Corvette Modifications Primer : A few things to consider if you wish to modify your Corvette for High Performance


So you want to modify your C6 or C5 Corvette for high performance. Here are some things that you should consider first.

What is your driving style? Are you a drag racer? Autocross? Road racer? Weekend warrior? Show car? Stoplight to stoplight? Or simply highway fun? Or a combination of all or some of these choices?

How you drive and enjoy your Corvette will directly determine what modification you should make to your Corvette.

Nothing is free. Every modification you make to your stock Corvette will involve some kind of compromise. You are not going to make 800 rear wheel horsepower and get 30 miles per gallon with a whisper quiet exhaust as well as drive and idle like stock. That is not going to happen.

The trick is to be totally honest with yourself and decide what compromises you can live with and which ones you cannot. For example, if you want to achieve 500rwhp naturally aspirated, expect a big cam with a loping idle. Expect to lose some fuel efficiency. Expect your Corvette to not drive like stock. Expect to void (at least in part) your GMPP warranty.

You can start with simple bolt-ons like an aftermarket air filter, long tube headers and cat-back exhaust system. The next logical step is a camshaft only upgrade or heads and camshaft. Along with the bolt-ons, you can be comfortably at the 425-450rwhp range, all naturally aspirated. Or you could bypass the bolt-ons and simply have a supercharger or twin turbocharger system installed. An alternative to bolt-on might be rear gears (along with a stall converter for the automatics). Gears can also compliment your other modifications.

It all depends on what you wish to achieve.

As you increase the stock Corvette from it's 300-340rwhp (C5-C6) or 435rwhp (C6 Z06) to circa 550rwhp on the stock bottom end, expect to have to upgrade other aspects of your drivetrain, cooling and suspension. Remember, nothing is free.

Beyond 550rwhp, we strongly recommend a forged engine as you will be on borrowed time. At this point, your clutch/stall converter will have to be upgraded along with torque tube connectors, transmission and differential. Cooling must be addressed as well as the always overlooked and often forgotten bulletproof fuel system. At this point, methanol injection for boosted applications is almost mandatory. Suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres should also be seriously addressed, along with additional safety systems like a 6 point or better rollcage and so on. A Corvette that is very fast is no fun if it also does not handle and stop.

High performance is not a cheap hobby and it is best to be very aware of this fact going in so you do not encounter any surprises.

But no matter what your budget, we can tailor a system to suit your current and future needs. So please drop us a line or give us a call to discuss your Generation 5 & 6 Corvette high performance needs.

Phone: 281 464 2800
Email: sales@englandgreen.com
AIM: englandgreeninc

Stephen

 

Very good advice! We all need to be reminded of facts. Thanks!

 

ttt

 

Very good advice!!

Before you go modifying your vette it really pays to think about how you plan to use the car and where you want to go long-term. If you don't, it easy to waste a lot of time and money. At least that has been my experience.

I think it would be useful to create a sticky on this subject. Could save a lot of people a whole lot of grief.

 

ttt

 

 

This write up contains some very useful information that I encourage everyone to read not just the individuals who are just beginning to modify their cars. Stephen posted this write up to encourage folks to do their homework and find out exactly what they want before they start spending money. I cannot speak for all tuners out there but I know that it can be a big disappointment when you do a job for someone and once it is finished they become displeased for whatever reason. So please take the information above and use it to your benefit and don't be afraid to ask the questions you need answers to. As always we are here to answer those questions so please don't hesitate to give us a call.

 

 

ttt

 

ttt

 

 

ttt

 

I drive my car for fun. I drive normal except for canyon carving and the occasional double line pass. I do not race rice. I need to hear her as that enhances the Corvette experience. You can see my mods (or lack there of) below. I'm thinking hi-flow cat for a little more volume and some sort of intake to help her breath. Will this adversly affect my mpg with my style driving. Gas is almost $4/gal so something to consider for a DD. I work at home so don't commute. Suggestions?

TIA

 

Please don't waste your money on either high flow cats or an x-pipe on an otherwise stock exhaust system. Both will see zero gains. Wait until you do headers, which come with both high flow cats and an x-pipe.

You might want to think about one of the best bangs for your buck - a Blackwing intake, a Halltech Stinger intake or a Vararam.

Your gas mileage should remain close to the same and you engine will wake up a bit when you put your foot in it.

 

I have GHL Magnum plus mufflers so exhaust is not stock but could be a little louder. I am looking for an intake, maybe used.

Can filter oil contaminate the air flo sensor?

TIA

 

With all due respect, catback mufflers gain no more than 3 or 4 horsepower, so they are effectively the same as stock.

I meant from your engine to your catbacks are stock - so don't add anything except a complete header system that replaces it all the way to your catbacks.

Re: filter oil. follow the manufacturers installation instructions and you will be fine. Do not over oil.

 

ttt

 

Thanks Stephen. Very good info for us mod addicts.

 

Excellent post EG! Thank you.

I have an 03 Coupe with most of the bolt-ons you mentioned. I have the VaraRam B2, AR LT headers, 3:42 gears w/Yank 2800 stall, Corsa Touring catback. I am going to add heads and cam next year. I still want to retain good driveability (it's a DD. ). I am hoping to see something well into 400rwhp but, obviously staying south of 500rwhp. With these mods, which end of that range do you think I will end up being closer to?

TIA

Randy

 

430-450rwhp is attainable with heads/cam in an auto without going to a FAST intake etc. Driveability and streeability, these days, is all in the tune.