I don't get to Louisville that often as Nashville is only an hour away but I saw the Louisville drivers thread and I can always use a good excuse for a road trip! I like interaction with other owners, since I do most of my own service and repair work and I need all the tips I can find. I've owned my bike since 99 and it's never been back to the dealer since I rode it home. I will need to find a set of FCM's for the Vette, I think they are a must have for a guy like me.

 

Very nice!

 

Indeed, if I had some elves that could go out in the garage at night to keep my cars looking like that I would have moved black back up to the top of my color list. I bought new Mustang GT in 1986 that was black and about worked myself to death trying to keep it nice. 20 plus years later I know I don't have the extra energy to keep black looking like that.
Great looking shot of your car.

 

If that car is at Jackie Cooper BMW here in OKC I'll tell you that they don't have any junk on the lot! Good luck with the purchase.

 

That's where it is. And that was my thinking about the dealership. My sister has a Z4 and every time I'm on a BMW lot all I see are clean cars. Not to say that it guarantees anything but it does offer a little more piece of mind.

 

Good luck with your purchase! I've got a twin to your '99 FRC/Torch Red that I bought new in '99. I have not had any issues with it except the plugs in the highlight buckets. Suggest you put the headlights on & check. The orginal small plugs I believe are not available from GM & have been replaced with bigger plugs which don't fit in the orginal buckets. You can enlarge the holes to accept the new plugs or buy new buckets. Again good luck!

 

I'll bet if you asked, someone in the area where the car is located would go take a look at it for you. This would give you some assurance before you get on an airplane and spend time and money to see it!

 

This may answer some of your questions and clear up some of your questions on what changed year by year during the C5 production run, most all the major improvements occurred by the 2001 model and stayed pretty much unchanged though the 2004:

C5 Yearly differences in models

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.

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 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)

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:
o hardtop body style
o rear brake ducting
o screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
o F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
o 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
o M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
o Titanium exhaust system
o lightweight windshield
o New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
o Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
o Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
o Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
o 6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
o redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
o Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
o FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

2002

• Z06 Changes:
o Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
o Less restrictive intake airbox lid
o Descreened MAF
o Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
o Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
o Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
o Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
o higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
o slight piston redesign *
o clutch strength upgraded.
o HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
o 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.

 

Thanks for the compliment on my '99.

 

Did you get it? What happened???

 

Not the first time I posted any pics but since you inquire here you go...






Have really enjoyed myself despite the bad weather, had it out again today, cold but the roads were dry. I have a few issues but overall very satisfied with the purchase.

 

There were 483 99 FRC's that came with HUD

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/spec...99/99prod.html

 

those "wagon" wheels actually look good on your car

 

A little after the fact, but congrats on your purchase. That's one nice looking TR FRC you bought.

 

If you are interested in Chrome Wagon Wheels. Impress Plating in CA have a pretty good deal on an exchange. I did mine.
[IMG][/IMG]

 

 

all ive HAD to do was a starter on my 99 in a year of ownership... at 82k miles... if it looks good dont let what people say about the earlier c5's bother u

edit.. just saw u got it after all! nice! and i have factory chrome wagon wheels!

 

I have a 98, no issues like listed by disgruntled owner in earlier posts. Runs and rides very nicely....138,000 kms. Away for the winter now.

 

Thanks for the comment, I don't "hate" them but I have been considering other options, but no rush. Fikse and CCW both are eye catchers and I have seen a few deals on used wheels but many have either been sold before I know about them or shipping is an issue. I love to upgrade on a shoestring so it will be a work in progress for a while.

 

Thanks, I'll check them out.