Hello my C-5 brothers,

I ususually hang out in the C-3 section, but am thinking about selling my 71 sb and looking for a C-5. I love it, but also love the look of the C-5s. Can y'all tell me the differences between 2002-2003-2004 models?
appreciate the help,
pm

 

There is no difference other then the model year IIRC.

GM did a very good job with producing the C5 and made very few changes through out its run.

 

All 2003 had 50th Anniversary emblems.
2004 offers special Commemorative Edition.

2003 Anniversary Edition models had magnetic ride control (don't know if it was available for 2004 as an option).


But why get rid of the 71? You need to keep it and get a C5 to go with it

 

This might be what your looking for.

All of this information was collected from the Corvette Forum message board, so do not take it as absolute gospel. However, it should be somewhat close.
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1997

Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler, xx, xx, ??
97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

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1998

Convertible becomes available
Active Handling becomes available late in year
The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)

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1999

26# injectors substituted for 28#
Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
HUD introduced
only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover (no fuel return line?)
Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
? Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
door sill trim plates added

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2000

Millennium Yellow available
? "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
Pup cats added to CA models for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99)
Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)

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2001

return to 28# injectors for all models.
Second Generation Active Handling
Nassau Blue discontinued
Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
New soundproofing + foam in all cars
Smaller keyfob
electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
lighter AGM battery
Thickness + Material in vert change
Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + vert
85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
Hardtop/FRC discontinued
Pup cats added to all models
Stronger synchros in all transmissions
Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
metal valvestem caps (late year)
Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in dia from 55 to 63 mm.
Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
hardtop body style
rear brake ducting
screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
new LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) - 385hp
M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
Titanium exhaust system
lightweight windshield
New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

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2002

Z06 Changes:
Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
Less restrictive intake airbox lid
Descreened MAF
Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
slight piston redesign *
clutch strength upgraded.
HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
Electron Blue color offered
Steel endlinks changed to aluminum
Aluminum automatic transmission cooler case (all models)
AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player now standard on Coupe and Convertible
AM/FM/Cassette only available with 12-disc CD changer on Coupe and Convertible

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2003

Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's
2003 anniversary edition with Anniversary paint and decal option.

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2004

Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.
2004 Commemorative Editions. CE Z06 comes with carbon fibre hood and has decal package.

 

Don't get rid of that chrome-bumper shark!!!! Just look hard and get yourself a good deal on a well-cared-for c5. Baby the 71 and beat the crap out of the c5 drivetrain, they like it. Mine gives a little sigh of satisfaction everytime I drive her.

 

Great info, thanks.

 

 

Best advice yet!

 

Thanks for all the input fellas. Stock Man - nice job on the summary. That was exactly what I was looking for.
I would love to keep the 71, and might be able to. Problem is space. I only have a two car garage, and the wife's Volvo is probably not the one that's gonna lose. That means the C-5 would be going outside. We'll see. I saw an '02 with 6K on the clock for $28K. It's gone now, but that seemed to be a good deal.

Thanks again for all the info. I'll keep y'all posted on future purchases.

pm

 

that would have been a good deal

 

also in late 2003 the fuel system changed to the new C6 FFS fuel system with the fuel filter and pressure regulator in the fuel tank....

 

Man, you have one beautiful car to worry and fret over and keep super-clean and low-mileage, so I would buy a higher-mileage, more DD of a vette and drive the crap out of it. C5's are very durable. I bought mine in March 05 and have already put over 20k on her(had 56k when I bought her, now almost 77k), and with me opening a new biz in Dallas Feb 1 she is REALLY going to see a lot of miles (600 mile round-trip every week, along with the miles around my home. She is bone stock other than a catch-can and I intend to keep her that way I think (I may do a couple simple easy to switch mods like intake, or maybe a cam, they can't see that one ) , drive the wheels off, and use the warranty if somehting happens (warranty is form CARS Direct, unlimited mileage for 4 yrs) to her with my daily WOT pulls to 80. It's a great feeling to have a C5. It's a real engineering masterpiece, with GOBS of potential as a platform for anykind of racing you want. So keep the c3 and treat her like a show piece, and get a well-maintained good deal on a c5(20-22k, you can get a great car) and have some fun. I want a red early-year vert c3 one day. My fav's other than the c5.

You're gonna love it.

 

Also 04 has top post battery connections and engine thermostat not attached to housing.

 

www.corvetteactioncenter.com

Go to the tech center and then the model center. Everything you need to know is there.

 

I agree. My first was a '73 Coupe and it was beautiful. I hope to get my son into my C4 this spring and my C5 is my DD (it stays outside BTW as the wife's Denali gets the car port). I intend to get back into a late 90s Cheorkee for my DD. Later I'd love to have another C3 as a second.

I run my C5 harder than I ever felt comfortable running my C3 or C4 (VetterGetIt deserves some of the credit/blame for this because of his postings regarding C5 durability) and it runs great and is much faster than either the C3 or C4 and is really fun!

Good luck in your decision. BTW: A little weather doesn't bother the C5.

 

I believe the 03's and 04's have the newer adjustable suspension that uses the magnetic fluid shocks if that matters to you. Go to Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore and look for the Corvette Black Book. It will detail any changes from year to year.

Hope this helps

DKHIGHPERF

 

they didn't make them any better after 2004!

 

They didn't make em any better looking, you better believe it . Now, that interior is pretty cool, along with a 6.0 liter block. I could live with those. It's the smiling sea turtle fascia that makes me want to turn on the children's channel and see the c6 singing the alphabet. I like my cars sleeker n meaner looking ( I really like the ram air trans am too, waaayyy better than the catfish face of the camaro), and I don't want no stinkin big bro navigation system in my car. It's already crowded with two people, I don't need Kit from Knight Rider making smart-*** comments on how I go thru a curve.


Bonnell, my man, I am sitting on my stock car with my 4 yr unlimited mile warranty, and I AM TRYING to run her to 5800-6k everyday for this forum. This is my first vette and I don't plan on keeping her forever, I want a z06 next (c5 or c6? aint sure yet , partial to c5 of course, 405 is enough for me I think), so I am conducting a non-technical experiment involving me having a lot of fun everyday.

 

Ditto -- keep that 71 you'll regret letting that one get away from you