I have been pondering on the thought of building a c5. So what are the differences in the years?
Ill be looking for a base coupe so I can have a targa top and just buy aftermarket rear brake vents.
Auto or 6 speed is fine. Can the 6speed automatic fit in the tranny tunnel of the c5?

Whats the good and bad?

I have a c4 and it seriously SUCKS. Im tired of all the rattles and lack of power that comes with the L98 intake. I will finish my c4 build then start saving for a c5. What is a reasonable price for a high mile c5? I dont care about miles as long as it runs since I want to build an engine for it and have my c4 for a daily driver

thanks travis

 

This site is an excellent resource: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

Some others:
http://www.idavette.net/facts.htm
http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1997-3.php

This nice summary has been posted before by another Forum member:

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

Differences in Corvettes by year:

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.