I am looking for a little advice on the differences between the earlier C5and later C5. I know that the 01-04 got the LS6 intake and improved MN6 is that reason enoguh to hold out for at least an 01? What other improvements would I be missing out on with an earlier model?

I have the opportunity to get a very clean 2000 Vert/6spd but I've been thinking about holding out for at least an 01. I do plan on at the least replacing the stock cam adding headers and exhaust on what ever car I get so does it really make that much of a difference? The 2000 I am looking at already has the CORSA exhaust with x-pipe and K&N CAI it is also an F45 car and is lowered 2" in the rear.

 

If the car is in sound mechanical condition and well cared for, the year doesn't matter much.

 

1997
• Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
• All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler
• 97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

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)

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

2000
• Millennium Yellow available
• "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
• Pup cats added to all 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)

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 Convertible change
• Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + Convertible
• 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
• 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 diameter 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)
• Transmission 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)

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 valve springs
• 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

2003
• Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's

2004
• Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.


This pretty much covers it.

Other than the aforementioned LS6 intake, the metal end links and Y2K thin spoke wheels are an improvement. The pre 2000 wagon wheels are atrocious. Get the latest year and lowest mileage you can afford. If the mileage is ridiculously low for the year, that can cause some problems also.

 

Yes, the car appears to be in excellent mechanical condition with all maintenace records. The car is also a low mileage car with only 35k. When you read through all the changes listed above from 2000 to 2001 it seems like the 2001-2004 C5's are much improved. Did the larger torque tube and stronger syncros make that much of a difference to the drivetrain? I havent heard much about earlier drivetrain problems. What about the LS6 block is that consisdered a much improved design or only slightly?

 

The 2000 vert with 35k on the clock sounds like a good find depending on the price. Don't know about the synchros. Hopefully someone else on here can help you with that. I don't think the LS6 block is a big deal. My guess is that the clutch will be the weak link as you add power. I think you will be fine with a cam and headers. You can likely find a used LS6 intake cheap should you want to upgrade. The plastic end links can be replaced cheap also, easy do it yourself job. I would install C5Z06 swaybars with the metal endlinks for around $250 from GMpartshouse. If you are slow like me, this will take 2.5 hours by the time you get it jacked up and such. Just my .02. There are many more knowledgeable on CF than me.

 

Buy it cheap and start modding..figure on replacing the F45 right out of the box upgrade the sway bars...do your own heads and cam...you would wind up replacing or upgrading any stock corvette.. if it is great condition and the price is right, pull the trigger.. nothing like a CORVETTE.. except a CORVETTE at the right price..Best of Luck

 

A good read

 

This site will detail the differences: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

 

My '00 built in 02/00 has plastic endlinks.

 

Just a word of caution on your planned mod. You can probably tune around the cam,,but living in the wonderful state of California,,the only "legal" headers are "shorties" that have a CARB number. Unless you want to pull out long tubes for legal shorties or stock exhaust manifolds every time you get it smogged. Sounds like you found a nice one. I've put about 30K on a 2000,,and the only major problem is the ebmc crapped out,,but I've just driven it as is as it only controls stability control and anti-lock braking,,and I've driven for decades like that anyhow. Will get around to it sometime.

 

ttt for the new year

 

That is exactly right! I'd rather have super nice "99" [which I do] than a "ragged out" later model! The newer ons do have more stuff though. Condition is more Important than year in a Corvette as they can be quite expensive to fix.

 

Not enough to turn down an earlier car, but a couple of things to think about.

The EBCM is repairable in 01-04
The TPMS and fobs are much cheaper to replace

 

Also if you have never driven a RWD without any nanny assistance (aka active handling), get the 01+ with 2nd generation active handling because it may well save your ***. Nothing like a new RWD owner trying to goose it through a turn and swinging the car around.

 

I've had both an early and now a 01 C5.

NO DOUBT get a 01-04, no questions asked. There is nothing wrong with early C5s but there were a ton of improvements in 2001 just look at the list above, why would you want a car that's only 1 year older but has a million less improvements since the price wont be much more it's a no brainer...even if the price was much more I'd do it. Last thing you want to do is get a car and then realize 6 months later you love it and shoulda gone for a 2001 or different options. Hold out do it right save the headache.

 

For the New folks !

Dave

 

My first Vette was an '01. Second was an '00. My third one is a '99 FRC.

TBH, the condition and options on the car mean more than what year you're getting.

 

Most of the changes may have been upgrades but hardly noticeable to your average owner/driver. Except for the second gen active handling and only because the ebcm is repairable.

 

 

Not sure which year it changed but I would buy the best condition later model C5 that came with a top post battery.