Worthless Mods Lets Here Them

BADASS07SILVERADO · January 3, 2011

I hate those long ass LED strip light that people put under the tailgate. Like the tail lights and reverse lights arent enough!

tyhuck · January 3, 2011

I have to say, I agree with most of the mentioned items. But, I thought this thread was to discuss "performance" mods that are just a waste. I recently purchased an 05 Silverado z71 and was looking for a hint on what kind of performance mods I could put on it that actuall have apositive return. I know very few "performance" type mods are actually worth what you pay for them, but I would like some increas with them installed. I thought this would be a good place to start because I could see what "performance" type mods were actually totally worthless. I have seen a few, like the TBS (which seems to be a waste on anything built after 1996), but my impression was that there would be more useful information and less ranting about worthless appearance items. I could be wrong though.

Please forgive a Noob if this is a stupid question.

00_Extended · January 3, 2011

I have to say, I agree with most of the mentioned items. But, I thought this thread was to discuss "performance" mods that are just a waste. I recently purchased an 05 Silverado z71 and was looking for a hint on what kind of performance mods I could put on it that actuall have apositive return. I know very few "performance" type mods are actually worth what you pay for them, but I would like some increas with them installed. I thought this would be a good place to start because I could see what "performance" type mods were actually totally worthless. I have seen a few, like the TBS (which seems to be a waste on anything built after 1996), but my impression was that there would be more useful information and less ranting about worthless appearance items. I could be wrong though.

Please forgive a Noob if this is a stupid question.

You can start with an exhaust for ear candy and a better sound. Your not going to gain anything but a sound you like and it sure sounds like you did something .

A blackbear tune is siad to bring out about 10-15 H/P, user claims I read (not Blackbear) are also about 1-2 better MPG also. If you buy the auto-cal from them you get a couple of tunes and can retain the stock one. It's my opinion but this is the only real way to extract any H/P and the bang for the buck is going to be the best. The Auto-cal and tunes will cost you about $550.00 and an exhaust to make you hear what you spent on the tune will vary from $50.00 for glasspack to replace the stock muffler to $1000+ for a Corsa system.

Stay away from the air intake systems that suck hot air from under the hood. I saw on TV that K&N makes one that pulls air from the fender area and is closed off like a factory system. They claimed more MPG and H/P because the air intake tube is more strait and round and not bent around and flater like the stock system. I personally take that as saying the tornado thing works also to straiten out the air.

Thing is the air is reaching the intake valve and exploding and the intake runners and heads are going to deturmin how air is entering the engine and where it is actauly being used not a tube connected to the manifold. I am sure GM has engineered an intake that can supply more than enough air to the engine AKA air pump.

There are other companys that make them but your gains may not be that much for the cost you might be ahead just buying a reusable air filter. I have yet to ever see dyno results from a bolt on air system that shows gains that are worth the $300-$400 price tag. I have e-mailed K&N and asked for dyno results to back up claims of H/P increases and also shows underhood temps. I also called to have them explain how hot air being taken into the system increases H/P.......seems they might be doing tests on cold engines???

These are all just my opinions and people may agree or disagree, that's cool but you wanted to know what you could do and those are my answers on were to spend your money and where to not spend it "performance" wise.

If your looking for instand gratification a gear change will help you out if you already installed bigger tires and wheels than what was on it stock.

Exhaust = Minimul to no gains but adds a nice sound if that is something you want. $50-$1000.00

Tune = 10-15 H/P possible MPG increase. In person tune $250.00 Auto-cal $550.00 (I think auto-cal is the way to go)

Intake = types that take hot air will result in H/P and MPG loss others that pull air from outside the engine compart ment might be worth few H/P my guess is maybe 1-5? Some do look better than the stock systems so the gians could be worth in the looks department if that is what you want? $300-$400

Gears = Brings back lost performance from installing bigger tire/wheel combos. Depending on labor or your skills $700.00

Hope that helps.

tyhuck · January 3, 2011

Yeah, i guess ithelps a little. Most of that stuff I already knew but Im sure sombody got something out of it (not to say that I dont appreciate you input, because I do). I was just looking for some other parts that werent previously mentioned.

There has got to be more mods available than just CAI and exhaust mods that people perform and dont get any return from. I know that there is a whole bag full of useless mods avaiable for the S-series. I just wanted to make sure I dont waste my money on the Silverado. I learned the hard way on the TBS on my 01 4.3 S10, and on the Hypertech Max Energy PP on my 06 GMC 2500. Coulda bought alot of other goodies with the money I paid for those two worthless mods.

I may put the Hypertech on my 05 5.3 Z71 just because I already have it. And, I will probably change out the muffler and add a tailpipe. Its got a Flowmaster and a turndown that was on it when I bought it. Ill be replacing it just for the sound, as mentioned before. I may look into adding more air into the engine but im definately not the kind of guy that wants a $300 CAI. Ill have to look around for some decent alternatives.

jsims002 · January 3, 2011

Does my fender stripes count as a don't do?

oldmann · January 4, 2011

No. I think those are cool.

Mckenzie · January 4, 2011

I disagree with the guy who said something about leaving hitch balls in.

My hitch ball has saved my butt a couple times when i was backing up. It kept me from backing into a couple trees, it has let me know when backing down a steep slope when im about to hit the bumper, and it saved our little Camry when i accidentally backed up into it

Plus, its a good anchor point when pulling someone out of a mudhole.

jro909 · January 4, 2011

I disagree with the guy who said something about leaving hitch balls in.

My hitch ball has saved my butt a couple times when i was backing up. It kept me from backing into a couple trees, it has let me know when backing down a steep slope when im about to hit the bumper, and it saved our little Camry when i accidentally backed up into it

Plus, its a good anchor point when pulling someone out of a mudhole.

i agree, as long as its not the 3 foot long one that hangs way out...people always steal my hitch inserts with or without a lock

brainpause · January 4, 2011

idk if anyone has said this but volunteer firefighters with 30,000 diffrent lights sirens and stickers on a toyota camry or ford ranger... pisses me off

Sorry. Just trying to be legal. In my state and probably most others, 360 degree visibility is required. In addition, audible warning is required. you cannot have visible warning lights without audible warning signals and vice versa. remember that our vehicles and our bodies are often on the side of a busy highway, so extra lights are helpful.

I understand your point, however. they do look funny on an old or small vehicle, but hey, we don't get into it for the money.

I am now "retired" after 14 years, but I miss the old lights and sirens.

Larry

GPGuy · January 4, 2011

Although not inexpensive, "ghetto-rich" wheels and tires. Any kind of under-vehicle lighting except trouble lights. Cheap-*ss front-end lighting improperly aimed. "Buick" portholes, even on a Buick. ANYTHING hanging from the rear-view mirror.

Oh HELL YEAH!

You mean Fuzzy Dice aren't cool??

Truck Nuts!

That one definitely gets my vote!

FargoZ71 · January 4, 2011

Nothing wrong with camo.. lol And ANY accessorie is overkill, I like my black window flares.. no ashes back in the truck, looks good. and stops rain for the most part.. And you can order alot of shit through the catalogs like running tubes ect.. just throwing them out there.. only 98% of there accessories are worthless.. get it right.

Any accessory sold at Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Advanced, etc.

I'm just going to throw it out there... Real-tree Camo accessories; bug shields, window guards, fender flares, etc.

Git ER DONE!

StinkyCheese · January 4, 2011

I disagree with the guy who said something about leaving hitch balls in.

My hitch ball has saved my butt a couple times when i was backing up. It kept me from backing into a couple trees, it has let me know when backing down a steep slope when im about to hit the bumper, and it saved our little Camry when i accidentally backed up into it

Plus, its a good anchor point when pulling someone out of a mudhole.

i agree, as long as its not the 3 foot long one that hangs way out...people always steal my hitch inserts with or without a lock

I'd have to 3rd this as people are idiots and my hitch works nicely to remind them the cost of using me for braking. I also use it constantly for backing up as I just hit whatever fence/concrete wall/concrete something or other is behind me. Another nice plus is it keeps idiots from running through parking lots behind my truck, well they only do it behind my truck once anyway haha.

ChevyTech77 · January 4, 2011

Does my fender stripes count as a don't do?

Considering you're a Vette owner, I could let it slide.

I disagree with the guy who said something about leaving hitch balls in.

My hitch ball has saved my butt a couple times when i was backing up. It kept me from backing into a couple trees, it has let me know when backing down a steep slope when im about to hit the bumper, and it saved our little Camry when i accidentally backed up into it

Plus, its a good anchor point when pulling someone out of a mudhole.

Actually, they are HORRIBLE anchor points unless used properly. You wouldn't pull off that hitch ball if

you've ever watched one snap off and go through a windshield, trust me. I always had a spare receiver

with no ball to connect my horizontal clevis to for pulling people out.

Mckenzie · January 6, 2011

Does my fender stripes count as a don't do?

Considering you're a Vette owner, I could let it slide.

I disagree with the guy who said something about leaving hitch balls in.

My hitch ball has saved my butt a couple times when i was backing up. It kept me from backing into a couple trees, it has let me know when backing down a steep slope when im about to hit the bumper, and it saved our little Camry when i accidentally backed up into it

Plus, its a good anchor point when pulling someone out of a mudhole.

Actually, they are HORRIBLE anchor points unless used properly. You wouldn't pull off that hitch ball if

you've ever watched one snap off and go through a windshield, trust me. I always had a spare receiver

with no ball to connect my horizontal clevis to for pulling people out.

I've used mine to pull big ass tree limbs down to pulling out stuck vehicles. I always loop the tow strap around the hitch, and so far it has served me well.

While were on the subject of hitch balls, check out this dumb ass.

renegadeking · January 6, 2011

Does my fender stripes count as a don't do?

Considering you're a Vette owner, I could let it slide.

I disagree with the guy who said something about leaving hitch balls in.

My hitch ball has saved my butt a couple times when i was backing up. It kept me from backing into a couple trees, it has let me know when backing down a steep slope when im about to hit the bumper, and it saved our little Camry when i accidentally backed up into it

Plus, its a good anchor point when pulling someone out of a mudhole.

Actually, they are HORRIBLE anchor points unless used properly. You wouldn't pull off that hitch ball if

you've ever watched one snap off and go through a windshield, trust me. I always had a spare receiver

with no ball to connect my horizontal clevis to for pulling people out.

I've used mine to pull big ass tree limbs down to pulling out stuck vehicles. I always loop the tow strap around the hitch, and so far it has served me well.

While were on the subject of hitch balls, check out this dumb ass.

thats just funny, i can't believe that they forgot to take the pin out, and its sad that the front wheels spin instead of the rear on a rear drive vehicle.

and can't stand lots of chrome, but yes i have lots of it and it really p*sses me off. the reason its not off is because nobody in my town carries glue remover. and i hate the little chrome cutouts. like bears, deer, flames, etc.

fart cans, lowered trucks, RICERS, spinners, 22'' bigger rims, low profile tires, pavement princesses and MOSTLY people with 2 wheel drive trucks drivers that think they are invincible, they think they can drive through the middle of the swamp or through 4 feet of snow and the best part is that they call me at 1 am and i have to pull there a**es out.