c5 frc questions
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
c5 frc questions alright guys, i am just looking for some general opinions/facts about these cars. i had my sights set on an 03 cobra but after looking into insurance prices i found that the c5's are over $100 cheaper per month for me. i was already interested in vettes but that kind of helped me decide. so i found a 1999 frc with around 35k miles on it, looks to be in mint condition with hardly any mods (cat back and intake). the owner says it NEVER smokes or burns any fluids and the column lock issue hasnt reared its ugly head, he says it might have already been taken care of.
These two common issues (column lock and piston rings) were my main concerns, more so the piston ring issue obviously. i was just wondering if this ring issue is going to render the car un-drivable if it comes up later on. i dont know if i will be willing to have the motor rebuilt so i want to get some advice before hopping into this thing. its a very good deal (around 18k) so i am seriously wanting to buy this thing.
i am getting out of the military soon and starting college so i dont want to deal with a car that is constantly costing me money/headaches.
any response is greatly appreciated. thanks
These two common issues (column lock and piston rings) were my main concerns, more so the piston ring issue obviously. i was just wondering if this ring issue is going to render the car un-drivable if it comes up later on. i dont know if i will be willing to have the motor rebuilt so i want to get some advice before hopping into this thing. its a very good deal (around 18k) so i am seriously wanting to buy this thing.
i am getting out of the military soon and starting college so i dont want to deal with a car that is constantly costing me money/headaches.
any response is greatly appreciated. thanks
alright guys, i am just looking for some general opinions/facts about these cars. i had my sights set on an 03 cobra but after looking into insurance prices i found that the c5's are over $100 cheaper per month for me. i was already interested in vettes but that kind of helped me decide. so i found a 1999 frc with around 35k miles on it, looks to be in mint condition with hardly any mods (cat back and intake). the owner says it NEVER smokes or burns any fluids and the column lock issue hasnt reared its ugly head, he says it might have already been taken care of.
These two common issues (column lock and piston rings) were my main concerns, more so the piston ring issue obviously. i was just wondering if this ring issue is going to render the car un-drivable if it comes up later on. i dont know if i will be willing to have the motor rebuilt so i want to get some advice before hopping into this thing. its a very good deal (around 18k) so i am seriously wanting to buy this thing.
i am getting out of the military soon and starting college so i dont want to deal with a car that is constantly costing me money/headaches.
any response is greatly appreciated. thanks
These two common issues (column lock and piston rings) were my main concerns, more so the piston ring issue obviously. i was just wondering if this ring issue is going to render the car un-drivable if it comes up later on. i dont know if i will be willing to have the motor rebuilt so i want to get some advice before hopping into this thing. its a very good deal (around 18k) so i am seriously wanting to buy this thing.
i am getting out of the military soon and starting college so i dont want to deal with a car that is constantly costing me money/headaches.
any response is greatly appreciated. thanks
The FRC's didn't have any ring problems. That problem occurred in 2001 models, so you don't have to worry about that issue.
The biggest issue is check for water leaks. FRC / Hardtop's some times develop water leaks around the windows or the rear tub area.
Throw a lot of water down on it and look for signs of leakage behind the seats and the headliner.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
The ring issue was on the 2001 Z06/LS6 engines. It was "hit or miss"... some engines had problems, some didn't.This showed up early and was a warranty repair... so it should have been taken care of.
If there's not a big difference in $$$, get a C-5 Z06, it's much improved over the 99/2000 fixed roof coupe.
The Z06's have:
LS6 engine
M12 tranny
stiffer suspension
bigger tires
Cya @ the track,
Trumper
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
.... alright sweet... that ring issue had me worried for quite some time, honestly it was the only reason i have tried to convince myself not to get one. i havent really found any zo6 that i can afford. i really dont want anything with more than 45k miles. and it has to be located somewhere in the southeast. so that narrows it down quite a bit. i only have 19k to spend and this one is under that so im pretty happy that i found it.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
I know money can be a major issue... In today's market, you might just find an 01 or 02 Z06 close to your budget.
That said... modding a C5 Fixed Roof Coupe... trying to keep up with the C5 Z06 @ the track (road course)....will co$t more than the difference in buying price.
Cya @ the track,
Trumper
The ring issue was on the 2001 Z06/LS6 engines. It was "hit or miss"... some engines had problems, some didn't.This showed up early and was a warranty repair... so it should have been taken care of.
If there's not a big difference in $$$, get a C-5 Z06, it's much improved over the 99/2000 fixed roof coupe.
The Z06's have:
LS6 engine
M12 tranny
stiffer suspension
bigger tires
Cya @ the track,
Trumper
The ring problem was on all 2001's and some 2002 not just the Z06's
I know money can be a major issue... In today's market, you might just find an 01 or 02 Z06 close to your budget.
That said... modding a C5 Fixed Roof Coupe... trying to keep up with the C5 Z06 @ the track (road course)....will co$t more than the difference in buying price.
Cya @ the track,
Trumper
The only major differences were the suspension springs a stronger motor, different gearing and a shot peened differential gear set.
I have had both and I really liked the FRc especially because it didn't have that active handling crap to deal with.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
Quite a few differences between the two, which add up to major $$$...if you mod a Fixed Roof Coupe to compete with the Z06 @ the track.
Hhmmm... you CAN turn off the electronic nannies if you choose too !!! Anyway, have fun with your FRC Corvette.Cya @ the track,
Trumper
Last edited by trumperZ06; Jan 18, 2009 at 01:41 PM.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo Quite a few differences between the two, which add up to major $$$...if you mod a Fixed Roof Coupe to compete with the Z06 @ the track.
Hhmmm... you CAN turn off the electronic nannies if you choose too !!! Anyway, have fun with your FRC Corvette.Cya @ the track,
Trumper
You may see my bro on the track thou.
Me
The Bro (Track Car)
Also the Z06 came with regular tires not run-flats, which improved its handling.
The biggest differences are the
-Engine (Heads / Cam / Compression)
- Suspension (already stated above)
- Body Lighter windshield and Rear Window
- Different tranny gearing, HD Torque Tube, Shot Peened Differential Gears.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
That really depends on a number of factors. Most FRC have some mods to them.
There are lots of good deals on used parts, etc ... to bring your FRC up to or beyond a Z06.
If you plan on modding your car, it's cheaper to go the FRC route. If you don't plan to do anything but get in and drive the Z06 is the better route.
There are lots of good deals on used parts, etc ... to bring your FRC up to or beyond a Z06.
If you plan on modding your car, it's cheaper to go the FRC route. If you don't plan to do anything but get in and drive the Z06 is the better route.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
I bought my cobra, put down 470hp with it with in $2000 worth of mods. With over 550 tq. If you never drove a roots blower car before its a different beast. Then i got the bike, sold the cobra with rising gas prices and dealing with the high cost of parts for those cars. Not so much the car but the motor. And to work on it, well you better know what your doing. I did cams on my buddies. NEVER again. But you learn, and after weak links are replaced it becomes reliable. The bottom end never worried me at all.
Where was i.... oh yeah bought the crotch rocket, sold car, bought f-150. Couldnt stand driving that everyday. So when i saw a trade in come in i bought my vette. Its a 01 vert Non-z06. Since ive had it, it produces a new problem on the regular once a week. So i really havnt modded the thing besides a few basics. But parts are way cheaper and this motor is so easy to work on. Maby cause im a GM tech... not the point. Its such a well designed motor. Ford had an idea and just added what ever they needed to the motor to make it work. Chevy went all out making this one of the best motors ever designed.
Now with a simple full exhuast, intake, intake mani, cam, tune, your looking at around 450ish at the wheel, in a way lighter car thats designed to put that much power to the ground.
chew on that i gotta take of something right now. More to *** later.
Where was i.... oh yeah bought the crotch rocket, sold car, bought f-150. Couldnt stand driving that everyday. So when i saw a trade in come in i bought my vette. Its a 01 vert Non-z06. Since ive had it, it produces a new problem on the regular once a week. So i really havnt modded the thing besides a few basics. But parts are way cheaper and this motor is so easy to work on. Maby cause im a GM tech... not the point. Its such a well designed motor. Ford had an idea and just added what ever they needed to the motor to make it work. Chevy went all out making this one of the best motors ever designed.
Now with a simple full exhuast, intake, intake mani, cam, tune, your looking at around 450ish at the wheel, in a way lighter car thats designed to put that much power to the ground.
chew on that i gotta take of something right now. More to *** later.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
