New to Forum MOD Help Wanted

[scottka]

Hi Gang.
I'm new member to the forum. I'm in the military deployed to the Middle East. I bought a 2004 Spiral Gray C5 Coupe, with 6 speed trans while home on R&R leave back in Dec 2003. I get back to CONUS in April. Needless to say, I'm into the MOD thing bigtime. I have owned many performance cars over the years, but this is my first Vette. I've spent much time at corvetteforum getting info. This is what I plan to do right away
Performance
1. Kooks Headers with high flow cats and X-pipe
2. GHL exhausts or Z06 ti
3. Halltech Ram Air Intake
4. LS-1 Edit
5. 3.90 gears (maybe)
6. Hurst Shifter

Looking also at Halltech Ti headers and exhaust if not too expensive

Interior
1. Pioneer DVD/Nav in Dash Player (got great deal on Ebay)
2. Boston Acoustics Speakers
3. 4 Channel Amp
4. Infinity Bass System
5. Window Valet

Exterior
1. Front air dam/difuser protectors
2. Clear Bra (maybe)
3. Rear Bumpers reinforcements (prevent warpage)
4. Xenon HID Headlamp Conversion (pop-up)
5. PIAA Fog Lights

Misl
1. Escort Laser Difuser SX (I have used this before, it's great)

I am looking for opinions on the performance items selected. This seems to be the most items for all out performance. I only want bolt on items and will stay away from cams, heads, etc. This package, based on calculations should yield 40-50 horses and maintain power throughout the band. My fuel economy might improve provided I don't get on it and top speed should remain the same or 1-3 mph faster. The great thing about this forum is the fact most everyone should be from the Phila, NJ, DE area!! I also want to know what upcomming events are in the works for May. I would like to meet as many of you as I can. Thanks for the assistance!!!

Ken

[Tony B.96LT4]

I think I can help you on a couple of things. I'm a C4 guy and I don't want to step on anyones toes.

If you go with the Z06 exhaust we have a member that prepares Z06's for track use. He has/had a few take offs at a really good price. His name is Joe and he goes by jfaphoenix32 on this board. He also is a good guy to get to know cause he has a dyno at his shop. A lot of the guys in the Club run the Kirban Shifter and seem to like that a lot. A few are running the Hurst. There are a few guys in the area that do the LS1 edit and when you're ready for that someone will chime in.

Again, thanks for your Military Service and Welcome aboard!

[Richy]

Welcome to the CCDV forum,Ken.As Tony said,we all appreciate your service & sacrifice.
Your list of mods looks pretty good.If you are not into wrench twisting,we can steer you to some reliable shops.
My only comment is that I would delete the Z06 exhaust in favor
of one of the after market systems(Corsa,Borla,B&B,etc.).Many
Z06 owners,myself included, have replaced the stock unit with one of the above.The problem is that the minor weight saving is
not offset by the sound which is only great at WOT.When you get
back,you can hear examples of every system from our members & then decide.
Looking forward to meeting you & having you in the club.Keep us informed as to your status.

[Mike Campbell]

Hey guy, welcome to the forum! Also, we all appreciate what you and all our military are doing for us! ;ps;ps We have a ton of vets & vettes in our club,:D no pun intended. Sounds like you have a great plan! As far as your mods, they all sound good. I think 3.90 gears are a good idea too, but, being a C5 guy myself I'd suggest 4.10's. The reason is, there's not a big difference in gas milage but 3rd & 4th will be awsome!! ;bt Why not go for the "whole shamiggie"? Also, I usually run a Crab Dash down to St. Michael's ,MD in May when we caravan down, have a great seafood lunch on the Cheasapeake. It's a great drive and a nice little town. We also go to Englishtown as a club and burn alittle rubber. Besides that, there's usually an event or 2 every weekend. You'll have plenty to choose from. Welcome again & keep your head down and come home safe. ;ps

[Stephen DeFazio]

Welcome to the forum I know nothing about C5's but I just want to say thanks for your service & sacrifice. Stay safe and hope to meet you at some of our outings.

[scottka]

Thanks so much for the support!!! You would be very proud of what America's son and daughter's are doing here. The news is not all bad. Now to fun stuff. I bought this car on leave and I haven't even driven it yet!!!! I am so pumped, you can't believe. C5 message boards are the only thing keeping me from going insane now. I think we should be out of this place by very late March or Early April. I have found in a VERY short time that Corvette owners are simply the best owners on the planet. They are helpful and know their Vettes. I made this move after spending over 25 years in Nissan "Z" and early Muscle Car Mustangs. They are great cars but owners are no where near this level of excitement and devotion. Please keep the e-mail and opinions comming as it helps to past these long Iraqi days!!

[Richy]

Can someone with a cable modem download the latest GASCAP,
as well as the upcoming issues, & e-mail them to Ken.By the time I'd do it with my dial-up,he'll be home.
Ken,if no one responds in a day or so,let me know & I'll take care of it.
Make sure we have your e-mail address.

[hcvone]

Dr, you have dial up service ;nnn ;www ;www ;www As many members already said, we thank you for your service to our country.

[C5pilot]

;ps Ken, & Welcome.
I don't personally know anyone with the Halltech TRAP™ Tunnel Ram Air Pak, if that is the one you're speaking of. It doesn't appear to be any different than the Donaldson Blackwing from the looks of it, yet it costs twice as much??? Either way, you shouldn't have to worry about water ingestion (two of our members can tell you first hand about cold air breathers and rain water). Donaldson makes many products for the military as well, here's a link to Donaldson's site (http://www.donaldson.com/en/industry/military/index.html)

As for the exhaust, the Z06 Ti can be a good choice IF you are looking to save some money and weight. There should be lots of slightly used ones for sale. But if you're in the market for improved sound, then come to one of our meetings and hear some samples. The stock system isn't too restrictive so there're no real ponies to be found.

The rear fascia reinforcements work wonders but not everyone has trouble. My advice would be to wait until you swap out the exhaust and see how it goes, you may not need them. If you notice some warpage you can install them and they will correct it after the fact.

I don't know anyone with a Window Valet in a coupe, it's mostly intended for ragtops, but it's a personal thing I guess.

Hopefully someone will chime in about Kooks Headers, I don't know anyone with them and their site is down at the moment. But most everyone agrees that the C5 makes good use of long tubes because they can make a huge difference at higher rpms. Instead of running out of juice near the end of a gear, you're C5 will still be pulling strong. A stock C5 can liquify rubber off the line, so put the torque where you can really use it.

Hope to meet you soon.

[black magic]

Ken:

Welcome aboard to the best Corvette Club in the U.S ;ps Looks like you will be home for our 2 day Cavalcade of Corvette show on June 26&27th. We always get two special cars from GM and this year we hope to get our hands on a C6. You will see hundreds of some of the best vettes on the East coast as well as getting a chance to talk to our members who are part of one of the best racing teams in the country! We will have a dyno on hand so you can test your car and it's performance with all your mods!

Stay Safe :cool:

[Tony B.96LT4]

Ken, from my drag racing side I will agree on the 4.10 gears Mike suggested. The difference in mpg will not be noticable but how the car launches will bring a smile to your face. The 4.10's in a stick car really wakes it up!

BTW if you haven't gone to the photo section check it out. Lots of pictures of some of the activities we do. Also if you are interested in car shows we have a member(Billie Satchell) that puts out an emailed list of most of the car shows(all types) in the area. Let us know and we'll hook you up.

[scottka]

Thanks for the info. I am back in Kuwait now working my *** off to get out of here in 60+ days. Looking fwd to meeting all of you!!
My e-mail address is ken.scott@us.army.mil
I cannot wait to join!!! I will be at every event possible. I'll help out in whatever way I can. I really appreciate the response. Kuwait is performance car haven. There are Porshes, Ferraris, Lambo's, etc all over the place !!! Got to love it

Ken

[Richy]

Joe/Tony,can one of you e-mail GC to Ken?

[Glennm27]

I just e-mailed him the January Gas-Cap

[Richy]

Thanks very much,Glenn.

[Stephen DeFazio]

Well he got it two times I sent it out to him the other day.

[scottka]

The Gascap was actually more tha I expected !! This has to be the best Newsletter out there!!!! I can see the effort it takes to make one.
I can't wait to meet all of you.

[wheelz]

Ken,
Welcome to the club, looking forward to meeting you, stay safe see you soon.

Mike