I am happy to say I just bought my first C5. A 2001 coupe, dark green metallic with a tan color interior and 23,000 miles. Because I am a bodyman who likes to customize, I bought a damaged car. I can find most repair parts locally so that doesn't bother me. I do have the following questions:
I need to replace a front tire. It is a Bridgestone Potenza 245 45 17. Is this a factory installed brand ?
I am not crazy about the color of this car and may consider changing it. What other factory colors came with the tan interior? I am assuming there is only one color of tan interior. I would describe this as medium tan.
Is it possible to sucessfully repair a 4 inch crack in the front fender with the proper repair materials? What is the name of the plastic used to make these fenders?
When it comes to repairing the fiberglass on these cars, do the same rules apply as they did to the C4? Is it SMC? Do I need to use epoxy resin instead of polyester resin?
I need to replace the drivers side airbag so I am assuming I must replace the sensor as well. Where is the sensor located? In my area I do not need to have the airbag replaced. Could I wire in a resistor in place of the airbag to get the air bag light to turn off? Any idea on what size or measure of resistor?
Thanking in advance for any info...........

 

Goodyear Runflats were the stock tires

no fiberglass....yes SMC

good deals on new parts from Fred Beans..and used parts from Gene at Karshop..both are forum vendors

 

this link might help you with with color combos

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/spec.../2001prod.html

 

The tan interior is called Oak. It came with black, white, blue, red, magnetic red, pewter, green, some times yellow and I've seen it with silver but I wouldn't recommend it. I think it looks great with pewter, especially with a pewter convertable, but I don't care for the pewter.

Good luck and have fun.

 

Might be wise for you to invest in a set of manuals as well.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I am leaning towards that pretty 2000 blue code 23u for this car. How about my question on repairing a crack on those plastic front fenders? Also airbag sensor location question.
Anybody??

 

I don't mean to be a smart a$$, but you say you are a bought a repairable because you are a bodyman, but you seem to be asking a lot of questions that any knowledgeable person working in a bodyshop would know the answers to.

Regarding the crack in the fender, as long as you have both pieces, it should be possible to use panel bond or panel adhesive to glue both parts back together, sand, add a little filler finish and probably good as new. However, depending on what the hourly shop rate is, it might be just as cheap, and possibly a better, longer lasting result, if you get a new fender, or one with less damage.

As for the airbag sensors, they are listed in the shop manuals. If you are planning on doing the work on a repairable yourself, you MUST get yourself a set of shop manuals - they are worth their weight in gold - trust me, I'm rebuilding a wrecked 2001 coupe, and I've relied on the shop manuals heavily.

It's been a while since looked up the sensor locations in my manuals, but I believe the airbag sensors are somewhere in the area of the firewall or under the dash somewhere.

You may have to replace both the blown airbag and the clock spring to get the airbag system properly working -

 

Good point. However most auto collision guys NEVER get to work on a C5. Just being careful and schooling myself, that's all.
Thanks for the info.

 

No problem w/ limited info I supplied - Again, I don't mean to be smart w/ my reply - I guess I never thought about it, but yeah, I suppose there aren't a lot of body shop guys privileged enough to work on a C5, unless they are employed by a shop specializing in Vettes -

Anyway, stick around here, ask questions, and remember, that there is no such thing as stupid question - we've all asked dumb things a time, or two, or three and counting... The information and help you pick up on this forum is extremely helpful, and very addicting at times.

Also, be sure to check the for C5 parts for sale section - I've found that many times you can get stuff cheaper on this forum than you can off of ebay, and certainly cheaper than from the stealership.

You didn't describe the damage - what is damaged, and what needs repairing? post a little more info, and helpful hints will emerge - My front end was hit dead center, pushing everything from license plate to cooling fans to w/in an inch of the motor - the rebuild has been a very enjoyable learning experience - my airbags didn't deply, I think partly because of where the airbag sensors are located, and due to the way the collision occurred.

Get a set of manuals, you'll be glad you did, post questions, or PM me if you have specific questions - glad to help return some of the help I've been given.

 

[QUOTE=Daleford]Thanks for the info guys. I am leaning towards that pretty 2000 blue code 23u for this car.

That 23u is called Nassau Blue Metallic and here it is



Good Luck !

 

Oldvetter --- That's the color and even though my Dupont info says it was not available in '01, I believe I will use it anyway. This car will be customized a bit. I have Greenwood ground effects for it bought from Mold-Craft in Sanford, Fl.
legaleagle --- Thank's so much for the offer. I am sure there will be questions. My car was hit from 2 angles. The first strike came straight at the driver's front wheel, missing the rads, but breaking the suspension off completely. [Upper and lower control arms broke away] I need bumper cover, fender, inner fender, wheel, Potenza 245 45 17 tire.
The second strike came the opposite direction and broke the passengers side rear quarter and bumper cover. Drivers air bag deployed.
I will be picking up some new/used parts tomorrow from a very helpful Corvette guy in Nova Scotia. The part that seems overpriced at the moment is that complicated inner fender.
I know this sounds like a rough car but with only 23,000 miles I think it will come out OK. Again thanks to all.................

 

I'm not an expert by any means, but I think I'm one of the FEW who has personally glued BOTH INNER fenders onto the frame of a C5 - I had to replace both inner fenders on mine -

It's a spendy part, and although I've seen a FEW w/in the last YEAR on Fleabay which are advertised as "used, but perfect condition," I don't understand this due to the way they are glued onto the frame and edge of the firewall - I think you literally have to destroy them to remove them, so I'm not sure how a person can end up w/ a used one in good condition

When removing the inner fender, be SURE NOT to grind the factory panel bond completely off of the frame when you remove the inner fender - I essentially cut the inner fender AROUND where it is panel bonded to the frame, then I removed the inner fender, then I sanded the inner fender material that was stuck to the panel bond down to the panel bond, then I removed some, but NOT all of the panel bond in each location, then panel bonded the new inner onto the frame -

the object is to try and leave some of the old panel bond, IN THE FACTORY THICKNESS, at various locations to use as a "spacer" to get the new inner spaced as it was when it came from the factory -

This is fairly critical, since the alignment of the OUTER fender is determined by how the inner fender is glued onto the frame - once the inner fender is glued into place and the glue dries, there is NO room for adjustment of the inner fender, and VERY LITTLE room for adjusting the outer fender.

Is there damage to the frame on the drivers front, or on the Pass rear side? If you are LUCKY, there won't be any front frame damage, and you will only have to replace the upper and lower control arms - I've seen these on ebay fairly cheaply, so keep your eye's open and shop around

If the frame is bent, a GOOD frame shop may be able to straighten it out - hopefully you don't have to go this route, but check around before you even think about cutting and replacing frame rails.

Have fun, and good luck - if questions arise, especially on replacing the front inner fender, PM me - I can give you my phone number, and it may be easier to talk you thru a few of the questions I know you will have.

PS: I like the blue you are considering - only color that's better is MAG RED, and that's just cause that's what mine is

 

How timely..... I just removed my LH inner fender and was thinking about all those things you mentioned. I can understand the positioning of the used/new inner panel is very critical and will take some planning. What a strange method of attachment!
The only frame damage I have is behind the wheel where the frame curves outward to the door post. it was caused by the wheel/tire/suspension hitting it. I have a good frame man that will pull it out and check alignment of the frame. Tomorrow is the trip to the used Corvette parts guy, so I will see what I come up with. THANKS for the offer of help Mr. Eagle. Will be in contact as need be.
A question for anybody..... I see a service manual for an 01 can run 100-150 $. However I see manuals on CD for only 10-15 $. Is this a good way to go? Are the CD manuals as complete as the actual book?

 

DO NOT CHANGE THE COLOR!!! That green is quite rare on a C5 and is very pretty. A car with that color combo and with that low of miles should bring good money. My advice to you since you don't like the color is to fix it correctly just like it came from the factory and then sell it. If you like the car enough use the profit money and buy a different C5 with a color combo that you like.

But please, do not ruin such a rare colored car with that low of mileage. If it was trashed and had 150k on the clock I might say different but that is not the car in your case.

 

Hummmm..... I appreciate your view on the color, but.... maybe it is rare but it is also unpopular. I haven't talked to anybody that likes this green!
The car will have a rebuilt title when completed if that helps my case.

 

I love that green.