Hi guys,

I'm a bit of a youngster here as I'll be 19 in April and I got some questions for experienced owners. What I am wanting to do is get my hands on a cheap C4 and do the C5 body convsersion with C5 tailights and Y-pipes. This means I could possibly find a Vette with the front end or rear damage to a certain extent at a cheap price as they will be replaced anyway. How many miles is too much on a C4? How tricky would it be to just drop a crate 350 in and what about replacing or rebuilding the tranny? Insurance will probably double my current Toyotas, but I'm goin by the "Only Live Once" policy. What kind of a budget do you guys think I could pull this off with and would it be worth it? My 1:18 scale Vettes just arent cuttin it anymore.

Thanks for any input

 

Duce,

Welcome to CorvetteForum! You'll find lots of great information here and really great folks. Unfortunately, you've landed on a very touchy subject around here for your first post, so I can't say that the replies will be ever-so-favorable!

What I'm talking about is the C4-to-C5 conversion kit. The majority of C4 owners are fanatics - not just Corvette fanatics - *C4* fanatics. However, almost all Corvette owners, regardless of generation, are (to at least a certain degree) "purists", so they don't think highly of modifications like bodykits, conversions, big spoilers, too much "bling", etc., etc.

I suspect the majority of the responses will consist of some ugly-faced emoticon like, " " or " ", or you'll hear "If you want a C5, buy a C5." There's some truth to that last part...the market is really depressed right now for used late-model Corvettes. Used C5s can be had really inexpensively, and in some cases, less than a low-low mileage "pristine" C4.

The main thing is, though, it's your car, so you should do whatever makes you happy. Cheers...

 

i wanted a corvette pretty bad in the spring of my 22nd year, (im 25 now) fortunately for me, i really like the c4's. digital speedo and popup headlights and big pillows on the dash

i paid 10000 for an 86 convertible with 120000 miles no it, (roughly blue book at the time) then i spent another 10000 dollars on repairs cause my car was hiding major problems and i wasnt smart enough to find em before i bought it. You should be able to do much better than I did.

I dont think its a good idea to do that body conversion. one of the best parts of owning a corvette is the community that you join. You will have a hard time finding a C4 owner that won't look on the modification with distaste, and i suspect you won't find too many C5 owners who like the idea either.

 

You have more wisdom than you give yourself credit for:
You are only 19, you will "Only Live Once" , and probably for a long time.
So, if you want a C5 save up for it.

If you want a C4 buy a descent one, and repair what it needs [you will find plenty of things it needs].

Now, If you do what you plan -in your post- the money you will spend may be as much as a low end C5 costs, and you will have a car with no resale value.

 

It will cost you almost as much if not more to buy a C4 and then convert the C4 to look like a C5 as it would to just buy a C5....Besides that, if you do convert a C4 to a C5 you may have a hard time selling it when the time comes..You should think about all your options...But its your money.

 

Welcome! The project you are considering sounds like it could be pretty pricey. I'd recommend buying a complete early C4 in good condition first and then take on the conversion as your money allows. You can buy a pretty nice early C4 for well under $10k instead of a wrecked one for a couple thousand, a crate motor for $3k, tranny another $1k, etc. etc..Believe me, those $$ can really add up fast.
I'm not a fan of the C4/C5 conversion, but it's going to be your car and your money, so do what you want. Good luck.

 

Also, the guy that makes the c4 to c5 conversion kits (C5WEST), blows his fiberglass into molds. (That's direct from his mouth). Unless he uses hand-laid fiberglass on the particular mold you're speaking of, I wouldn't consider it as durable as hand-laid fiberglass. In other words, it would be more suspectible to cracking, separation, etc...

There are also many other things about a C5 that are better than C4s. And, C6's are better than C5's. Car just keep getting better.

If you want a vette now, buy a C4 (if not a C5). It sounds like what you can afford won't depreciate much further. That means you can enjoy one now and wait until you can afford "the car of your dreams".

Unless you're rebuilding a car toward a specific goal -- and that goal is long-term -- then you're likely to spend a lot more than buying the car you want. Even if you save a few bucks, the labor (your time) will far outweigh the benefit. Plus you won't be able to re-sell it for squat!

Skip the conversion idea. (And, this comes from someone who's not opposed to customizing vettes).

 

Well to give you an idea I just bought (in November) a '90 vert project. Car had about 100K miles, give or take, the speedo won't light up to know for sure, and I gave $2500 for it. It had fire damage originating around the trans/convertor area. I do all my own work so I actually come out ahead usually, and have fun working on my projects. But if you are going to have it done, I wouldn't bother, trust me when I say you will spend more on the conversion after paying for the car and body shop labor and kit, then you will buying a 70K-90K mile '97-'99 C5, or really close to it.

Here are some links for ya though if you are dead set on it.

http://www.corvetteshoponline.com/li...pe=rebuildable

http://www.michigancorvette.com/

http://www.kimmotor.com/

http://www.corvettesalvage.com/co_overview.html

http://www.stevehankinscorvette.com/

 

If you want a C5, buy a C5 - the prices are down and they are easy to find.

 

Thanks for the helpful and positive replies guys. I'm a fan from the C5-R kickin *** in GTS and soon GT1 to the split windows. I just prefer the C5 look over the C4. Maybe im just misinformed, but I was considering pulling this conversion setup off under $10k. I've seen the kit going for around 1300 not including lights and y-pipes. I would try to aim for 84-89 to get the best price on the car with high miles, but besides engine and what-not...are there any other big C4 issues I should know about? Stuff like the digital dash goin out and suspension. I'm in school for eletric engineering so hopefully some day I'll be able to label my garages by generation of Corvette If pulling this off under $10k is just crazy, just lay it on my softly.

 

Ok, I think you are if you think you can do what you want for under $10k. Good luck anyway.

 

If you are doing the work yourself then it is do-able for $10K or less. And I mean all the work including painting the car. If you are having it done at a 'decent' shop, then no.

 

..and even if you pull it off, a C5 body conversion doesn't look like a C5...and sure isn't a C5!
(Not to me, anyway.)
Get a C5 if you have the cash, or get a C4 and love it for what it is...which is plenty!

Larry
code5coupe

 

You asked for it: Your nuts. I don't think 10k will get you a good start much less something you will be proud of. I started with a 5k 85 several years ago am now somewhere near 13k and not nearly as radical as a C5 kit. If you want a fun car to drive get a nice C4. If you want a car to ride in get a C5. No way the two will mix. BTW welcome to the madness,have fun and good luck.

 

i can see what your trying to achieve and at least you are thinking it out... its your car do what ya want with it thats what is cool about rodding.. now with that said i really think you will be money ahead to buy a highmile c5 if thats the look ya want.. by the time you by a high mile c-4 and do all the convertions you are gonna be over 10k and so is buying a c-5.. so the real question is.. if you only have 10k to work with what do ya do?? well i would suggest getting an 89 and up 6 speed car which if you look hard enough you are gonna find one for under 10k .. will it be perfect no.. but it should be a dependable car and only need a few minor things here and theer that ya can address as you get time/money... i am in no way trying to discourage ya from what you originally wanted but i don't think its achievable for 10k good luck

 

mine was higher in the price scale since its a convertible, if you get a coupe and are REAL careful when youre checking them out, you should be able to get a good C4 for 10k, if you pay less than 10k you better save that conversion kit money for all the broken things youre gonna need to replace instead.

 

Well, no one has mentioned this, but I think you should buy a decent C4 that's in your budget, drive it for a while, and then decide. Maybe you can make some mods to it and keep it for a few years and trade up to a C5. As for the conversion kit, well, that's your money.

Good luck with any decision you make.

Jim

 

First off, you have to evaluate your skills.... most times when I see car somebody says "I did it myself!", it looks like it.. If this is your first time into mechanical type work, body and paint this is NOT the time to be learning how to do it! If you have facilities available to you that professionals have, you're a step ahead of the regular shadetree (no offense to any CFers).

As to "around 1300 not including lights and Y pipes", don't forget the hidden extras: like SHIPPING! That can add up to real money fast. Plus, all those little "incidentals" like lamps, etc also add up. This isn't even considering the engine, transmission, etc. Which brings me to the...

"Project Rule of Thumb" - Take your original budget, add 150% to it, and you're in the ballpark. Some may take objection to this, but after 20+ years of building and working on all types of cars, it's what I've found to be the best gauge of how much money you'll spend. Another saying that comes in handy to projects is "Fail to plan, PLAN TO FAIL!". Most "do it yourself" projects are usually scotched together with parts and components that "I got a good deal on", whether or not taking into account the work and expense to fit said "good deal" part. The end result is usually something that looks like it was "built at Wal-Mart". I've not seen a C5 conversion body in person yet, but the pictures I've seen of them, well they look "budget". I won't even go into that UGLY "upgraded dash and interior kit" I've seen... looks like a 7th grade shop class designed and made it.

If you're hell-bent on this project, figure at LEAST a year to do (most likely 2). Most projects are sold half completed due to the mental stress of the job not being "fun anymore". My take is, IF you're up to it, you'll spend at the minimum $15,000, most likely around $22,000 for a quality job (paint and bodywork, NO KIT being half of that).

Bottom line: If your budget is $10,000, then buy a clean low mileage C4 and enjoy it as is. Or... if you spend another $5000, you might be able to get a "street beat" C5 that could/will be a money pit. If your ultimate goal is a C5, save your money for a C5. You'll be money ahead and much happier. (and most girls at your age could care less if it's a C4, C5, C6..all they know is it's a Corvette!)

Good luck, and did I say "Welcome"? I think I just did!

 

In conclusion, back to the drawing board for me. My next option is to find a fun and reliable car around $5k, so it looks like a Corvette is just another wet dream. If ya need me, I'll be pushing my model Vettes around making 'vroom' noises.