c5 conversion on c4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: central Florida Florida
c5 conversion on c4
Hi, has anyone installed the c5 bumper conversion on a c4 body. I saw one for sale in the Lakeland Florida Autotrader and love the way it looks. I was wondering if it is a bolt on kit or if it is not worth the trouble.
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
There is a company that makes them, Van cor? something like that, the make front and rear bumpers that just bolt on in place of the stock ones.
Just remember that if you do that to your car, you will lower the value of it. Will also make it harder to sell.
Just remember that if you do that to your car, you will lower the value of it. Will also make it harder to sell.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
I purchased my 89 with the body kit installed. The PO spent allot of $$ putting it on and sold it to me for an average 89 price. So he lost a huge investment. And I got fresh paint. And I like the center exhaust.
I get lots of compliments but most corvette guys notice something is up. Everyone else thinks its awesome.
There is allot of fab work involved in the instillation, not just a "bolt on" affair. It is fiberglass, so it will crack if you tap a speed bump or something. The doors have new "skins," the rockers have a new cover. The Hood, headlights and everything above the windows are the only stock c4 body pieces. New mirrors too.
Although I do like the look, I don't dislike the c4 look. I know allot of C4 owners dislike it, it sure is unique!
I believe the kits are still avaliable for $1500 or so.
I get lots of compliments but most corvette guys notice something is up. Everyone else thinks its awesome.
There is allot of fab work involved in the instillation, not just a "bolt on" affair. It is fiberglass, so it will crack if you tap a speed bump or something. The doors have new "skins," the rockers have a new cover. The Hood, headlights and everything above the windows are the only stock c4 body pieces. New mirrors too.
Although I do like the look, I don't dislike the c4 look. I know allot of C4 owners dislike it, it sure is unique!
I believe the kits are still avaliable for $1500 or so.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
I'm not a fan of the conversion myself. 
The proportions don't look quite right to me, the targa hoop on the coupe is a dead giveaway and the split in the front fenders caused by retaining the C4 hood is another oddity.
The proportions don't look quite right to me, the targa hoop on the coupe is a dead giveaway and the split in the front fenders caused by retaining the C4 hood is another oddity.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
just google c5 corvette body conversion kit, they are from like $800 to ???? I almost did it on my last vette because the rear bumper was fading a little. I like them a lot better my self. If I did not have the greenwood kit, and great paint I would deffinately consider it.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Utah County Utah
Probably not... I could see how replacing parts with parts that are not stock could decrease the value in general, but if the car is already in poor condition, it could pretty much only increase it's value.
Im not trying to be a smart *** or anything, it just bugs me when people make statements that sound like an absolute fact. It's misinformation. Just changing a word or two around can make all the difference in the world
"Just remember that if you do that to your car, you will probably lower the value of it. It can also make it harder to sell"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
You can buy an early C5 for $10K and you'll get the hydroformed frame and LSX to go with it. The conversion kit takes alot of time to install and paint correctly, it simply isn't worth it in my opinion. I've painted a few cars and it is alot of work. I have never messed with one of these kits but I have done lots of fiberglass aftermarket parts. They all required alot of work, lots of priming and block sanding to make them straight and pinholes, gouges all sorts of assache.
He lives not too far from me. I need to go check it out some time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
It really is a bad idea. Given the price of a C5, if you like the look, go buy one. You can get one for about $14k, a very nice one for $20k.
It would be like putting a 72 Nova body kit on a 64 Chevy II. Just doesn't make sense.
It would be like putting a 72 Nova body kit on a 64 Chevy II. Just doesn't make sense.