Help me rationalize through my C5
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 35
From: Santa Cruz CA
Since you say the car is well sorted and it's more about the vert effect than anything else, I'd vote do the convertible conversion. Swapping the drive trains could unleash all kinds of issues and just the labor will end up costing more than the $5000 vert job you mentioned. What do you get for the vert job? Some type of hard top or a rag top?
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,669
Likes: 7,303
From: CT
The guy right above me has the right idea. I was surprised no one else mentioned it until I got all the way down the list.
Just cut the Z. You can make it a removable hardtop, or install convertible guts out of a donor car and still have the option of the hard top. A lot easier than swapping drive trains. A lot cheaper than another car. And one more unique notch for your garage.
Just cut the Z. You can make it a removable hardtop, or install convertible guts out of a donor car and still have the option of the hard top. A lot easier than swapping drive trains. A lot cheaper than another car. And one more unique notch for your garage.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
I don't care if it has 1500
hp You'd be hard pressed to get that big. money back out of the c5 . so you might as well go a step further and hack the roof off . The budget base Lamborghini is not going to satisfy you in the power department and will cost you a train load to setup right for a track or big power. Common sense says do a convertible conversion
hp You'd be hard pressed to get that big. money back out of the c5 . so you might as well go a step further and hack the roof off . The budget base Lamborghini is not going to satisfy you in the power department and will cost you a train load to setup right for a track or big power. Common sense says do a convertible conversion
Last edited by Lexybird; May 14, 2017 at 04:55 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 326
Likes: 43
From: Woodstock Ga
I pulled off a cash purchase for 18k and I feel like a baller. Yeah it's all about choices! My house is slightly larger than a trailer home but it's a real house...
Last edited by Riteaidkid84; May 14, 2017 at 05:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Since you say the car is well sorted and it's more about the vert effect than anything else, I'd vote do the convertible conversion. Swapping the drive trains could unleash all kinds of issues and just the labor will end up costing more than the $5000 vert job you mentioned. What do you get for the vert job? Some type of hard top or a rag top?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
I've taken a ride in this beast and it's a BLAST....if I were you I'd convert the Vette. Then give me another ride...
Last edited by mstromquist; May 14, 2017 at 05:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Houston TX
What about a C7 Z06 convertible? You could pick up a used one for early Gallardo money and have tons of power on hand. Easy to mod to stupid HP levels and you can put the top down. If not that, a 911 turbo cab would also work.
Le Mans Master
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From: Stafford Springs CT
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I vote for the conversion of your current C5
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 18
From: Gonzales CA
Here goes... I have been in the Corvette hobby for about 15 years, and have owned my current car since 2004. My car is a 2001 widebody TTI X kit, C5 coupe... The car make 925 to the ground and is a solid well sorted car... I have several other cars in the garage, including my Ferrari F430.
Now ..here is my issue...
I recently turned in my convertible G37 (company car), and I'm missing having a convertible. I also have loved the 1998 Pace car since it came out, but its severely underpowered, so I was looking at getting a Gallardo convertible.. I was thinking I have 3 options....
1. Sell my TT corvette coupe (maybe get 25k) and purchase a Lamborghini Gallardo convertible. Total cost is 105k-25k=80k out of pocket
2. Keep my C5 TT and do a convertible conversion. I think I can get this done for about 5k all in.
3. Purchase a 1998 pace car (20k), trade the drivetrain (motor, trans, etc) from my TT car and put it in the pacecar.. Then sell my 2001 as a stocker...
I am out of garage space or I would keep the TT C5 and just buy another car.
I have the money to do any of the 3 options... What would you do?
Now ..here is my issue...
I recently turned in my convertible G37 (company car), and I'm missing having a convertible. I also have loved the 1998 Pace car since it came out, but its severely underpowered, so I was looking at getting a Gallardo convertible.. I was thinking I have 3 options....
1. Sell my TT corvette coupe (maybe get 25k) and purchase a Lamborghini Gallardo convertible. Total cost is 105k-25k=80k out of pocket
2. Keep my C5 TT and do a convertible conversion. I think I can get this done for about 5k all in.
3. Purchase a 1998 pace car (20k), trade the drivetrain (motor, trans, etc) from my TT car and put it in the pacecar.. Then sell my 2001 as a stocker...
I am out of garage space or I would keep the TT C5 and just buy another car.
I have the money to do any of the 3 options... What would you do?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
I would do the lift for sure, buy another beater car that can sit out and is a hardtop convertible and then I would buy realcanuk's car...it's a sweet eb vert that is sc....so it's a win win win! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 877
Likes: 43
From: Surprise AZ
There may be some serious structural problems with a convertible cranking out 925 HP. Chevy would not offer a Z06 as a convertible until just recently. This option should require some more research.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
C5s have extremely stiff frames. The plastic body really doesn't add much rigidity or strength.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 246
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From: Sioux Falls SD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
I don't think you'd be too happy with a Gallardo compared to your 9xx hp car. The one I drove didn't feel that quick, but it was an 04 with the different gearing so maybe an 06 and up would feel quicker? Either way, if you're not going to TT the Gallardo, I say pass.
What about a C7 Z06 convertible? You could pick up a used one for early Gallardo money and have tons of power on hand. Easy to mod to stupid HP levels and you can put the top down. If not that, a 911 turbo cab would also work.
What about a C7 Z06 convertible? You could pick up a used one for early Gallardo money and have tons of power on hand. Easy to mod to stupid HP levels and you can put the top down. If not that, a 911 turbo cab would also work.
This is a really good point, you would still have a widebody and be starting off not very far below your current power level and have an easy time getting back up there. All in a car designed to put serious power down reliably.
Plus it has a power top.
Last edited by Forcedvert; May 15, 2017 at 10:33 PM.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
I'd sell the Corvette.
Gallardo sounds great.
Even better would be the v-12 of the Murcielago. Perfection.
Maybe sell both cars and get a Murcielago Roadster?
Gallardo sounds great.
Even better would be the v-12 of the Murcielago. Perfection.
Maybe sell both cars and get a Murcielago Roadster?