Thought I'd share here in Gen. Got behind the wheel of my Vette today for the first time in nearly 3 years (she went on jack stands in October 2016, I lost interest in the project, and finally last year started doing what I took it down to do). Been keeping at my buddy's place since a methanol mishap on the dyno caused a flatbed ride home, and his garage was easier to get the car into. Been fixing things and tidying things for the past week, and got it to the point today where it was ready to be driven and make sure all is well to get back to the tuner.

I come out of my buddies neighborhood, and there's a 1/4 mile or so straight to get to the main road. Guy on his riding mower in his yard sees me pull out and as I go by I get a big grin and a fist pumping thumbs up from him. Kind of refreshing to see the C5 still elicits that kind of response from folks.

Car in question. Yes that was going on to the flat bed unfortunately.

 

Three years?? Holy crap, Fast! Car catch fire, or something?

 

I was test driving my car from a local dealer (long story not Chevy) with my son last year and we got hollered at twice in one 15 minute drive. I was shocked at that as it was already a 20 plus year old car.

On the way home from the coast the other day I was coming up to a stoplight in Aberdeen when a young kid probably 15 put the back window down of his moms 4 runner and he was yelling hey man. I really really love your car. I gave him a big thumbs up. He took a picture.

I've had several people trying to take pics of the car going down the road. It still amazes me especially since it's just a relatively plain black C5 that by many forum goers is actually ugly lol.

Anyways, glad to hear you're finally getting your car going Fastbird. I've seen some of it's progress in the what did you do today thread.

 

The C5 has a timeless design. Biggest reason why I decided to buy one, along with the performance.

Aging very nicely.

 

Very very true. That's why I was shocked myself at some of the responses in the is the C5 dated thread. To me it is not really. There are bazillions of other 90s cars that have fared much worse.

 

Started dropping oil pressure after a hit in September of 2016. Classic pump check valve symptom. Started taking it apart that October, and had big plans that were thwarted by a new home A/C unit. Then a lean spot at work, and I spent the year of 2017 just disinterested in the car at all. 2018 rolled around and work got hot, and I was killing the overtime. Without realizing it, I had more than enough slush cash to get her going. So the put off call to Tony Mamo happened, and then it's been a spare time thing since mid year last year to get it going again. I had to fix a LOT of things along the way, make quite a few improvements, and have slowly gotten the car to where I want it to be in terms of the engine bay and what's pushing it around. Once tuning is finished up hopefully in the next few weeks, I get to start on a total interior overhaul.

Pretty happy with it so far though. Other than the methanol mishap that hydrolocked the motor and broke two starters, I like where it's heading. 804 RWHP at 12lbs of boost is a good start for my goal. I didn't even attempt to get into it today, just a short lazy drive to make sure everything is ok, but boy it felt good to drive her again.

 

804 rwhp is a good start? By God, what are your goals?

 

1K or more. But I ran some numbers and if the fuel system holds up then I'm probably going to be in the 950-970 range at about 20 PSI. Still have a couple of tricks up my sleeve though. I REALLY want to see 1K RWHP.

 

What are you running for a block and rotating assy Mr Bird? Unless it's a secret, that's ok too.

 

LS3 block, shortblock purchased from Texas-Speed back in 2009. Stock crank, forged Eagle H-Beams, forged custom Diamond dished pistons. Real simple but effective shortblock. Did well when the APS turbo kit was stock with a poarted set of 317's and a baby LPE cam (mad 761/760 at 15lbs). Now has all Mamo stuff up top and slightly better flowing LG turbo's, hence the over 800 at only 12lbs.

If you guys want to see what I've done and what all is in it, there's a pretty involved thread over in the Forced Induction section. Nothing mind bending, just a good selection of parts designed for the application.

 

Not sure what it is but seems like more compliments this year than in years past. Must be the show glaze polish!

 

I get compliments all the time on my C5. IMO, the only generation of Corvette that no longer "has it" is the C4. They're not "ugly, so much as just boring. Not much visual appeal.

C1s, C2s and C3s are obviously old, but they are classic looking.

 

True story, always wanted a C3, white. Drove a 75, no power, nope! Then a C4, black on black. It was really hard to get in and out of it because of the deep floor design and limited passenger room space. Then drove a 97 rare artic white. Done, it's in the garage for the sixth summer.

Will go for the artic white again, black interior in early C3 or C7, Allways looking for a good deal��

 

Good that you were able to get the car out on the road again. Even though I no longer have a C5, I still think they are a great looking car and a performance bargain.

 

I've seen seen some head turning zr-1's. If set up right, they still get attention, especially when that clam shell front end opens up.

 

C4 ZR1's will always be special. I've always been drawn to them at shows.

 

Off topic, I usually do not like C4s but this one is HOT! Love the color

 

im a c4 owner. 86, 87, and a 91 zr1.

just bought my first c5 today, 99 coupe,

i assure you the c4’s get lots if thumbs up. the wheel turns. what is new gets old. whats old becomes lost and boring. then a combination of the 40-something crowd buying and fixing up the cars from thier junior high and highschool years with the teens seeing them as “classics” makes them cool again.

look forward to comparing the c5 to the c4! i love all vettes!

 

Exactly! I was dead set on a C5 when I decided on a vette. Just something about them, they don’t age..

 

It helps that there are after-market trinkets - wheels, headlights etc. that allow us to update the looks. The body itself is beautiful in a classic sense. It will never get old if it is well taken care of.