13 Simple But Effective C5 Corvette Mods

13 Simple But Effective C5 Corvette Mods

If you own a C5 Corvette, there's plenty to you can do to give it that extra wow factor. Here we take a look at 13 simple and effective C5 Corvette mods.

Keyword(s): c5 corvette mods

Hard to believe, we know, but there are things you can to to make your fifth-generation Corvette even better!

When you first get your C5 Vette, it seems perfect as is. (And in many ways, this is true.) But, as modification maniacs know, Corvettes make excellent project cars.

There are actually so many C5 Corvette mods that they make these cars seem like blank canvases (on which to test your wildest and most far-fetched ideas). Although it was hard for us to narrow down the mod list to just 13, we did it… just for you.

We think you'll appreciate these mods for their simplicity, but remember, simple doesn't always mean easy. However, we know you want to put in the work, otherwise, why mod your Corvette in the first place?

C5 Corvette Mods to Make Your Car Purr

Mods come in all shapes and sizes and for nearly all parts of your Corvette. The C5 Corvette mods we list below run the gamut from purely aesthetic touches to aftermarket tinkering. Check them out.

Mod #1: Install a Cold-Air Intake System

This aftermarket mod, also known as a CAI, brings cooler air into your Corvette's intake manifold than it would get otherwise. The thinking goes that cooler air, which is denser, will give your engine more oxygen per unit of volume than warmer air.

This increase in oxygen leads to an increase in horsepower, usually of more than a dozen horsepower per 5,500 RPMs, which is best noticed under hard acceleration.

Mod #2: Install an Aftermarket Exhaust System

The gains in horsepower that come from adding an aftermarket exhaust system to your C5 Corvette occur at the higher engine RPMs, just like the added horsepower you get from a CAI. 

Although some people may debate how much power this mods really adds, we are including it because the way you modify your exhaust can influence your car's power gains (i.e. what size pipes you choose, whether you choose an X pipe or manifold, etc).

Plus, this mod sounds especially cool. Nearly all exhaust system mods, especially resonators and mufflers, add an extra oomph to the resonance of your Corvette's engine.

Mod #3: Use a Turbocharger

Here we have another bolt-on mod that will give you amazing acceleration. And, there's no arguing with the increases in rear wheel horsepower that a turbocharger gives you.

A turbo forces extra air into your engine's combustion chamber. This increases the engine's power because by giving it the ability to compress more air and fuel into the chamber.

By using the right turbo, you can increase the power of an LS engine by more than double the factory settings.

Mod #4: Use a Supercharger

A supercharger functions similarly to a turbocharger, in the sense that increases the density of the air your engine gets.

Superchargers are slightly less efficient than turbochargers, though they also require shorter lead times to generate the power boost they provide. Often, C5 owners will combine both (twin-turbo) to maximize output.

However, be prepared because this mod may be a fairly expensive option.

Mod #5: Reprogram the ECU

This mod is for drivers who are incredibly in sync with their vehicle. Reprogramming is also known as tuning, and even though it’s not going to increase your engine's horsepower the way our previous mods will, the right tuning can make your C5 Corvette drive and accelerate smoother.

Each tuner is unique, including different price points, so make sure you know which tuner you want before you go shopping. Do you want to improve your engine's cooling, calibrate speedometers, adjust engine idle speeds, or adjust your top speed limiter? Ask yourself these questions before you start spending money.

Mod #6: Install Performance Seats

That's right. We're talking about your seats. (Not all of these items are going to be engine mods.)

Performance seats offer better body support than the seats that come with your Corvette, thanks to firm cushions, reinforced sub-structures, and larger seat bolsters. These gains give you increased pedal control and better steering.

Oddly enough, this may be one of the more important mods we suggest, since one of the bigger criticisms of most C5s is that their seats don't offer proper driver support during more intense driving. While factory seats may be more comfortable initially, trust that the support you get from performance seats will do your body better in the long run.

Mod #7: Widen Your Wheels and Tires

Here's another bolt-on mod we love.

If you widen your wheels even more than they already are, you increase your Corvette's surface area contact with the road, which can give you gains in braking and acceleration. You'll also get better handling, more precision in turns, and quicker deceleration from wider tires.

One note about upsizing your wheels. This mod can increase the weight of your car, which can counteract the power gains of other mods. Consider all the variables, including surface area, grip, all of the materials involved in your wheels and the tires you're considering, and your car's overall weight.

Mod #8: Break Out the Zip Ties

Now we're getting beyond the simple and into the cheap, and we mean that in the best way possible. The primary part you need here is a bag of zip ties. It's likely less than $20 for a bag of 100.

To get the 10 to 15 horsepower increase this mod can give you, remove the stock of your airbox cover, and use your zip ties to fasten the filter to what remains of your airbox.

It's as simple as that to give your engine more airflow and, thus, more power.

Mod #9: Apply Brushed or Polished Stainless Logo Door Sills

Let's talk beautification. This mod is all about prettying up your Corvette in unexpected places.

All you need are some door sills, which are easy to apply and can give your car a look that is both sleek and classy whenever you or someone else opens the door.

Mod #10: Install a Wind Restrictor Logo Wind Screen

This GM-licensed product is another one in the looks department, and it's got many customizable features within the modification.

You can choose illumination colors, etching designs, and plexiglass tones for your wind screen, which will give your car a racing feel. (Plus, this mod will save your hair and allow you to listen to that radio!)

Mod #11: Plasti Dip Your Panels

Plasti Dip is inexpensive and easily reversible, so why not experiment with giving your car some colorful flare. The fun of Plasti Dip is the ability you gain to create a car with a paint job more customized to you than any factory could make it. Do it right, and your friends may even ask you to do the same thing to their cars!

The key to Plasti Dipping properly is preparing for the mess you can make. Tape down the areas you don't want painted, and once you've finished applying the paint, peel the tape off while the Plasti Dip is wet to create as sharp and smooth an edge as possible.

Mod #12: Trick Out Your Wheels With a Chrome ZR1 Reproduction Wheel Set

These beauties can give your C5 Corvette ZR1 a classic look that rivals any Corvette. The chrome version of the wheels features high-quality cast aluminum, compatibility with existing sensors, and easy installation.

Mod #13: Lower Your Vette on Its Stock Bolts

We had to end on a classic mod, one that has helped define lowrider culture.

Yes, your C5 Corvette will look cooler if you lower it, but this mod goes beyond looks alone. A car that is lower to the ground handles better because of its lower center of gravity.

One recommendation for how much to lower your Corvette on its stock bolts is to lower the suspension until only a couple threads of the bolt are showing once you secure it.

Mod Your Way to Heaven

We hope these C5 Corvette mods have given you the inspiration you need to get working on your own Corvette.

Of course, if you need to look at parts beforehand, we’re stocked and ready to help!