There are many reasons why we might choose to change the attributes of something we've just purchased. We might think a product would be awesome if only this one thing was different, or maybe we just don't personally like an aspect of the item despite its value, or a feature might just generally suck to begin with and we have the know-how and time to make it better.
When it comes to modifying cars, we've all seen some of the serious Frankenstein-inspired disasters people have created. The truly heart-breaking spawns are those that began as nice looking vehicles at birth, such as a Corvette, but then the new owner felt it lacked 26-inch rims and a metallic hot pink paint job. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course, and if you're truly proud of raising your Lamborghini Gallardo two feet off the ground, thereby negating everything that makes it a Lamborghini, more power to you.
Luckily for the rest of us DIYers, there are many level-headed people to steer us in the right direction of customization. It turns out that when modifying a vehicle, the proper line of thinking is to keep the best attributes and improve on the worst. The Chevrolet Corvette has a rich history spanning over six decades and as of 2020, eight different main iterations including the all new mid-engined C8 have been launched.
The obvious Corvette upgrades are all performance oriented with an eye toward squeezing more power from those famous small or big block V8's, but there are also countless well-conceived body-kits and interior improvements one could tastefully venture into. Let's take a look.
Performance Mods
The ability to breath better doesn't just benefit all living creatures; your engine performance also improves. There are several simple 'bolt-on' upgrades one can make to improve performance, and installing a CAI (cold air intake) is one of the easiest ways to add 15-30 hp with little effort. During combustion, fuel burns more efficiently with a higher rate of oxygen molecules present, and cold air has more oxygen than warm air. Simple right?
Of course, you should also be equally concerned with how air exits your engine, which is why upgrading your exhaust headers will be the next thing you do. Corvsport.com tells us, "Exhausting combustion gases through a stock exhaust system is closely related in nature to exhaling through your mouth with a hand covering it". Upgraded headers means that each cylinder basically gets it's own exhaust pipe, ultimately reducing back-pressure and increasing airflow. To complete your engine's airflow system, look to the rear end and install a tried and true Cat Back exhaust. These pipes, resonators, and mufflers attach after your catalytic converters, adding more horses and torque and perhaps most importantly, a more pronounced (louder, deeper) note than the stock stuff.
Of course, if you're looking to get some serious horsepower upgrades, replace the ECU and start mods to fit a turbocharger into the equation. Expect to upgrade camshafts, rods, pistons, headers, clutch, fuel pump and injectors for starters, because if any of those components aren't able to handle the extra pressure, you won't be happy with the result.
Adding more horses to pull your wagon is one thing, but don't forget to also upgrade your brakes and tires because eventually, begrudgingly you'll have to stop again. You can probably find cheaper rims than the $10K HRE forged 845's seen on the '94 ZR1 above, but who's to say you want to. Be sure to add larger cross-drilled rotors, 5-6 piston calipers and high temperature brake pads behind those wheels.
Older Corvette springs have been described as 'plastic and buggy'. To keep everything on the ground, your upgraded suspension should be some kind of coil-over kit like those from Vansteel. With an adjustable ride height, a good coil-over will give you better overall stability and handling while flying down the highway.
Body Mods
Certain other mods can also increase stability by improving aerodynamics and outer air-flow. You can upgrade the front bumper to include spoilers, diffusers, and air duct splitters like this 1,200 HP Hennessey C8 above.
To protect your body panels from rocks and other flying objects, try installing larger splash guards and side rocker panels. There are also film kits you can install on your lower doors to safeguard that custom paint job.
If you're looking for a dramatic aesthetic change, you can buy a complete Greenwood wide body kit like the one seen on this '80 C3 Shark. It features slotted vents all over the front end and a not so subtle rear wing. Don't be embarrassed if the stripping reminds you of the original Batmobile.
Interior Mods
Corvettes have long been known to deliver world class power with comparably bargain bin interiors, but that's why they're among the most reasonably priced sports cars on the market. Like all the other components, there are infinite upgrades to be found for your cabin. You could install a state-of-the-art infotainment system, racing seats, carbon fiber panels, upgraded Alcantara liners, cashmere carpets, and chrome gauges. Alternatively, you could pay Carlex Design obscene amounts of money ($20K+) to completely redesign your cockpit as we see in the C6 above. Every inch of the interior is wrapped with high-quality Nappa leather in a 'vanilla and pepper' color scheme. Be sure not to spill your coffee!