hmmmm16417

so I'm looking at getting my first vette. what is typically the first mod(s) recommended?

the one I will probably end up with is a 1998 all stock.

JaxEagle

Cold Air Intake and a tune. If you can do more then go long tubes and/or exhaust depending on your preferences. That'd be my first steps.

hmmmm16417

by "a tune" , I assume you mean on a dyno?

i'm not sure anyone local here in erie, pa does that on cars. right around the corner from me they used to do all my motorcycles, but now cars

JaxEagle

Yes. A dyno tune. I'm sure there has to be someone relatively close to you. You will pick up quite a bit with that list of parts and for a grand or less if you buy used parts on the forum.

darkstar.c5

before you start modding it to go faster.. i recommend working on the most important mod... the "driver" mod.... get to know your car first!

jrose7004

Get a performance catback exhaust and a Blackwing.

SilverBullet95

If money is an issue, I would continue to look for a car that already has some modifications, as the prices between slightly modded and unmodded are generally very similar. In the end you will be saving a ton of money and as long as the aftermarket parts are of quality and the owner cared for the car, you should be good

hmmmm16417

I think this is more of a plan for now since we are also buying a new house LOL



i'm fine with a stock vette. but if it's anything like my old R1 sportbike , you can never have enough mods LOL

Maybizel

I bought a 2002 6 speed bone stock a few months ago. First mod was a new short throw shifter. And then I got a Vararm CAI w/ powerduct and Borla stinger axle back exhaust and a dyno tune. I couldn't be happier with the results. Car does't feel as restricted as it did before and really woke it up! Next mods are long tube headers and high flow catted x-pipe. Good luck with your purchase! You wont be disappointed! ENJOY!!!

Maxx_Z06

I always start with a nice full exhaust, headers and a catback.

Silverbullet00

Good headers, Good cold air intake and a highflow catback, then a tune. Def in that order.


Bring that car to below car show and get them all way cheaper at our silent auction.


Last year, LG Pro LT Headers went for peanuts, etc. About $350 for a $1500 system.


My cell is the second one on the flyer in my sig,,,give me a call or shoot a pm for more info.

momo20

some good advise in this forum..but I would really spend some money on getting fixing any flaws that it might have..get it in tip top shape..then I would mod it..go with a nice cold air intake ..I like the vararam setup with the power duct...then depending on how loud you like it..several of the exhaust systems offer different exhaust notes..i have the corsa indy exhaust and love it paired with a some LG long tube headers..sex for the ears..

Vetteman Jack

I wouldn't get a tune until you know what other mods you want to do - especially ones that increase the hp. My first mods were an aftermarket air intake (I have a Blackwing) and a nice sounding catback exhaust (I run the Corsa Pace Cars on mine).

Mister Peebody

I would recommend replacing the runflat tires, if the car still has runflats, as the first mod.
My 1st mod was replacing the over the axle portion of my exhaust to get a sound that suited my car better, but the BFG KDW2 tires would have been first if I had it all to do over again.
My 2nd mod was a Callaway Honker CAI, 3rd was wheels and the aforementioned tires. 4th was a new LS6, underdrive pulley, LG Longtubes with catted mid-pipe, and a tune. 5th was RPM Lvl4 transmission with 2800rpm Yank stall. 6th was Bilstien sport shocks and T1 sway bars. 7th - off came the underdrive pulley and honker - on with the blower. 8th round was the cam kit install with methanol injection and smaller blower pulley.
FYI - a brake upgrade should have been 4th.

baxsom

First remember how old the car is. Do reliability work first. Brakes, seals, any leaks, fluids, tires? Then you have to decide, mods for performance or mods for looks? Catbacks change sound but do hardly anything for performance. A good Z06 ti catback will drop a lot of weight and will flow well into the 500hp range. Plus it can be had for half of what an aftermarket will cost. Then decide bolt on's only? Get yourself a LS6 intake and long tubes plus a decent air intake system. The vararam gets all kinds of rave reviews. For just bolt ons you can send your PCM to East Coast Supercharging and get it flashed to be almost perfectly tuned if there are no actual dynos around. Then decide what is more fun having all kinds of crazy hp that will hardly get used or tuning the suspension that you can have fun with daily. Look into C6z51 sway bars, C6 Z06 shocks and C5 Z06 springs to have a car that feels completely different. Assuming it is an automatic you have a rear end geared towards highway gas mileage, change it out for a set of 3.42s and a higher stall converter while you are in there and the car will feel a lot faster even if the hp hasnt changed much.

oldschoolvette

I found a car that had about 10K worth of mods, and the price was about what a stock car would go for.

in the end you can get a car that is close to what you want and save a ton of money buying it already mod-ed.

Phanni

C-6 Z06 shocks and sway bars, best bang for the buck, ( or even a better handling package). Then upgrade brakes,,,, All that other high speed stuff ain't worth a d*mn if your car don't handle like it's on rails and stop on a dime.

JaxEagle

I don't disagree with the value of handling and braking, just depends on owner's preference. So far, though, the suggestion have been cai, LT's and exhaust. It would gain some power but I wouldn't really call that "high speed stuff."

oldC5

Replace all fluids first, have the car checked out . Then $$$$ will decide your first mod . Good luck.

hmmmm16417

Thanks for all the replies so far!!! I think I'm more apt to make sure everything is the way it shoudl be (or better) before I mod anything. when I do get it home, i will take a couple months to get used to it and go over it with a fine tooth comb. Once I know everything is right, I can go from there. I would rather have a very nice / near mint stock vette than a modded vette that has issues. lol

My thoughts were probalby intake, exhaust and tune ...as that seems to be the most common ...that's what I always did to my motorcycles too.

I'm not looking to dump thousands into changing everything. Although, i'm sure it becomes a sickness . I just want to keep it spotless and upgrade things as I find deals