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Need some help with c5 decision

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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 02:55 PM
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Default Need some help with c5 decision

Im currently just a c4 guy. Its pretty built up but I have come to an endpoint in what I would like to do to it without doing some massive tasks so it shall stay the way it sits (400rwhp, 450rwtq NA)

Im looking to purchase a c5 by summer of 2011. Im 19 and a college student but work full time (28-36 hrs a week) so saving will be needed for a while.
All I truely want is the car to have a targa top and black/ebony interior. The rest can be whatever as I can drive man/auto and it will eventually get painted cyber grey.

So what years are the best for the base targa coupes? I have read about changing of the ecu between certain years but I am unsure. 01-04 received the ls6 intake I assume?

Any info to help me out would be much appreciated.

PS. the c5 tigershark is my all time favorite corvette and what I hope to have mine looking like with an aftermarket hood.
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 02:56 PM
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newer is usually better but how it's been maintained matters most
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 03:01 PM
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Get the newest with the least amount of miles you can afford, I would say 2002-2004. Just my opinion, All the C5s are great, Just the later ones have more hp and some other improvements.
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by SJPD
newer is usually better but how it's been maintained matters most
Sorry I meant mechanical differences. Such as what got upgraded between years. I dont mind a "dirty" c5 as long as the body lines are straight and everything works. Carpets, paint, weatherstripping can all be replaced with ease.

Why I have stopped modding my c4 is tuning ability. Its already a hassle with the chips so I have let it become a cruiser/showcar. I just dont want to have a problem like that again for a while since this c5 wont stay stock long.
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 03:06 PM
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If you're worried about the PCM, 99+ is what you want to stick with. There's really no "best" year as all targa coupes are pretty much the same save for some minor revisions. 01-04 were LS1's, the ZO6's got the LS6. ALL 01-04's got hte LS6 manifold though.

Originally Posted by 383tpimachine
Why I have stopped modding my c4 is tuning ability. Its already a hassle with the chips so I have let it become a cruiser/showcar. I just dont want to have a problem like that again for a while since this c5 wont stay stock long.
Have your heard about the EFI Connection 24x kit??? Take a look at it (google), adapts a 99+ LSx PCM to TPI/LT1 motors, converts to coil packs, very VERY trick little system and well worth the investment if you want to keep your current setup.
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Fastbird
If you're worried about the PCM, 99+ is what you want to stick with. There's really no "best" year as all targa coupes are pretty much the same save for some minor revisions. 01-04 were LS1's, the ZO6's got the LS6. ALL 01-04's got hte LS6 manifold though.



Have your heard about the EFI Connection 24x kit??? Take a look at it (google), adapts a 99+ LSx PCM to TPI/LT1 motors, converts to coil packs, very VERY trick little system and well worth the investment if you want to keep your current setup.
Yes I am aware about the LS6 vs ls6 intake. Any number on the production blocks in 01-04 corvettes actually got the ls6
there are about 25% of 2001 f-bodys with the ls6 and 35-40% in 2002

As for EFI connect that kit is for fbodys mostly. The extensive work to piggy back teh system through my pcm and dash to keep everything 'possible' would be to much of a task for me. This was my plan until talking to them directly and being discouraged. Just time to upgrade
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