2002 Z51 upgrades
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 162
Likes: 104
From: Jamesport, NY
2002 Z51 upgrades
I’m the original owner of this great car . It’s been sadly not used too much , 20k, as other cars have distracted me .
Now I’m getting into it again and enjoying it . Previously I’ve done a Corsa exhaust and X pipe. Donaldson Air filter.and a ported throttle body . That’s it .
I don’t track it but really enjoy “ spirited “ road driving . Are there any upgrades that I might consider for the type driving I do? In the past I’d considered forced induction, cam swap, but that’s overkill for me. I do most of my own work until I run out of tools and skill .
Now I’m getting into it again and enjoying it . Previously I’ve done a Corsa exhaust and X pipe. Donaldson Air filter.and a ported throttle body . That’s it .
I don’t track it but really enjoy “ spirited “ road driving . Are there any upgrades that I might consider for the type driving I do? In the past I’d considered forced induction, cam swap, but that’s overkill for me. I do most of my own work until I run out of tools and skill .
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,656
Likes: 7,296
From: CT
The ultimate state of C5 enjoyment with fun power and performance upgraded but without parts breakage or non-stock driving habits is supercharged on 8 to 10psi. Bone sgock around town and on the highway, then some power if you chooe to apply it.
Handling wise... Be prepared to change out your factiseats as neither version from the C5 offered sufficient support. Some cheap Corbeau A4s look good and get it done, but C7 and C8 seats are better all around.
Coilovers make the car 5x better to drive
1" lowered
Good sticky 200tw tires
Aggressive pads/rotors
Good brake fluid like motul 600 rbf
That's all handling without any perceived negatives and easy so far, not gone race car yet at all. Also, the car at this point is far more capable than most drivers are in "spirited" driving.
Progress bars
End links
Bigger brake calipers and rotors
Upgraded control arm bushings
That puts you inncompetitive mode. Well beyond your goals.
Top changes to upgrade the car and keep it a casual easy driver? Supercharger, coilovers, seats, MGW shifter.
Handling wise... Be prepared to change out your factiseats as neither version from the C5 offered sufficient support. Some cheap Corbeau A4s look good and get it done, but C7 and C8 seats are better all around.
Coilovers make the car 5x better to drive
1" lowered
Good sticky 200tw tires
Aggressive pads/rotors
Good brake fluid like motul 600 rbf
That's all handling without any perceived negatives and easy so far, not gone race car yet at all. Also, the car at this point is far more capable than most drivers are in "spirited" driving.
Progress bars
End links
Bigger brake calipers and rotors
Upgraded control arm bushings
That puts you inncompetitive mode. Well beyond your goals.
Top changes to upgrade the car and keep it a casual easy driver? Supercharger, coilovers, seats, MGW shifter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
B-52 had some great thoughts.
If you just want to wake the car up without getting into the engine I highly recommend getting a set of LG Motorsport Pro headers installed and the car tuned on a dyno. (That will be around $2700 when the smoke clears.). I did that a few years ago and wish I had done it sooner. Big smile every time you start her up. (I have Z06 exhaust.)
VERYSOON
If you just want to wake the car up without getting into the engine I highly recommend getting a set of LG Motorsport Pro headers installed and the car tuned on a dyno. (That will be around $2700 when the smoke clears.). I did that a few years ago and wish I had done it sooner. Big smile every time you start her up. (I have Z06 exhaust.)
VERYSOON
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,656
Likes: 7,296
From: CT
Jeeeesus christ. Even ARH is only 2k. Tune is 300 or you're getting ganked. Dang.
Speed engineering.. 500 with great welds.
For 3k.... Heck... Get a used blower kit and tune for 4500 out the door and be done.
Speed engineering.. 500 with great welds.
For 3k.... Heck... Get a used blower kit and tune for 4500 out the door and be done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
Hey Tusc
I meant to say YOU had some great thoughts, particularly the supercharger.
As I live near LG shop I had them install and had new wires and a few maintenance items. Tune was $500. I do most of my own work on all my stuff, but the headers were better done on a lift (which I don't have.)
vs
I meant to say YOU had some great thoughts, particularly the supercharger.
As I live near LG shop I had them install and had new wires and a few maintenance items. Tune was $500. I do most of my own work on all my stuff, but the headers were better done on a lift (which I don't have.)
vs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 162
Likes: 104
From: Jamesport, NY
The ultimate state of C5 enjoyment with fun power and performance upgraded but without parts breakage or non-stock driving habits is supercharged on 8 to 10psi. Bone sgock around town and on the highway, then some power if you chooe to apply it.
Handling wise... Be prepared to change out your factiseats as neither version from the C5 offered sufficient support. Some cheap Corbeau A4s look good and get it done, but C7 and C8 seats are better all around.
Coilovers make the car 5x better to drive
1" lowered
Good sticky 200tw tires
Aggressive pads/rotors
Good brake fluid like motul 600 rbf
That's all handling without any perceived negatives and easy so far, not gone race car yet at all. Also, the car at this point is far more capable than most drivers are in "spirited" driving.
Progress bars
End links
Bigger brake calipers and rotors
Upgraded control arm bushings
That puts you inncompetitive mode. Well beyond your goals.
Top changes to upgrade the car and keep it a casual easy driver? Supercharger, coilovers, seats, MGW shifter.
Handling wise... Be prepared to change out your factiseats as neither version from the C5 offered sufficient support. Some cheap Corbeau A4s look good and get it done, but C7 and C8 seats are better all around.
Coilovers make the car 5x better to drive
1" lowered
Good sticky 200tw tires
Aggressive pads/rotors
Good brake fluid like motul 600 rbf
That's all handling without any perceived negatives and easy so far, not gone race car yet at all. Also, the car at this point is far more capable than most drivers are in "spirited" driving.
Progress bars
End links
Bigger brake calipers and rotors
Upgraded control arm bushings
That puts you inncompetitive mode. Well beyond your goals.
Top changes to upgrade the car and keep it a casual easy driver? Supercharger, coilovers, seats, MGW shifter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I went to C6 Z51 bars. They helped a lot on my '99 Z51.
The improvement may not be as much as coil overs, but it is noticeable and much easier and cheaper (especially if used bars)
Good luck.
The improvement may not be as much as coil overs, but it is noticeable and much easier and cheaper (especially if used bars)
Good luck.
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