Are modifications really needed?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 796
Likes: 444
From: Miami & Naples, FL
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
Are modifications really needed?
I attended the NCRS show last weekend in Orlando and I was amazed by the number of after market "enhancements" already available for the new C6.
At the Breathless Performance booth, I chatted with Ernie, their guru, and he proudly told me that by installing his Vortex air box and the Corsa exhaust, you'll gain another 20 horsepower out of the C6. These modifications cost just under $2,000.
I ask - why? Do you really need to spend $2,000 to gain 20 extra horsepower? If you take your car to the track and that's your passion, then I guess it's worth whatever it costs to gain an advantage in competition. But, for the other 99.5% of us, is anyone really going to feel the extra 20 horsepower on top of the 400 horses already there???
The factory exhaust system on the C6 is lot better than the C5, and it growls pretty nicely when you get on it. But, is it worth extra money for a better sound? We've been told that the main improvement in the LS2 over the LS1 is better breathing. Do you really need to spend $1,000 to get better breathing for an extra 7 HP?
I throw this out to the forum and see what your opinions are......
At the Breathless Performance booth, I chatted with Ernie, their guru, and he proudly told me that by installing his Vortex air box and the Corsa exhaust, you'll gain another 20 horsepower out of the C6. These modifications cost just under $2,000.
I ask - why? Do you really need to spend $2,000 to gain 20 extra horsepower? If you take your car to the track and that's your passion, then I guess it's worth whatever it costs to gain an advantage in competition. But, for the other 99.5% of us, is anyone really going to feel the extra 20 horsepower on top of the 400 horses already there???
The factory exhaust system on the C6 is lot better than the C5, and it growls pretty nicely when you get on it. But, is it worth extra money for a better sound? We've been told that the main improvement in the LS2 over the LS1 is better breathing. Do you really need to spend $1,000 to get better breathing for an extra 7 HP?
I throw this out to the forum and see what your opinions are......
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Waterlooville Hampshire
I'd agree with you. It's the same, though, in every marque. If there is a market (and there is, no matter how small) then there will be product to supply it.
To get 30bhp out of my 911 costs way more than is worth it - but people will still pay.
To get 30bhp out of my 911 costs way more than is worth it - but people will still pay.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
There is no way I feel I need more performance. That is based on My need.
My 6,000 miles or so of driving the car I have yet to encounter one instance (yet!) where I if I were so inclined I could smoke whatever cars are around me. It almost could be called abusive to all the regular cars on the road. The level of power still borders on the ridiculous at least for me. I guess if money grew on trees I could figure out lots of ways to spend it but for my environment and usage the C6 is adequate as is.
The Other Side of the Argument.
I think if you are in a group, club or have close friends who have similar vehicles then the likihood that you will want to squeeze every HP out of the car for as cheaply as possible. After that "As Cheaply as Possible" gets thrown out the window and it will be "***** to the Wall" for more power.
That proximity of competition is why I believe people like to Mod their cars of any kind. Local bragging rights are always nice to claim.
My 6,000 miles or so of driving the car I have yet to encounter one instance (yet!) where I if I were so inclined I could smoke whatever cars are around me. It almost could be called abusive to all the regular cars on the road. The level of power still borders on the ridiculous at least for me. I guess if money grew on trees I could figure out lots of ways to spend it but for my environment and usage the C6 is adequate as is.
The Other Side of the Argument.
I think if you are in a group, club or have close friends who have similar vehicles then the likihood that you will want to squeeze every HP out of the car for as cheaply as possible. After that "As Cheaply as Possible" gets thrown out the window and it will be "***** to the Wall" for more power.
That proximity of competition is why I believe people like to Mod their cars of any kind. Local bragging rights are always nice to claim.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,556
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Horsepower mods with add-ons are rarely worth the effort, especially at that kind of cost. And, they generally only add HP at the high end of the RPM spectrum. Us average Joes just don't drive at that those RPMs much to take advantage of it.
Now, give me a power mod that costs 100's, not 1000's, and gives me an added low end, or midrange punch, of, say, 10%, or more. Then I'd say yes.
I got a Hypertech programmer off of eBay for $300 a few years ago, and it gave my Suburban that type of midrange boost that can be felt while driving normally on the highway. It's about a 12% boost in midrange torque, with no loss in fuel efficiency. SS496-now you're talking!
Now, give me a power mod that costs 100's, not 1000's, and gives me an added low end, or midrange punch, of, say, 10%, or more. Then I'd say yes.
I got a Hypertech programmer off of eBay for $300 a few years ago, and it gave my Suburban that type of midrange boost that can be felt while driving normally on the highway. It's about a 12% boost in midrange torque, with no loss in fuel efficiency. SS496-now you're talking!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 8,099
Likes: 398
From: Oakland, CA
Well of course. You have to do something to make your ride just a little bit cooler than all of those other bought-it-off-the-lot shmoes out there.
Don't you?
I think for Corvette a lot of the incremental performance claims are just obligatory -- guys aren't doing them for pure cost/benefit reasons, they're doing them because they're cool. Aftermarket intakes look cool; aftermarket exhaust sounds cool. What more reason do they need?
.Jinx
Don't you?
I think for Corvette a lot of the incremental performance claims are just obligatory -- guys aren't doing them for pure cost/benefit reasons, they're doing them because they're cool. Aftermarket intakes look cool; aftermarket exhaust sounds cool. What more reason do they need?
.Jinx
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 0
From: A secure, undisclosed location
That's the beauty of owning a Vette. They're world class cars right out-of-the-box and the sky's the limit with regard to mods..
I'm on the fence right now. I'd like a more aggressive sound, but to be honest, I haven't used all the horsepower GM gave me yet
I'm on the fence right now. I'd like a more aggressive sound, but to be honest, I haven't used all the horsepower GM gave me yet
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Conshohocken (Suburb of Philadelphia) PA
The Corsa's I just had installed are are very different from what is on the car stock.
NOTE: I wrote "different", NOT "better"?
The features which are offered by the Corsa (and not by the stock) are worth the $$ spent, at least to me.
Some mods do get pretty wild, but for the most part, people will spend their money on what appeals to them - that's why we live in such a great country, we are free to make purchases with our hard earned dollars!!
NOTE: I wrote "different", NOT "better"?
The features which are offered by the Corsa (and not by the stock) are worth the $$ spent, at least to me.
Some mods do get pretty wild, but for the most part, people will spend their money on what appeals to them - that's why we live in such a great country, we are free to make purchases with our hard earned dollars!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 8,593
Likes: 1
From: Yorktown Heights NY
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06
Originally Posted by THECORVETTEMANN
.....
At the Breathless Performance booth, I chatted with Ernie, their guru, and he proudly told me that by installing his Vortex air box and the Corsa exhaust, you'll gain another 20 horsepower out of the C6. These modifications cost just under $2,000.
......
At the Breathless Performance booth, I chatted with Ernie, their guru, and he proudly told me that by installing his Vortex air box and the Corsa exhaust, you'll gain another 20 horsepower out of the C6. These modifications cost just under $2,000.
......
I can see doing Corsa exhaust for the sound but doing these changes for performance is not worth it but it's your money. If you want to give it to someone else, that's your choice.
Last edited by Another Yellow; Jan 25, 2005 at 11:26 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: columbus ohio
as a owner of two harleys I can assure you that 99% of the riders change their exhaust for sound purposes only. Most couldn't even tell you what the output of their bikes is. I will be doing the same on my vert when i finally get it, for the sound, the few extra ponies is just the icing on the cake. From what we've been reading on this forum, the intake is a questionable mod at most. I do have an exhaust and intake package on my f250 that I bought because of all the positive comments from the diesel forums. These forums are the best advertisments for vendors if they do indeed work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
From: La Quinta CA
Look at it this way - After Market stuff for the C6 helps keep the economy going!
Dave Hill and his guys did a great job!! Most of the stuff isn't needed however good for the ego I guess?
Thank you Mr. Hill!!!
Dave Hill and his guys did a great job!! Most of the stuff isn't needed however good for the ego I guess?
Thank you Mr. Hill!!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: New York
Originally Posted by THECORVETTEMANN
Do you really need to spend $2,000 to gain 20 extra horsepower?...for the other 99.5% of us, is anyone really going to feel the extra 20 horsepower on top of the 400 horses already there???
The power issue is relative. In 1986 my Corvette was the fastest thing I had ever driven and definitely didn't need more power. In 2005 my Audi S4, which is significantly faster than my C4 was, feels just about right. If I keep the C6 long enough and cars keep getting faster, I might consider adding some power to the C6. For today, 400 hp is just fine.
Alan
Night Race Blue 427
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,794
Likes: 6
From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
I'm very happy with my C6 just the way it is. Well I might get some different wheels.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Mods
I am in the market for a new C6. I currently own a highly modified 1995 Mustang Cobra. I did everything to this car from a supercharger & MSD ignition system to Baer Brakes, Tremec competition 5 speed and a 6 point roll cage. What I found is that the more you modify a car, the less reliable it becomes. Unless you are a grease monkey (which I wish I had the talent and patience to be) don't do too many mod's. I spend most of my milage driving to and from repair facilities! It's a great ride when its tuned and fixed. It's never fully tuned and fixed!
The C6 has every mod I did to my stang already installed in her (Z51 of course). The only mod's I plan on doing to my new C6 are chrome wheels, red powder coated brake calipers and maybe a Corsa exhaust to give it just a bit more V8 rumble.
My Stang is so load with the Mac headers and exhaust system, that I have to wear ear plugs on a long trip. Never again will I do such mods. I always wanted to build a car. I have and never again!
The C6 has every mod I did to my stang already installed in her (Z51 of course). The only mod's I plan on doing to my new C6 are chrome wheels, red powder coated brake calipers and maybe a Corsa exhaust to give it just a bit more V8 rumble.
My Stang is so load with the Mac headers and exhaust system, that I have to wear ear plugs on a long trip. Never again will I do such mods. I always wanted to build a car. I have and never again!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Suburbs IL
St. Jude Donor '06
C6 Mods
Being a banker I would take the $2,000 and pay down my loan or put it towards an extended warranty. The only mod I might make is if I find a great deal on some polished rims and tires since my car came with the silver rims. Anyone have a set of barely used polished rims, tires, and sensors for sale?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
It appears (from the above posts) the majority disagree with Mods.
I just cannot wait - mod fever will strike the majority of you, and then you can join in the Modaholics group sessions we regulary hold on the forum
I just cannot wait - mod fever will strike the majority of you, and then you can join in the Modaholics group sessions we regulary hold on the forum