As many of you know I recently purchased a 2006 Corvette coupe. It's a 3LT options car which is the fully loaded version with a transparent roof, bose system, heated seats (for all the winter driving), heads up display, etc. The only real option to add is the navigation, which this car didn't have, just the standard 6 disc changer. Here is a list of the performance and appearance mods the previous owner performed this past winter.
Performance
- 427 forged stroked LS3 shortblock (Eagle rods/crank, Mahle pistons, details and receipts available), 11.5:1 cr
- FAST 102 intake
- LS3 heads
- PatrickG Custom grind cam (239/247, .610/.632, 114+2)
- Comp chrome moly 7.425 pushrods
- TEA dual valvesprings w/ ti retainers
- LS7 lifters
- SLP underdrive pulley
- Monster Stage 4 Clutch w/ Lightweight Billet Flywheel and Remote Bleeder
- Built T56
- Rebuilt torque tube
- Z06 engine oil cooler
- Dewitts heavy duty radiator
- OBX 1 3/4" stainless Headers/Midpipes
- Corsa Sport axleback
- K&N CAI
- Z06 fuel pump assembly
- 57LB FAST injectors
- Stainless brake lines
Exterior
- IForged TE10 18x9.5, 19x11 wheels
- Nitto Invo 275 front, 305 rear
- 30% tint
- RPI Designs Taillight and Sidemarker blackout kit
- Extra set of 4 C5Z rear wheels w/ Pirelli slicks
- Lowering bolts installed front and rear, lowered an inch
There are a few changes I wanted to make to the car, first of all being the nav. I found a crazy deal on a stock navigation head unit for $300 including the entire bose amp and speakers. I should be able to sell the 6 disc changer and bose setup for at least $300 so basically a free upgrade.
Here is the base unit:
And here is the nav installed, took about an hour since everything was plug and play:
Nav in the heads up:
Next up on the list is the exhaust. Right now it has OBX 1 3/4" headers and 2.5" X pipe and exhaust, which people tell me is too small now that the motor is a 427. The other issue is that the car has a loud drone at 1500-1700 rpms which is pretty common for aftermarket exhausts on these cars. Chris Carey recently posted a vid of the dual mode mufflers they're installing on Evos, well the same thing comes stock on the z06 cars. They have vacuum actuators that open and close 2 of the 4 exhaust valves and makes it a straight pipe under high load. So I decided to buy a set of 3" z06 mufflers. Again, I'll be able to sell the Corsa Sport exhaust for more than I paid for the z06 mufflers and it will be quiet at cruise and really loud when I want it to be. Eventually I'll get some larger headers and mid pipes on the car too. I'll post vids of the "mild to wild" exhaust when I get it installed.
The other upgrade I plan to do in the next few months is Z51 swaybars. $200 for the Z51 front and rear kit from GM which greatly reduces body roll and improves handling according to reviews.
Possible future plans:
102mm TB and MAS to match the intake manifold
Port the intake manifold and coat it satin black for a stock look
MAYBE some better flowing heads, but this is a long ways off, over a year at least
ZR1/Z06/GrandSport widebody conversion and wider rims/tires
Pics:
