Turning 30 this month and planning on buying myself a vette for a birthday present. EXTRA EXCITED! :D

I've been lurking around the forum reading different post, trying to come up with an upgrade order for my new ride. I was wondering what is the general concensus on order and best bang for the buck?

I'm thinking:

Full exhaust system (headers, x-pipes, hi-flow cats, cat back, what brands I don't know yet)
Underdrive Pulleys
Autotap (for tuning)
TNT 150 shot with safety electronics

Am I missing something that should happen before the NO2? Or is this a pretty good start?
Any help appreciated. BTW, Great Forum!:cool:

THANX!

Oh, I also forgot to ask, what is the general concensus on how much HP can the stock internals hold before BLAM! I've never seen this addressed, but I probably haven't been reading long enough either. :D

 

My very first mod to any C5 would be to add an air filter kit, either cold air or open element. This is by far the cheapest best bang for the buck followed by nitrous if your willing to take the risk. The cat back exhaust will primarily be for sound but the headers will pick you up nicely. I would do mods in the following order:

Cold Air
Headers
Nitrous
Cat Back
Underdrive pulley.

I don't think the Hi-Flow cats will net you much for your outlay. I also would pass on the X-pipe unless you want it for sound.

Good luck and happy birthday

 

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll find all the advice and help you'll need regarding mods for your C5 here.

I would start off purchasing the autotap followed closely with an intake system (Vortex, Halltech, etc...). If you are getting a new vette (2001-2), I would leave the headers, x-pipes, hi-flow cata, cat back, and underdrive pulleys alone and go straight for the nitrous. You'll save a small fortune, and since you plan on running 150 shot, you will have more than enough power than you'll know what to do with.

If you still aren't satisified with the hp and torque, go with the headers and such. Just be ready to drop another $1k for a clutch.

My mod list went as follows for my 2001 vert:
-Halltech tric mag intake
-CGAGS bypass
-TB bypass
-Hood sealer
-Halltech Magic Box
-Autotap
-NX Express Nitrous (going to install in a couple of weeks or less!!!)

Hope this helps... :cheers:

 

I would second the posts above; buy it, enjoy it, break it in properly, and then start mods with a new air filter/intake set-up.

 

As others have said a Cold Air Intake should be the first mod... Vortex, Proflow, Donaldson w/cover, or Hallteck.

 

New C5 owner.....what is autotap??

Thanks....sorry you guys got to educate this ol' C4 guy :smash:

 

Autotap is a computer software package that runs on a laptop computer. You plug into your car's diagnostic port under the steering wheel, and autotap will read out all of the parameters the PCM monitors. You can use it to see the effects of any modifications on your fuel trims, emissions, timing, spark advance, etc... Very valuable for fine tuning your mods.




[Modified by Paul R, 1:46 PM 8/9/2001]

 

Don't forget to get a CAGS immediately - if you are getting a 6 speed!

I would second the fresh-air intake idea too - it's worth every cent! :yesnod:

 

Welcome! You are going to love your car. See my mods and know that I'm sure without calculating it that I have spent over $5K. I wish I would have done the enigne stuff...heads/cam 1st. They look fine, need more power. My $0.02 worth.

 

I'm a newbie myself (see my signature below) but I can give you one definite tip. Check out the "parts for sale" section of this forum before you go buying anything anywhere else. I've already ordered Corsa tips, a Twin Flow intake, and lowering bolts from members here and have saved quite a few bucks already (Thanks guys, you know who you are).

I absolutely CANNOT wait to bolt that Twin Flow and the cold air screens (screens ordered from West Coast Corvette) on my C5. There are a whole bunch of different opinions floating around this place, but one that most everyone seems to agree on is that a free flow filter system yields the most OPD (That's "Oomph Per Dollar"! :D)

Congratulations and Happy Birthday. I bought a Harley for my 30th! Seems like a million years ago! :D

 

These aren't exactly "mods"...but here's what I did.

Get all your oil, filters, car cover, Zaino products and magnetic drain plug taken care of first.

There are a lot of Zaino Dealers on the forum.

Whoever sells you the Zaino should also give you a 10 step process for applying it the first time.

The Z1 Z2 applications are VERY important. Once I put about 4 coats of Z2 on...You'll feel like you just died and went to Heaven :D

You can get 5w30 Mobil One pretty cheap at Wal-Mart. When you get the car, don't be afraid to drive it hard, but don't do any WOT driving for at least 500 miles.

One of the drawbacks of the C5 is that it burns oil...but only under extreme racing conditions:D

I can drive my car very tamely for 3000 miles and not burn a drop but in the last 1000 miles I've made about 10 passes at the track and I used up a half quart.

She's loves it though

I got my Car Cover, Magnetic Drain Plug and AC delco Ultrguard Oil Filters through Ken's Chevy Dealership. He does the newsletter section.


Drive the car Bone stock for 5-800 miles and do an oil change with the parts I just mentioned.

Only at that point would I begin the Mod process.

Believe me, these cars are very fast right outta the box :D

Good Luck and God Bless!

David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake
fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties




[Modified by ledfoot, 6:15 AM 8/10/2001]

 

If I was to start over this would be the order of my mods:

Cold Air Intake (Vortex most likely)
Exhaust System (Corsa Indy or B&B PRT)
YANK Torque Converter (If I bought an A4)
Powerloader PCM Programmer (If I bought an A4)
Long Tube Headers
Nitrous System with all safety and Convenience Items
Heads/Cam Package (Including Underdrive Pulley and Ported Throttlebody)

 

Drop Top Dave is exactly right. You can save alot by picking up used parts in the parts section, esp. on items like cold air filters.

 

If youvare getting an automatic, I would definitely recommend doing a super yank 3500 and 3.42 gears. You'll notice a hell of a lot of difference! Nitrous is also great. I'm poor, so I try to get the best bang for the buck. The for sale section is great, but you have to be quick.

 

Wow! Thanks for all the good information guys (and gals, don't want to offend anyone :D )

I was considering a filter and such for my first mod but I was told that it was questionable as to if you would see any gain from it. (also checked out http://www.ls1performance.com/corvette.htm the horsepower wizard )
which is why I was considering skipping it. But, maybe a rethink is in order.

Also, what about fuel/timing chips or computers? Are there any decent ones for the C5's?

I'm also still looking for an answer on how much horsepower the stock internals can take....I'm really not trying to blow this thing up or drive it on the edge with the 150 shot of NO2.

THANKS!


[Modified by URNDWAY, 3:35 PM 8/10/2001]


[Modified by URNDWAY, 3:36 PM 8/10/2001]

 

My .02

You can safely modify your car to 450hp and have not mess with the fuel, brake or suspension systems. Anything above that, would start to unbalance the car in my opinion.

I seriously recommend driving the car in it's stock formation first for a while. You're not going to believe how strong these cars are. With all my mods , my car has about 35 hp increase over stock and let me tell you, it is POWERFUL.

The only place to put all this power to use is the track. Period. WOT driving on the street can get you into some serious trouble, REAL quick.

Poeple have lost their lives driving like fools on the street, and that ain't no joke :(

I know you're excited about getting the Vette, as you should be, but you gotta respect the horsepower that comes out of the box. A 3200lb/350hp car is VERY fast. I strongly receommend getting use to it before you start modifying.

Good Luck

 

Thanks for the info and the concern, but this won't be my first high HP car...just my first Vette. Since I was a kid I aways wanted a Vette because I thought they were beautiful and carry a certain aura (sp), so for me that's where the excitement comes from, not just owning a car that's fast. In fact my GSX is faster than any stock Vette I buy. Before it was spend some cash in aftermarket stuff, hope my car doesn't break at track ...then go fast. This time its go fast, spend some more cash go faster, turn the air on and drive home without a worry. That's the bonus I like :D