Opinion on what to do first.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Opinion on what to do first.
Recently bought a 2003 C5 and so far the only thing I've done to it is put on a Vararam intake because the stock intake was was slightly damaged when purchased. Of course I i caught the mod bug but sadly im pretty new to this and still unsure what I should be looking for or order to go in.
I'm trying to figure out what order I should go in for my next step. Id like to replace the stock seats with some Corbeau A4s, Id also like to buy a tuner for the car but unsure what type to get or what is best for the C5. Looking into getting a short throw shifter for it and a set of long tube headers. For the shifter whats the more preferred manufactures I should be looking into. As for the headers I was thinking the LG street series unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Opinions on what to do first and any insight on what i should be looking for would be very helpful. And thank you for the help.
I'm trying to figure out what order I should go in for my next step. Id like to replace the stock seats with some Corbeau A4s, Id also like to buy a tuner for the car but unsure what type to get or what is best for the C5. Looking into getting a short throw shifter for it and a set of long tube headers. For the shifter whats the more preferred manufactures I should be looking into. As for the headers I was thinking the LG street series unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Opinions on what to do first and any insight on what i should be looking for would be very helpful. And thank you for the help.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 41
From: Chesterfield (St. Louis) MO
You are on the right track! I purchased the MGW shifter, and am thrilled with it! As far as long tube headers go, LGs are great headers, as well as American Racing headers (on my car). Those two are arguably the best ones out there. If you do the headers, you are going to want a tune as well.
It's not necessary, but look into getting them ceramic coated as well.
It's not necessary, but look into getting them ceramic coated as well.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
You are on the right track! I purchased the MGW shifter, and am thrilled with it! As far as long tube headers go, LGs are great headers, as well as American Racing headers (on my car). Those two are arguably the best ones out there. If you do the headers, you are going to want a tune as well.
It's not necessary, but look into getting them ceramic coated as well.
It's not necessary, but look into getting them ceramic coated as well.
rear gears are another common mode for 6 speeds.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks ill look into the American Racing Headers. Also does the ceramic coating help with the heat all that much? And ill be sure to check out the MGW shifter. As for the rear end how much does it usually cost to swap out the gears?
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 450
Likes: 8
From: Ladysmith Wisconsin
I have XS Power polished stainless long tube headers. They fit well and don't leak. I have never had any heat related issues and my headers are not coated. XS Power headers are a fair amount less expensive than most others. In my opinion, XS Power is the way to go and should be one of your first mods.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Portage Wisconsin
Headers will support any future engine mods - AND - you will notice the power (and sound) differance immediatly. I installed XS Power- look good and fit good - no leaks. I installed the MGW shifter. You may want to consider an upgrade to your headlights. HID headlight upgrade is affordable and very worthwhile if you travel at night.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
I have XS Power polished stainless long tube headers. They fit well and don't leak. I have never had any heat related issues and my headers are not coated. XS Power headers are a fair amount less expensive than most others. In my opinion, XS Power is the way to go and should be one of your first mods.
This is the route I took as well....no issues.....
Dealt with member Superman09 for the headers - great service
MGW shifter
have fun
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks guys will fr sure get an MGW shifter and look into the XS Power headers.
Anyone have any advice on a tuner or advice on shops in the Albany, NY area that would be good to go to to get a tune done?
Anyone have any advice on a tuner or advice on shops in the Albany, NY area that would be good to go to to get a tune done?
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Lots of great reviews fro Chuck Cow (Corvettes of Westchester - I believe), not too sure how close to you.
Also ECS in NJ...
Both do very reasonable mail order tunes (like $150 i think) with good reviews for boltons like your doing....
Also ECS in NJ...
Both do very reasonable mail order tunes (like $150 i think) with good reviews for boltons like your doing....
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Give me a call......
Recently bought a 2003 C5 and so far the only thing I've done to it is put on a Vararam intake because the stock intake was was slightly damaged when purchased. Of course I i caught the mod bug but sadly im pretty new to this and still unsure what I should be looking for or order to go in.
I'm trying to figure out what order I should go in for my next step. Id like to replace the stock seats with some Corbeau A4s, Id also like to buy a tuner for the car but unsure what type to get or what is best for the C5. Looking into getting a short throw shifter for it and a set of long tube headers. For the shifter whats the more preferred manufactures I should be looking into. As for the headers I was thinking the LG street series unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Opinions on what to do first and any insight on what i should be looking for would be very helpful. And thank you for the help.
I'm trying to figure out what order I should go in for my next step. Id like to replace the stock seats with some Corbeau A4s, Id also like to buy a tuner for the car but unsure what type to get or what is best for the C5. Looking into getting a short throw shifter for it and a set of long tube headers. For the shifter whats the more preferred manufactures I should be looking into. As for the headers I was thinking the LG street series unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Opinions on what to do first and any insight on what i should be looking for would be very helpful. And thank you for the help.
We offer the BEST mail order tuning option on the market.
No, it is NOT the cheapest product out there and if you like your Corvette,
you would not pick the "cheapest price" cause you know what that means.
Our product and service can not be beat and we HIGHLY recomend our AutoCal
tuning product for the best tune and the best follow up datalogging
to make
sure that your car is tuned PERFECTLY.
Don't settle for "cheap-skate" discount tunes.
You get what you pay for....
and YOUR Corvette deserves the BEST!
Chuck CoW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I agree with several others that a shifter and exhaust could be next.
The shifter is a pretty quick, simple, and inexpensive upgrade that you will notice every time you drive the car. I would start there.
I would do the exhaust second. It can be quite a bit more expensive. I think the long tube headers will give you a good performance increase (with tune), but you may want to start with a cat back mufflers. It will change the sound and driving feel of the car (although probably not a whole lot of performance increase). However the cat back can be used with the long tubes when you do them.
I have an MG shifter, LG longtubes, Vararam, FAST intake manifold and B&B cat back on my daily driver '99.
Have some fun!
The shifter is a pretty quick, simple, and inexpensive upgrade that you will notice every time you drive the car. I would start there.
I would do the exhaust second. It can be quite a bit more expensive. I think the long tube headers will give you a good performance increase (with tune), but you may want to start with a cat back mufflers. It will change the sound and driving feel of the car (although probably not a whole lot of performance increase). However the cat back can be used with the long tubes when you do them.
I have an MG shifter, LG longtubes, Vararam, FAST intake manifold and B&B cat back on my daily driver '99.
Have some fun!
Last edited by QCVette; Jun 1, 2012 at 02:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Recently bought a 2003 C5 and so far the only thing I've done to it is put on a Vararam intake because the stock intake was was slightly damaged when purchased. Of course I i caught the mod bug but sadly im pretty new to this and still unsure what I should be looking for or order to go in.
I'm trying to figure out what order I should go in for my next step. Id like to replace the stock seats with some Corbeau A4s, Id also like to buy a tuner for the car but unsure what type to get or what is best for the C5. Looking into getting a short throw shifter for it and a set of long tube headers. For the shifter whats the more preferred manufactures I should be looking into. As for the headers I was thinking the LG street series unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Opinions on what to do first and any insight on what i should be looking for would be very helpful. And thank you for the help.
I'm trying to figure out what order I should go in for my next step. Id like to replace the stock seats with some Corbeau A4s, Id also like to buy a tuner for the car but unsure what type to get or what is best for the C5. Looking into getting a short throw shifter for it and a set of long tube headers. For the shifter whats the more preferred manufactures I should be looking into. As for the headers I was thinking the LG street series unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Opinions on what to do first and any insight on what i should be looking for would be very helpful. And thank you for the help.
I would stick with getting a good professional tuner to tune your car. Tuned at the shop is always teh preference, but with the mods above, the ECS mail order tune will be more than adequate. They have probably tuned a thousand cars with that combo so it'll be spot-on.
Last edited by cjlaw73; Jun 1, 2012 at 05:02 PM.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks everyone for the advice and sorry for the late response ive spent the last week moving up here to albany and getting settled in and finally got internet. all the info has been taken into account and will probably get some headers here soon. ill be sure to update when details when i get them done.