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I live in beautiful Spanish Fork, Utah. I've owned my C5 convertible for 3 years now. I am actually a Ford guy, having had a Fox Body and an SN95. I was looking for a 96-99 Cobra convertible to rebuild when I found the C5 on auction. I don't regret moving to the LS arena and gaining access to the support and after market that surrounds this platform. I am working to make the C5 like new, and then will focus on updating the tired power train. My ideal is to drop a crate LS7 in it, but wonder if a 383 Stroker would be better. I haven't really looked that far ahead, and am enjoying driving it as I fix it up. The exterior and interior are nearly done, and now am working on the worn out suspension and brake upgrades.
I would love to see your C5 builds and hear any advice you guys have to offer. Not looking to sell this car for a while, so I want to do it right and make this car as good as it can be.
Welcome to the forum! You made a great choice with the C5. I used to have an SN95 Mustang convertible. I love my '04 C5 convertible so much more though. There are so many things that you can do with the C5. You mentioned the suspension. I would ask what your goals and primary use for the car will be. If you're looking for a great street car that handles really well, I wouls say go with C6 Z06 shocks, and C6 Z51 sway bars. They are both direct bolt ons, and will make a huge improvement to handling without making the ride too stiff. If you want to track the car, or if you want to really lower past what's possible on the stock bolts, you'll want to look at a good set of coil overs.
I have installed an A&A supercharger kit on my LS1. I HIGHLY recommend this! I am making 500 WHP with great drivability and reliability. I personally wouldn't drop in a crate engine unless there is actually something wrong with the engine you have. You can get 1000+ HP out of the LS1.
I have the stock Z51 package on it now, but being that I bought it with 75K miles on it, I don't know that anything has ever been replaced. I did immediately replace both sets of end links which quieted it down some, but I still have a few creaks and groans from underneath, and an annoying metal on metal clink from the front driver side when I go over bumps. I don't ever intend to track this car, but I don't shy away from a little spirited driving on open mountain roads from time to time. It handles well now, but I am sure there is room for improvement. Right now I just want to quiet it down and have it ride more like new. Does the C6 solution compromise any comfort? As for lowering the car, I have already ruined one radiator and scrape the front fascia on the driveway every time I back out, so it's low enough for my taste already.. lol.
At 85K miles now, do you think the boost would shorten the engine life? I know the drivability of a the A&A with the right tune would be preferable to an aggressive cam, but I worry about the durability over time, How long have you had it?
Ahh.. man I am jealous. Unfortunately my other toy has to be a truck. But there will always be a place in my heart for the SN95. Respect!
I particularly love the exhaust note of the 96-98 GT. While ridiculously underpowered, I have always loved how it sounds. Would make my C5 sound like that if I could, but can never change the firing order.. lol!
But I hear what you say about loving each for different reasons.
Which is the daily driver? Love the wheels on your coupe. The build sheet says mine came with the magnesium wheels but someone before me switched them for the chrome wagon wheels. I hate them. I've been looking at some C6 black wheels with the red accents, but haven't found exactly what I am looking for yet.
I have the stock Z51 package on it now, but being that I bought it with 75K miles on it, I don't know that anything has ever been replaced. I did immediately replace both sets of end links which quieted it down some, but I still have a few creaks and groans from underneath, and an annoying metal on metal clink from the front driver side when I go over bumps. I don't ever intend to track this car, but I don't shy away from a little spirited driving on open mountain roads from time to time. It handles well now, but I am sure there is room for improvement. Right now I just want to quiet it down and have it ride more like new. Does the C6 solution compromise any comfort? As for lowering the car, I have already ruined one radiator and scrape the front fascia on the driveway every time I back out, so it's low enough for my taste already.. lol.
At 85K miles now, do you think the boost would shorten the engine life? I know the drivability of a the A&A with the right tune would be preferable to an aggressive cam, but I worry about the durability over time, How long have you had it?
Sounds like the C6 Z06 shocks with C6 Z51 sway bars would be a great option for you. It GREATLY improves the handling, and makes it much flatter through corners, but is still very comfortable on the street. It's pretty economical too as suspension upgrades go.
The A&A kit has not given me ANY (engine) problems at all. I did have to upgrade my transmission to handle the extra power. The kit comes with pretty much everything that you would need (crank pin, upgraded fuel rails, etc...). The LS1 is a very reliable and overbuilt engine. As long as I do normal maintenance and upkeep, I shouldn't have any issues. The right tune is critical to this however. I was actually around 75K miles when I got the kit. I'm currently just under 98K miles. As long as it's actually done right, there is no reason to fear forced induction. The stock LS1 block can easily handle 10 PSI with a good tune. Good luck with your mods. Let us know if you have any questions.
C6 Z06 shocks and sway bars was probably the MOST bank for the buck and seat of the pants improvement that I spent on my C5. WELL WORTH the investment.
By transmission upgrade, do you mean the 4L60 or the T56? I am thinking either way I would have to do a clutch upgrade. I am pretty sure the stock OEM is still in mine, and with 85K on it, it's coming due anyway. The clutch fluid is pretty dirty. If I boosted, it would probably finish it off.
I've been calling around to see about the Z06 shocks, sway bars, I am getting quotes anywhere between $600 and $2300. Obviously no one around town is going to have these items, so where do you usually get parts from? I have been looking at Rock Auto and Summit Racing. What do you suggest?
I think I'm going to go that direction. Did you do anything with the control arm bushings or ball joints? After 23 years, it's all looking a little sad under there.
Welcome and glad to have you here. Lot of good information and helpful guys here. Be sure to research the harmonic balancer issues with these cars or just ask previous owner if he changed it yet.
Just made that repair last month. Replaced all the tensioners and idlers as well. A curious thing has happened since then. Now when I start the car, I get a "Service column lock" error on the DIC. Hitting reset clears it, but it didn't happen until after the repair. The Carfax says a recall was performed in California on the column lock, so I pulled the air bag to have a look. Sure enough, the lock plate has been removed. I am looking at the LMC5 bypass. Do you know of this issue?
I have spent so much on my Vette I'm scared to total up all the receipts, but it's like anything else you love and want to improve. With that being said in all honestly I wouldn't bother with a LS7 or 383 stroker engine. The LS1 has a solid starting point so don't just go and count it out. You should seriously consider looking at doing some type of forced induction as opposed to a NA build. I would probably say the only regret I have with my mods is not doing forced induction first. With that being said the Jonny O' Connell swaybars with adjustable endlinks completely changed how my Z handled in corners. Hands down it has been my favorite mod.
I have spent so much on my Vette I'm scared to total up all the receipts, but it's like anything else you love and want to improve. With that being said in all honestly I wouldn't bother with a LS7 or 383 stroker engine. The LS1 has a solid starting point so don't just go and count it out. You should seriously consider looking at doing some type of forced induction as opposed to a NA build. I would probably say the only regret I have with my mods is not doing forced induction first. With that being said the Jonny O' Connell swaybars with adjustable endlinks completely changed how my Z handled in corners. Hands down it has been my favorite mod.
I definitely need to do something with the suspension. It's making all kinds of racket. I had hoped replacing the end links would have taken care of it, but I am starting to suspect worn upper and lower arm bushings, and maybe even the leaf springs. If I am going to get into it, I may as well replace it all. I really want this thing to ride and sound like a new car. Being that it already has the Z51 package, do you think it's a good mod to upgrade a convertible to Z06 components?
On the induction, traction control already intervenes most hard pulls at about 4500 RPM. If I throw another 150 ponies on it, is the car uncontrollable? I can't decide if I should just settle for bringing the tired LS up to today's 420-450 horse, or spend the same amount of money to get into the 500+ game. How long have you had the supercharger? No blow by, oil consumption, overheating, etc?
Hey cool, I’m just up the road in American Fork with a 2002 Coupe. Maybe we’ll catch up at a local cars and coffee or something.
Look at that shine! What wax are you using?
You ought to come down to South Valley. Lots of open roads along West Mountain and out to Genola. Up north it's getting crowded.. What's that Sammy Hagar sings.. "Can't get my car out of 2nd gear?" :-)
Nice Raptor. I can see I'm not the only one on here with split personalities. If only Ford built a deuce like the Vette. Lol.
Since you're in UT give Corvette Recycling in Morgan a call they might have shocks and sway bars.
That's a great idea. I got looking at their website. They actually have an LS7 up for sale. Still asking over $10K for it, so maybe the Procharger is still the way to go.
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