Question
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Reinholds PA
Question
Are C5 and C6 corvettes unibodies? What exactly is a unibody?Anyone ever wrecked a corvette(c5/c6) and fixed it or fixed a wrecked one? Any problems that you run into with the frame? Any help is greatly appriciated!
Le Mans Master
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Corvettes have always been FULL FRAME cars-want to know what a UNIBODY is? Try GOOGLE!
Le Mans Master
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
As already stated, Corvette's have always been produced on a frame. A unibody is basically a car constructed without a frame as you would think of a frame. It uses the body and panels as the frame of old.
As far as repairing a Corvette that has been in a wreck, that is a hard question to answer. If the frame has not been bent then it can be as simply removing the damaged parts and replacing them or repairing the existing part with fiberglass matt and resin. I repaired the rear quarter panel on my '66 many years ago.
How ever if you are not well schooled in body repait, I would suggest leaving it to a professional.
As far as repairing a Corvette that has been in a wreck, that is a hard question to answer. If the frame has not been bent then it can be as simply removing the damaged parts and replacing them or repairing the existing part with fiberglass matt and resin. I repaired the rear quarter panel on my '66 many years ago.
How ever if you are not well schooled in body repait, I would suggest leaving it to a professional.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Aviston Illinois
A unibody really means the body and it's underpinnings act as the frame and hold the car together and provide its strength and rigidity. This saves weight since the frame normally weighs so much. But with a fiberglass or plastic body, it would be very hard to do and have enought strength.
It's mostly trucks that have frames now days.
It's mostly trucks that have frames now days.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
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From: Reinholds PA
Melting Slicks
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From: Richmond, Ky
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a great explanation of the process (and the innovation at the time) can be found in the book "all corvettes are red". it should be required corvette reading, particularly if you have or are considering a C5, or just a corvette "history" buff. great insight into GM and the development (or lack thereof at times) of the C5 into a production vehicle.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Oceanside Ca/ Tampa FL
Sigh.........Yes unfortunatly I have Dukes of Hazzard one of mine into a car. Still have nightmares about my baby flying in the air and coming down on a 2010 Caddy......Long Story.......But she was totaled so i didnt get to fix her. Rant over, man i feel so much better now... Jay
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Reinholds PA
Sigh.........Yes unfortunatly I have Dukes of Hazzard one of mine into a car. Still have nightmares about my baby flying in the air and coming down on a 2010 Caddy......Long Story.......But she was totaled so i didnt get to fix her. Rant over, man i feel so much better now... Jay
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Frames ?
Starting with the C5 the metal frame is 'Hydro-formed' or in plain words, it goes into a tube and pressurized at 10.000 psi. The method of forming the frame is such that it doesn't deform or destruct the metal molecules and gives you a better frame in rigidity and consistent shape & then galvanized. But the book goes into much better an description. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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Starting with the C5 the metal frame is 'Hydro-formed' or in plain words, it goes into a tube and pressurized at 10.000 psi. The method of forming the frame is such that it doesn't deform or destruct the metal molecules and gives you a better frame in rigidity and consistent shape & then galvanized. But the book goes into much better an description.
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
And with less welding involved, there's probably a significant savings in weight in addition to structural rigidity. To bad the C5/Z06 frame wasn't aluminum like the C6/Z06.
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You can frequently find "All Corvettes are Red" and "Corvette from the Inside" as a set for a good price on e-Bay.
Gives you great insight into both the C4 ("Corvette from the Inside") and the C5 ("All Corvettes are Red") and the inner workings of GM.
Gives you great insight into both the C4 ("Corvette from the Inside") and the C5 ("All Corvettes are Red") and the inner workings of GM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
I had a Chevy Vega which was a full unibody frame. That was just fine until I but a high HP V8 with an automatic transmission.
In a matter of months, the doors, hood and trunk gaps were all tweeked.
In a matter of months, the doors, hood and trunk gaps were all tweeked.
