C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

if considering a C5 --Read This !

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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 07:29 PM
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Default if considering a C5 --Read This !

Sold my 92 and bought a 2000. haven't looked back, that c4 was nothing but problems......had it for 6 years...but i received alot of good info from you fellas, so here is a heads up from me......if you are considering a c5 - do know that a BIG TSB was recently issued that alot of dealers will make you work HARD for. it authorizes a required RING change due to high oil consumption & smoking(especially in the high reving six speeds) In ALL c5's built prior to 2002. Thank God i still had the factory warranty (26K). This is a factory problem In EVERY C5 that requires removal of the pistons and a special napier ring installed. if you get a c5 ask about this before purchase and if necc get the extended warranty if for nothing else to cover this BS repair !!
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 07:36 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

My C5 has 138K and doesn't burn a drop of oil.
BTW, I still like my C4.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 07:40 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

My roommate has a 2000 C5 that has 40K on it, it hasn't burned a drop. This is only a problem on some C5's not all of them, I recently put a heads/cam package on his car and the pistons and heads were extremely clean as well.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 07:50 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

It is not a question of burning oil or not, they all will if driven moderatley hard this is due to ring flutter, hence the recent TSB on ALL models and the new napier ring fix on ALL new C5's....GM initially had some trouble identifying the problem....this is not info they wanted out until they fixed it and were forced to issue the tsb.....they have to pull the engine.
Some drivers will not have a problem at all, however most of the higher reving 6 spead drivers notice excessive consumption & sooty tips...my dealer has done about 50. It is not something GM advertises as a problem, since it really is contingent upon driving habits.......dealers have also been putting people through the rigamarole due to the time & expense.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:18 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

I guess I should not have read this.
No way is a C-5 in my future. :steering:
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 10:46 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (red-y)

i thought this was just for the ls6 motors. :confused:
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 11:07 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Wheelman)

from some industry rumbings, this is a architectural failure in the LS design - and effects all LS motors.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 11:12 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

Built prior to 2002? Or those prior to the 2002 model year? I'd be curious since mine is a 2002 that was built in 2001.
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 12:11 AM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Corvettedon)

Wonder when we'll start seeing C5's with LT1 or Carber 383 engines with them.. :jester
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 11:48 AM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (MrNuke)

I wonder if this applies to F-bodies I know of 2 people who found bits of ring in the oil pan. Although these would be well out of warantee. What happens if you let it go? :eek:
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 12:04 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (blk90rdstr)

I wonder if this applies to F-bodies I know of 2 people who found bits of ring in the oil pan. Although these would be well out of warantee. What happens if you let it go? :eek:
If it was mine, and not raced, I would march over to a dealer and commence war.

that is beyond inexcusable to find ring material in the oil on a modern engine...

Hell, my LT1 has 106xxx miles on it and there is nothing mechanically wrong with it. except some oil leaks :D
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 12:29 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

Mirek: Thanks for the heads up info. Sorry to hear you had problems with your C4. My 91 L98 has 61k with no big problems and runs real strong. I never drove a C5 so I can't compare but I do :) my C4. Good luck with your C5.
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 12:54 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

Just one more reason to keep my LT4. I know I guy who dumped his GS for a '01 Z06 and started burning 1 qt every 500 miles from day one. Talk about buyer's remorse.

Eric
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

your C-4 had problems? :confused: , and you buy a C-5?

OK...now the 1st thing you learn about your C-5 is that you should replace rings? :eek:

Dont forget about the column lock problem, and the thin leather on the seats. :smash:
I sure hope your luck is better for you this time round :cheers:

O-yea... congrats on the C-5.. they really ARE nice cars :thumbs:
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 04:39 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

Yea, the C5 is great, if i can keep it out of the shop, it's been there quite a bit.
(muffler about fell off as well -- the OE weld snapped dealer says that is quite common as well)
The C4 was great but i went through 3 trannys and two opti's...and i couldn't stand any more, but i'll tell you what with 130k on the clock that LT1 was a horse and never had to be removed !! i also liked the smaller cockpit type interior the C5 seems alot like my buddys Z28...also the stock bose in my 92 is much better that the one in my hardtop (also 4 bose speakers/amps).....it is just so damn fast though.
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 04:46 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (red-y)

:withstupid: I dont' care for c5's at all (that big butt). Because they are corvettes they are still part of the family, but you couldn't give me one.

kitt
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 05:24 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (kittmaster)

Because they are corvettes they are still part of the family, but you couldn't give me one.
kitt
You could give me one! :D
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To if considering a C5 --Read This !

Old Feb 15, 2003 | 06:09 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (cprgmr)

If I had a few hangin around I would........sorry.... :jester
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 06:20 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Mirek)

I've never really liked the looks of the C5 (rear end of course) and I've never been real big on the LS series of engines. Yeah they can make good power but they just seem like a nightmare from the start. At least the LT1 shares a few common components with a standard SBC.

If you were gonna give me one I wouldn't turn it down but I can't see buying one. To each their own though :cheers: Thanks for the info
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 09:37 PM
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Default Re: if considering a C5 --Read This ! (Nathan Plemons)

it's a poor ring choice till 02 as someone mentioned. i never really had much of a concern with it. i'll buy a c5 one of these days. drive it for a year or two & blow up the stock engine. use the block and build a nice 382 with quality parts. stock engines all have issues. the L98 flys apart if the rpms go upward. the LT1's have opti issues. if you really try you can find flaws on any car. granted the ring issue in the LS is a BIG deal, but it's fixable.
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