Top C6 Corvette Mods

C6 Corvettes are in a league of their own. Right off the factory floor, they have performance and handling that can rival supercars twice their price. Corvettes often outperform their competitors in handling and horsepower, which is why Corvette owners are so proud of their cars. Plus, they take modifications exceptionally well, so owners can personalize their cars without impacting performance. Since Corvettes are one of the most popular muscle cars in America, there’s a thriving community of owners and enthusiasts looking to modify their cars.

If you’re looking to modify a C6 Corvette, there are many options. Appearance mods are popular and relatively inexpensive, and they allow you to individualize and accessorize your car to your taste. Performance mods are also in high demand, and they can help you get more bang for your buck — literally. Many of the C6 performance mods enhance horsepower and can add great sound, among other benefits.

Why Upgrade Your C6 Corvette?

Corvettes were in production between the 2005 and 2013 model years, and they are still enormously popular. Right off the factory floor, a C6 Corvette has a place in the history books. Chevrolet released four different variants of this car aside from the phenomenal base model — the Z06, the ZR1, the Grand Sport and the 427 convertible. The C6 is the first Corvette model since 1962 to have exposed headlamps.

Compared to the C5, the C6 has a tougher, sharper look and with the new LS2 engine putting out 400 horsepower, was only 5hp shy of the C5 Z06. A supercharged C6 ZR1 could output a whopping 638 horsepower. There are also various special editions of the C6 with impressive upgrades.

With all the benefits of the stock C6 models, you may be asking yourself whether you should modify your C6. Many original owners and new C6 buyers seek out modifications to enhance the car’s sound and performance. Part of the joy of modifications is making the car your own, and you want to invest your time and money into something you’ll enjoy.

If you want to know how to start improving your C6 Corvette, consider what you want out of your car and how you use it. C6 Corvettes don’t require significant modifications because the stock versions are already so outstanding, but quite a few simple mods can offer drastic performance improvements. In this list, you’ll discover the best C6 aftermarket parts, essential C6 Corvette upgrades and most popular C6 performance mods.

Performance Mods

These top C6 Corvette mods can improve specific areas of your C6’s performance. If you want to enhance or alter your car’s engine sound, you can upgrade your exhaust system to get that thrilling roar. Or, if you hope to get more power from your car’s engine, many of these mods have the benefit of providing a C6 Corvette horsepower increase. If you’re looking to modify your car’s functionality, these are the best C6 performance mods you can make.

1. Suspension

Suspension helps your car’s tires maintain traction on the road, so it has a direct effect on handling. The C6 Corvette has an excellent standard suspension system, but you can upgrade it for different uses.

Many owners of older-generation Corvettes choose to upgrade their suspension for a more relaxing ride. You can get a front-end lift, which will make it less likely that uneven roads and surfaces will interfere with or damage your car. Additionally, softer suspension kits can make your car ride more smoothly, which is a wise idea if you use your C6 as an everyday car.

However, many C6 owners have a need for speed. If you want to drag race or track race in your C6, lowering your suspension will give you enhanced performance and reduce the air drag on your car at high speeds. Many people also choose lower suspension because it provides more excellent handling and increased stability throughout turns. This top C6 performance mod can show you a C6 Corvette’s power and grit.

2. Cold Air Intake

When deciding what to upgrade on a C6 Corvette, adding a cold air intake is relatively simple, yet it’s one of the best C6 Corvette mods you can make. While all cars have an intake system, a cold air intake improves your engine performance by bringing more cold air into the engine system. Cold air has a higher oxygen level than hot air, which means more oxygen can infiltrate your car’s engine and combustion chamber.

Since your engine runs on the combustion reaction of oxygen and fuel, more oxygen particles make your engine run more efficiently, giving you more power and better mileage. A cold air intake upgrade will give your C6 extra horsepower by increasing the density of oxygen intake, thus creating a volatile reaction within the engine. Cold air intakes also provide improved throttle response and better engine sound, enhancing the Corvette experience.

3. Exhaust Upgrades

Changing the exhaust system is a classic C6 Corvette upgrade. A car’s intake system controls air input, which affects engine combustion, and the exhaust system controls the air output. With a more efficient output, your engine can run better, and you’ll get more horsepower from your car.

If you install a cold air intake, you might also want to add an aftermarket exhaust system to your modifications. Since the new intake will bring more air into the engine, a new exhaust system will move more air out, decreasing the backpressure — and letting your engine expel more air results in a marked increase in performance.

Exhaust upgrades can also make a difference in the noise your car makes. When the engine releases hot gases into the exhaust system, they mix with low-pressure molecules and the resulting collision produces a loud sound. You can control your car’s tonality by modifying the exhaust system, which can create a deep, rich sound.

4. Throttle Body

If you plan to upgrade your intake and exhaust, installing a ported throttle body is the next logical step. A ported throttle body is a component in the airflow system, and it’s one of the best C6 Corvette upgrades because it gives you even more horsepower from your engine, especially when combined with a cold air intake and upgraded exhaust system.

While the standard throttle body in a C6 Corvette is fantastic, if you’re planning to upgrade your intake and exhaust, a ported throttle body can help you get the maximum performance out of those upgrades. Additionally, this mod won’t break the bank, so it’s a great move if you’re looking to increase horsepower without shelling out the big bucks.

5. Supercharger Kits

This mod sounds cool, but what’s even cooler is the actual benefits you get from installing a supercharger kit. A supercharger kit’s essential function is to force more air into the engine, thus maximizing engine power and increasing the fuel inputs. This modification is rather pricey and complex, so it’s a good idea to do plenty of research before adding it.

Superchargers connect to the engine with a belt or pulley, and they can fundamentally change your engine’s function. Some kits can add an additional 30 to 50% more horsepower, essentially transforming the car. It’s essential to note that some supercharger kits are for racing and thus may not be street legal. However, street-legal kits, like the Edlebrock Supercharger Stage 1 Street System, can increase the LS2 engine to 554 horsepower.

For many, adding a supercharger kit is one of the last steps in their modifications. Because of its hefty price, you’re better off starting with intake, exhaust, and throttle body mods, among other smaller ones, that can increase your engine’s function and horsepower. If you still want more from your engine after these mods, a supercharger kit guarantees you plenty more horsepower to work with.

6. Brakes

If you want to increase your C6 Corvette’s horsepower, there’s a crucial feature you need to consider upgrading — the brakes. Whenever you upgrade your car’s speed and power, you should improve its stopping power. With more horsepower, the brakes work harder to bring your vehicle to a halt. Brake mods are an essential C6 Corvette upgrade if you’re adding more power.

The type of brake upgrade you get depends on how you drive your car. High-performance brakes are ideal for racing because they quickly dissipate heat buildup on the brake disc and bring you to a quick stop from extremely high speeds. For daily use and the occasional joyride, you can pair performance pads with slotted or smooth rotors.

7. Programming and Tuning

Modern cars have intricate engine control units that monitor the car’s performance. These computers essentially tell the car what to do, so you should tune your ECU whenever you modify your car. Most changes to engine power, intake and exhaust improve your car’s performance without a tune. Still, you can refine the engine’s calibration by tuning your car to your other modifications’ specs.

If you want to maximize your C6 mods, whether air intake, exhaust, or something else, tuning your ECU allows the car’s computer to keep up with its performance, resulting in a smoother operating electrical system. You’ll want to keep in mind driving dynamics, and some even allow you to upload custom tunes in order to achieve specifications desired. When you tune your car after modifications, you get the best Corvette experience.

Appearance Mods

While the C6’s sharp look and exposed headlamps turn heads, you can still make quite a few modifications to its appearance. These aesthetic mods don’t always impact performance, but they will make your C6 stand out in a crowd. There are many appearance modifications to choose from, and they depend on your style and preference, but these aesthetic C6 Corvette upgrades are some of the most popular.

1. Grills

Many C6 Corvette owners choose to personalize their car with a grill modification. Grills are a defining feature for a car’s looks and design. If you want to add custom aesthetic details, a grill is a great place to start. Laser mesh and polished billet are two popular styles, but you can go bolder with shark teeth and retro-style grills.

2. Spoilers

Spoilers help with vehicle aerodynamics, reducing the wind resistance from above and below. However, they also have a marked impact on a car’s appearance. If you like a more understated look and aren’t hoping to defy gravity, you can get a lower spoiler that attaches to the back of your car. If you’re racing in your C6, choose a more dramatic performance spoiler, which has a sporty look while significantly increasing your car’s aerodynamics and downforce for better traction.

3. Rims

While it’s crucial to choose the right tires for your car and how you plan to use them, rims or wheels are something for which many people have an aesthetic preference. You can get aftermarket rims for your C6 Corvette if you prefer a specific look. These wheels come in colors like classic chrome, or you can choose something different, like gunmetal or matte black. Rim design varies significantly, from simple straight spindles to more intricate features.

4. Lights

LED lighting is a popular aesthetic and practical choice for C6 Corvettes. LED headlights last longer and are more durable than traditional halogen bulbs. A popular lighting upgrade is installing new external LED lights in a C6 Corvette. You can also install internal lighting features in your car, such as using colored light strips on the base and in the floor wells.

5. Emblems

Some of the simplest, most affordable appearance modifications are fresh emblems. Emblems often read “Corvette” or represent the Corvette logo, and they can go on the front or rear windshield and other areas on the car’s exterior. You can even get emblems to match the color of your paint or other accent features.

6. Seat Covers

Seat Covers are another great way to individualize your C6, and they come in colors from traditional black, gray, and tan, or you can opt for a bold red to make your car stand out. Personalizing your seat covers is perfect if you have a convertible, since it protects the original leather from the elements and adds an aesthetic touch.

Start Improving Your C6 Corvette With Top Flight Automotive

If you are searching for the best C6 Corvette modifications, look no further than Top Flight Automotive, part of the Extra Mile Brands family of companies. As the largest manufacturer of Corvette parts, we have an extensive range of C6 components to suit whatever modifications you want to make. Whether you’re starting small with appearance mods, or you want to go all-in on performance mods, trust Top Flight Automotive to have the top C6 restoration parts and accessories you need.

Get premier C6 Corvette performance parts and start modifying your C6! Shop online today and browse our expansive collection of Corvette parts and accessories. If you have any questions, contact our team of Corvette experts.