Thinking about a C5
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Race Director
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From: Sharpsburg Georgia
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Thinking about a C5
Hi, every one.
I am thinking of selling or trading my 70 SS 454 Chevelle to buy a C5, i will be keeping the C4.
Are there any years and problems that i should be aware of?
I think there were some problems with the rings and oil consumption for a couple of years.
I am leaning towards getting a convertible and putting a hard top on it, i just love the lines of that.
Also which years are better candidates for putting a blower on? I will probably go with KB if they seem to work out for people, if not i will go with another procharger or a maggie.
Any suggestions.
Thanks Greg N
I am thinking of selling or trading my 70 SS 454 Chevelle to buy a C5, i will be keeping the C4.
Are there any years and problems that i should be aware of?
I think there were some problems with the rings and oil consumption for a couple of years.
I am leaning towards getting a convertible and putting a hard top on it, i just love the lines of that.
Also which years are better candidates for putting a blower on? I will probably go with KB if they seem to work out for people, if not i will go with another procharger or a maggie.
Any suggestions.
Thanks Greg N
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Read this sticky for a ton of info on the C5:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
My guess is that you'll have a bunch of people who will tell you to keep the Chevelle and lose the C4.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
My guess is that you'll have a bunch of people who will tell you to keep the Chevelle and lose the C4.
Race Director
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by Chicago
Read this sticky for a ton of info on the C5:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
My guess is that you'll have a bunch of people who will tell you to keep the Chevelle and lose the C4.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
My guess is that you'll have a bunch of people who will tell you to keep the Chevelle and lose the C4.
you'll probably have no problem selling that Chevelle though if that's what you really want to do.
Obviously the later model C5's some of the quirks were worked out, but that doesn't mean the earlier ones are no good. In 2001, there were some pretty good changes, HUD became standard equipment, 2nd Generation Active Handeling (less intrussive), all the LS1's got the Z06 LS6 intake manifolds.. some of the 2001 models have the oil consumption issue, but not all, I have an 01 and now problems with this.
The single biggest problems you'll see here on the forum with C5's are:
Steering Colum Lock up (can be fixed with a $50.00 bypass kit though easy)
Fuel Gauge goes out
Leak Differential
In terms of putting a Blower on a C5, as long as the Tune is done right, and the motor has been properly cared for, any year C5 will handle a blower if set up right.
Good luck
Last edited by FrankTank; Mar 16, 2006 at 10:48 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by FrankTank
you'll probably have no problem selling that Chevelle though if that's what you really want to do.
Obviously the later model C5's some of the quirks were worked out, but that doesn't mean the earlier ones are no good. In 2001, there were some pretty good changes, HUD became standard equipment, 2nd Generation Active Handeling (less intrussive), all the LS1's got the Z06 LS6 intake manifolds.. some of the 2001 models have the oil consumption issue, but not all, I have an 01 and now problems with this.
The single biggest problems you'll see here on the forum with C5's are:
Steering Colum Lock up (can be fixed with a 50 bypass kit though easy)
Fuel Gauge goes out
Leak Differential
In terms of putting a Blower on a C5, as long as the Tune is done right, and the motor has been properly cared for, any year C5 will handle a blower if set up right.
Good luck
I have been thinking of selling the Chevelle for some time, i never drive it.
I have owned it for over 20 years.
There is no doubt it is a bad boy,Merlin heads, port matched every thing, etc, it would take pages to list all that has been done to the motor and trans.
The rest is stock, right down to the center caps.
It just sits in the garage, but it does not cost me any thing for it to sit.
so you may be right, sell the C4 + some cash and keep it.
Thanks for your input, and thanks for the link Chicago.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
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From: Frederick Md
I sold my 68 SS 396 Chevelle last April (11 months ago) ONLY because
some guy just offered me more money then it was worth...(like 5 K over what I thought I could get for it)...
BUT I still miss that car ... I really DO !
Just traded in my 95 Black and Black 95 6 speed on a very very low milage 98 Ragtop, with everything I was looking for Z51, 6 sp 2000
style wheels, Borla Exhaust... 3 weeks ago !
I kept my 64 72 76 & 79 Corvettes .... unless that same buyer comes over and is nuts about the 79 ... The 76 is just my overall favorite Corvette
it will never be sold...
IF I WERE YOU>..(and I am NOT) ..sell the C4...keep the Chevelle ...
In another month or so you will be glad you did in 10 yrears you will be real glad you did ..in 20 years you will be extremely glad you did...
in 40 years you'll be dead and not give a damn..
Bob G.
some guy just offered me more money then it was worth...(like 5 K over what I thought I could get for it)...
BUT I still miss that car ... I really DO !
Just traded in my 95 Black and Black 95 6 speed on a very very low milage 98 Ragtop, with everything I was looking for Z51, 6 sp 2000
style wheels, Borla Exhaust... 3 weeks ago !
I kept my 64 72 76 & 79 Corvettes .... unless that same buyer comes over and is nuts about the 79 ... The 76 is just my overall favorite Corvette
it will never be sold...
IF I WERE YOU>..(and I am NOT) ..sell the C4...keep the Chevelle ...
In another month or so you will be glad you did in 10 yrears you will be real glad you did ..in 20 years you will be extremely glad you did...
in 40 years you'll be dead and not give a damn..
Bob G.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
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From: Mendota Heights MN
I would definitely keep the Chevelle, and trade the C4 for a C5 if that's the direction you want to go. IMHO, once you have a C5 you will never drive the C4 anyway, and the Chevelle is irreplaceable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I'm with everyone else. Keep the Chevelle. You'll be glad when you retire someday and want to buy that little place at the beach, somewhere. 
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I'll echo the comments here - sell the C4 and keep the Chevelle. The market for good muscle cars just keeps getting better it seems. Good luck finding a C5.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
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From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Chicago
Read this sticky for a ton of info on the C5:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
My guess is that you'll have a bunch of people who will tell you to keep the Chevelle and lose the C4.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&forum_id=103
My guess is that you'll have a bunch of people who will tell you to keep the Chevelle and lose the C4.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 741
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From: Indianapolis IN
Originally Posted by FrankTank
... In 2001, there were some pretty good changes, HUD became standard equipment, ...
The HUD was never standard on the coupe or convertible. It was standard on the Z06 beginning in 2002.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 706
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From: Sterling VA
Originally Posted by Cart99
I would definitely keep the Chevelle, and trade the C4 for a C5 if that's the direction you want to go. IMHO, once you have a C5 you will never drive the C4 anyway, and the Chevelle is irreplaceable.
Sounds like you have a lot of time/money into the Chevelle not to mention history with it. Trade the C4 and get into a C5. Even if you only drive the Chevelle once in a while the moment you part with it you'll regret it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,280
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From: atlantic city new jersey
Originally Posted by Cart99
I would definitely keep the Chevelle, and trade the C4 for a C5 if that's the direction you want to go. IMHO, once you have a C5 you will never drive the C4 anyway, and the Chevelle is irreplaceable.
VERY GOOD POINT
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: MDT
wow, a 454 chevelle & you don't drive it?? i remember, to this minute, how those big block chevelles sounded particularly with the chambered exhaust. i concur with the others---buh-bye c4, hello c5 when you're not driving the 454. you got a hell of a stable man; damn! bub
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 394
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I'll echo the comments here - sell the C4 and keep the Chevelle. The market for good muscle cars just keeps getting better it seems. Good luck finding a C5.
I guess I'll Chime in here too. I have '68 Chevelle (small block) and a '69 Camaro (big block). While my C5 is light years ahead in comfort, handling and technology, you just can't find a substitute for that good old fashion late Sixties muscle and sound.
Plus the value on those old muscle cars, as far investment goes, seems to be right up there with real estate.
Oh, BTW ... Any clean, well maintained year C5 is a good C5!
Thread Starter
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From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Cart99
IMHO, once you have a C5 you will never drive the C4 anyway, and the Chevelle is irreplaceable.
Both of the cars are in nice shape, the Chevelle is a older restoration, but is has always been garaged, the C4 was finished last year. The C4 started out as a $1,500 car.
Here are some pics if they work.
Last edited by blown87; Mar 18, 2006 at 12:06 PM.