Can it be repaired?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 91
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Can it be repaired?
Damage is where the computer mounts on the frame.
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Last edited by Dale002; Apr 17, 2011 at 11:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Surface rust is no big deal..there's stuff call POR 15 check it out.
Make SURE with a center punch or a screw driver that it's only on the surface(it doesn't appear to be anything more).
If it's just from battery acid leakage then I'd treat it and be done.
Make SURE with a center punch or a screw driver that it's only on the surface(it doesn't appear to be anything more).
If it's just from battery acid leakage then I'd treat it and be done.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
You are going to need a competent body shop that knows about frames. Make lots of phone calls to them concerning the Corvette frames. No clue if its repairable. I did see for a while that you can buy new frame rails from Chevy but I don't know if they are still available or not and do replace one, means a total disassembly of the entire car or bascially taking it apart in reverse of how its assembled at the factory.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
Love the "help" you are getting in this thread...You could possibly straighten the frame enough to get the front end suspension aligned and make the body panels "fit", but it would be a lot easier to cut off the damaged section of frame rail and replace it with a section from a donor car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
OP added a whole bunch of photos ... there was only the 1st photo initially, which made it look like just a battery acid lead damage. Extra photos that now tell the whole story kind of changes the whole aspect of the question. 
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
From: Mc Farland Wisconsin
As stated before, your going to need to talk to a bodyshop who has repaired a hydroformed perimeter frame such as this. They may be able to section at some point close behind that damage, but they may have to go back further than that for it to be an "approved" repair. I would not pay any money to try to repair that however, what really needs to be done is setup/pull and replace the section.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 983
Likes: 36
From: Middle Of Kali CA
Is the PCM still alive? Either battery acid or maybe the impact got it.
Frame wise is a tough call. How is the current alignment? Can you get the fender on and aligned ok? Structurally i don't think it is an issue.
Frame wise is a tough call. How is the current alignment? Can you get the fender on and aligned ok? Structurally i don't think it is an issue.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
I'm not real good at estimating the value of a wrecked C5, but here are some ideas. Start by estimating what the repairs will cost and subtract that from what you think a salvage title C5 is worth - that will equal what you should pay for it up front.
The problem with buying a wrecked Corvette to rebuild is that so many people want to buy them to strip and build kit cars, so their salvage value remains quite high. A complete C5 drivetrain can probably bring $3k and the suspension & brakes another $1k or so...Part out the interior and any good body panels....
The problem with buying a wrecked Corvette to rebuild is that so many people want to buy them to strip and build kit cars, so their salvage value remains quite high. A complete C5 drivetrain can probably bring $3k and the suspension & brakes another $1k or so...Part out the interior and any good body panels....
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Not sure how many miles on the car, but the frame damge is going to be expensive to fix.
Looks like a new rail, inner fender and some suspension pieces and probably a new cradle.
Looks like $3K or so to me. Did the airbags pop ?
Looks like a new rail, inner fender and some suspension pieces and probably a new cradle.
Looks like $3K or so to me. Did the airbags pop ?