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I regularly hang out in the C2 area. I'm building a custom C2 roadster (see gallery).
If I'm considering buying a C5 at some point and if I want a high performance one, would you... Buy a cheap 98 or 99 and throw in a new LS7 motor when they come out, OR would you buy one of these highly modded C5's that guys seem to invest tens of thousands in and then sell for pennies on the dollar...
I guess it all depends on what you wanted out of the car...cars with lots of mods scare me because I know darn well what they were used for! I just recently bought a super clean 97 with 40K miles for 18 grand...great deal with the Z51 option and performance axel ratio...I can mod it how I please for that price I paid...There are some very low milage clean stock cars for sale in the C5 section...and from reading your post- I doubt you would be happy unless you did the mods yourself...or at least picked out the right ones...
Good luck with what you decide....and if you have the $$ go right for a Z06...that's what I would do...because a new Z is going to be in the mid 60's when it arrives...and you can squeeze an extra 100HP out of an older one with some mods and be well ahead of the game!
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I too would be a little gunshy of buying a heavily modded car with forced induction, etc. I agree with the idea of looking for a clean unmolested Z06 as a starting point for a "hot" C5.
Your roadster is going to be awesome!! I think it's pretty darn cool already.
For me...if I had access to the level of talent, tools, shop, etc... that you do I think I'd be inclined to get the cheap '99 and drop in the LS7 and do a little personalizing along the way to make it "mine".
I'd be a little hesitant buying someone else's "mods". Much would depend on the level of work, quality, parts and most especially...what shop/tuner did the job. Buying another's modded car may seem cheaper up front but may be worse in the long run if/when the gremlins start to surface.
I'm sure this stuff has already crossed your mind though
Good luck with the vert and I hope you post a few pics when it's finished.
We understand the LS7 will have different computer controls and is not a 'drop in' mod - although at least one Forum member is planning on trying this.
It's a 383 stroker with 480 flywheel horse and 465lbs of torque from www.enginefactory.com. It should be pretty quick given that the car is going to be about 3,000lbs.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
CF member Byfaithman recently bought a modded black C5. It has Tigershark front and rear, high-rise hood, Blackwing, Corsas, chrome thin-spokes, and headers. He's very pleased with his purchase. It checked out mechanically and I think he's a lucky guy.