The Chevy Corvette has been the definitive American sports car since its inception in 1953. While Zora Arkus Duntov always intended for the Corvette to feature a mid-engine layout and many concepts, indeed, envisioned it, we only got a mid-engine Corvette in 2020. The C8 is certainly a sharp deviation from all other production Corvettes before it, but one thing remains a constant - affordable performance. While the Corvette isn't truly an affordable car, it's quite a bargain when you look at its performance and what it's pitted against.
Modifications were always a part of the Corvette experience as many owners want to make the car truly their own. The C8 Corvette is closer to exotic cars than any other 'Vette, but it's still an American, V-8-powered sports car. Unlike Ferrari, GM will not frown upon you for making your C8 different and unique. Moreover, there are certain areas where the C8 Corvette could use a few touch-ups, many of which are both aesthetic and functional. After carefully exploring the C8's ins and outs, we nailed the 10 best modifications you should consider for your C8 Corvette.
RELATED: Why Chevy Will Never Do Better Than The C8 Corvette
10 Radiator Grille Guard
Price: from $299.99
The Chevrolet C8 Corvette has four radiators and four cooling fans in total. Some of those are located behind the front bumper's air ducts. The factory grill on these simply doesn't offer enough protection as the mesh holes are too large. This could result in stones or other debris hitting one of the radiators/condensers, potentially causing a malfunction.
We all know how important radiators are for cooling so, it's always a good idea to keep them as protected as possible without reducing efficiency. This is where aftermarket grill guards or radiator screens come in as the mesh offers better protection than the stock pieces. Moreover, many of these can be bolted directly behind the stock grill. They are, usually, easy to install and don't cost a lot of money. Consider this an easy and affordable reliability upgrade for your C8 Corvette.
9 Clear Bra Paint Protection
Price: from $1,250
Stone chips are a real pain to deal with, not to mention they ruin your car's aesthetic. Chances are, if you've bought a C8 Corvette, you are going to want to drive it fast. The faster you go the more damage flying debris can cause to your paint. This is where clear bra paint protection comes in. Unless you really look at it, it's virtually undetectable to the eye.
Don't think of it as one of those bulky front-end bras that are usually black and look terrible. Unless you tell someone you've put a clear bra protector on your car, no one would notice. You get to enjoy your C8 Corvette's color and keep the paint protected in the areas most likely to suffer from damaging debris. Moreover, clear bra protection comes with self-healing and hydrophobic properties.
8 Exhaust System
Price: From $1,399
It's always good to get the most out of your Corvette, performance-wise. The right exhaust system can make your car sound better and unlock a few extra ponies, ultimately improving your driving experience. As far as mid-engine, high-performance cars g o, the C8 Corvette is more on the quiet side. This is especially true when we talk about the C8 Stingray and C8 E-Ray, both of which are equipped with the 6.2-liter, LT2, pushrod V-8.
Various established manufacturers like MagnaFlow, ArmyTrix and Corsa Performance are already working on exhaust systems, specifically to unlock the C8's hidden potential. The Corvette has always been a popular platform to build upon and companies are offering a lot more comprehensive kits, able to take your C8 to an entirely different level of performance.
RELATED: Cheap Mods Every C8 Chevy Corvette Owner Should Get
7 Front Splitter
Price: from $209
When the Chevy C8 Corvette was introduced back in 2020, many frowned at the way that it looked like two halves of very different cars glued together. The front end was akin to an Italian exotic while the much squarer rear end was, according to some, taken from a Camaro. This made the front end look almost too skinny, in some enthusiasts' eyes. If you are one of them a front splitter is something you'll want to add to your shopping list.
A more exaggerated chin spoiler certainly makes up for the aforementioned difference in the design language between the front and rear ends, but more importantly, it's also functional. Bigger front splitters, typically, mean less air goes underneath the car, which in turn, improves the aerodynamic stability of the car. For more downforce, you can even throw in a set of canards.
6 Anti-Buffeting A-Pillar Overlay
Price: from $159.99
Driving with your window down lets you enjoy the elements as well as the soundtrack from the C8 Corvette's big V-8. After a certain speed however, wind buffeting can become a big annoyance. That unpleasant resonance that plagues the senses after a certain speed is the air from the cabin interfering with the much-faster-moving outside air, also called the Helmholtz Resonance.
Long story short, it's something you'll probably want to minimize, which is why some companies have devised specially-designed, aerodynamically-tested, A-pillar overlays that channel air in a way that negates the Helmholtz Resonance. If you can't quite picture it, it's the triangular piece that holds the side view mirrors on many cars, but even vehicles that feature door-mounted mirrors, like the C8 Corvette, also have them.
5 Ride-Lowering Kit
Price: from $399.99
The C8 Corvette is a mid-engine sports car and as such, it doesn't feature much in the way of ground clearance. At just 3.19 inches (81mm), the C8 Stingray's ride-height is one of the lowest of any mid-engine sports car.
There's no shortage of ride-lowering kits, including new springs, spindles, and in the case of cars equipped with the nose-lift function, front-lift collars. Paragon Performance kit, for example, can drop the C8 Corvette's ride height by as much as 1.25 inches on cars equipped with the Z51 Performance package. Less comprehensive kits offer a ride-lowering by 0.5 to 0.75 inches.
RELATED: The One Thing That Kills The C8 Chevy Corvette’s Appeal
4 Rear Wing
Price: from $799
There are two camps with regard to that. Some are for the "no wing" aesthetic while others would just put a rear wing on the whole world. The rear, mid-engine layout comes with its inherent benefits and one of them is the fact, it doesn't necessarily need a rear wing to generate sufficient downforce.
At 1.11g, the C8 Stingray's lateral acceleration is better than that of an all-wheel-drive Nissan GT-R. Nevertheless, if you will be spending time on a racetrack or will be using the C8 Corvette in motorsport activities, a rear wing is always a good idea for more high-speed and cornering stability. Unlike the C8 Z06, the C8 Stingray doesn't come with a tall rear wing, instead relying on a subtle ducktail spoiler.
3 Side-Rockers/ Winglets
Price from $529.99
Much of the Chevrolet C8 Corvette's mods have something to do with the aerodynamics and looks of the car, and winglets are among them. Those, typically (but not always), go hand in hand with the front lip spoiler. A nice front splitter is usually, complimented, by a set of side skirts or side-skirt add-ons. It really depends on whether you want to go for a whole kit or buy individual parts for a more unique look.
Some of those side-rockers or side-rocker add-ons may not seem like much, but they actually help the car's body generate more downforce. By channeling the air along the side of the car, they also improve air stability, provided they have been aerodynamically tested, of course.
2 Wheels And/Or Wheel Spacers
Price: from $1,790/ $299.99
One of the great things about a Corvette is that you can customize it, and it won't affect the car's value... unless you butcher a perfectly good Corvette that is. The stance of a car is important on a number of levels, both aesthetic and handling-wise. A wider track typically means more stability, and it won't make the car look like it's riding on stilts like those creepy characters at the Circus.
The sky is the limit here as you can prioritize lightweight wheels for reduced unsprung mass, over aesthetic or experiment with different wheel offsets. If you want to retain the stock pieces, wheel spacers are another, much cheaper solution, with plenty of high-grade products, readily available.
RELATED: Order Guide Reveals What Changed On The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette C8
1 Brake Pads And Rotors
Price: from $122.67/ $1,050
There's a saying that goes "you can't go faster than you can stop". With a braking distance of 95 feet, the C8 Corvette Stingray packs serious stopping power. While the C8 has proven that it can stop just as quickly as it can launch, the stock brake pads generate a lot of dust. This is especially visible if you C8 Corvette is not black.
While not as big of an issue, it is an annoyance and a reason to visit the car wash more frequently. The base C8's brake rotors are solid steel rotors and do the job, but if you want something that's more appropriate for a high-performance, mid-engine sports car, you might want to upgrade to bigger, slotted or vented pieces. This, of course, makes sense only if you will be hitting the racetrack, as the biggest benefits will be felt there.
