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:

performance upgrades

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:46 PM
  #1  
Mr. Mojo Risin's Avatar
Mr. Mojo Risin
Thread Starter
Navigator
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pryor OK
Default performance upgrades

I have an '03 stock Vette. I have added a Borla Exhaust. What other performance upgrades can I do other than nitrous or superchargers that are well worth the money such as programmers, air intakes, ect.? What brands?
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 12:41 AM
  #2  
harry_ss's Avatar
harry_ss
Advanced
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Default

cam, intake manifold, body throttle, headers, etc,etc..
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 08:28 AM
  #3  
nickolbag's Avatar
nickolbag
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
Default

Good intake such as Vararam or something similar and a set of headers. Then go from there.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 09:04 AM
  #4  
GETOPLES's Avatar
GETOPLES
Pro
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Vararam for your cold air intake. LG long tube headers with high flow cats. Then a proper tune. Should pick up 30 HP to the wheel. Money well spent. HP and sounds great!
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 09:22 AM
  #5  
Warped Sol's Avatar
Warped Sol
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
Default

I've really hammered several Vette shops around here. Most will try to sell you everything in the catalogue. If you really hammer them for honest answers............. the casual mod'er is good to go with an intake, cam, and headers. Other mods are usually insignificant in impact and just drain your wallet.

Hyper mod'ers getting into the additional mods will get incremental (sp) increases in power (staying NA). You won't see much with the throttle body improvement NA.

In my humble opinion, boost requires a comprehensive improvement overall. Go nutz. Get out your check book.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 07:51 PM
  #6  
road pilot's Avatar
road pilot
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 1,515
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

It is simple more air in and more air out. It's up to you to
figure out how to make this happen.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 09:05 PM
  #7  
Nitro Dave's Avatar
Nitro Dave
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
Default

Nitrous is deffitly the bigest bang for the buck. You will not find another performance mod that can add 150hp or more for the same amount of money. It also does not alter the daily drive ability or fuel milage.

If your looking for Dollar VS power thats the way to go.

But most common bolt on mods are all the same. Cold air, headers, exhaust, gears,
Then cam and heads. Keep in mind as you increase HP you increase the need for fuel so at some point you will need to upgrade the fuel system.
Dave
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 10:00 PM
  #8  
Thickraybans's Avatar
Thickraybans
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Wayne In
Default

I built the car in my sig. hotrodder style, scrounging for parts,buying every component possible used & doing all the work myself ,except the tune.For about the same money, and much less labor. I could have bought a new supercharger kit,and had the same level of performance,in a much more flexible end package.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 01:19 PM
  #9  
ovrpar6's Avatar
ovrpar6
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Wauconda IL
Default

Originally Posted by SANDEE
Except for N2O2 and Supercharging the rest of the add-on crap is useless.

Just get a 160* t-stat, everybody noes dey make more powers... 111!!!111
Just ask'in BUT how in the Hell can just adding a 160˚ t-stat add power?!!!!
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 03:11 PM
  #10  
The Wrench's Avatar
The Wrench
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 31
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default

He's just messin with you.
However, it is a fact that when the LS1 water temp rises above 200, the computer begins to retard the ignition timing, which does have a detrimental effect on max performance. Most guys on here agree that
180-200 is the optimum coolant temp, which can only reliably be attained by a cooler thermostat and retuning the computer to turn the coolant fans on at a lower temp (126 degrees is the stock coolant fan turn-on setting).

DG
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To performance upgrades





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:36 AM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE