Prepping for winter mods - need advice
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 68
Likes: 17
Prepping for winter mods - need advice
I picked up my new-to-me 2000 base earlier this year with 116,xxx miles and have been in the process of fixing little things. Over the winter I'd like to give it a few more HP but need some advice on where to start.
So far I have flushed most of the fluids, replaced belts, tensioners, pulleys, shocks, sway bar bushings, end links, updated most of the exterior lighting to LEDs, and have a Billy Boat exhaust waiting to be put on. The car is used mostly as a weekend car and I doubt I will ever track it. It's a Z51 with 3.15 gearing. Other than the things I've changed it's all stock from what I can tell, except the wear parts.
If you were in this situation and had lets say...$2500...to add some go fast parts, what would you do? Looking for some different ideas and suggestions. I'm relatively capable mechanically but I'm not sure how comfortable I am trying to do a DIY cam swap so keep that in mind.
So far I have flushed most of the fluids, replaced belts, tensioners, pulleys, shocks, sway bar bushings, end links, updated most of the exterior lighting to LEDs, and have a Billy Boat exhaust waiting to be put on. The car is used mostly as a weekend car and I doubt I will ever track it. It's a Z51 with 3.15 gearing. Other than the things I've changed it's all stock from what I can tell, except the wear parts.
If you were in this situation and had lets say...$2500...to add some go fast parts, what would you do? Looking for some different ideas and suggestions. I'm relatively capable mechanically but I'm not sure how comfortable I am trying to do a DIY cam swap so keep that in mind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 968
Likes: 322
Most if not all go fast parts are ****. IMO leave the car as GM built it any extra monies use for maintenance. Condition of the seat foam, leather, weather stripping, tires, Battery, headlights motors, any oil leaks, " most of the fluids" all the fluids.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 1,529
From: Pasadena, MD
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 158
From: Aiken, SC
A torque converter, gears, full exhaust are all good starting points
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
The C5 is not a DIY slap on mods like the you could do in C2's and C'3's. Me (I am one of those old time carb, cam, exhaust tinkers) if I wanted to mess with my C5, I would find a pro to do it. JMHO.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,768
Likes: 940
From: Orlando Florida
Even if you’re doing the work, $2500 doesn’t buy a lot of power in hard parts. While I’ve never been a disciple, if I wanted more ponies on a budget I’d have to give nitrous serious consideration.
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Cruising
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
If u want power the only way to go for decently cheap is to get a budget cam that will still make power and some decently priced springs like PAC 1218's. Do some research on the summit cams you dont want to big but you dont want too small. If its a manual car u will want a new clutch and if its auto get a stall converter if u are getting a cam. The stall is probably the hardest part, then maybe a diff brace while your replacing the stall and do some c6 zo6 shocks they give alot of stifness in suspension without breaking the bank. making power on a budget does not cost alot it just takes resarch i spent like 1 grand on my car to get the cam and the stall and everything else maybe 1500. oh and headers and x pipe because the car kinda sounds terrible with a cam and stock h pipe.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
So far I have flushed most of the fluids, replaced belts, tensioners, pulleys, shocks, sway bar bushings, end links, updated most of the exterior lighting to LEDs, and have a Billy Boat exhaust waiting to be put on. The car is used mostly as a weekend car and I doubt I will ever track it. It's a Z51 with 3.15 gearing. Other than the things I've changed it's all stock from what I can tell, except the wear parts.
I'm relatively capable mechanically but I'm not sure how comfortable I am trying to do a DIY cam swap so keep that in mind.
I'm relatively capable mechanically but I'm not sure how comfortable I am trying to do a DIY cam swap so keep that in mind.
1) LCM8 for about $50. Make your column lock problems go away
2) AGM Battery. C5s are sensitive to electrical issue and the AGM wont leak. Spend the $350 and be happy
3) Get an "X" pipe to compliment your BB that you will put on. For about $350 you will eliminate that motor boat noise and help the BB flow easier.
4) Help your car breath easier with a OE Z06 intake. You can find these for about $250 and they flow very well.
5) Replace your plugs and wires. With your miles, I bet this has never been done. Spend $300 and be happy.
6) Swap out your brake pads for some power stop, low dust. $150
So, for about 1500 you have a pretty squared away car and use the rest for gas money, beer and dates.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 70
From: Washington
I think thats right about where i am with coin into my c5z, here a mini list of what ive done with that much. This fall/ winter updates are doing the harmonic balancer, c7 seats and a little sound deadening. Good luck with your list man.
speed engineering long tubes w/catless xpipe
tmod shifter
hpi transmission mount/ brace
amt motor mounts
afe intake
momo steering wheel
updated the stereo
drm valve bilsteins and stainless lines
strano sway bars
a couple of vents and a handfull of LED's
sold a bunch of stock parts to offset the cost of the upgrades and updates.
speed engineering long tubes w/catless xpipe
tmod shifter
hpi transmission mount/ brace
amt motor mounts
afe intake
momo steering wheel
updated the stereo
drm valve bilsteins and stainless lines
strano sway bars
a couple of vents and a handfull of LED's
sold a bunch of stock parts to offset the cost of the upgrades and updates.