Hey everyone I just bought a 2001 Pewter Convertible Corvette 23k miles absolute mint condition (I bought it at Corvette Palace home of the show Corvette sale)!!! Yeah for me, anyway its time for some light mods already.

I already own a 1999 Z28 full bolt-on with a track/street suspension. The C5 is so SLOW (3.15 stock vs 3.23 bolt-on) I need to start up with some mods.

I have a FE1 suspension but I REALLY like the incredibly smooth ride, if I want track performance I'll stick to tearing up my F-Body (they like that). I am wondering though what is a good street suspension set-up for a soft top 'vette?

I already have a Hotchkis car how are their sway bars? What kind of shocks? Are springs worth it?

Now onto the go fast.

What is the top intake set-up, I am looking at the Vararam but I honestly have no idea what the best performing induction is.

BTW I love the lack of EGR crap under the hood!

Next exhaust, my Camaro has FLP LT's and a Hooker cat-back. I like the tameness of the system (as compared to things like SLP LM) but I also like it when it hits WOT or really anything over 3000 RPM's. What is a good bang-for-buck exhaust set-up that will not scratch speed bumps (my F-Bods LTs) or bang against the floor pan (don't even ask this was a real bitch to get rid of).

I am really hoping for some unbiased info, I hate reading the manufacturer BS.

Are there any "free" upgrades, such as a new thermo, TB coolant bypass, whatever. I tried looking around but F-Bods have completely overrun the search scene on Yahoo etc.

 

First, check this post for some good info about intakes:
https://www.corvetteforums.com/m_3413/tm.htm
That's an easy 12+ RWHP

Second, if you haven't already, get rid of the runflat tires. The Goodyear GSD3s are the best all-around street tires you can buy. A good suspension setup is the Z51 option package. If you don't already have this, Bilstein shocks and Z06 sway bars make a great combo.

Thirdly, the top cat-back exhaust systems for the C5 are Borla, Corsa, B&B, PRT, and GHL. Each has its own particular sound. I think the Borla Stingers come closest to the sound I had from my 68 C3. It had Doug Thorley headers, 2.5-inch pipes, and Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers.

To hear some, go to:

http://thx2.net/exhaust.htm

Lastly, get yourself some Zaino leather cleaner (Z9) and especially, Zaino "Leather-in-a-bottle"(Z10). It smells EXACTLY like fresh leather.

See them here:
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=Zaino

Dave

 

Thanks for the good info!