. The doors panels were redone with leather by a local auto upholster so I kept the black speaker grills to match up with the black lower dashboard and carpet.
Full floor foil faced foam insulation (crazy Cowboy kit) with additional sound deadening mat on select flat surfaces, such as under and behind the seats.
New seat leather and foam -- though I went cheap on the skins, and very much regret that.
Kenwood double din stereo in a Vettenutts bezel -- which is better, but could still be improved.
Just got the last bulbs changed to all LED outside.
It started at the turn signals that were melted by the DRL. Then just kept going and I just finished with the head lamps.
I would love to to do red and black seats but I want the reverse. Black centers and red bolsters. I had that in my SS and I see them in the C8. Just too much red the stock way.
Got the wheels and tires on. If I keep the car might do heads and Cam. I have had 3 superchargers but I want more of a decent cam sound to go with the car like my old Chevelle had.
Kind of a mod for me, my 2000 FRC with 270k miles transmission 2nd gear went out so I replaced with a 2002 z06 transmission and i love the gearing differences.
The following will significantly contribute to a smoother, quieter, cooler, and comfortable driving experience. The Corvette shop that has worked on my car said it has the best ride of any C5 they’ve driven.
Extensive sound deadening also eliminates interior noise resonance, rattles, etc.
1. High quality non run flats. Michelin or Continentals
2. Nicely toned but not obnoxious exhaust
3. Full interior 3 layer sound deadening/insulation
4. Tunnel insulation kit
5. Re-foam driver seat cushion with jute pad over wires
User experience mods
