Service manuals
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
For the most part, the '98 manuals will serve you well. There were a few changes made for '99 (many are outlined in the attached Word document). Obviously if you can find a set of the '99 service manuals that would be ideal, but it may be a while before a set of those become available. Buying new anymore is pretty expensive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I would never recommend getting a manual set that is not correct for your year. Many changes in the schematics. If you are going to spring for a set you need to get the correct one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
There were very few changes made in these cars from one year to the next. I would say you will be fine with the 98 books. My mechanic has my 98 books and has used them many times to access information for all year c5s
Last edited by Fcar 98; May 13, 2015 at 12:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Not to step on toes here, but I have the experience spending at least 3 hours a day researching information from 97-04 to help others. I HAVE to know what I am providing is CORRECT.
Mr. Sam
PS: Frank, I assume you meant 98 and not 99. Naturally he would be correct to get the 99 manual for his 99.
Last edited by dadaroo; May 13, 2015 at 11:15 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,818
Likes: 2,267
From: Brighton MI
Buy the correct manuals. If you use the wrong ones, you will forever be second guessing your manuals when you are having a hard time diagnosing something (particularly electrical and driveability). Even more seemingly straightforward things can change year to year (e.g. repair procedures, torque values, etc.). Granted, a lot probably doesn't change from a '98 C5 to a '99 C5, but you will never know if what you are working on at that particular time is something that changed or not, and if it it something complex or something that is giving you fits in terms of diagnostics, you don't want to be second-guessing your FSM. Just my 2 cents...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Again in use by my mechanic on all year c5s they have been useful. I own a set of these books and have seen them put to use and how effective they are from model year to model year. I have never seen anything done wrong when these book are used on other years. I'm sure there may have been a change or two on these cars but on a whole over the last 17 years from what i have seen these books are very useful on all model years. Yes in an ideal situation you want your year. But I have seen them put to practical use on all models.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
While the mechanical service information may not be a whole lot different between the 98 and 99, there could be differences in the electrical diagnosis/repair book. Wiring diagrams for some parts of the car could be different from year to year.
I would also recommend getting the correct model year books. You can find them on ebay or even in the C5 Parts For Sale section from time to time.
I would also recommend getting the correct model year books. You can find them on ebay or even in the C5 Parts For Sale section from time to time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Not "could" be changes from 98 to 99, I can tell you there are. How about fuel sender differences, HUD, and I can go on. If you are going to use the FSM to figure out how to torque the lug nuts then you are OK.
OP, DO NOT listen to these people who tell you it does not matter. As one has stated, he isn't even doing the work on his own car.
OP, DO NOT listen to these people who tell you it does not matter. As one has stated, he isn't even doing the work on his own car.