If you go this route add a trans cooler also
2001 c5 feels underpowered
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2001 c5 feels underpowered
I am a new owner of 2001 Corvette base model with 76000 miles. I was expecting to be fast in comparison with 2015 MB C300. I feel something is off and showed it to someone who drives Mustang. He too felt he was expecting more compared to Mustang. I already changed transmission/differential/Engine. I wanted to change spark plugs as well and I am not sure if that helps.
Any suggestions please?
Any suggestions please?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,598
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
C5s are 5 second cars. 345hp stock. Good for the time back then but there are 4 door sedans today that are faster. My tuned E550 coupe with over 500HP will blow the doors of a C6 or maybe a C7 much less a C5.
The good news is that you have many options to make an LS engine faster. It all depends how much money you are willing to spend.
The good news is that you have many options to make an LS engine faster. It all depends how much money you are willing to spend.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,481
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From: So-Cal California
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
I am going to assume this car is an automatic? If so, and it has the base 2:73 gear it will feel like a slow car. However, a simple gear swap to a 3:42 will make the feel like a whole different animal. Add a good stall converter to it and you will have a very capable stop light racer.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I am going to assume this car is an automatic? If so, and it has the base 2:73 gear it will feel like a slow car. However, a simple gear swap to a 3:42 will make the feel like a whole different animal. Add a good stall converter to it and you will have a very capable stop light racer.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,003
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I am a new owner of 2001 Corvette base model with 76000 miles. I was expecting to be fast in comparison with 2015 MB C300. I feel something is off and showed it to someone who drives Mustang. He too felt he was expecting more compared to Mustang. I already changed transmission/differential/Engine. I wanted to change spark plugs as well and I am not sure if that helps.
Any suggestions please?
Any suggestions please?
Maybe someone local can go for a ride or drive it and see, any check engine light?
If you could find someone local with a C5 with 6 speed, and both are stock you could find a safe place to see if your car is slower or the same.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I am from Folsom, CA. There is no check engine light and there are no codes. I think it is hard to find someone with C5 locally. Old owner suggested to check with corvette clubs locally for good service centers and I am not finding anything useful nearby. So, I am thinking of taking to local Chevy service to get the transmission fluids/spark plug replaced to see if it helps.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,003
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
If you can hold off for a bit, there has to be someone near you that is a member here, and also they might be able to recommend a great shop that works on Corvettes.
Someone may reply back soon.
Also I think there is a regional area here you could ask in.
Someone may reply back soon.
Also I think there is a regional area here you could ask in.
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I have a 2004 m6, and feel like it’s a dog. The problem is the rear gear ratio; 3.42.
On my previous C5, a 2003 m6, I had 3.90 gears installed, got a tune, and it really woke the car up big time. Of course in Ca you may have regulations on tunes, but gears should be OK. If you’re on freeways a lot, I would get 3.90s to save a few rpm’s, otherwise go to 4.10.
When I had the 2003 I was living in So Cal and was commuting to work and those gears were perfect. You could actually use 6th gear at 70, and not have to downshift with small changes in traffic. These gears are a must have…
Matter of fact, I just scheduled my ‘04 to have 4.10’s installed.
On my previous C5, a 2003 m6, I had 3.90 gears installed, got a tune, and it really woke the car up big time. Of course in Ca you may have regulations on tunes, but gears should be OK. If you’re on freeways a lot, I would get 3.90s to save a few rpm’s, otherwise go to 4.10.
When I had the 2003 I was living in So Cal and was commuting to work and those gears were perfect. You could actually use 6th gear at 70, and not have to downshift with small changes in traffic. These gears are a must have…
Matter of fact, I just scheduled my ‘04 to have 4.10’s installed.