I bought a 2000 C5 convertible
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 80
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From: Chapel Hill, N.C.
I bought a 2000 C5 convertible
this weekend and thought I would ask your opinions about potential mods. It is a 2000 C5 convertible with an automatic transmission and 17,000 original miles. Other than an aftermarket axle back exhaust everything appears stock. Opinions on things to look out for or potential mods. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,379
Likes: 3,387
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
this weekend and thought I would ask your opinions about potential mods. It is a 2000 C5 convertible with an automatic transmission and 17,000 original miles. Other than an aftermarket axle back exhaust everything appears stock. Opinions on things to look out for or potential mods. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
I also have a 2000 convertible. My list includes:
Double DIN bezel to accommodate a modern head unit that can interface with my phone for navigation & audio entertainment. Back-up camera too
New shocks, likely Bilstein B6
Remote clutch slave bleeder
C7 seat install
Double DIN bezel to accommodate a modern head unit that can interface with my phone for navigation & audio entertainment. Back-up camera too
New shocks, likely Bilstein B6
Remote clutch slave bleeder
C7 seat install
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,672
Likes: 7,304
From: CT
Make sure it's solid. Run the DIC codes. Change fluids at some point. Definitely make sure the tires are fresh.
Basics covered, get out and enjoy it. If it needs anything it will let you know. Have fun!
Basics covered, get out and enjoy it. If it needs anything it will let you know. Have fun!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 1,701
From: North Coast
this weekend and thought I would ask your opinions about potential mods. It is a 2000 C5 convertible with an automatic transmission and 17,000 original miles. Other than an aftermarket axle back exhaust everything appears stock. Opinions on things to look out for or potential mods. Thanks in advance.
Get the fluid and tires taken care of first and drive it. Even with low miles you may find many age wear things. Seat bushings and base foam. Even if the foam is good pull the seats and then put burlap between the seat foam and wire base. It saves the foam and the seat shape. It will prevent the crushed seat look. It is an easy job.
As for mods think it out and take your time. Some first thoughts sound good but weeks later can be ehhh.
If doing tires wheels right now would be a nice move. I went to the Z06 C7 style gun metal gray wheels. I kept the originals too. Just wanted a new look.
I did fluids, plugs wires and got a good base line. Fixed any small imperfections and color corrected the paint.
One thing you may notice is the exhaust at idle may have a motorboat sound. To fix it the I did the X pipe. It sounds better with rear axle set. I also had a converter fail. Even with low miles things like this can happen. I also has some mouse issues from storage. No wire damage but a nest in the cowl and heater motor.
Things just happen sitting and you will find them with driving.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 896
From: Nappytown MD
First thing I would do, flush/change brake fluid and inspect the pads and all other fluids. Put a new fuel filter/regulator on it. Then get it up on a lift and inspect all of the bushings and components/suspension underneath. Get the car baselined and safe, then add power if you want. If it is all stock, that's good, but that also means a lot of wear items could be ready to fail possibly.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 48
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From: Colorado
A lot of good comments here. I recently bought a 2001 vert. I put it on the rack, and check all bushings, pads/rotors, tires and changed fluids. You definitely want to make sure it stops safe and tires don't blow up! Even though it has very low miles, it's still 25 years old.
As far as mods, I've added a back spoiler, double DIN bezel, Alpine Head unit, Rockford Fosgate Amp/Speakers, JL subwoofer with box that fits the well in the back, Silvers coilovers and new rims/tires.
There's a lot of cool stuff you can get, but take your time with your decisions. At 1st I wanted to put rally stripes on it, and then after reading several posts on this subject I realized that was not for me. Sometimes less is more!
I'm new to CF, and realized there is a tremendous amount of Corvette enthusiast who are very knowledgeable and willing to help anyone out!
Congrats on your ride, and enjoy!
As far as mods, I've added a back spoiler, double DIN bezel, Alpine Head unit, Rockford Fosgate Amp/Speakers, JL subwoofer with box that fits the well in the back, Silvers coilovers and new rims/tires.
There's a lot of cool stuff you can get, but take your time with your decisions. At 1st I wanted to put rally stripes on it, and then after reading several posts on this subject I realized that was not for me. Sometimes less is more!
I'm new to CF, and realized there is a tremendous amount of Corvette enthusiast who are very knowledgeable and willing to help anyone out!
Congrats on your ride, and enjoy!
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 38
From: Austin Tx
Make sure it doesn't have a flooded lead acid batt installed. If so, it can leak and drip right onto the main wiring harness. I like AGM batts.
Stock headlight motor gears (plastic) are a known weak point. As soon as they start acting up, order some brass gears for it.
Stock headlight motor gears (plastic) are a known weak point. As soon as they start acting up, order some brass gears for it.
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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First thing I would do is ensure all maintenance is done - fluids, belts, hoses, tires, brakes, etc. Once those items are taken care of, drive the car for a while just to get a feel for it and allow for an informed decision on just what you might like to change for improved handling, better ride, better performance, and so on. Lots of things can be tweaked to make the car exactly what you want it to be.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
The First thing I would do, is flush/change brake fluid and inspect the pads and all other fluids. Put a new fuel filter/regulator on it. Then get it up on a lift and inspect all of the bushings and components/suspension underneath. Get the car baselined and safe, then add power if you want. If it is all stock, that's good, but that also means a lot of worn items could be ready to fail possibly.
so in 2000, there was a problem with a column lock-out switch. Automatics had factory fixes but with my six-speed, all the dealer did was flash the prom...and it returned. So I got a bypass kit from Houston Corvettes...and haven't had that glitch yet. So there may be a record for your 2000 and the column bypass fix.
It's a great year and I've love driving the car. But road deterioration took the fun out of it.