Stock 2002 6 speed upgrades
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Yep, I am on a budget. I know there are very expensive upgrades you can do but I also know you can do them and get desired sound or effect much cheaper. I don't want the bottom of the barrel but somewhere in between.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
To make this car my own. Better sounding exhaust, not something very loud just better muscle car sound. Cold air intake, better headlights, and maybe fogs. And when I get that done I might go for the double din mod so I'll have apple handsfree phone and nav. Or this forum may have a better idea as I know you guys have already been down this road and it makes no sense to repeat a mistake.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 117
From: New Braunfels Texas
Vararam cold air works the best for the money but is a bit of a pain to install. The Callaway Honker is excellent but expensive. I have been very happy with my C6 shifter, a great improvement over stock. Exhaust wise I would suggest Z06 titanium if you have room in your budget. The only other one I would want is Corsa. Lot's of different header choices too. I went with American Racing. So to totally transform your car I would suggest: cold air intake, shifter, headers and mufflers, and a tune. Then you may want to start on the suspension, sway bars, etc... Unfortunately it never ends. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
You went out of your way to buy an unmolested 20+ year old vehicle and the first thing that you want to do without having any knowledge is to modify it. Some of us see the beauty in a completely stock (unmolested) C5. Your mods may not be what someone else is looking for in the end IF you want to sell it, but stock is always desirable. Some people don't want to answer because of this fact.
This is a PERFORMANCE PAGE . I would tell you to call one of the forums sponsors and ask about installing one of their superchargers, they have "proven" power results and will not steer you wrong, tune it, then call it a day for the power. Get used to your power level. Most here will tell you about the "driver mod" where you learn how the car reacts and then go from there. The MGW shifter is probably the best short throw. When I asked "what are your goals" all that you basically answered to make it my own. If that were the case, you would be doing whatever YOU wanted without the group's opinion. Nobody here is going to tell you what cosmetic modifications to do to your car...
Hope this helps.
This is a PERFORMANCE PAGE . I would tell you to call one of the forums sponsors and ask about installing one of their superchargers, they have "proven" power results and will not steer you wrong, tune it, then call it a day for the power. Get used to your power level. Most here will tell you about the "driver mod" where you learn how the car reacts and then go from there. The MGW shifter is probably the best short throw. When I asked "what are your goals" all that you basically answered to make it my own. If that were the case, you would be doing whatever YOU wanted without the group's opinion. Nobody here is going to tell you what cosmetic modifications to do to your car...
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Planning on keeping all stock parts that are bolt-on. And a lot of what I want to do is bolt-on. For instance, Looking for cat-back exhaust. I've researched Borla, Corsa, and Magnaflow which are all high priced. so I don't know what any exhaust sounds like except the stock. I'm not looking for hp just a better sound. And would be grateful for any input on that. Surely don't want a drone or one that is too loud. If you don't want to answer my questions by all means don't. I will live. Then what is this forum for?
Last edited by Deeder; Feb 20, 2022 at 01:59 PM. Reason: grammar errors
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Ok, I have researched axel back exhaust, and here Is what I found.
1. Corsa axel back 14111
2. Flowmaster Force 11 817517
3. Borla cat-back 1400428
4 Stainless works cat-back VC553CBQUAD
Ok, you can see how one might not know which one to get as I heard them through computer speakers that have to the frequency response of a tin can. If one would like to give input on any of these please give feedback if you have experience with them. And as always any input will be appreciated. This may help others going down this path.
1. Corsa axel back 14111
2. Flowmaster Force 11 817517
3. Borla cat-back 1400428
4 Stainless works cat-back VC553CBQUAD
Ok, you can see how one might not know which one to get as I heard them through computer speakers that have to the frequency response of a tin can. If one would like to give input on any of these please give feedback if you have experience with them. And as always any input will be appreciated. This may help others going down this path.
Last edited by Deeder; Feb 21, 2022 at 03:58 PM. Reason: better answer
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 456
Likes: 144
From: Frederick Colorado
Where do you live? I have an aftermarket exhaust of unknown manufacture. It sounds really quite good. I am seeking a more quiet car, and might be inclined to swap it out for a stocker.
If you and I live moderately close to one another, it might be worth a drive in the country some sunny Saturday or Sunday to check each other's exhausts out for a potential $0 swap.
If you and I live moderately close to one another, it might be worth a drive in the country some sunny Saturday or Sunday to check each other's exhausts out for a potential $0 swap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,523
Likes: 4,369
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Don’t waste money on an intake. They don’t help.
The best bang for the buck is a lower rear gear and a tune. Leaves the otherwise stock engine unmolested, but really make a significant improvement.
The best bang for the buck is a lower rear gear and a tune. Leaves the otherwise stock engine unmolested, but really make a significant improvement.
Last edited by vette4fl; Nov 5, 2022 at 08:08 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: Madison - Huntsville AL
To make this car my own. Better sounding exhaust, not something very loud just better muscle car sound. Cold air intake, better headlights, and maybe fogs. And when I get that done I might go for the double din mod so I'll have apple handsfree phone and nav. Or this forum may have a better idea as I know you guys have already been down this road and it makes no sense to repeat a mistake.