Hello my fellow Vette friends, the time has come for me to make the jump to my first C5. I chose the hardtop FRC for obvious reasons. The one I have decided to purchase is an all black 99 FRC w/44k miles for $19k. It has chrome Z06 wheels and intake and catback ONLY. Is this a good deal?

I have a few questions for those that know best...

1. Whats the main things I should be cautious of when buying a car sign unseen like this? Car is in great condition and sounds nice. (I'm having the car shipped)

2. Do Longtube Headers and Offroad X-pipe require a tune? Would I be able to install them myself or will something have to be welded? Would they all just bolt on....will I have O2 problems? Not sure how it works on the vettes...What's an affordable deal for good headers and xpipe? Any used ones for sale?

3. What's the maximum you can lower a C5 on the factory bolts?

4. Where can I find the best deal on working Z06 rear brake ducts like this one? (not stick on) How hard would it be to cut the body panels and install myself at home?




thanks!!

 

Sounds like an awesome Vette! Just make sure you hear no serious clunking out of the IRS. These cars are pretty solid, I wouldn't expect you to have many problems.

Longtube headers and an off road pipe will generally see better gains with a tune, but it is not absolutely necessary. With a tune the rear 02's can be simply turned off. Without a tune, 02 simms should be used. Casper Electronics makes the 02 simms. I have found though that they don't seem to last forever.
I prefer the Kooks longtube headers and off road X pipe. Kooks are a little more money, but they are worth it, as they fit very well and generally produce more power than a lot of other brands. Bob

 

Buy the LG headers race version. They are the best. Unless you upgrade to a stroker then vette docotrs have some nice headers.

 

Damn that is a killer price on a low mileage Vette! If you don't buy it, send me their info

 

Congrats man that is a steal IMO just make sure everything is solid buying a car sight unseen is very risky. Hope you enjoy it

I belive west coast corvettes sells the real rear air duct brake kit.

 

I would not buy site unseen. At the very least get someone here or on corvetteforum.com that lives in the car's area to go check it out. Or fly out and drive it back...but no way I would buy it site unseen.

 

Definitely a good idea. My friend just bought a Z06 site unseen from a place in Texas. After he got the car they were checking the spark plugs and found out the car did not have an Ls6 engine at all. The car had 853 heads and the casting numbers on the block showed as a 99 to 00 camaro/firebird.

 

I asked on corvetteforum.com in the regional if somebody would check it out for me, if not it's a good enough deal to take the risk. I've got a bill of sale and everything so not too much could go wrong!

 

My 2 cents here...

Question 1. Only real issue with a 99 is a Leaking battery. If the battery leaked it could effect the computer, wiring harness and frame rails. All the above items are below the battery.

Question 2. LT's will not require a tune and can be installed by most people. The hardest part to me was aligning the muffler tips.

Question 3. About 1" all around.

Questions 4. Try Mid America.

If the car is close to Dayton/Cincinnati Ohio drop me PM, I would be glad to help out. Last, good luck.

 

i agree with ROJO99

 

dont ruin the FRC with z06 brake ducts

 

Why not? I think they really set the car off.

The vette is in Omaha NE.

 

sounds like a great deal for sure! if you like the Z06 brake ducts then do the conversion. just dont put z06 badges on it. i hate it when i see that. i paid extra money for the Z06 because of what it was. i hate it when i see a knock off. there is a kid running around with a yellow FRC in my area, i wasnt out in mine, he was talking mad ****, i couldnt resist and punked his *** in front of everyone and pointed out all the reasons it wasnt a real z06, he shut the f-up real quick.

great buy, just like everyone else said, try to get someone local to check it out, even if its a f-body guy. ask the owner for records of any warranty work and any other service records if he has them.

 

Wow great deal on that FRC! I would also leave the plastic vents off. I wish my car did not have them because they look cheap once they get older IMO.

 

It's not JetVette's car that you're buying, is it?

 

Have someone look up her skirt, rack that car and check it out well.Check for new suspension parts, body parts or drivetrain parts Thats a very good price, make sure it doesn't have a rebuilt title or your just very lucky and someone needs the green.

 

HELL NO! The carfax on this one was clean as a whistle.

heres a video of it running: http://members.***.net/erlimbeck/vet2.wmv

 

I don't think I could ever badge a car something it's not. Although I am going to put on the Z06 style "LS1" badges to give all of the Zo6 appearance without being a poser. Besides, after I'm done modding this Corvette it will be everything the Z06 is but faster, and all the same appearance.

 

I just bought an 02 zo6 basically site unseen. We talked on the phone and went back and forth thru pm's alot (over about 3 weeks), had him take tons of pics for me, make a video of it idling/running, etc. and ran a carfax on it. It was out in california (I'm in oklahoma), I flew out last thursday, picked it up, and drove it back. It was a quick transaction when I got there, but the guy had a good rep. on corvetteforum and seemed extremely honest and up front about everything. So far no surprises and I don't expect there to be. He kept it great shape and took awesome care of it. He was the 2nd owner and the previous owner was the original and he did the same. The car still smells like new leather, etc.
On a lil older car that likely has had more than a couple owners so check it out closer. I'd do like I did though, fly out and drive home, just make sure you go over it yourself if possible (I didn't get to with the owner present because we did it quick at the airport). Every now and then you run across a good person that does you right, I lucked out in my transaction and everything went well and I got a gem of a car.

Oh yeah one more thing, either invest in a bra or some removable vinyl to cover the front end for the drive home if you go pick it up. I plastered the front end of mine in removable vinyl and didnt get a single rock chip in the 1600 miles I drove back!

 

I wouldn't put the vents on an FRC. I think the FRC's look cleaner because they don't have the scoops.