Top C5 Corvette Mods

The C5 Corvette was in production between the 1997 to 2004 model years. It was a stark aesthetic break from the C4 Corvette, with a less angular body and a more powerful engine. Corvette owners around the world love their cars because they match a beautiful exterior with incredible power at an approachable price point. Arguably, you couldn’t get a better deal of power for money anywhere else.

Corvettes, including the C5s, are great because they are powerful off the factory floor, and they take modifications exceptionally well. For example, the C5, C6 and C7 come from the factory with adjustable ride heights. The potential for personalizing and customizing your C5 is practically endless, so if you’re wondering what to upgrade on a C5 Corvette, consider these performance and aesthetic mods.

Where to Start Improving a C5 Corvette

You may be wondering if you should start with performance or aesthetic modifications on your C5. To determine the answer, ask yourself this — would I rather invest in making my car look its best or perform its best? If you plan to use your car more for casual weekend rides, a few minor performance mods will do, and you can invest the rest in making the car look as snazzy as possible. If you want to drive fast, performance mods are some of the best C5 Corvette upgrades you can make.

C5 Performance Mods

Whether you’re looking to increase horsepower or just want to boost the handling and ride of your C5, these C5 Corvette performance parts can help you personalize your Corvette to the specifications you want. However, you drive your car, these classic C5 Corvette upgrades can improve upon the already fantastic Corvette driving experience:

1. Short Shifter

One simple yet impactful C5 Corvette upgrade is the installation of a short shifter. While most assume a short shifter is a chopped-off version of a stock shifter, that is a misconception. Chopping the shifter makes no difference in the angle of the shifter. A short shifter works by reducing the angle of the shifter’s throw while changing between gears.

Since short shifters reduce the distance and angle the shifter shaft travels between gears, you can get quicker gear changes. Being able to shift quickly can give you a decided edge in racing situations, and in everyday life, it makes the driving experience more enjoyable. Short shifters add a sporty look and feel to your car, so even driving to work can feel like getting in some laps on the track.

As far as price and installation go, short shifters are pretty inexpensive when compared to other mods. However, to get the most out of this C5 performance mod, your best bet is to increase horsepower and handling with other modifications.

2. Cold Air Intake

Across the board, a cold air intake is a great mod, and it’s one of the best C5 performance mods you can make. The intake system on a car controls the amount of air that enters the engine. Since the combustion reaction between air and fuel is what makes a car move, it’s an incredibly important part. A cold air intake system essentially allows for cooler to enter the engine.

Cooler air increases the oxygen density, so a cold air intake allows more oxygen into the engine. As a result, a more volatile reaction occurs in the combustion chamber, and your engine can produce more power. Cold air intakes generally result in an increase of 5-20 horsepower. Cold air intakes usually cost a few hundred dollars, but they’re inexpensive compared to other mods that increase horsepower, like superchargers.

3. Exhaust

Whenever you modify the amount of air coming into your car, it’s a good idea to compensate by increasing the exhaust capacity. An aftermarket exhaust system is among the best C5 Corvette mods out there. The exhaust system controls the air output of a car, though it can have an impact on power too.

If you increase your intake capacity with a cold air intake, this also increases the amount of air the car needs to “exhale.” If you don’t upgrade your exhaust system, the buildup of air can cause backpressure, which restricts the amount of power you can get from your engine. Aftermarket exhaust systems help reduce the backpressure and make your total engine performance more efficient. There are different types of exhaust systems but be sure to look up the laws in your state about which exhaust systems are illegal.

When you install an aftermarket exhaust on your C5, you’ll be able to see what a Corvette can truly do. Plus, the extra resonance it adds to your engine will certainly turn heads.

4. Suspension

The basis of a car’s performance is a good foundation, and that’s where the suspension comes in. A new suspension is one of the top C5 Corvette mods. You should consider how you’ll drive your car to determine what kind is best for you. Two general choices for suspension are stiff or soft springs, but somewhere in between might be perfect for your C5.

Usually, you see softer suspension on cars for everyday driving as well as weekend trips. Softer suspension gives you a smoother ride and offers more control by keeping the tires in contact with the ground. A stiff suspension gives you a harder ride through bumps and offers less control, but it improves the aerodynamics of a vehicle by decreasing the down pressure on the car.

A stiffer suspension upgrade on your C5 will show you why it’s one of the best sports cars in the industry. A softer one will provide a smooth ride for relaxing weekend drives.

5. Turbochargers and Superchargers

If you know you want a heck of a lot more horsepower for your car, a turbocharger or supercharger is going to give you the best C5 Corvette horsepower increase. Since an engine’s output depends on the amount of air it is able to take in, increasing the intake capacity is bound to give you more power, which is basically how these mods function.

However, whether a turbocharger or a supercharger is a better mod has been the subject of intense debate for a while. They both boost your car’s power, but they do so in different ways. Turbochargers insert air into the engine by using the hot, expanding exhaust gases to power a turbine that adds more air into the engine. In contrast, superchargers use the engine’s power itself to add more air.

The main con of a turbocharger is that there’s a lag between acceleration and power output since it takes time to get the turbine going. For superchargers, the downside is their inefficiency. A turbocharger or a supercharger would be a great mod to get more horsepower from your C5, though you can also go the twin-turbo route — combine both options to maximize your power output and efficiency.

6. Tune

Tuning your C5 is an excellent idea if you plan to perform any significant modifications to your car, such as a turbocharger or supercharger. Tuning, or reprogramming, is an essential C5 Corvette upgrade. Tuning works by reprogramming the engine control module (ECM) to conform to different specifications from the manufacturer’s settings. The more bolt-on components you install, the more beneficial a tune becomes.

7. Wheels and Tires

Another simple bolt-on mod is upgrading the wheels and tires on your C5. Because the tire’s traction with the ground determines everything from engine power to braking to control, you want to make sure you have the best possible wheels and tires for your car.

Widening your wheels increases the tire’s surface area that is in contact with the ground. The result? Better traction and improved braking and acceleration. If you’re looking for a simple C5 mod to start out with, wider wheels and tires are the way to go.

8. Performance Seats

Seats may seem to be more aesthetic than functional, but serious drivers know the impact performance seats have on driving ability. If your seat isn’t configured to proper driving, you won’t be able to get as much out of your C5 as you’d like. With better cushions and support, your body is perfectly situated for safe, effective driving.

While performance seats are an investment, you’ll notice an immediate difference in your driving and handling when you install performance seats, especially if you use your C5 on the track.

C5 Appearance Mods

The C5 Corvette changed the game with its modern, sleek design. While keeping the pop-up headlamps of previous models, its body became less angular, with softer edges and corners. Appearance modifications help spice up your car and personalize it to your style. If you’re questioning what to upgrade on your C5 Corvette, start with some of these great aesthetic modifications:

1. Steering Wheel

Over time, the leather on your steering wheel can degrade, resulting in a worn appearance. Luckily, you can purchase aftermarket steering wheel replacements to keep every part of your car looking sleek. Since you use the steering wheel every time you drive, upgrading to a newer one can make a huge difference.

For both daily driving and racing, a wheel with a good grip that adjusts to your body is essential. If your wheel is old, the grips may not work as well and the wheel could slip out of your hand during turns, which is extremely dangerous. In addition to safety factors, a new steering wheel can enhance your car’s appearance, and you can even purchase covers for your wheel to match your color scheme.

2. Headlights

The original headlights on the C5 are not as powerful as those on modern cars, so you might want to upgrade the lights to increase forward nighttime visibility and get a more modern look. You can get LED headlamps, which offer great visibility and are more efficient for energy consumption than traditional halogen bulbs.

3. Heads-Up Display

In 1999, Corvette introduced the heads-up display (HUD) on some C5 models. A HUD basically gives you a reading of your speedometer and RPMs as a reflection or projection onto your windscreen. The purpose of a HUD, which has been used in everything from fighter jets to cars, is to display important mechanical readings while keeping the user’s eyes focused out front. With the HUD, there’s less need to shift your focus between your instruments and the windscreen.

If you have a C5 that didn’t come with the HUD, you can install one. While the install is costly and time-consuming, it’s definitely worth the investment — especially if you drive your C5 at high speeds.

4. Stereo and Speakers

While less aesthetic and more auditory, replacing the stereo and speakers can make a world of difference for your driving experience. Older C5s especially might have old or outdated systems, and the installation of a new one is relatively inexpensive and easy.

If you truly want to update your stereo, go with a touch-screen display that pairs with your smartphone. You can display GPS navigation, music, and place hands-free calls with these stereos. If you enjoy listening to music while you drive, new speakers will immensely improve your experience.

5. Hood Vents

Hood vents are a popular way to customize your C5, and the benefits are both aesthetic and functional. If you like the look of hood vents but don’t want to cut into your hood, there are stick-on vents available that are purely aesthetic. Installing real hood vents can make a remarkable difference in your car’s appearance, as well as its performance.

Hood vents function to bring more air into the engine, and like a cold air intake, it brings cooler air in so more oxygen can infiltrate the engine. Hood vents increase the power of your vehicle like cold air intakes do since they add more oxygen to the engine compartment. They also have a dual function of keeping the engine compartment cooler, which helps prevent overheating and excess use of coolant.

Bonus Mod: Fog Light Shroud

This bonus mod has the benefit of being easy and free. Removing the fog light shroud in front of the fog lights is one of the best C5 Corvette modifications because it frees up more airflow into the engine. On the stock C5, the shrouds block air from entering the filter and intake system but removing those can give you more power. If you’d like, you can add a fog light grille to provide extra protection without inhibiting airflow.

Must-Have C5 Corvette Mods

Our friend HorsePower Obsessed provided coverage of the all-new modifications made to his beautiful C5, courtesy of our team here at Top Flight! Check out his top 6 simple mods that transformed the appearance and performance of his C5:

1. Two-Tone Sport Seat Covers
2. Laser LED Parking Light Corner Assemblies
3. Z06 Fog Light Screens
4. Polished Aluminum Dual Air Intake with Filters
5. Jack Lifting Pucks
6. Headlight Motor Adjuster Hole Plug

Top Flight Automotive Is Your Source for C5 Mods

Now that you know how to start improving your C5 Corvette, you can begin your search for the top C5 parts and accessories. Our team at Top Flight Automotive believes it shouldn’t take you longer to find a part than it does to install it — that’s why we have a high-quality and extensive inventory of Corvette parts. With Top Flight Automotive, you can find what you need quickly and from a single source.

Our online store makes it easy to find the exact part you need for your C5 Corvette. Shop online today, or contact us to speak with an experienced sales representative!