### FIRST Mod That MATTERS ###
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
### FIRST Mod That MATTERS ###
Guys, I've had my C5 for about 4 months. I loved the car as it was, but being on this forum for last 4-5 months, I see you how you guys influence an average person's thought process and make him wanna turn his car into another thing.... Initially, I figured the car's powerful enough, so I'll go ahead and add some comsmetic work to it. Make her a lil pretty. (Its a Black/Black coupe). Since then, I've added Red/Black steering wheel skin, Red/Blk console cushion, Red door handles, a Red leather strip in the console, and added some interior decals.
I think it looks good nuff for now.... So, now I wanna make more power. Its a 99, A4, 2.73. Considering that, what's the first mod you'd suggest... My budget is around $1500 or so for now, will add more later on as time goes by.... I'd like absolute crutial mod thats needed for HP gains, and better pick up. (Maybe a dyno tune... but I thought I'll do that after some mods)...(Maybe intake, exhaust, gears&TC, or what... Not even sure which brand to go with). I dont want anything outrageous...
Thanks for your advice....
I think it looks good nuff for now.... So, now I wanna make more power. Its a 99, A4, 2.73. Considering that, what's the first mod you'd suggest... My budget is around $1500 or so for now, will add more later on as time goes by.... I'd like absolute crutial mod thats needed for HP gains, and better pick up. (Maybe a dyno tune... but I thought I'll do that after some mods)...(Maybe intake, exhaust, gears&TC, or what... Not even sure which brand to go with). I dont want anything outrageous...
Thanks for your advice....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
Guys, I've had my C5 for about 4 months. I loved the car as it was, but being on this forum for last 4-5 months, I see you how you guys influence an average person's thought process and make him wanna turn his car into another thing.... Initially, I figured the car's powerful enough, so I'll go ahead and add some comsmetic work to it. Make her a lil pretty. (Its a Black/Black coupe). Since then, I've added Red/Black steering wheel skin, Red/Blk console cushion, Red door handles, a Red leather strip in the console, and added some interior decals.
I think it looks good nuff for now.... So, now I wanna make more power. Its a 99, A4, 2.73. Considering that, what's the first mod you'd suggest... My budget is around $1500 or so for now, will add more later on as time goes by.... I'd like absolute crutial mod thats needed for HP gains, and better pick up. (Maybe a dyno tune... but I thought I'll do that after some mods)...(Maybe intake, exhaust, gears&TC, or what... Not even sure which brand to go with). I dont want anything outrageous...
Thanks for your advice....
I think it looks good nuff for now.... So, now I wanna make more power. Its a 99, A4, 2.73. Considering that, what's the first mod you'd suggest... My budget is around $1500 or so for now, will add more later on as time goes by.... I'd like absolute crutial mod thats needed for HP gains, and better pick up. (Maybe a dyno tune... but I thought I'll do that after some mods)...(Maybe intake, exhaust, gears&TC, or what... Not even sure which brand to go with). I dont want anything outrageous...
Thanks for your advice....
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
I would guess everyone is going to say gears but I would do the exhaust as it makes the car sound fantastic. My choice after having stock, corsa, borla and GHL's on the car is GHL 
Enjoy
Pete
Enjoy
Pete
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 1
From: cAshburn VA
Since you really want something to enable further add-ons, I would go with a vararam intake, catback exhaust (Used Z06 is fine, ghl's or corsa otherwise) and a good tune by a pro. That all should fit within your budget, and really wake the car up and make is sound nice. Making it breath better is essential for future mods.
Gears are nice too, but you might as well wait until after you do this and replace those EMTs with something else.
Z06 Ti exhaust, used: $400ish
or
Corsa or GHLs, used $500ish, new 750ish
Vararam, VR-2B, new: $350
Dyno-Tune = $300
If you do the exhaust and intake yourself, you might have $500 left over. With that:
If you have FE1 suspension (cushy), get 04 Z06 shocks and anti-sway bars. Also very easily done yourself.
If not, get an LS6 intake manifold, again, easily DIY.
If you are in DC-Metro, let me know, I'll give you a hand.
You could also keep that $500ish dollars around and wait to catch a MN6 owner dumping his 3.42s for something taller. (like I just did) Usually for around 400-500 for a used diff.
Not an expert, just my $.02... Good Luck!
Gears are nice too, but you might as well wait until after you do this and replace those EMTs with something else.
Z06 Ti exhaust, used: $400ish
or
Corsa or GHLs, used $500ish, new 750ish
Vararam, VR-2B, new: $350
Dyno-Tune = $300
If you do the exhaust and intake yourself, you might have $500 left over. With that:
If you have FE1 suspension (cushy), get 04 Z06 shocks and anti-sway bars. Also very easily done yourself.
If not, get an LS6 intake manifold, again, easily DIY.
If you are in DC-Metro, let me know, I'll give you a hand.
You could also keep that $500ish dollars around and wait to catch a MN6 owner dumping his 3.42s for something taller. (like I just did) Usually for around 400-500 for a used diff.
Not an expert, just my $.02... Good Luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
If you really want your car to perform like a Corvette.
Do a high stall T/C like the Yank SS3200 and 3.42 gears. Your car will perform like you added 75 RWHP.
Do a high stall T/C like the Yank SS3200 and 3.42 gears. Your car will perform like you added 75 RWHP.
Last edited by Mitch C; Jun 14, 2005 at 04:47 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
Originally Posted by Mitch C
If you really want your car to perform like a Corvette.
Do a high stall T/C like the Yank SS3200 and 3.42 gears. Your car will perform like you added 75 RWHP.
Do a high stall T/C like the Yank SS3200 and 3.42 gears. Your car will perform like you added 75 RWHP.
Agreed. A cold air kit and freer flowing exhaust is a must too.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
Likes: 6
From: Providence RI
Originally Posted by pdykinga
I would guess everyone is going to say gears but I would do the exhaust as it makes the car sound fantastic. My choice after having stock, corsa, borla and GHL's on the car is GHL
Enjoy
Pete
Enjoy
Pete
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,961
Likes: 2
From: Vette-hid.com Lost in DFW texas
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by Korreck
2:73's gotta go. First mod go to a 3:42. Been there done that.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Note that you will have to have it tuned after the gears and converter so you should make up your mind if you want to do a cam and save the cost of tuning twice instead of once.
Vararam
3:42 along with your choice of converter= save on installation cost
your choice of exhaust
Tune or cam and then tune.
Mike V
Vararam
3:42 along with your choice of converter= save on installation cost
your choice of exhaust
Tune or cam and then tune.
Mike V
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 1
From: Living the Taxation Dream Indiana
My vote is for gears AND a converter. Do them both at the same time to save labor costs. This will knock apprx 1/2 second off your 1/4 mile times (depending on TC selection and traction) and will be your best overall mod for the dollar with the exception of N20. You will need to have your shift points reprogrammed going from 2.73 to 3.42 gears.
As far as intakes/exhaust go, I like the Halltech Stinger intake a lot, but will admit the Vararam I had made more power As far as exhaust, it will not net you any real power gains at this point, it will only make your car sound better and your wallet lighter.
Also, if you go the intake/exhaust route, there is no need for a dyno tune. Do not spend the $350-500 on a tune until you go with headers or something more. You will not see that significant of gains for the money spent.
Good luck with your choices
As far as intakes/exhaust go, I like the Halltech Stinger intake a lot, but will admit the Vararam I had made more power
As far as exhaust, it will not net you any real power gains at this point, it will only make your car sound better and your wallet lighter.Also, if you go the intake/exhaust route, there is no need for a dyno tune. Do not spend the $350-500 on a tune until you go with headers or something more. You will not see that significant of gains for the money spent.
Good luck with your choices
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 0
From: Raceland Louisiana
Everyone's stating the obvious.. intake, exhaust, gears, and stall.
But let me tell you this. you will not just mod a little.. you may think so, but i promise you it wont be that way.
So just bite the bullet now and DO IT BIG.
Get H/C, full exhaust, stall, gears, intake, exhaust, tune.
Get it done now and get it done right. You will save time and money in the long run..
my .02 anyway..
But let me tell you this. you will not just mod a little.. you may think so, but i promise you it wont be that way.
So just bite the bullet now and DO IT BIG.
Get H/C, full exhaust, stall, gears, intake, exhaust, tune.
Get it done now and get it done right. You will save time and money in the long run..
my .02 anyway..