Recommendation on what to do with $2,000...
03-17-2014, 06:38 PM
#22
Drifting
Before you do anything, look the tires over very carefully. If the tires have been on the car for a while they may be cracking or beginning to dry rot. New tires will cost you $1500-$1700 if you go with runflats. Less if you don't but that's a whole 'nother conversation.
03-17-2014, 10:15 PM
#23
Instructor
Thread Starter
I went with PFADT which is considered the best but they are currently out of business (long side story dig around the forums).
I left the NPP muffler as the only remaining part of the exhaust. The long tube headers go from the motor back all the way to the mufflers. Car ran at the track 7.7 @ 96mph and 11.7 @ 121mph with this setup alone. Since your'e an LS2, an intake would do wonders as well, not so much on LS3.
How does it sound? Listen for yourself...
It's "quiet" in the car unless you get on it but from the outside it's always somewhat loud.
I left the NPP muffler as the only remaining part of the exhaust. The long tube headers go from the motor back all the way to the mufflers. Car ran at the track 7.7 @ 96mph and 11.7 @ 121mph with this setup alone. Since your'e an LS2, an intake would do wonders as well, not so much on LS3.
How does it sound? Listen for yourself...
It's "quiet" in the car unless you get on it but from the outside it's always somewhat loud.
With PFADT no longer available, what's the recommendation on brand of headers?
03-17-2014, 10:48 PM
#24
I reworked entire stereo system the first week I owned mine...only factory remaining are rear 2 speakers...plus 2 additional subs and 2 amps... I like my music up with the roof off... It was an obvious shortcoming to me immediately. I now have shocks on order (base suspension) because I would like it firmer. Guess it comes down to what your goals are...I find the car more than powerful enough
03-17-2014, 11:14 PM
#25
Advanced
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: carrollton tx
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can go in so many directions! But it boils down to performance and looks.
I also have a '05 with the z51 package and as I believe my car is more than powerful enough for me and what I ask of it.... I went the looks route. I added side skirts, zr1 spoiler, front splitter, rear valance, wheels, and exhaust.
It completely transformed my car into something that looks amazing. I get compliments on it every time I drive it. I love what I did I my car but to each their own.
$2k would get you a good exhaust set up. You could also look into a tune?
Either way, make the car YOURS!
I also have a '05 with the z51 package and as I believe my car is more than powerful enough for me and what I ask of it.... I went the looks route. I added side skirts, zr1 spoiler, front splitter, rear valance, wheels, and exhaust.
It completely transformed my car into something that looks amazing. I get compliments on it every time I drive it. I love what I did I my car but to each their own.
$2k would get you a good exhaust set up. You could also look into a tune?
Either way, make the car YOURS!
03-17-2014, 11:29 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
If you always live hand to mouth you will never have anything really nice. And you don't ever INVEST in a car. Investments are something that give back more than you put in. Until you spend a LOT more than $2K you will never get back from a car what it cost. Learn to live within your means and let other people use your excess and they will pay you rather than you always paying them. If you follow this advice you will never have to ask what is the best way to spend $2K. $2K will be pocket change you can spend on anything that strikes your fancy.
03-17-2014, 11:50 PM
#27
My advice is basically my personal strategy and opinion so take it for what its worth.
First, make sure you car is 100%, modding a car with full exhaust and a tune is pointless if your tires are worn, shocks are blown and clutch (or clutch packs) are worn out, and your car needs a lot of maintenance.
Second, determine what your goal is for your car. Are you going to take it to HPDE, autocross, drag racing or just spirited pulls. After you have determined that find the weakest part and start there.
If your into corners, get some HPDE under your belt, 2 grand will get you some seat time maybe even with an instructor. If you want to drag race, well start going to the track and get seat time. If you cant get 400hp to hook up now what makes you think adding more HP is going to help.
So basically ask your self two things. Do I know my limits and the cars limits. If you cant answer those questions, maybe its better to figure out the answer/s before wasting money.
Ill be the first to admit, I don't know either.
First, make sure you car is 100%, modding a car with full exhaust and a tune is pointless if your tires are worn, shocks are blown and clutch (or clutch packs) are worn out, and your car needs a lot of maintenance.
Second, determine what your goal is for your car. Are you going to take it to HPDE, autocross, drag racing or just spirited pulls. After you have determined that find the weakest part and start there.
If your into corners, get some HPDE under your belt, 2 grand will get you some seat time maybe even with an instructor. If you want to drag race, well start going to the track and get seat time. If you cant get 400hp to hook up now what makes you think adding more HP is going to help.
So basically ask your self two things. Do I know my limits and the cars limits. If you cant answer those questions, maybe its better to figure out the answer/s before wasting money.
Ill be the first to admit, I don't know either.
03-18-2014, 12:30 AM
#28
I just bought an '06 and bought these things for it. Probably not a big performance change, but just a few small changes.
SLP LoudMouth II cat-back for some exhaust sound
Lloyds Mats
JVC KW-NSX700 DVD head unit since I want to control the music on my phone & Pandora from the head unit via bluetooth.
I love the car - I'll definitely have it for a long time, so these things should hold me over while I get some seat time doing some track days and some drag racing.
SLP LoudMouth II cat-back for some exhaust sound
Lloyds Mats
JVC KW-NSX700 DVD head unit since I want to control the music on my phone & Pandora from the head unit via bluetooth.
I love the car - I'll definitely have it for a long time, so these things should hold me over while I get some seat time doing some track days and some drag racing.
03-18-2014, 01:03 AM
#30
Intermediate
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Take a good performance driving class . That's the best bang for your buck . You'll be amazed at how much better your "car" performs and how much more fun it is to drive . This will also give you a better idea of what upgrades "really" improve your performance and enjoyment .
GEP
GEP
03-18-2014, 09:07 AM
#32
Instructor
Thread Starter
These are all great ideas and thank you everyone!!!
A few more questions because I've heard and read different things regarding tires and wheels...
What is the max size of tire width I can put on the stock 05 19/18 wheel combo?
What is the max wheel size combo I can do on the car without running into issues or having to get wide-body fenders or flares? I'd like to get wider rear tires than the current 285s
As I searched for wheels on the web, I came accross wheels I liked that said fits zo6, grand sport, 427... Does that mean they will not go on a base C6?
My apologies if these are dumb questions....
A few more questions because I've heard and read different things regarding tires and wheels...
What is the max size of tire width I can put on the stock 05 19/18 wheel combo?
What is the max wheel size combo I can do on the car without running into issues or having to get wide-body fenders or flares? I'd like to get wider rear tires than the current 285s
As I searched for wheels on the web, I came accross wheels I liked that said fits zo6, grand sport, 427... Does that mean they will not go on a base C6?
My apologies if these are dumb questions....
03-18-2014, 10:47 AM
#33
Heres one no one thought of. A $2k gas card!
I just blew $6k on my g/s over the winter, supercharger,body mods,extra goodies,love the mods I did but would rather be driving it.
These cars are awesome the way they are..but guess I cant talk.
I just blew $6k on my g/s over the winter, supercharger,body mods,extra goodies,love the mods I did but would rather be driving it.
These cars are awesome the way they are..but guess I cant talk.
03-18-2014, 03:40 PM
#36
Le Mans Master
That'd be the gf...and a car guru to boot. She's an R34 fan (last gen GTR) and the current R35 but I've gotten the Vette to grow on her. She's even learning to row the gears of a manual these days.
03-19-2014, 10:47 PM
#37
Instructor
Thread Starter
These are all great ideas and thank you everyone!!!
A few more questions because I've heard and read different things regarding tires and wheels...
What is the max size of tire width I can put on the stock 05 19/18 wheel combo?
What is the max wheel size combo I can do on the car without running into issues or having to get wide-body fenders or flares? I'd like to get wider rear tires than the current 285s
As I searched for wheels on the web, I came accross wheels I liked that said fits zo6, grand sport, 427... Does that mean they will not go on a base C6?
My apologies if these are dumb questions....
A few more questions because I've heard and read different things regarding tires and wheels...
What is the max size of tire width I can put on the stock 05 19/18 wheel combo?
What is the max wheel size combo I can do on the car without running into issues or having to get wide-body fenders or flares? I'd like to get wider rear tires than the current 285s
As I searched for wheels on the web, I came accross wheels I liked that said fits zo6, grand sport, 427... Does that mean they will not go on a base C6?
My apologies if these are dumb questions....
03-19-2014, 10:55 PM
#38
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C6 2005
We'll said as I put a tune in mine and adjusted the fly by wire and pick up a few more HP , and then I installed some Kooks long tubes and header and brought a Corsa exhaust touring version and man you want to say sleeper cell this thing is rocket , but also not an annoying loud sound that you can't hear yourself , but when you launch it the beast comes out
03-19-2014, 11:00 PM
#39
Le Mans Master
I'm a new owner of a 2005 with a Z51 package and I'm looking to do some upgrades. I'm new to the Corvette world so I thought I'd post this to get some advise on where to invest my $2,000 from folks that are familiar with this amazing vehicle. The car has only 32,000 miles so everything is in very good shape as far as normal wear and tear which leaves me undecided on where to start my mods.
03-26-2014, 09:19 PM
#40
Pro
Member Since: Sep 2010
Location: Murrysville PA
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would go with a 390 or 410 rear end. With install you should be right around 2,000 or 2,100.
You will love the low end acceleration. If you get headers or a complete exhaust system, you WILL need a professional tune to take advantage of it. That will set you back another 400.00
You will love the low end acceleration. If you get headers or a complete exhaust system, you WILL need a professional tune to take advantage of it. That will set you back another 400.00