Heed

Hi, I'm picking up an 04 V, bone stock. What's the consensus best bang for the buck with respect to mods for the V1?

It will be my daily driver and I don't want it too loud (a little louder would be OK though). This is my first "muscle car." I'm used to japanese turbos (WRX, EVO, Mazdaspeed6). Mostly I'd like it to handle well like my old evo and put the power to the pavement without spinning the wheels.

Thanks.

ryridesmotox

Don't spin the wheels too much off the line, you might grenade the rear end with wheel hop. I drifted the hell out of mine on a real tight Go Kart track (long story) and it didnt hop at all. I guess the ol girl likes being sideways. I put long tubes on mine last year with a full 3 inch exhaust and it sounds awesome. I too came from a turbo 4 car. The torque curve in an LS is magical, and addicting like cocaine. Once you drive it you will know that you need an upgraded shifter. I really miss the TWM I had in the Cobalt. I wish a baby seat fit in the cobalt cuz that thing was ridiculously fast for a stock turbo 4 banger. But the LS6 is a badass motor so you will have no problem upgrading it.

MN_V

iTrader: (5)

you mentioned handling... get some hotchkis sway bars.

DACTARI

iTrader: (1)

OK, here's your recipe


Stage 1: install revshift trans mount insert, motor mounts, PISNUOFF shifter and revshift rear diff bushing. For sound mod, delete your mufflers.

Stage 2: replace all other bushings with revshift bushings. The cradle bushings alone will transform your handling and dramatically decrease your propensity to wheel hop. also, sway bars for handling, as mentioned above.

Stage 3: Power mods, but it sounds like you're not interested in these for now. Smart man, right priorities.

NIKDSC5

iTrader: (10)

Based on your description....everything rev shift (but UMI MM) has to offer for the V. Then, the shifter and T56 band-aids. Plus the muffler delete, don't worry about hacking up the factory exhuast as you can not give it away. Past that, headers/exhuast, plugs, wires, CAI, fluid change, and tune really wakes any LSx car up.

adanieljohnson1

iTrader: (1)

Muffler delete here... Honestly i want it louder! Was great at first but seemed to not be as loud as time went by!

Heed

Thanks Gents. I'm thinking wheelhop kit and sway bars short term. Long term maybe headers exhaust and tune (guessing that'll add 40 WHP?)

ravenls6v

Skip the anti wheel hop kit and do cradle bushings, lower control arm bushings, and a diff bushing all from revshift in the red hard poly. Will do a better job than the bmr kit.

Heed

What does the long bar in the BMR wheel hop kit replace?

OneSlowV

iTrader: (2)

Best power mod is longtubes. Even with no cats its hardly any louder than stock.

Heed

Do you have to tune to get the power from the long tubes?

meatyCTS-V

Best mod for a bone stock V1 is to buy a second differential and keep it in the trunk...

Especially an '04.

OneSlowV

iTrader: (2)

You will notice a increase with just the longtubes. But the tune makes it that much better plus being able to turn off the check engine light if you remove the cats.

ravenls6v

Doesn't replace it's an addition. Ties the trailing arms together I believe. Hits some aftermarket and possibly even the stock exhaust.

odthetruth

iTrader: (4)

This. All of it.
Just clears stock exhaust by a little bit, but seems like it occasionally bangs against the exhaust. (at least in my car)... depending on angle and how you roll off the line from a light, etc.