C5 Beginner Mods...whats the list
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 33
From: Milwaukee WI
So many guys spend so much money on this stuff and I really have to wonder what it actually does for you. Do you really notice a 5hp increase? My car is mostly stock and I intend to leave it that way. It's more than most drivers can take at the limit anyway.
My advice is to spend the little bucks on stuff that actually might do something for you:
CAGS eliminator if you haven't already because that's just annoying.
Skid plate stiffeners so you don't trash your car going up a driveway.
Battery mat to keep acid from leaking down and frying your vacuum lines and/or computer.
Car cover to keep the crap off your paint.
Synthetic fluid changes often to keep the car alive and well.
Just Dashes vinyl protectant for the dash and plastic, Lexol for the seats.
Etc.!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls IA
Oiling the Air Filter
I have a Hurricane Air filter and cleaned it for the 1st time. The manufacter said to oil every third rib. I have let it set on rags overnight and there still seems to be alot of oil on the filter. Is this normal? Should I do something else before installing it again? Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
My advice is to spend the little bucks on stuff that actually might do something for you:
CAGS eliminator if you haven't already because that's just annoying.
Skid plate stiffeners so you don't trash your car going up a driveway.
Battery mat to keep acid from leaking down and frying your vacuum lines and/or computer.
Car cover to keep the crap off your paint.
Synthetic fluid changes often to keep the car alive and well.
Just Dashes vinyl protectant for the dash and plastic, Lexol for the seats.
Etc.!
CAGS eliminator if you haven't already because that's just annoying.
Skid plate stiffeners so you don't trash your car going up a driveway.
Battery mat to keep acid from leaking down and frying your vacuum lines and/or computer.
Car cover to keep the crap off your paint.
Synthetic fluid changes often to keep the car alive and well.
Just Dashes vinyl protectant for the dash and plastic, Lexol for the seats.
Etc.!
Lexol for the seats, best mod money can buy. Some people care more about going fast down or around a track than keeping their seats looking pretty. If that is what they want and enjoy then it does do something for them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Here's my list for you:
- CAGS elminator (or a resistor from radio shack for a DIY)
- short shifter and **** (or you can shorten it yourself with the tap and die method)
- non run-flat tires
- headers / tune
- gears
- CAGS elminator (or a resistor from radio shack for a DIY)
- short shifter and **** (or you can shorten it yourself with the tap and die method)
- non run-flat tires
- headers / tune
- gears
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON CAGS ELIMINATOR.
If you are wanting to do engine mods and you do them,Eventually you will need a tune they can the CAGS off while doing tune. Why buy a temporary mod?
If you are wanting to do engine mods and you do them,Eventually you will need a tune they can the CAGS off while doing tune. Why buy a temporary mod?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
I have a CAGS eliminator sitting in my toolbox that I would sell for $20 shipped anywhere in the US, and it's not wasted money when you can turn it around and sell again once you finally get around to tuning...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Bragg, NC
...WOW... please
A high flowing catback is great performance mod... yes it adjust the pitch and tone of the sound but thats not what were talking about here
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
Do a little research. For the money catback exhaust is not a good performance mod. Yes it will give you a little power but I would not consider it a great performance mod.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
well, if the 2-5HP you get from a $500+ cat-back is a worth while perf mod than you might as well spend thousands on bypass hoses, gutted MAF's, ported throttle bodies, and every other negligible gain mod that you can think of...
Personally I like good mods like:
LT headers, high-flow cats, and x-pipe combo's
Good air intakes
cams
forced induction
etc, etc, etc
Personally I like good mods like:
LT headers, high-flow cats, and x-pipe combo's
Good air intakes
cams
forced induction
etc, etc, etc
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
I would definetly go with LT's next. As Will82 said earlier in the post, you have to ask yourself what you want out of the car. If you're anything like us, you will not stop with just the LT's so I'd wait to get a tune when the heavier mods come in such as H/C or FI. 
Elvir
Elvir
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32,269
Likes: 35
From: Somewhere between mild insanity and complete psychosis
But don't take my word for it. I see you have a stock '99 FRC according to your profile. Go drop $800-$1000 on a cat-back and report back to us with some mid-12 sec. 1/4 mile times.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32,269
Likes: 35
From: Somewhere between mild insanity and complete psychosis
Cold air is definitely good, and can be had for the cost of a $40 k&n filter and some black zip ties.
Credit for this goes to forum member dndrsn (david):
http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824787
Credit for this goes to forum member dndrsn (david):
http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824787
Last edited by _Will_; Dec 3, 2007 at 11:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
A resistor from radio shack ($1 at the most), some electrical tape, and 15 minutes he can enjoy unrestricted shifting until he gets the headers and tune. Judging from his OP, it didn't seem like he was going the header route any time soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Good for noise factor but not performance. It will lighten the car a few pounds and it will sound like you got a huge power increase but you will notice no difference without heads, headers intake and manifold. As for changing the TB, that is also not a big power increaser. The bypass mod can be helpfull for coolent temp and it is an easy install. If you do it incorrectly, you can't blame the mod, your just a dope. It's easier than hell to do right. I lived in SoCal when I did mine so cold starts were not a concern. I along with many other folks have a ton of mods and still use the stock TB.
For a good price, changing your shifter will change the fun factor of driving your car instantly and it's cheap and easy to do yourself.
If money is an issue, or your an intelligent shopper, shop the internet and this forrum for used parts and find a good set if LT's and x-pipe. Many guys sell them when they make changes, sell or wreck their cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Bragg, NC
