C5 guys what are the differences in these 3 years?
Anything good or bad about a specific year?
When was it they had an issue with the motor burning oil?
Any insight greatly appreciated.


Dave

 

They didnt make the C5 any better than the 2004 model!
Now the serious answer, use the search tool and type in any key word you want and you will get tons of posts that will answer any question you have. I have not had any issues with my 04. good luck

 

Tons of search info here.

 

Get the 2004 its the best of the rest.

 

There's a difference -- besides price?

 

Over the C5 model years, I have bought four new from 98 to 04 and the consistency of the driving experience from the first to latest was remarkable. What differed was the available of various options and level of options which became standard. The differences between the 02, 03 and 04 model years are relatively slight. The most significant change was the offering of the magnetic selective ride control MSRC on the 03 and 04 model years. The color availability changed, and the packaging of the option groups changed. IMO there is no reason to be concerned about any one of those three model years versus another.

Find a good well cared for car. That is more important than the model year.

 

This info was posted by another forum member:

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

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.
• 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) - mid model year change.

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.

 

Not a whole lot to be honest. the 03 had 50th emblems. Other than that, basically the same car. Only new option that I can think of that came out since 99 was the already mentioned mag ride control.

I say, find a car that is well cared for with the color option combo that YOU want. That is more important in the C5 cars than year by far. Many people will tell you that the newer the better. Well, the newer, the more expensive. And, we all know if it cost more it must be better, right???

 

Thanks for your advice.
What is the difference between MSRC and the previous adjustable suspension?

Dave

 

As the production goes along the workers get better at assembly and most of the minor kinks are worked out,so by the end of the model run you seem to get a better product.Prob not a lot of difference in those years though.

 

The previous adjustable Real Time Damping system had three settings. The stiffness of the shocks was controlled by varying the diameter of an orifice within the shock to allow more or less shock fluid to move through it. A smaller opening less fluid could more resulting in a stiffer shock, a larger opening more fluid could move giving a softer shock. The diameter was controlled electro mechanically to the best of my understanding.

The MSRC system has two setting, Tour and Sport. The shocks have a fluid within them which contains magnetic reactive particles. An electric current causes the particle to align on way resulting in a thicker fluid and a stiffer shock. Absence of the electric current allow the particles to relax resulting in a less thick fluid and softer shock. The system is extremely quick. Reportedly it can read every 1 inch of wheel travel at 60 MPH. The current can be applied or released much more quickly than the mechanical changes with the earlier system.

I have one car with the MSRC and one without. The MSRC definitely will smooth various types of road conditions. It has been absolutely trouble free. I like it alot but my other car has Z51 and I like it alot also. They are just different, one is not "better" than the other, but you will hear that debated.

 

If I were to pick, I'd get the newest, lowest mileage car I could and I would try to find an early '03 if possible. I mainly want to avoid the FFS fuel system on the late '03s and all '04s.

 

I have the MSRC on my 04 and like it.
You can get a CE 04 or an AE 03 if those are of interest to you. Both are very well equipped, but I feel the sellers of AE's put too much of a premium on it.
Good luck, and get what you want.

 

2004 was the best because it was the last!

 

I have a GM Parts listing for LS1 cams which seems to indicate that only the 2000 C5 had the .500/.500 cam. The rest all had the .479 cam unless it was a an LS6.

 

Can you tell me what it is you don't like about the FFS? I don't even know what it is!
I am just trying to learn as much as I can.

Dave

 

The entire fuel supply/return/filter assembly is inside the fuel tank. If you ever, for whatever reason have to have, or pay for, service on that design the cost is higher. Much higher. Removal of the fuel tank is mandatory as the assembly comes in at the top of the tank, not the bottom like all the earlier designs. You cannot even change the fuel filter if you WANTED to without removing this assembly from inside the fuel tank.
This design is: emmissions friendly(er) than the '97 - E'03 models and also makes the manufacturing cost for Government Motors lower.

If you have a fat wallet and/or an ardent tree-hugger, disregard all of the above.

HTH

 

I just went through this whole thought process, and ended up with an 02 Z06 that I took home today. No significant changes between 02-04, and I found a 1 owner, 31K mile car that was the right price. I used the resources here, at Corvette Action Center, and Z06vette.com, to build my case for the car I eventually purchased. As some have said, buy the newest one you can afford, but don't overlook those practically new cars that are one to two model years older. I didn't, and I paid a lot less then a comparable 03/04 Z06.

my .02

Good luck with your search. It's really worth it in the end. I've had perma grin for the past couple of days since I found her

 

Thanks for the detailed response.
Is it easy to tell which system you have on a 2003?
Does the vehicle have to be put up on a hoist?
What do I look for?
Any idea what the cost to change a fuel filter on a 2004 would be?

Dave

 

I'm not sure where the easiest place to look is, but I would:

a. Check the original window sticker if available. If so, maybe the letters "FFS" will appear somewhere on the "standard equipment" listing.
b. Possibly one of the underhood stickers relating to EPA info may have the same or similar.
c. If you can see the underside of the fuel tanks (may have to remove 3 to 4 bolts and the fuel tank shield) and there is/are no fuel lines coming out of, or into, the driver's side LOWER section of the tank.
d. Check the build date on the driver's side door sticker. If very early in the '03 model year run, i.e. 6/02 thru say, 10 or 11/02, etc, you may be OK. If not sure, get the VIN and any dealer or one of our forum vendor dealers can tell you the actual production date of the car. They may also be able to tell you the break-point in the production dates when the FFS system started installation on the '03s.

If, down the road, you want to have any mods done that will require a fuel system upgrade for flow capacity, etc, the FFS system is a non-starter and more expensive by far to change or "upgrade".

Some will tell you (correctly) that there is no service interval listed by GM for servicing the fuel filter, and is a "as needed" type thing; to which I would say: "Is there such a thing as a permanent fuel filter?" On the Non-FFS C5 cars, there is ALSO no service interval listed for the filter either, but at least on the '97 thru E'03 you can change the filter if needed or necessary, not to mention you can change or replace the fuel pump WITHOUT dropping any fuel tanks.

HTH