View Poll Results: Stock or Modded?
100% stock
4
13.79%
Only one or two mods
12
41.38%
Mod as much as possible
8
27.59%
What's stock?
5
17.24%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll
Winter poll time: Stock or modded?
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
Winter poll time: Stock or modded? Just curious how many convertible owners (4th gen please) keep their cars as stock as possible, even keeping their original rims and 16" tire size if applicable. I'm a 100% 'stock' guy right down to the AC/Delco battery. I always had Goodyear tires too until they stopped making them in 16" sizes. I had to go with the BFG G-Force in order to keep my stock size tire.
Last edited by NC01TA; Dec 30, 2014 at 07:56 AM.
My wife's 2001 Convertible was 100% stock until I threw the candy corn GM taillights on it last fall. I had originally got them for my Onyx Black SS, but then decided that they looked better on her SOM convertible. It will eventually be modded more, like adding an SS grille to it (wasn't ordered with that originally), but the mods are going to be more SLP oriented, items that should have been ordered on the car, but weren't.
I'm on my 3rd convertible. I owned a 96 LT1 Z 28, 89 Iroc Z and now a 2000 SS. Back in the day I would always upgrade the wheels and the exhaust. Now that I'm older I really enjoy doing more performance upgrades on my own. Yeah its fun to make the car faster but there's some accomplishment after finishing a difficult job and going to the dyno/track to see results.
I vote to do all the mods you can on your own time. If money is an issue you can find so many deals online for used parts.
I vote to do all the mods you can on your own time. If money is an issue you can find so many deals online for used parts.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, NH
This will probably sound silly to most of the forum and the majority of car enthusiasts, but I'm at the point to where I'm alright with the car being stock. Partially because loud cars aren't as enjoyable all of the time like they used to be (to me) and partially because I own a completely stock convertible MBM M6. In the event that I decide to sell it, I feel like it might draw more buyers if it is left alone. The only thing I may add to it is an electronic cut out.
This will probably sound silly to most of the forum and the majority of car enthusiasts, but I'm at the point to where I'm alright with the car being stock. Partially because loud cars aren't as enjoyable all of the time like they used to be (to me) and partially because I own a completely stock convertible MBM M6. In the event that I decide to sell it, I feel like it might draw more buyers if it is left alone. The only thing I may add to it is an electronic cut out.
I bought mine from a collector who kept it 100% vanilla, only drove a few thousand miles per year, never drove it hard, etc.. As you can see by my sig, I'm pretty much the exact opposite. Modding is a drug. One day you're just bolting on a catback, next thing you know you got your engine tore down to the bare block swapping out every part you can, searching for that next mod high.
Plus it's always funny when some kid with a 2v Mustang wants to race you, because "You drive a heavy convertible bro, no way it's fast!"
Plus it's always funny when some kid with a 2v Mustang wants to race you, because "You drive a heavy convertible bro, no way it's fast!"
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My '98 SS has an interesting history, so I think it'll remain about 99% stock... Flowmaster exhaust now, maybe springs some day... Also chrome 10 spokes.
It is SLP #4 and was Mr. Settlemire's car back in the day... First LS1 SS convertible built. Spent time in the lobby of GM headquarters... Can't replace that kind of provenance.
It is SLP #4 and was Mr. Settlemire's car back in the day... First LS1 SS convertible built. Spent time in the lobby of GM headquarters... Can't replace that kind of provenance.
Last edited by 1949gmc; Jan 14, 2015 at 01:55 AM.
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when I got mine 5 years ago, I had planned on keeping it stock. That lasted for maybe 3 months. got new Hawk brake pads going in this spring along with a Yank SS3600
Last edited by farmington; Jan 7, 2015 at 12:32 PM.
Got a bunch. Magnaflow catback, slp lid, slp strut tower brace, subframe connectors, tubular panhard and rear control arms, strano springs, koni strt.s, alpine speakers, kenwood radio. Still have original top - replaced rear curtain/window. Seats deteriorating, so may go for racing seats in the future.
but the number of convertible owners on this site is apparently really dwindling. 
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: Macedon,NY
For my SS, Planned on keeping it close to stock but it started with a pair of Custom painted fuel rail covers from Afterthoughts auto. Then a hideaway under fascia license plate holder. Then came the black SS hood insert decal, Now the wife got me a SLP lid for Christmas and now I want new exhaust for it. It came with a SLP STB but I sold it because the FRC wouldn't fit. I sold the STB 2 years ago.
While I voted "1 or 2 mods", I actually have a few more than that, but still mostly stock:
Drivetrain: MTI C/F lid w/ K&N, 160 T-stat, HPP3, CAGS!, Pro-5.0 w/ black Hurst-NASCAR 50th Anniversary **** and short stick
Suspension / Body: KBDDSFCs, BMR STB
Audio: Johnny B's 'Vert Sub-box (the prototype)
At just under 20k miles, I still have the original G/Y F1s (but they're looking kinda thin in the tread department) Those will probably be my next upgrade.
AND still rockin' the SOTL!
My old, 17,000 mile '94 Z28 M6 'vert that I owned only one year before trading it on my WS6 had only 1 mod: CAGS!
Drivetrain: MTI C/F lid w/ K&N, 160 T-stat, HPP3, CAGS!, Pro-5.0 w/ black Hurst-NASCAR 50th Anniversary **** and short stick
Suspension / Body: KBDDSFCs, BMR STB
Audio: Johnny B's 'Vert Sub-box (the prototype)
At just under 20k miles, I still have the original G/Y F1s (but they're looking kinda thin in the tread department) Those will probably be my next upgrade.
AND still rockin' the SOTL!
My old, 17,000 mile '94 Z28 M6 'vert that I owned only one year before trading it on my WS6 had only 1 mod: CAGS!
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 459
Likes: 18
Mine is close to stock. I did an SLP lid for the sound. I also put on 17" Snowflake wheels in stock WS6 sizes (mine isn't WS6). Other than that I left well enough alone until I got a hole in my exhaust. Rather than patch it, I went with a Magnaflow. When doing maintenance items I tend to look for an improved stock replacement (like the 17" wheels for OEM 16"), etc. It's slowly being modded but I do have great appreciation for pure stock originals. Any car can be restored. They are original only once.
Sure! I 'll play.
My car has gone through some phases.
1. Started out as v6 camaro that was my dd throughout college.
Then came ls1/A4 swap from a donor Z28 with 50k miles.
2. Stock exhaust replaced by LTs, True Duals
No Cats or EGR or AirPump or Rear 02 Sensors and a Tune to keep the computer happy.
3. Switched from twisty firebird wheels (came on my camaro) to 18" ROH wheels
Then sold the wheels after I got bored and went to ABS star firebird wheels and tires.
4. Headlights - Retrofitted projectors to get proper use out of HID lighting system.
5. Stereo - Replaced with a custom tablet dashboard stereo.
6. SS Spoiler, SS Hood, CME Exhaust waiting until spring/tax time.
7. Keyless Ignition RFID like a new vette - Coming soon enough
My car has gone through some phases.
1. Started out as v6 camaro that was my dd throughout college.
Then came ls1/A4 swap from a donor Z28 with 50k miles.
2. Stock exhaust replaced by LTs, True Duals
No Cats or EGR or AirPump or Rear 02 Sensors and a Tune to keep the computer happy.
3. Switched from twisty firebird wheels (came on my camaro) to 18" ROH wheels
Then sold the wheels after I got bored and went to ABS star firebird wheels and tires.
4. Headlights - Retrofitted projectors to get proper use out of HID lighting system.
5. Stereo - Replaced with a custom tablet dashboard stereo.
6. SS Spoiler, SS Hood, CME Exhaust waiting until spring/tax time.
7. Keyless Ignition RFID like a new vette - Coming soon enough
Last edited by bad_408_vert; Jan 16, 2015 at 04:32 PM.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
When I bought my Z28, it already had the aftermarket 18" rims & tires on it. Other than that she's bone stock. Have had a lot of fun driving it these past two years. I just bought a new SLP air lid that will be on before it gets back on the road in a couple of months. Am wanting to do just a couple more easy bolt-on mods after that.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
17 year old tires are an interesting subject. I did a lot of research last year and finally decided to "retire" my 16 year old F1s with 15K miles and 40-50% tread left. They looked perfect and ran fine. But, no one knows how they look inside the rubber itself. For peace of mind when driving above 50 mph I figured it was time to take them off.
Last edited by Firebrian; Jan 20, 2015 at 12:33 PM.
I hear you. I'm about at that point now having been recently sensitized to this issue. Two years ago, on my '68 Cutlass shortly before the end of the driving season, I noticed a little side-side "shimmy" in the rear when slowing to a stop. The two rear tires (BFG Radial T/As) only had about 10,000 miles on them, but were installed back in '86, so I knew they were about shot (the fronts had been replaced much more recently). I parked the car for the winter, and the following spring when I pulled it out for a spin around the block, the "shimmy" had progressed to a full-on side-side SWAGGER. I nursed it back to the garage and noticed a big bulge on the inside of one of the tires. Within a few days while waiting on new tires to arrive, that tire blew out while parked in the garage. Talk about dodging a bullet.
Over 20 years ago, I did have a blow-out on the freeway that damaged the front fender and ripped off 2 pieces of chrome trim of my '70 Cutlass 'vert. I had recently purchased the car so I had no idea the age of the tires. Driving to WI going around Milwaukee in the far left lane it threw the tread (the balloon was still holding air!). I was lucky I was able to find space to pull off and dig out the bumper jack to put on the spare, but it was still pretty nerve-wracking keeping the family inside while I changed the tire w/ traffic whizzing by at 70 MPH mere feet away. It too telegraphed its failure by a "shimmy" that started around Chicago.
Fortunately, I only drive my T/A ~5 miles to work and back, rarely above 50 MPH. So far it still rides without any "shimmy". But at the first hint of it, its getting parked and new tires installed.
Over 20 years ago, I did have a blow-out on the freeway that damaged the front fender and ripped off 2 pieces of chrome trim of my '70 Cutlass 'vert. I had recently purchased the car so I had no idea the age of the tires. Driving to WI going around Milwaukee in the far left lane it threw the tread (the balloon was still holding air!). I was lucky I was able to find space to pull off and dig out the bumper jack to put on the spare, but it was still pretty nerve-wracking keeping the family inside while I changed the tire w/ traffic whizzing by at 70 MPH mere feet away. It too telegraphed its failure by a "shimmy" that started around Chicago.
Fortunately, I only drive my T/A ~5 miles to work and back, rarely above 50 MPH. So far it still rides without any "shimmy". But at the first hint of it, its getting parked and new tires installed.
Last edited by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag; Jan 20, 2015 at 11:42 AM.