Im new to Corvette ownership so please exscuse my ignorance in this post.

A little history about the vehicles I've owned, only performance vehicles. First was a 2004 Mustang GT with a few modifications, full exhaust, tuned, intake up to the intake plenum. Was very happy with thus car until I test drove a 2003 Mach 1 mustang about two years after purchasing the GT.

Mach 1 was lightly modified. Only had off road x pipe, cat back and a tune. It outperformed the GT stock and my back was broken the first year I owned the Mach so was happy with how it performed. For a car that cost 19100 and about 2k in mods the numbers were impressive.

Fast forward 7 years and I traded the Mach in for a 2013 Grand Sport 3LT. When I owned the mustangs and ran in that circle it was the norm for everyone to modify. Our goals were really just 1/4 mile runs in the low 12s to high 11s on average. There was always the exceptions who wouldnt stop even after reaching 9 second traps.

I was not expecting people in the Corvette circles to modify just as much considering how fast these things are stock and the price lol.

I personally am happy with the 13 GS, 99% of the vehicles on the road arent an issue... the other 1% are other Corvettes, a few Porsches and highly modified cars. Im no longer into racing considering my spinal damage and the fact I just never was into redlight racing....even if everyone and their mom wants to race the GS. I just let em take off and I drive like Im driving a minivan.

So after all that if your still with me...why are so many people modifying their C6 corvettes, especially the GS models? These things are incredibly fast and capable sports cars. I get the track racers and weekend warriors, I even get the 1/8 and 1/4 milers. Do more people keep their Grand Sports stock or modified?

Just looking for some input, if there is easy HP or torque I may modify but it would have to be very easy to install. If there is HP to be gained or lbs to be shed that can be done quickly and easily I may modify.

Im new to vorvettes but have been modifying Mustangs for a long time so any advice on the LS3 and 13 GS would help. Thank you for any help..

 

For many car enthusiasts, hp is an addicting thing. Some just want bragging rights, others want every last bit of performance from the car.

 

Ty for your reply. Do you keep yours stock, lightly modified or highly modified?

Anybody here keep their Grand Sports stock?

I've only changed to a K&N filter and pulled the 10A fuse for the exhaust but thinking of putting the fuse back. Doesn't seem like the exhaust being open at low rpm really makes a performance change, just noise heh.

I guess my main point is, the mustang GT is a dime a thousand, so modifying is not a big deal. Parts are cheap and readily available.

The Mach 1 only had a limited run of 9652 in 2003 and 7137 in 2004 with a specific 32 valve DOHC V8 putting out a published fwhp of 305 and 320 lb-ft of torque but dynamometer testing by private parties were getting much more (& this was a decade ago). It also had the semi functional shaker hood scoop, though it more vibrated than it did shake heh. Due to the limited nature of this car I didn't want to modify it beyond 30 minute bolt ons. The Chevrolet dealer called and told me it sold the 1st day it was put on the lot, the new owner traded a 2013 Silverado in on it

So back to the Grand Sport, mine is an automatic as well but I keep in in the S mode at all times, been driving manual since I was 15 so getting used to the auto is much easier with paddle shifters . Isn't the GS enough car as it is or is it lacking enough to need upgrades?

If so which upgrades give the best bang for the buck for our C6 LS3 motors and/or specifically the GS models?