Mods. More trouble than Benefits?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Mods. More trouble than Benefits?
So I am used to modding my cars, had an Rx7 and Supra. Both cars were modded, tuned, raced and never gave any type of trouble. My corvette is my first American sports car. So far i have replaced
- Column lock bypass
- 02 sensors
- Master clutch slave cylinder
-EBCM may need fixing also.
This car has only 16,000 miles. WIth only minor bolt-ons (Headers, intake, catback and diablo) . I would like to continue modding with cams, intake, NOS or Supercharger, but frankly am a bit scared. If this car which is almost stock, and a few problems have aroused, I could imagine what new problems i can add my modding.
I known that when a car is modified, durability and reliabity suffers. But I dont want a 9 second race car. Aim is 400-450 whp. As reliable and safe as possible. WHich mods have you regret? Shouldi just leave as it is?
- Column lock bypass
- 02 sensors
- Master clutch slave cylinder
-EBCM may need fixing also.
This car has only 16,000 miles. WIth only minor bolt-ons (Headers, intake, catback and diablo) . I would like to continue modding with cams, intake, NOS or Supercharger, but frankly am a bit scared. If this car which is almost stock, and a few problems have aroused, I could imagine what new problems i can add my modding.
I known that when a car is modified, durability and reliabity suffers. But I dont want a 9 second race car. Aim is 400-450 whp. As reliable and safe as possible. WHich mods have you regret? Shouldi just leave as it is?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,475
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
So I am used to modding my cars, had an Rx7 and Supra. Both cars were modded, tuned, raced and never gave any type of trouble. My corvette is my first American sports car. So far i have replaced
- Column lock bypass
- 02 sensors
- Master clutch slave cylinder
-EBCM may need fixing also.
This car has only 16,000 miles. WIth only minor bolt-ons (Headers, intake, catback and diablo) . I would like to continue modding with cams, intake, NOS or Supercharger, but frankly am a bit scared. If this car which is almost stock, and a few problems have aroused, I could imagine what new problems i can add my modding.
I known that when a car is modified, durability and reliabity suffers. But I dont want a 9 second race car. Aim is 400-450 whp. As reliable and safe as possible. WHich mods have you regret? Shouldi just leave as it is?
- Column lock bypass
- 02 sensors
- Master clutch slave cylinder
-EBCM may need fixing also.
This car has only 16,000 miles. WIth only minor bolt-ons (Headers, intake, catback and diablo) . I would like to continue modding with cams, intake, NOS or Supercharger, but frankly am a bit scared. If this car which is almost stock, and a few problems have aroused, I could imagine what new problems i can add my modding.
I known that when a car is modified, durability and reliabity suffers. But I dont want a 9 second race car. Aim is 400-450 whp. As reliable and safe as possible. WHich mods have you regret? Shouldi just leave as it is?
1) Correctly matched components
2) Quality of components
3) Quality of installation/tuning
Give the horsepower range that you seek, there is absolutely no reason why your car cannot be as reliable as stock. Make your choices wisely.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,475
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Many of the faults of the C5 are from the factory; no extra charge 
While modding can push related factory parts beyond their designed limits, that's the case on any car made. Unfortunately, GM is not Honda. They have a well documented number of part failures, and they continue to sell cars with known weaknesses, where Honda would have the offending part redesigned much faster. Accountants, and MBAs took over years ago. 
While modding can push related factory parts beyond their designed limits, that's the case on any car made. Unfortunately, GM is not Honda. They have a well documented number of part failures, and they continue to sell cars with known weaknesses, where Honda would have the offending part redesigned much faster. Accountants, and MBAs took over years ago.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
Many of the faults of the C5 are from the factory; no extra charge While modding can push related factory parts beyond their designed limits, that's the case on any car made. Unfortunately, GM is not Honda. They have a well documented number of part failures, and they continue to sell cars with known weaknesses, where Honda would have the offending part redesigned much faster. Accountants, and MBAs took over years ago.
While modding can push related factory parts beyond their designed limits, that's the case on any car made. Unfortunately, GM is not Honda. They have a well documented number of part failures, and they continue to sell cars with known weaknesses, where Honda would have the offending part redesigned much faster. Accountants, and MBAs took over years ago. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
Many of the faults of the C5 are from the factory; no extra charge While modding can push related factory parts beyond their designed limits, that's the case on any car made. Unfortunately, GM is not Honda. They have a well documented number of part failures, and they continue to sell cars with known weaknesses, where Honda would have the offending part redesigned much faster. Accountants, and MBAs took over years ago.
While modding can push related factory parts beyond their designed limits, that's the case on any car made. Unfortunately, GM is not Honda. They have a well documented number of part failures, and they continue to sell cars with known weaknesses, where Honda would have the offending part redesigned much faster. Accountants, and MBAs took over years ago. I think you meant "unions and greed took over years ago".....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
Rx7 and no problems usually don't go together. At least when speaking of 3rd gens with the Twin turbo 13b. 
I think the C5 is a very reliable platform as long as you use good parts, and have a good tuner. Mine has been more reliable than any of my nissans or my rx7 ever was.
I think the C5 is a very reliable platform as long as you use good parts, and have a good tuner. Mine has been more reliable than any of my nissans or my rx7 ever was.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
They ain't perfect cars. They are sporty cars, they require work. If you know how to do your own work, good, you'll need it. The more you mod, the more you work. I want more HPs too. Stock motor without going FI, is expensive to get more a lot HPs. But what the hell, if you gotta do it, you gotta do it! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I have quite a number of mods and have experienced no reliability problems other then some minor tuning issues. These issue were hot start problems after cam installs which i resolved with computer tuning. Most problems I have experienced with my car came from the factory. EBCM failed, Ignition switch failed and wobbly crank pulley The wobbly crank pulley is a good excuse to pull off the offending part, install a cam and an underdrive pulley.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles Ca
Ditch the diablo down the line and get a real tune with a cam/head package and you will be at your goal.
I went with a s/c as no other mods will be requires and i'll be a little over 500whp with stock manners.
I went with a s/c as no other mods will be requires and i'll be a little over 500whp with stock manners.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Rx7 and no problems usually don't go together. At least when speaking of 3rd gens with the Twin turbo 13b.
I think the C5 is a very reliable platform as long as you use good parts, and have a good tuner. Mine has been more reliable than any of my nissans or my rx7 ever was.
I think the C5 is a very reliable platform as long as you use good parts, and have a good tuner. Mine has been more reliable than any of my nissans or my rx7 ever was.
RX7s have a bad rep. I refreshed mine with good parts, got a good tune 429WHP@15psi, put a big turbo on it, daily drove it, raced it, Never had issues with it. None. Yes it was a third generation twin turbo. I even managed 360whp@15 psi on the stock twins.
Since my engine has only 16,000 miles, opening it to put a cam on it, give me the ******
I don\t want idle issues, hot start problems , cooling problems, etc.... Up to now. The stock LS1 is very bullet proof. I know that this can be corrected with a good tune, and fine craftmanship. Should I skip the cams and go Supercharger? Is a lot more expensive but engine remains untouch and car behaves relative stock like
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 12
From: NOLA
RX7s have a bad rep. I refreshed mine with good parts, got a good tune 429WHP@15psi, put a big turbo on it, daily drove it, raced it, Never had issues with it. None. Yes it was a third generation twin turbo. I even managed 360whp@15 psi on the stock twins.
Since my engine has only 16,000 miles, opening it to put a cam on it, give me the ****** I don\t want idle issues, hot start problems , cooling problems, etc.... Up to now. The stock LS1 is very bullet proof. I know that this can be corrected with a good tune, and fine craftmanship.
Should I skip the cams and go Supercharger? Is a lot more expensive but engine remains untouch and car behaves relative stock like
Since my engine has only 16,000 miles, opening it to put a cam on it, give me the ******
I don\t want idle issues, hot start problems , cooling problems, etc.... Up to now. The stock LS1 is very bullet proof. I know that this can be corrected with a good tune, and fine craftmanship. Should I skip the cams and go Supercharger? Is a lot more expensive but engine remains untouch and car behaves relative stock like
Rob
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
RX7s have a bad rep. I refreshed mine with good parts, got a good tune 429WHP@15psi, put a big turbo on it, daily drove it, raced it, Never had issues with it. None. Yes it was a third generation twin turbo. I even managed 360whp@15 psi on the stock twins.
Since my engine has only 16,000 miles, opening it to put a cam on it, give me the ****** I don\t want idle issues, hot start problems , cooling problems, etc.... Up to now. The stock LS1 is very bullet proof. I know that this can be corrected with a good tune, and fine craftmanship.
Should I skip the cams and go Supercharger? Is a lot more expensive but engine remains untouch and car behaves relative stock like
Since my engine has only 16,000 miles, opening it to put a cam on it, give me the ******
I don\t want idle issues, hot start problems , cooling problems, etc.... Up to now. The stock LS1 is very bullet proof. I know that this can be corrected with a good tune, and fine craftmanship. Should I skip the cams and go Supercharger? Is a lot more expensive but engine remains untouch and car behaves relative stock like
The D1 was installed on my Ls1 @ 107k miles 4 years ago this month. I currently have 131k miles now, and the only problem I've had, was a pulley on the supercharger went out(it was a used supercharger kit) two years ago. It's been daily driven, used and abused, and kept coming back for more.
