For model year 2020, Chevrolet had initially aimed to produce 40,000 C8 Corvettes but with chip shortages and other constraints, they managed just over 20,000 units. Despite this, the C8’s flew off the lots faster than a set of New Balance 605’s on Macy’s Father’s Day Sale… except they were everything but ‘On Sale’.
The Chevy Corvette has held its position as the quintessential American sports car since its debut in 1953, minus its 1983 skip year. While the C8 represents a significant departure from previous Corvette designs, it maintains one consistent aspect—delivering impressive performance at a relatively accessible MSRP.
In the world of C8 modifications, we’re delving into must-have enhancements that won’t break the bank if you’re one of the unfortunate souls that paid Mclaren prices for your Chevrolet. These Top 8 modifications are easily accessible and sure to make sure you stand out from the other vettes at your local Cars & Coffee.
1. Wilwood Drilled & Slotted Brake Kit and Pads
Chevrolet’s OE options for the Corvette braking system have always been plentiful and designed to be direct swaps designed to fit all trim levels with minor modification. However, the secondhand asking price has been the Achilles Heal of the OEM upgrades since the C5. Luckily, Wilwood recognized this and offers a very impressive OEM+ upgrade.
Despite its impressive stopping power, the Factory brake pads tend to produce a substantial amount of dust, particularly noticeable on non-black wheeled C8 Corvettes. While it is not a major performance concern, aesthetically, you can do much better for that level of performance.
The Willwood SX6R Front Brake kit features directional staggered vane 15” rotors and a 6 piston Caliper that bolts up to the factory spindle and doesn’t compromise the factory ABS system.
Featured Product: Wilwood SX6R Big Brake Dynamic Front Brake Kit SRP Drilled & Drilled Rotor Red Caliper Chevrolet Corvette C8 2020+
Part Number: #140-17004-DR
2. Auto Addict LED Sequential Taillights
When the C7 dropped, the room was split in terms of Chevrolet’s lighting decisions. While the circular tails had become a sort of Corvette key identifying feature, the C7 would feature U-shaped runners that many would describe as Ferrari inspired.
Chevrolet unapologetically continued this trend into the C8, but with the extreme body lines and sweeping side scoops, the U’s took more of a C shape, and our friends at Auto Addict decided to enhance that third dimension, smoke them out, and fix them “in sequence”.
Featured Product: Auto Addict USA Euro Smoke Style LED Taillights Amber Sequential Pair Corvette C8 2020-2024
Part Number: #AA_CORVT_TL_EUR_C8
3. Vorsteiner VPX-101 Wheel 20×9 | 21×12
With the C8, Chevrolet took a couple of setps backwards with the wheel design, making them appear to be more of an afterthought than a deliberate part of the design. We were spoiled with C6 and C7 factory wheel options, so much so that when the C8 was revealed, the wheels were noted for lacking any depth, appeared too small, and ultimately looked budget.
Vorsteiner VPX-101 wheels are the answer to the C8’s aesthetic shortcomings. Available in your choice of finishes, the VPX 101 utilizes T6-6061 aerospace grade aluminum that is TUV rated for safety. This means, you get a 1-Piece Forged Monoblock that not only increases your diameter and mechanical grip for hard launches, but also lowers the C8’s unsprung weight for the corners.
Featured Product: Vorsteiner VPX-101 Forged Monoblock Wheel Set 20×9 | 21×12 Liquid Smoke Chevrolet Corvette C8 2020+
Part Number: #VOR-VPX-101-Corvette
4. Eventuri Air Intake
Featured Product: Eventuri Black Carbon Intake System Chevrolet C8 Corvette Coupe
Part Number: #140-17004-DR
5. Borla ATAK Catback Exhaust
Getting optimal performance from your Corvette is essential. Upgrading your exhaust system not only enhances the car’s sound but can also unleash additional power. Among mid-engine, high-performance vehicles, the C8 Corvette tends to lean towards a less aggressive sound.
However, we knew shortly after GM announced the C8, our friends at Borla would be firing up the welders and starting on adapting their ultra-aggressive ATAK cat-back for the C8 platform. While it won’t be as aggressive as Matt Field’s Borla Exhaust C6 or the upcoming C8 Formula Drift Cars, Borla can proudly claim to have one of the most aggressive muffler systems in existence for the C8 Corvette and Vivid Racing can proudly state that we have them in stock.
Featured Product: Borla ATAK Cat Back Exhaust System
Part Number: #140839
6. ProCharger
Woah woah woah! Everything up to this point has been relatively bolt-on, relatively relatable, and relatively mild. We can’t just jump straight into forced induction, right? Wrong. The 6..2L LT’s, while different in terms of injection strategy are no different than the tried and true LS’s in that they LOVE boost… and so does ProCharger!
The mid-engine setup of the C8 Corvette provides excellent weight distribution, yet it posed complexities for various typical aftermarket performance enhancements frequently seen in Corvettes, notably supercharger additions. The unique layout of the LT2 engine presented a challenge, one that ProCharger took on willingly. After extensive research and development, they’ve devised a comprehensive DIY C8 blower kit, allowing you to inject a substantial surge of boosted power into your LT2-powered C8 Corvette!
7. RCS ST Aero Kit
Like many, while I was stoked for the release of the C8, I was not too impressed with the Aero from factory. After seeing Chip Foose’s rendition of the C8, I knew I could never look at it the same way again. That was, until RCS released their C8 Aero Kit. Unlike a majority of what’s available on the market, RSC didn’t just stop at the front lip. Their C8 Kit, known for it’s premium quality and lack of fiberglass components, is a comprehensive full carbon fiber aero kit that features a front splitter, high wing spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser, hatch vents, Engine intake side vents, mirror covers, front intake vents, and B-pillar covers all finished in a gloss carbon fiber to complete the C8’s supercar look and feel.
Featured Product: RCS ST Aero Kit C8 Corvette 2020-2023
Part Number: #RSCVETST
8. Headers
As the factory Engine Control Unit (ECU) remains locked, tuning a C8 to optimize gains from bolt-on upgrades is hardly repeatable. Additionally, where in previous generations of Corvette the catalytic converters have been the killer of gains, the C8’s factory high flow cats are barely a hindrance at all. And, while a few companies have risen to the challenge, Kooks has released their highly anticipated 3” Collector, 1-7/8” primary Super Street Series Headers that works in harmony with the factory systems, but helps evacuate and scavenge the exhaust gasses GM missed. While known for the work in the American Muscle world, I’m kind of hearing a more exotic tone accompanying Kooks exhausts recently, which could mean they have something in development for future C8 trims.
Featured Product: Kooks 3″ 1-7/8 Super Street Series Headers
Part Number: #21801400
There are dozens of other great ways to modify your C8 Corvette. Let our performance specialists help you decide what’s right for you by calling 1-480-966-3040 or emailing [email protected].
