To mod, or not to mod . . .
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 61
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From: Atlanta GA
To mod, or not to mod . . .
If I don't plan on racing my car in any way, ie drag or road, is it really worth the money to mod my car? I am having a hard time making a decision to spend the money to get HP I really will never use . . . .just to say I have it. My motivation is I just want something different.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by Madd_Matt
If I don't plan on racing my car in any way, ie drag or road, is it really worth the money to mod my car? I am having a hard time making a decision to spend the money to get HP I really will never use . . . .just to say I have it. My motivation is I just want something different.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
There are pros and cons to both, stock or mod. Stock is under warranty, runs ok, looks good. 400 hp gets the job done.
I went with mods....a 402 stroker. 518 rwhp and 498 rwtq. The difference between this and stock is apples and oranges. The power is hard to describe.
I do not go to the dragdrip either. I don't do hole shots from stop signs or red lights. I just like driving mega hp cars. I drive in the canyons and mountains where you can drive between 2500 rpms and 5500 rpms in 2nd, 3rd gear and 4th gear.......Quite a ride.
Good luck
I went with mods....a 402 stroker. 518 rwhp and 498 rwtq. The difference between this and stock is apples and oranges. The power is hard to describe.
I do not go to the dragdrip either. I don't do hole shots from stop signs or red lights. I just like driving mega hp cars. I drive in the canyons and mountains where you can drive between 2500 rpms and 5500 rpms in 2nd, 3rd gear and 4th gear.......Quite a ride.
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Keep it sock and you will not have any check engine lights and problems at the dealer when something goes wrong. You will save a lot of money and the best thing is you have a Corvette with 400 horse power. It doesn't get any better than that. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,585
Likes: 1
From: Prepare yourself, for a pride obliterating bich smack. Fairfax, VA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
SEC > BCS 4 St. Judes '09
my C6 will never see a 1/4 mile track. it is my daily driver, and in that regard, 400hp is plenty.
but, in the spirit of making my vette a little different than every other vette on the road, and getting a few more ponies for my weekend jaunts...a few quality bolt ons and a new rear end to shorten out the gears and get some more pop from that big V8 was definitely in order. i also couldnt stand that my corvette was as a quiet as a camry.
i've modded just about all of the cars i've owned, and once the 'bug' bites, there's really never any going back.
but, in the spirit of making my vette a little different than every other vette on the road, and getting a few more ponies for my weekend jaunts...a few quality bolt ons and a new rear end to shorten out the gears and get some more pop from that big V8 was definitely in order. i also couldnt stand that my corvette was as a quiet as a camry.
i've modded just about all of the cars i've owned, and once the 'bug' bites, there's really never any going back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,676
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Hills California
St. Jude Donor '06
My mods...cags elim...Corsa cat back....painted calipers....custom painted license plate frame to go with my vanity plate.....that be it!!
For me the bang for the buck/downside is just not there on the C6 mods yet or maybe never. You have to get radical to make much difference. Not sure if I want to void warranty, reliabilty and resale for 30 to 50 horse.
There are other solution out there too. But then you are looking at unwaranty covered catastrophic failure.
It's not like some cars "Porsche Turbo" from just a retune/chip you pick up major HP! Of course you start at $100,000 +++ to start. But still you get meaningful HP increase from a relatively non evasive mod.
Hey if you have the $$$$$ and the ***** go for it!!! Me i'm saving that header, cam, or blown mod money for a Z06 sometime next year!!
Please don't get me wrong I have came close to going for the mods too! But still IMO don't think the $$$/risk to gain ratio makes sense, for me anyway!
No offense to you that have modded big time and love it!!!
For me the bang for the buck/downside is just not there on the C6 mods yet or maybe never. You have to get radical to make much difference. Not sure if I want to void warranty, reliabilty and resale for 30 to 50 horse.
There are other solution out there too. But then you are looking at unwaranty covered catastrophic failure.
It's not like some cars "Porsche Turbo" from just a retune/chip you pick up major HP! Of course you start at $100,000 +++ to start. But still you get meaningful HP increase from a relatively non evasive mod.
Hey if you have the $$$$$ and the ***** go for it!!! Me i'm saving that header, cam, or blown mod money for a Z06 sometime next year!!
Please don't get me wrong I have came close to going for the mods too! But still IMO don't think the $$$/risk to gain ratio makes sense, for me anyway!
No offense to you that have modded big time and love it!!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Holly Michigan
You want different, stay with body and wheel mods. Don't effect durability if the performance is acceptable in its stock state.
Do the wrong mods and the only thing different about yourcar will be its ride on the flat bed.
Do the wrong mods and the only thing different about yourcar will be its ride on the flat bed.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by U2bassAce
My mods...cags elim...Corsa cat back....painted calipers....custom painted license plate frame to go with my vanity plate.....that be it!!
For me the bang for the buck/downside is just not there on the C6 mods yet or maybe never. You have to get radical to make much difference. Not sure if I want to void warranty, reliabilty and resale for 30 to 50 horse.
There are other solution out there too. But then you are looking at unwaranty covered catastrophic failure.
It's not like some cars "Porsche Turbo" from just a retune/chip you pick up major HP! Of course you start at $100,000 +++ to start. But still you get meaningful HP increase from a relatively non evasive mod.
Hey if you have the $$$$$ and the ***** go for it!!! Me i'm saving that header, cam, or blown mod money for a Z06 sometime next year!!
Please don't get me wrong I have came close to going for the mods too! But still IMO don't think the $$$/risk to gain ratio makes sense, for me anyway!
No offense to you that have modded big time and love it!!!
For me the bang for the buck/downside is just not there on the C6 mods yet or maybe never. You have to get radical to make much difference. Not sure if I want to void warranty, reliabilty and resale for 30 to 50 horse.
There are other solution out there too. But then you are looking at unwaranty covered catastrophic failure.
It's not like some cars "Porsche Turbo" from just a retune/chip you pick up major HP! Of course you start at $100,000 +++ to start. But still you get meaningful HP increase from a relatively non evasive mod.
Hey if you have the $$$$$ and the ***** go for it!!! Me i'm saving that header, cam, or blown mod money for a Z06 sometime next year!!
Please don't get me wrong I have came close to going for the mods too! But still IMO don't think the $$$/risk to gain ratio makes sense, for me anyway!
No offense to you that have modded big time and love it!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,585
Likes: 1
From: Prepare yourself, for a pride obliterating bich smack. Fairfax, VA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
SEC > BCS 4 St. Judes '09
Originally Posted by AFTERBURN
You want different, stay with body and wheel mods. Don't effect durability if the performance is acceptable in its stock state.
Do the wrong mods and the only thing different about yourcar will be its ride on the flat bed.
Do the wrong mods and the only thing different about yourcar will be its ride on the flat bed.
i cant comment on the forced induction route or reworked heads or crate motors. not my bag currently.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by Madd_Matt
If I don't plan on racing my car in any way, ie drag or road, is it really worth the money to mod my car? I am having a hard time making a decision to spend the money to get HP I really will never use . . . .just to say I have it. My motivation is I just want something different.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
I greatly appreciate everyone's opinion! Never hurts to get the pros and cons from a variety of people. This is my first vette, and it is fantastic that this forum is out here. Lot's of knowledge and experience on here. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque N.M.
See thats just the thing i was going to due the mods on the 06 Z51, but ive been there and done that with my 93 and i really wanted to leave it stock.
So I decieded to wait another year and get the 07 427 Z06 and leave it BONE STOCK.
So I decieded to wait another year and get the 07 427 Z06 and leave it BONE STOCK.
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by Madd_Matt
If I don't plan on racing my car in any way, ie drag or road, is it really worth the money to mod my car? I am having a hard time making a decision to spend the money to get HP I really will never use . . . .just to say I have it. My motivation is I just want something different.
Add a set of long tube headers and keep the stock exhaust - should add good HP and good sound. Little bit more than exhaust; but exhaust doesn't give you added HP and the long tubes sound is really good.
JK
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA,
I love modding my car, but if your going to do it, plan it out. Do lots of research on the best products for you and then have a plan instead of doing it peacemeal. Things will look much better and performance wise, will complement each other.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
I went the whole route with mods: mild cam, heads, tuning, LG longtubes, Corsa Sport, and the result is amazing with my A4. But I think the jury is still out on how good a decision I made. I love the performance but I am taking a chance on no engine warranty problems. We shall see. In the meantime, it's nice to know that very few cars can outperform my C6.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by VET4LES
Keep it sock and you will not have any check engine lights and problems at the dealer when something goes wrong. You will save a lot of money and the best thing is you have a Corvette with 400 horse power. It doesn't get any better than that.
Correctly modded cars don't have problems. Cars that have badly planned mods like air cleaners and headers without tuning do.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,550
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
mod
Originally Posted by Madd_Matt
If I don't plan on racing my car in any way, ie drag or road, is it really worth the money to mod my car? I am having a hard time making a decision to spend the money to get HP I really will never use . . . .just to say I have it. My motivation is I just want something different.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,477
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
The idea is to make your vette "yours". If that includes mods, then go for it. Here's what I've done so far:
Corsa Sports
DynaTech SuperMAXX headers
Custom Door Sills
Lloyds Mats
Padded Armrest
CAGS
Lowered
Corvette Rear Bumper Inserts
Halltech CAI
Black Wheels
Black-Out Taillight Lens
tuned
powdercoated calipers and brackets
painted fuel rails
chromed caps (oil, PS, etc)
cup holder
BelPro RX65 radar
and here's what the car looks like:
The idea is to truly and fully enjoy the car.
Corsa Sports
DynaTech SuperMAXX headers
Custom Door Sills
Lloyds Mats
Padded Armrest
CAGS
Lowered
Corvette Rear Bumper Inserts
Halltech CAI
Black Wheels
Black-Out Taillight Lens
tuned
powdercoated calipers and brackets
painted fuel rails
chromed caps (oil, PS, etc)
cup holder
BelPro RX65 radar
and here's what the car looks like:
The idea is to truly and fully enjoy the car.