Recommendation on what to do with $2,000...
03-17-2014, 12:54 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Recommendation on what to do with $2,000...
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.
Last edited by ammtzmtz; 03-17-2014 at 12:56 AM.
03-17-2014, 01:09 AM
#2
Racer
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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, 06:51 AM
#6
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, 07:07 AM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
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!
Thank you for putting it in this perspective and for sharing your mods. I think an exhaust may be a good route to start. I'm thinking about perhaps alternating between a performance mod and an appearance mod every time I drop money into it.
03-17-2014, 07:22 AM
#8
Drifting
Not to be critical but I would not call $$$ spent on a car as INVESTING, more like SPENDING
Either way first thing I would look at is what shape are the tires in, if they are worn or close to being worn out that is gonna get most of that $2K
If not then guess wheels would be my first option if you car does not have HUD or Navigation system
If I did not have HUD that would be first thing I would want, if standard radio I would look at upgrading to one of the vendors systems here
Just my opinion but that is what I would do
Either way first thing I would look at is what shape are the tires in, if they are worn or close to being worn out that is gonna get most of that $2K
If not then guess wheels would be my first option if you car does not have HUD or Navigation system
If I did not have HUD that would be first thing I would want, if standard radio I would look at upgrading to one of the vendors systems here
Just my opinion but that is what I would do
03-17-2014, 07:24 AM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
If you always live hand to mouth you will never have anything really nice. And you don't ever INVEST in a car. Investments are something that give back more than you put in. Until you spend a LOT more than $2K you will never get back from a car what it cost. Learn to live within your means and let other people use your excess and they will pay you rather than you always paying them. If you follow this advice you will never have to ask what is the best way to spend $2K. $2K will be pocket change you can spend on anything that strikes your fancy.
03-17-2014, 07:32 AM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Not to be critical but I would not call $$$ spent on a car as INVESTING, more like SPENDING
Either way first thing I would look at is what shape are the tires in, if they are worn or close to being worn out that is gonna get most of that $2K
If not then guess wheels would be my first option if you car does not have HUD or Navigation system
If I did not have HUD that would be first thing I would want, if standard radio I would look at upgrading to one of the vendors systems here
Just my opinion Butkus that is what I would do
Either way first thing I would look at is what shape are the tires in, if they are worn or close to being worn out that is gonna get most of that $2K
If not then guess wheels would be my first option if you car does not have HUD or Navigation system
If I did not have HUD that would be first thing I would want, if standard radio I would look at upgrading to one of the vendors systems here
Just my opinion Butkus that is what I would do
03-17-2014, 08:23 AM
#11
Race Director<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/7k-10k.gif" border="0">
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
If appearance is the route you are taking, I think a lot can be achieved with a nice set of wheels. Hundreds of variations to choose from in that price range.
03-17-2014, 08:41 AM
#12
Team Owner
If appearance is your choice I would go with some wheels, if performance is your choice than it would be exhaust.
03-17-2014, 09:11 AM
#13
Pro
Some simple, perhaps non-controversial purchases:
One of those short wires that allow you to power a radar detector from the mirror.
Lloyd mats.
A divider separating/organizing the rear if it's a coupe.
A wiring set up allowing an auxiliary audio/phone source to run through your radio. I got one that plugs into the xm connection in the hatch area and was easily hidden under the carpeting.
One of those short wires that allow you to power a radar detector from the mirror.
Lloyd mats.
A divider separating/organizing the rear if it's a coupe.
A wiring set up allowing an auxiliary audio/phone source to run through your radio. I got one that plugs into the xm connection in the hatch area and was easily hidden under the carpeting.
03-17-2014, 09:35 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
performance what I did was headers / tune for under $1900 and then shocks/sway bars for $1000 and for $3000 I got an 11 second car with phenomenal handling capabilities.
Now I'll probably do some mild appearance stuff and leave the car alone.
Best bang for your buck in power at that money is headers/tune.
Now I'll probably do some mild appearance stuff and leave the car alone.
Best bang for your buck in power at that money is headers/tune.
03-17-2014, 09:48 AM
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
performance what I did was headers / tune for under $1900 and then shocks/sway bars for $1000 and for $3000 I got an 11 second car with phenomenal handling capabilities.
Now I'll probably do some mild appearance stuff and leave the car alone.
Best bang for your buck in power at that money is headers/tune.
Now I'll probably do some mild appearance stuff and leave the car alone.
Best bang for your buck in power at that money is headers/tune.
03-17-2014, 10:38 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
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.
03-17-2014, 12:10 PM
#17
Race Director<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/7k-10k.gif" border="0">
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
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.
03-17-2014, 01:17 PM
#19
Texas speed headers/x package and Fast 102 if you can swing it. The Fast 102 is a great mod for the LS2 as the factory manifold is pretty restrictive. I gained 50+ HP with TSP headers/x and Fast 102.
03-17-2014, 03:58 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
No 1 thing should be a tune. It wakes up the car so much regarding throttle response, turning off Torque management, and shift points (if its an auto). Not too mention some nice power. It's probably your best bang for the buck and it should run you 300-500.