C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

bang for the buck

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 01:44 AM
  #1  
Corvette-Dan's Avatar
Corvette-Dan
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default bang for the buck

We can all agree on one thing. Most Vettes are the best bang for the buck in the time they were made. But my question is this. What is the cheapest mod for a C5 that will produce results of increased performance? The most inexpensive mod to gain the most in any performance area. Brakes, economy, 0-60, 1/4, top end, it does not matter. Lets keep it to less than 1000 dollars and the cheaper the better. It does not have to be just one part, or an easy fix, just the best bang for the buck on a tight budget. Thanks!
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 01:58 AM
  #2  
tstar's Avatar
tstar
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

IMO the single cheapest performance upgrade would be a higher ratio differential, in regards to gain per dollars spent.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 02:45 AM
  #3  
SanfordB's Avatar
SanfordB
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: mechanicsville maryland
Default

nitrous...
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 07:09 AM
  #4  
Oldvetter's Avatar
Oldvetter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Default

Cut or drill holes in the air box lid. Especially for 1997-2000, they had very restrictive lids.

Or if you want it to look better (or don't want to modify the stock cover), buy a 2002-2004 ZO6 air filter cover. It is about $60. It will perform and sound better as well as be okay in rain or lifting the hood after washing car.

BTW, I am in favor of using the stock paper air filter. Nothing gives any significant horsepower gains and they filter poorer and can get oil on your MAF sensor,
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 09:42 AM
  #5  
SharpCrease's Avatar
SharpCrease
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
Default

Is the Z06 air box produce as good of numbers as the vararam??? If so thats great because it's alot cheaper.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 10:20 AM
  #6  
FloridaFRC's Avatar
FloridaFRC
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SharpCrease
Is the Z06 air box produce as good of numbers as the vararam??? If so thats great because it's alot cheaper.
no.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 11:35 AM
  #7  
borlavette's Avatar
borlavette
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Dearborn Mi
Default

lg street headers they have them for $895
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:28 PM
  #8  
7thson's Avatar
7thson
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 3
From: West Yarmouth MA.
Default

Gears
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 11:12 PM
  #9  
iced98lx's Avatar
iced98lx
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Default

Just did cam only for $1200- that's not within the $1000 limit, but if you go with a generic grind vs a boutique cam and skip the under drive pulley you're well within it.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2009 | 10:54 AM
  #10  
Redhawg's Avatar
Redhawg
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Marco Island Florida
Default

Originally Posted by 7thson
Gears
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2009 | 01:56 PM
  #11  
stig-zzz's Avatar
stig-zzz
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 12
From: allentown nj
Default

the driver mod=lots of seat time =time not money most people cant get to the full potential of a stock c5 let alone a modded one learn to drive it then mod the hell out of her
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2009 | 11:25 PM
  #12  
Corvette-Dan's Avatar
Corvette-Dan
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default bang for the buck

Thanks for the replies. I have heard about the Z06 air box. I am thinking of doing that only if I can't do the Vararam. Gears I agree with it being the best single thing to increase acceleration. One thing here I liked that is not often mentioned is the "driver mod". In retrospect there is no question that I have a more capable car now then when I first bought it 3 years ago. The mod was simply me, as I am now accustomed to the car and it's abilities.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2009 | 11:48 PM
  #13  
black98c5's Avatar
black98c5
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
Default

GEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2009 | 11:56 PM
  #14  
bencini231's Avatar
bencini231
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Kentucky
Default

A dyno tune would come to mind for this thread,because it will wake the stock motor up.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 11:08 AM
  #15  
Brice's Avatar
Brice
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Paris, France
Default

For an A4, tune !
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 12:08 PM
  #16  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,501
Likes: 1,828
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by black98c5
GEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's my vote!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 02:10 PM
  #17  
GT2BHPPY's Avatar
GT2BHPPY
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 5
From: Olympia WA
Default

I did a dyno tune on my 04 and picked up @ 12 RWHP for $125.00 plus tx. I agree with the Z06 air filter cover and the paper filter, it provides for the 405 ponies on the Z06. Heck, you still have 800 to spend!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 04:29 PM
  #18  
Jacks02's Avatar
Jacks02
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
Default

Competition driver's school!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To bang for the buck





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:53 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE