Dave C

Hi folks - it's been a few years since I've owned a Corvette, so I'm happy to again be part of the group. Previously I've had mainly C4's, all Z51 Stick cars, so this C5 is a big change for me. I just picked up a very nice 2000 Nassau Blue Auto Coupe from the original 75yr old owner - it has only 4,400 miles. Besides going thru all the fluids, should I be concerned about the tires? The car has never seen rain and has always been parked on carpet in a climate controlled garage - thanks guys!

work_truck

Definitely tires,

Driving from Missouri to Indiana on 7k mile 17 year old run flats was terrifying, and they were not dry looking in the least.

Everything rubber should be inspected at the very least ie hoses, belts, plug wires, brake lines, etc.

Most of those things are very cheap to replace, so cheap that I do not think its worth risking the break down just because the miles are low.

Another thing I always forget about is the LMC5 everyone talks about, I just received mine and will have it on the car before it leaves the garage again.

If you are not aware the C5 has a tendency to lock the steering column and disable the car, necessitating a trip to a dealer to have it fixed, the LMC5 disables this.

Here is a link to the maintenance parts I just bought, some things like the tensioners are probably overkill but I don't trust 20 year old parts for the most part.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593827653

friou

I go with the member who posted above. Extremely low miles are great but there is a downside. If it were me I would book it into a good shop for a thorough refresh. That gives you a up to date baseline to begin taking care of your new old baby. Congratulations on your buy! Take care!

Keith Richards

Congrats on the NB car from a '98 NB owner!
Mine has 12 year old tires and look as good as the day they were put on but that being said I will be putting a new set of non-run flat Michelin's on this year soon! Most my driving is short and if on the freeway only 40-50 miles at best so not much time to heat up and get hot were they might come apart if checked inside? I am replacing them as they are feeling pretty flat spotted from sitting too much, cam't wait for the better ride as well. Have fun with that new C5.

Mike98SilVert

Install a LMC5 or Column Lock Bypass. Do not let the dealer perform the column lock recall, they will only cause more problems. Install or have someone install the LMC5 or a Column Lock Bypass.

I have installed both on different cars and it was not difficult. Read and follow the instructions. Here are some helpful videos:

http://complianceparts.com/lmc5install.html


You can do many of the maintenance items yourself. This is the best DIY info website for many maintenance items: http://www.toquez06.com/z06index.html
and http://www.97vette.com/

Here are the lifting & jacking locations:



Always use jacking pucks when lifting from the frame contact hoist locations if you don't have frame rail protection.

Jacking Pucks: https://www.corvettepartsandaccessor...-jacking-pucks

Lifting without pucks. :

http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php

I use the following 2 low profile jacks; one Larin 2-ton aluminum jack and one Harbor Freight 1.5-ton aluminum jack.

I installed frame rails with built in pads from Elite Engineering:
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c...nd-mtg-screws/

For oil changes I use a set of 57" 2-piece Race Ramps and drive the front wheels up on them while driving the rear wheels onto Trax Jax when I perform oil changes.



Then I lift the rear of the car up under the rear cradle with a low profile jack supporting and protecting the cradle with a 4x8 piece of wood so the weight is dispersed evenly across and there is no metal to metal contact. You only need to raise the rear of the car slightly higher than the front to completely drain out the oil. I make sure to chock the rear of the front tires on the ramps.

You can use one of these under the cradle in place of wood: http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-f...eam-60762.html

Here are some links to oil changes:

http://www.97vette.com/howto/carlift/index.html

http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php

http://www.toquez06.com/oil.html

I suggest changing the dexcool right away if you suspect that it is original. If the old dexcool is still clear and the color looks and smells like new then it has probably been changed before and only in this case won't necessarily need to be flushed. Be careful turning the fragile petcock to drain the coolant. If it's original it may not be able to flow out immediately since it may have gunked up the petcock so don't get too rough with it or you will snap it and need to purchase a new petcock. Once changed you should be good for 3 years.

Change the brake fluid, especially if it appears dark in the reservoir. You should change the clutch fluid if it appears dark in the reservoir, however you will have to search the Ranger method. Find a good Corvette shop if you don't want to bother with these items. I have used the Ranger method but in the end needed to replace my clutch master cylinder.

Air filter change is simple on a stock intake, just unsnap the 2 handles at each end, lift and carefully remove and install the new filter.

If the belts are original I suggest replacing them. Make sure to get the correct part number belt for your car.

You should check the sway bar end links and bushings. If they are the original plastic end links, they are probably shot and should be replaced with the oem metal end links.

Make sure that the drainage udders are free of debris. Here is a good thread with plenty of links: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-udders.html

Your plugs are probably fine but you may want to replace the wires. I replaced my plugs and wires with my header install and it was a breeze but it will be a PITA on a stock car with exhaust manifolds in place. My wires were brittle and 3 broke apart even though the car ran excellent before the change. Your car will run great even though the wires are old.

Replacing rear diff fluid: http://www.toquez06.com/diff.html

Manual trans fluid change: http://www.toquez06.com/tranny.html

Congrats on a great find and welcome.

Dave C

Work_Truck - I just finished your ENTIRE thread from your car's pickup and death-ride home, to your most recent updates. THANKS YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THAT WRITE UP. I will follow suit, starting with the LMC5 module. My plan is to keep this car as close to original as possible, with the exception of the typical maintenance items and some minor enhancements (wheels, exhaust, etc.) - I also have an Audi A8L, a Chevy Tahoe, and a Dodge Challenger R/T (31k miles, 6-spd, soon to be for sale), so the miles won't be building up too badly I hope!

Here are a couple pics of the C5 - it also has the F45 suspension which I am not a fan of, but it is what it is.

work_truck

Enjoy it!

I know I am loving mine.

~Josh

With paint that nice I'd consider clear paint protection for the front and wheel wells.

Dave C

Wheel wells?

Vetteman Jack

work_truck has pretty much nailed the things to do first. Sounds like you have found a really nice '00 and hope you get many miles of driving pleasure from the car.

Mr31FlavorsVette

My second favorite color Good luck with it, looks beautiful.

dbgoodwin

Step 1: replace literally everything rubber that you can.

Step 2: flush all fluids.

Step 3: put an lmc5 module on it

Step 4: drive a minimum of 20k miles this year alone.

4,000 miles is too low. It's unethical.

Roddy13

Drive it. That's what you do first! Drive it. (check and replace tires as need first though).

Tuco

bestest color ever.


Congrats and welcome.

~Josh

Where the wheels/tires kick rocks/grit right at the painted surfaces at the outer edge of the wheels/tires. Don't forget the front bumper, hood, and mirrors.

Do a google search. Nice paint can have 3m plastic applied and in 40k miles peeled off and the common wear areas of a c5 look great just like the unabused portions of the paint. Various manufacturers of the clear laminate, in fact, 3m which is a common name turns yellow in time, other are better.

Cleartastic is Mickey Mouse. I'm talking about professionally applied clear film that stays for years.

Dave C

My wife just called me - said that the car just got delivered and is sitting in the garage, think I'll skip out of work a little early tonight! Thanks for all the well wishes and the tech tips - you guys rule!

BodaciousBlue

Hey Dave C Congratulations on a low miles vette. I have the same color. Enjoy my CF friend.

OpethMike

Beautiful color!

As said before:

Install an LMC5
Install a CAGS eliminator
New tires
New belts
Change ALL fluids
Consider replacing coolant system hoses

Dave C

Pics from my first day possessing this car, I bought this sight unseen on a recommendation of a friend from the original owner (75 yrs old), it's showing 4,524 miles and has allegedly never seen a drop of rain.

Please excuse the clutter in my garage - I've been doing some upgrades to my Challenger and have not had a minute to clean it up. This Corvette purchase was not a planned one, I had intended to wait until the Spring when I could sell the Challenger, re-do the garage space, then look for a C5 - but we plan and God laughs...(in this case it worked in my favor!) I'm not a fan of the console cover so I'll need to find an OEM lid.




My first view of my C5 as I pulled in the driveway, my poor Challenger has been delegated to the great and COLD outdoors.

David Shiel

Most of us obsess about the maintenance of our cars and drive them to little. They are just cars. Follow the recommendations in the manual and drive the **** out of them. Moderation in all things!
Dave