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top 5 "must do" upgrades/fixes for the XLR

CanadianViking

Seasoned Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2012
Messages
132
Location
Calgary, AB CA
My XLR/V(s)
2004 XLR
I've been reading the forums for days now getting lots of great ideas. In many of the motorcycle forums I frequent, we usually have "must do" lists for each bike - lists of popular upgrades/fixes that most owners would want to consider at some point. I was looking for such a thread here for the XLR but didn't find anything, so I thought I would start one. Being a new XLR owner, it will be interesting for me to hear everyones thoughts on the their "top 5" items.

So, in your opinion, what are the top 5 "must do" upgrades/fixes for the XLR?
 
Upgrade Prospects

I've been reading the forums for days now getting lots of great ideas. In many of the motorcycle forums I frequent, we usually have "must do" lists for each bike - lists of popular upgrades/fixes that most owners would want to consider at some point. I was looking for such a thread here for the XLR but didn't find anything, so I thought I would start one. Being a new XLR owner, it will be interesting for me to hear everyones thoughts on the their "top 5" items.

So, in your opinion, what are the top 5 "must do" upgrades/fixes for the XLR?

Well, speaking for myself, I'm looking to install the rear anti-sway bar, and upgrade the headlights to the 6000K setup. I'd love to switch to the Corvette rims, but they're kinda pricey for my budget (I'm retired, yano...). I've already had custom floor mats made, and they look good. The cold air intake is also on my list of possibles.

FWIW

BTW, welcome to the forum! Hope to see you in MT.

Tim
 
My top five after purchasing such a great car was tough the car has just about everything. I started by getting the repair bible in paperback. I repair and maintain all my vehicles even though this will be the most complicated. Second is a aftermarket warranty I went shopping around and actually found mine at my credit union for any big repairs that might arise "hopefully not knock on wood". Third was a car cover I live in Chicago between the dust that accumulates between washes and the winters she needs a nice cover to keep clean. Fourth for me was exhaust. Actually it was first the car needed alittle more throaty ness" it's not my grandpas caddy". Except for the 09 the exhaust tips were lost in design. Fifth for me were matching fog lamp bulbs. They didn't match the HID's. Another good thing to add to the car if the previous owner didn't is a rear sway bar. I used a z06 sway bar which is the largest made by GM and it works great. Unfortunately their arn't many aftermarket parts for our cars and half the ones out there are so overpriced its ridiculous. Good luck and happy driving!
 
The first thing I did was debadge the sides... I like a clean look to the sides. Especially didn't like the square "GM" badge behind the doors on the quarter panels. Of course, a car cover was essential... purchased a Wolf custom cover. Next was to install the "V" rear sway bar, as mentioned by the others. Then HAD to have a factory chrome grille, I didn't like the look of the "amethyst" color that it came with, but do like the factory look of the original grille (personally, the mesh look doesn't do much for me). Followed by '08 chrome XLR rims (the original rims just don't have the "pop" that this car needed... much better in chrome). Would like to do the HID fog lamp kit and LED interior lights, but other things take priority...
As you can maybe read between the lines, I like to keep the "factory" look to the exterior, but also like to upgrade to my taste...
 
Sounds like the previous owner really customized it. Now you have a ongoing project to bring it back to original. Would've loved to see the before and after pics.
The only thing I did was remove the "dealer badge" that the dealerships alway stick on the cars. What? R they paying you to advertise. That's what someone said to me that used to own a xlr.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Rear sway bar and LED lamps for interior/license plate.

A search will turn up threads about both.

For me, an Odyssey AGM battery was a practical upgrade. Threads available concerning this as well.
 
A lot of different things can be done but the top 5 on my list (which has been done for Beauty-XLRATING) is the following:

1- Sway bar

2- EXHAUST

3- Brakes....drilled and slotted roters & powdercoated calipers

4- Floor mats

5- Hood & trunk liner (if you are participating in car shows this is a nice touch)

Also......WELCOME to the forum.
:wave:

Mike
 
A lot of different things can be done but the top 5 on my list (which has been done for Beauty-XLRATING) is the following:

1- Sway bar

2- EXHAUST

3- Brakes....drilled and slotted roters & powdercoated calipers

4- Floor mats

5- Hood & trunk liner (if you are participating in car shows this is a nice touch)

Also......WELCOME to the forum.
:wave:

Mike

I have to agree with Mike on this issue. I have done the:
#1. Sway Bar- I agree this is the best performance upgrade for an XLR. (So does my local dealer)
#2 Brake Upgrade powder coat coating and rotors. Recommend Cadillac Tech to do this for you if it can work for you.
#3 Trunk and head liners - (i have only done the trunk but both are awesome!)
#4 exhaust- I have not done this but many members have and it is my view it is warranted if you want to maximize the XLR's features
#5. floor mats- Not done anything here but it's an easy upgrade.

Hope this is helpful.

Steve
 
Appearance/Comfort:

1. Lexan Wind Deflector of any brand
2. Matching Headlight/Fog light temp (HID Fogs are available, and both can be upgraded to 55W HID - with the additional brightness I went with 8000K)
3. Custom Floor mats
4. LED replacements for all (10) 194 bulbs, (2) 2825LL, (4) 3757, and (2) 3157
5. Car Cover and Trickle Charger for winter storage


Performance/Safety:

1. Sway bar
2. Intake
3. Tune
4. Brakes and rotors
5. Exhaust
 
My Corsa exhaust is my favorite upgrade! Powdercoated calipers is next... My top two. :wave:
 
Well, my list is seriously different. I've owned several Corvettes over the years and I'm just old enough to want pure comfort.

1. Enlarge the infamous drain hole in the trunk compartment. (Done)

2. Install Parrot MKi9200 to get Bluetooth + ipod/auxin/usb-stick mp3 player. (Done, mostly use usb sticks)

3. Buy a Garmin with free lifetime map updates and free traffic monitoring. (Done)

3. Remove the shift-out-of-park linkage so the car can never get stuck in park again. (Done)

4. Get rid of the harsh riding Goodyear runflats. (Done, now on Bridgestone Serenity+, carrying a big can of slime and a good 12v compressor in the right bin).

5. Pull out the seats and replace all that Chevy-grade plastic behind them with something that doesn't creak and scritch like an 86 Corvette. (Next Summer).

Wishlist:

some really comfortable replacement seats (with compatible airbags and even better cooling/ventilation)
 
Well, my list is seriously different. I've owned several Corvettes over the years and I'm just old enough to want pure comfort.

1. Enlarge the infamous drain hole in the trunk compartment. (Done)

2. Install Parrot MKi9200 to get Bluetooth + ipod/auxin/usb-stick mp3 player. (Done, mostly use usb sticks)

3. Buy a Garmin with free lifetime map updates and free traffic monitoring. (Done)

3. Remove the shift-out-of-park linkage so the car can never get stuck in park again. (Done)

4. Get rid of the harsh riding Goodyear runflats. (Done, now on Bridgestone Serenity+, carrying a big can of slime and a good 12v compressor in the right bin).

5. Pull out the seats and replace all that Chevy-grade plastic behind them with something that doesn't creak and scritch like an 86 Corvette. (Next Summer).

Wishlist:

some really comfortable replacement seats (with compatible airbags and even better cooling/ventilation)

Yeah what's with the seat backs? They are easy to clean but the seats might stick to the seat backs in the hot summer months. Especially here in Florida.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My next expense is the ImageUploadedByTapatalk1356832629.822162.jpg and a battery tender. This way my battery always has a good charge and my tires won't stick to the garage floor. And also I'll be able to park and have room to walk in front of the car all the time. Right now I have a cone and yard stick at the side of the garage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Heres my top 5 of what I've done to my '05:

1. Upgrade front fascia to '09 XLR-V
2. Hotchkis Sway bars F & R
3. C6 Z06 Rims
4. Cross drilled slotted rotors/ painted calipers blue to match car
5. 20% tint all around
 
1. watch the computer area in the trunk and enlarge / add drain holes
2. lower the car on factory bushings
3. nicer wheels than the factory 7 spokes
4. battery tender / Optima battery
5. fog light bulbs

1 -4 are done on mine. I need to change my fog light bulbs.
Car cover and Lloyd floor mats are just nice, something I do for all my cars.

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your car.
 
Performance
1: Corsa Exhaust, the car now sounds as good as it looks, super agressive sound when you stand on it :burnout: but no heavy drone when driving down the highway. Bolts right in unless you own an '09 like mine so you need to have some fab work done to keep those sexy '09 exhaust tips!

2: Volant cold air intake. Engines need to breathe and now that it 'exhales' well via the Corsa, it needs to 'inhale' equally as well. Easy install, Combined these 2 upgrades add around 25 hp

3: Rear Sway bar, used the factory V sway bar, firmed it up in the rear, easy to install :bootyshake:

4: new tune range for the computer, I found the car liked to often be in one gear too high (ie in 4th when it should be in 3rd) and wold be lazy, had to get my foot into it to make it kick down. New tune optimizes preformance, keeps the car in a mor responsive range in 'city driving' likely at the cost of a certain amount of fuel mileage but I am driving a sports performance car, not a family sedan.

5: Replaced Run Flats with regular type summer performance radials. I carry a repair kit and mini compressor just in case.

6: Get a Battery Tender, if the car is going to sit for any length of time, plug it in. If the car goes out weekly at worst; not necessary to plug in, but for the winter or extended vacations etc it is a must have. There are leads that stay on the car so you just pop the hood and plug in. Our Harleys are the same, part of the fault is the vehicles monitoring/security system, constant trickle of energy being used.

Other neat stuff:
Wind Restrictor, I got one with the brake light/ running light option, rather 'cool' when cruising top down at night but annoying at night if the top is up as it reflects in the rear widow.
Trunk lid liner, nice touch then the lid is up, classy addition to a classy car!
 
1. watch the computer area in the trunk and enlarge / add drain holes
2. lower the car on factory bushings
3. nicer wheels than the factory 7 spokes
4. battery tender / Optima battery
5. fog light bulbs

1 -4 are done on mine. I need to change my fog light bulbs.
Car cover and Lloyd floor mats are just nice, something I do for all my cars.

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your car.

I added the rear sway bar the same time I lowered my car. The sway bar helps a lot with handling, lowering is just for looks.
 
awesome information and feedback everyone! keep it coming!

just curious, with regards to the rear sway bar - how visible is the part when installed? is it worth powder-coating before installation?
 
awesome information and feedback everyone! keep it coming!

just curious, with regards to the rear sway bar - how visible is the part when installed? is it worth powder-coating before installation?

the rear is more visible than the front, my opinion, take the time to do it now, instead of having to pull it back off. either way, easy install.



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