thinking about a c5, anything i need to watch out for?
07-21-2006, 07:08 PM
#1
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Walker, La.
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thinking about a c5, anything i need to watch out for? i'm seriously thinking about a c5. i was just wondering is there any year or particular preoblem i need to watch out for?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
07-21-2006, 07:22 PM
#2
Teching In
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: fayetteville nc
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by circusboy
i'm seriously thinking about a c5. i was just wondering is there any year or particular preoblem i need to watch out for?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
07-22-2006, 12:10 AM
#3
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I read some stickies somewhere (corvette forum I think) about what to watch out for before buying.
First, I think, is the column lock issue. I'm still chancing it at this point but I'm going to buy the bypass thing
Next is the battery. The battery is mounted in the rear passenger side of the engine compartment right above the computer. Apparently the factory battery is known to leak acid....right onto the computer. I replace it with an Optima.
That's about all I can really think of.
I guess you have rear end issues when you get a lot of power and drag race. There are some things you can do to help it out though.
Overall though, I'm real happy with my corvette. Oh yeah, I even got 31mpg in the vette! Would even be happier if I could sell my Formula so I can spend some money on the vette to get things like the column lock bypass.
First, I think, is the column lock issue. I'm still chancing it at this point but I'm going to buy the bypass thing
Next is the battery. The battery is mounted in the rear passenger side of the engine compartment right above the computer. Apparently the factory battery is known to leak acid....right onto the computer. I replace it with an Optima.
That's about all I can really think of.
I guess you have rear end issues when you get a lot of power and drag race. There are some things you can do to help it out though.
Overall though, I'm real happy with my corvette. Oh yeah, I even got 31mpg in the vette! Would even be happier if I could sell my Formula so I can spend some money on the vette to get things like the column lock bypass.
07-22-2006, 01:02 AM
#4
Launching!
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
99 and up you'll be okay but 01 and newer has an advantage w/ a beefier torque tube. I think there may be additional issues w/ getting big power from the later year fuel systems.... not saying it can't be done just that I don't think it's as easy.
If I were to do it again it would be an frc for sure.
Arnel
If I were to do it again it would be an frc for sure.
Arnel
07-22-2006, 09:37 AM
#6
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Johnsonville, SC; but orginally from GAINESVILLE, FL
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Things to look out for:
Mentioned above:
Was the Column Lock recall completed or is a Column Lock Bypass done?
Check the Differential for any moisture or residue, the diff seals are notorious for leaking.
Battery, if it has an ACDELCO in the car, get rid of, buy a gel.
Pay attention to the gas guage, the guage has a tendency to drop if the fuel sending unit is bad or is dirty. If it is a private owner, ask what gas they have been running. Try to stick with TOP TIER gases.
Keep an ear out for the motors when checking the headlights. Any grinding? Needs new bearings, not expensive, but I have heard they are a PITA to install.
The first three items are the big ones.
Check on other websites that are soul based for the CORVETTE and ask the same questions there too.
Good LUCK!
Micah
Mentioned above:
Was the Column Lock recall completed or is a Column Lock Bypass done?
Check the Differential for any moisture or residue, the diff seals are notorious for leaking.
Battery, if it has an ACDELCO in the car, get rid of, buy a gel.
Pay attention to the gas guage, the guage has a tendency to drop if the fuel sending unit is bad or is dirty. If it is a private owner, ask what gas they have been running. Try to stick with TOP TIER gases.
Keep an ear out for the motors when checking the headlights. Any grinding? Needs new bearings, not expensive, but I have heard they are a PITA to install.
The first three items are the big ones.
Check on other websites that are soul based for the CORVETTE and ask the same questions there too.
Good LUCK!
Micah
Trending Topics
07-22-2006, 05:06 PM
#9
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Somewhere Between Mild Insanity and Complete Psychosis
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2001 or 2002 are the best years to buy.
2000 was a wierd model year, pre-cats, transition from early c5s(97-99) and the revised c5s (2001-2004)
97-99 were the only years with battery leak issues. 2000 and later have a redesigned battery space with protection for the hardware underneath.
2003-2004 have weak fuel setups that will absolutely have to be changed out for earlier versions if you ever mod for high hp.
97 and 98 do not have heads-up display
97,98,99 come with the butt-ugly, unpolished wagon wheels
97,98,99,2000 have ls1 intake, not ls6 intake
97,98,99 have crappy little black exhaust tips
By all accounts, 99 are the best of the early years, 2002 is the best of the later years and best year of c5s.
So 2002 is the one to look for, with 2001 a close second. Personally, however, I would not go with a 97,98, or 2000. 99 is good, but will be down slightly on power b/c of the ls1 intake. 2003 & 2004 are good, but if you go blower/turbo fuel system will need to be changed as well.
2000 was a wierd model year, pre-cats, transition from early c5s(97-99) and the revised c5s (2001-2004)
97-99 were the only years with battery leak issues. 2000 and later have a redesigned battery space with protection for the hardware underneath.
2003-2004 have weak fuel setups that will absolutely have to be changed out for earlier versions if you ever mod for high hp.
97 and 98 do not have heads-up display
97,98,99 come with the butt-ugly, unpolished wagon wheels
97,98,99,2000 have ls1 intake, not ls6 intake
97,98,99 have crappy little black exhaust tips
By all accounts, 99 are the best of the early years, 2002 is the best of the later years and best year of c5s.
So 2002 is the one to look for, with 2001 a close second. Personally, however, I would not go with a 97,98, or 2000. 99 is good, but will be down slightly on power b/c of the ls1 intake. 2003 & 2004 are good, but if you go blower/turbo fuel system will need to be changed as well.
07-22-2006, 05:48 PM
#10
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oxford, Chester County,Pa
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you buy from a dealer try to suck him into a warranty 30days or so. Mine had low milage so I talked him into a 30 day warranty and threw it onto a dyno just to see the car go through every gear at top speed and make sure the clutch held. It was nice because they where able to monitor everything RPM/Speed/AFR/ and even my cruising fuel trims. They even did a simulated 1/4 mile run. After the dyno I felt confident the car was solid.
