Life with a Millenium Yellow C5
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
In other news, today I got the back end to step out, first time in this car. Unintentional, but fun! As I turned onto the highway I nailed it in 1st gear and the rear end started to slide out. Super-easy to control with a little throttle, a little sideways, then hooked up and accelerated away. I was very pleased with just how controlled it was. I'm sure it looked interesting to the folks coming up behind me.
The same thing in my old ZR-1 took a lot more aggressive launch to get it done, and was much quicker to snap if you weren't careful. Must be the difference in torque available at lower rpm, and the lighter/stronger chassis of the C5. The LT5 has a bit more torque, but doesn't come in until quite a bit higher up the scale.
The same thing in my old ZR-1 took a lot more aggressive launch to get it done, and was much quicker to snap if you weren't careful. Must be the difference in torque available at lower rpm, and the lighter/stronger chassis of the C5. The LT5 has a bit more torque, but doesn't come in until quite a bit higher up the scale.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
My wife and I got to take the Corvette for our first real mountain run today, headed north to Blue Ridge for lunch at Chesters and then took 60 to Suches, what an incredible road, one of my favorite GA mountain drives. From there we made our way to Dahlonega and back home to Jasper. All in, a good 150 mile loop and the car was just fantastic. I didn't push real hard, but we did have some fun on the drive. Tomorrow will be a work day, got to get the garage in order and then try to figure out why my tach is intermittent and I still need to dig into the HUD issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 801
Likes: 31
I used to have a ZR-1 as well. I just picked up a C5Z06. It does not run like that old LT5 did. That engine just kept pulling. The LS6 pulls good as well, but not the same .
I do notice the chassis is stiffer but the steering I don't feel is as percise. When. You have the wheel locked it almost feels like the wheel changes camber a lot.
After driving the Z06 it made me wish they made a FRC ZR-1.
I do notice the chassis is stiffer but the steering I don't feel is as percise. When. You have the wheel locked it almost feels like the wheel changes camber a lot.
After driving the Z06 it made me wish they made a FRC ZR-1.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 430
From: Birmingham Al
Great car great info . This is how you enjoy an old C-5 . I know everybody does not have the expertise to work on these Corvettes but people buy them not knowing anything about them and then something goes wrong bam ( does anybody know a good shop in wherever ) before you buy one of these getting older by the minuet C-5s need to know a little bit on how to do basic work on the thing or know for sure were is a good shop in your area .. I have people tell me you sure know how to work on all kinds of cars ,Its called the internet .. Just saying if you buy a C-5 have some knowhow to do something to it if needed will be a way better experience .. The yellow is cool for sure . I want one.. ..
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 167
From: Truckee CA
I paid extra for what was suppose to be a one year only color. When the 2001s came with the MY, I traded it. TR Z06 because all Corvettes are. Really I need the Z for SCCA National Tour. Loved the MY.
Mark.
Last edited by Moto One; Apr 17, 2018 at 09:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 673
Likes: 96
From: Dallas Texas
Just found your thread and was wondering if the HUD works? i didn't see it on your driving trip but you might of had it turned off.
Not sure i would have bought it unless it was bought cheap. HATED seeing it sit outside in that pic and i can't believe the lady just let it sit that many years. WOW poor car
Good luck on the rest of the repairs.. looks like you've done a ton since buying it
Not sure i would have bought it unless it was bought cheap. HATED seeing it sit outside in that pic and i can't believe the lady just let it sit that many years. WOW poor car
Good luck on the rest of the repairs.. looks like you've done a ton since buying it
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
Just found your thread and was wondering if the HUD works? i didn't see it on your driving trip but you might of had it turned off.
Not sure i would have bought it unless it was bought cheap. HATED seeing it sit outside in that pic and i can't believe the lady just let it sit that many years. WOW poor car
Good luck on the rest of the repairs.. looks like you've done a ton since buying it
Not sure i would have bought it unless it was bought cheap. HATED seeing it sit outside in that pic and i can't believe the lady just let it sit that many years. WOW poor car
Good luck on the rest of the repairs.. looks like you've done a ton since buying it
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
I used to have a ZR-1 as well. I just picked up a C5Z06. It does not run like that old LT5 did. That engine just kept pulling. The LS6 pulls good as well, but not the same .
I do notice the chassis is stiffer but the steering I don't feel is as percise. When. You have the wheel locked it almost feels like the wheel changes camber a lot.
After driving the Z06 it made me wish they made a FRC ZR-1.
I do notice the chassis is stiffer but the steering I don't feel is as percise. When. You have the wheel locked it almost feels like the wheel changes camber a lot.
After driving the Z06 it made me wish they made a FRC ZR-1.
The C5 is a quantum leap better car in so many ways, so I'm happy with the trade. I haven't had a chance to really push the C5 yet, but it will be interesting to compare. It definitely seems friendlier, less prone to snap oversteer, and the ride quality is much better. Lord knows I pushed the ZR-1 hard, so I can't want to get this one to an autocross.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
Finally got the gumption to dig into the HUD problem today. I was sure it wasn't working at all, but I figured I had better do the due diligence first. Fuses checked out fine, and in a quiet garage I could just barely hear the motor when I pushed the switch up and down. With my nose on the windshield, looking very closely, I could just barely see a blue glow in the far corner. Holy crap I think it does work and I have the well known drop issue. So, following a couple fantastic threads here on the forum, it took me about an hour and a half to pull the dash, taking my time with everything. Looks intimidating, but it really isn't. Just a lot of screws and take your time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
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From: Jasper GA
A couple nuts and one more screw, and the HUD was on the bench. This was a little more effort than I expected, since some nimrod put red locktite on one of the HUD nuts. Has someone been in here before?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
Yep someone was in here before. Remnants of epoxy on the mirror assembly pin. I used the screw method, drilling out the old pin and installing a screw that fit just right to use as the new pivot pin.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
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From: Jasper GA
Success! This was more of a pain than I expected. The first time I put it back in, it was aligned way too high. I had to slouch to see it and it would not adjust lower. The second time I made some mistake because it wouldn't appear at all. Third try was NOT the charm, this time way too low, had to lean way up to see it. Fourth try and Goldilocks was happy, it was just right. Bang on center, bright and easy to see. Only real issue is it's blurry - like I need glasses, and I don't wear glasses. Weird thing is I squint and it sharpens up. I cleaned the mirrors and the plastic window carefully, but the mirror has definitely seen better days, so maybe that's it. I'm very glad I tested it before I reassembled everything.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
After marinating on it over night, I think the blurry issue is because this car sat outside for nine years, baking in the hot sun. There's a lot of sun damage on the inside of the HUD, deteriorated plastics and the silvering on the mirror is damaged. Probably means picking up another one that isn't damaged to truly fix it. Once more thing to add to the list, but for now I'm buttoning it back up and going for a drive.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
Does the car have the original windshield? I have heard some complaints that non HUD replacement windshields may not produce as sharp of an image.
I'm enjoying following you bringing the car back to life.
I'm enjoying following you bringing the car back to life.