I doubt that the General would be making any "big" changes the year before they introduce the next generation Corvette, so I'm not asking if its going to finally be a viper killer. Won't happen. Not on the C5 platform anyway....

But has anyone learned of other changes to the car for '03? For instance, I just learned that the '02 has different synchros than the '01. And then there were the obvious changes in air filter system and cam. So what alterations are destined to come out with the '03? :chevy

 

Only change that I know of which has been discussed by many is 25 more ponies.

 

It's not getting 25 more ponies! :nono:

Everyone knows that with the 427, it gets boosted to 500 hp. :smash:

 

The only new thing for '03 (other than one color change) is the new magnetic shocks that vary fluid viscosity under electronic control. No HP changes.

 

Aw crap, so the '03 is getting that 50th anniversary suspension? That strikes me as being just one more EXPENSIVE part to replace when it goes bust JUST after warranty..... or maybe just break about 10 times in the first 10k miles :rolleyes: LOL

So a color change - I thought it was just no more Raceway White, was something added? I thought they are only available for '03 in Red, EB, Black, MY, and Silver.

Anything else going down with these cars?

 

I don't think this applies to the Z06.

 

About the new F55 suspension and the z06... it won't have it... I was at CI3 and attended the C5 "future" lecture... I asked that exact question to the engineer... he said the new shocks are meant to give to corvette even more ability to have a split personality. This means that it will ride like a cadallac on road trips yet still handle like a sports car when you push it.

The F55 does have a switch to move it between two settings, sport and touring. They showed a video of two C5's at the dearborn test facility going over a bumpy section of road used to test suspensions... one bump called "the big one" sent the first "yellow" c5 almost airborne, it had the older "real time" F45 system. The second vette, following right behind, was a 50th with the F55... the body barely moved, and everyone in the room gasped. The video showed what the engineer was trying to explain instantly. The new suspension has instantaneous dampening, as fast as you can turn on the lights.

As for the z06 it won't have it because as he said, " out goal with the z06 was to create a race car for the street... anything that compromises that is left of." This was in response to a lady complaining about no sport seats on the Z. It also pertains to the new F55...

So summing up the Z will still be a race car... and the cadallac suspension option will be for lesser corvettes... don't get me wrong this F55 actually improves contact patch when in sport mode and will help handling... just not as much as the Z's suspension

Peace

 

It is my understanding that the Z06 will have 50th anniversary stitching on the seat backs and 50th anniversary bagding on the exterior. There are no significant mechanical changes.

The 2003 Z06 is essentially identical to the 2002 Z06. Ken's newsletter's provide option details etc.

 

Oh God, no! So that means the seats will now say 50th as opposed to ZO6 and the flag badges will have the 50th symbol? NO!!!! I know it is the anniversary year, but GM couldn't care less and I certainly don't care for their lame gimmick tag-ons. The seats I can deal with since I was going to order the black ones and replace just the seats with the Mod Red version.

The badges though..... how might I remove them? Think a hair dryer would do the trick and then replace them with the "normal" C5 badges?

 

Why on earth would you consider plugging in a hair dryer to replace the 50th badging.
I don't usually get involved in what people want to do with their car, but this is too much for me to understand. :rolleyes:

 

What is up with you two :confused: Hairdryers...Lesser corvettes :rolleyes:

 

Hammer and chisel then... or a big putty knife! :D

 

>As for the z06 it won't have it because as he said, " out goal with the z06 >was to create a race car for the street... anything that compromises that is >left of." This was in response to a lady complaining about no sport seats on >the Z. It also pertains to the new F55...

Wonder why they consider the sport seats anti-racecar? That is one big let-down to me on the Z06. I have to settle for Camaro-like seats to get the higher performance car. Go figure.

 

At first I thought it came down to saving a few ounces of weight. I thought it was going to be a big let down too not having sport seats. Now that I've spent a week with my Z06 I can honestly say I like the Z06 seats better then the sport seat I've had in the two convertibles.

 

Junkie - Really? That was a sticking point with me. I guess I ought to get some seat time with the standard buckets. The big drawback for me with the stockers is that there is no provision to run belts through them unless I want to buy totally new seats or pay to have these ripped up.

Call me crazy, I just don't like the 50th badges. Trust me, they are not terrible. I just prefer the un-touched versions. And I want ZO6 across my seats, not 50th. That should be reserved for those champagne or pink wine granny suspension cars. :reddevil

 

Forgive my ignorance, because I only know what I have - which is a pretty optioned out coupe, but I assume this means no telescoping wheel and no memory seats? And you really don't miss the memory and easy-out?

Thanks,

 

The Z has memory and manual telescoping.

Mine ('02) will be here tomorrow!!!!

 

Wait, I thought the Z did NOT have telescoping at all for weight reasons. It should have the vertical adjuster that all of them have but no forward/backward extension...... unless I'm wrong?

But the Z does still offer the memory package.

 

No significant mechanical changes from '02 to '03.

New grey paint and "50th" badging is in the cards.

I'm not aware of "50th" seat stitching. Gawd, I hope not. I've already ordered my '03 Z!!!

As for FRC seats......I think they're fine after 21K miles with several 800 mile days in there! :D

 

So....stuff like dual-zone climate control, AM/FM w/CD and Bose speakers, cruise control and power everything doesn't compromise a true purpose bred sports car :confused: :confused: :nono: