When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The car is in excellent shape for it's age & mileage (65,000 US miles). My hats off to @BudgetPlan1 for the excellent care he's given to this car over the years.
I'm coming from a C7 Stingray 2LT. So here are my first impressions.
What I miss...
1) Miss the backup cameras.
2) Miss keyless ignition.
3) Miss passive lock/unlock.
4) Miss memory seats.
5) Miss Android Auto integration.
(forgot these)
6) Miss the extra 4 gears for sure!
7) Miss all the extra cabin storage; bigger glovebox, door pockets, behind head unit.
As for the C5, it rides and handles tight & responsive; much better than I expected based on age & mileage.
Cabin is much roomier yet the car seems smaller overall.
Steering wheel diameter is larger but the wheel itself is skinnier.
Visibility is much better.
Looking forward to a new chapter of the Black Jack saga.
I also have a blog as my primary log ... Black Jack C5
Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 17, 2019 at 06:44 PM.
So let's start with the drivetrain. The car came to me with LG Pro 1 3/4" headers with catted x-pipe; Callaway Honker air intake; GHL Bullet cat-back exhaust. (as an aside, I thought the catback was going to be too loud and droney, but is actually a good sound with no drone)
It was tuned back in 2007 and put down SAE 380whp.
My power goal is to run consistent 10.9x 1/4 mile times with a density altitude (DA) of 3,000'. And the car remain a docile daily driver.
I'm wide open at this point as to how I get there; from a H/C/I LS1 to a Gen IV RHS block running 454ci. But I figure that I'm going to need cubic inches for a daily driver, over a big cam. Definitely will be keeping cam lift under .600".
I've got plenty of time to figure that out as I won't be doing this for quite some time.
I'll also need to get supporting mods done first: built 4L60E; built rear with 3.42 gears (maybe 3.15 depending on engine size); driveshaft, couplings, halfshafts.
In the interim, I'll have my tuner look over the tune since it's been a decade+ and see if there are any opportunities with the current configuration. I'm also exploring converting to flex fuel. This model year PCM has the flex fuel settings, so it's just a matter of plugging in the sensor and enabling the PCM. Provided I don't need to upgrade fuel pump and injectors I will be doing this forthwith.
This is sort of a punch list of other modifications I’m considering. Highlighted ones are definitely happening in the near term.
INTERIOR:
o HVAC control panel light fix*
o Homelink rearview mirror*
o Flameball shifter*
o Firethorn Red conversion. Carpet style as in C7 loop pile carpeting. Seats with gray alcantara insert. Door & dash trim to be painted.
DOUBLE DIN:
o ??? head unit (Android Auto, Rearview Camera)*
o JL Audio speakers*
EXTERIOR:
o Engine compartment detail*
o Tinted windows*
o ZR1 replica wheels
o LED/Projector headlights
Definately subscribed to this thread! Gonna be fun.
Will be interesting to see what your tuner says; do tunes change/adjust in any way over time? Always wondered if taking it back for 'updating' woulda refreshed it or something.
I always thought the 388rwhp was a bit optimistic...think it was 307 on a dynojet stock in 2004 so 388 on Mustang Dyno in 2005 or 2006 after headers/intake/tune seemed a bit much. That's the fun of different dynos though...sometimes ya get some paper victories that aren't necessarily comparable....
Last edited by BudgetPlan1; Jan 16, 2019 at 05:29 AM.
First mod: radar detector installed. For the record (using a Mirror Tap) using a standard mirror with map lights, Black is ground and Brown is switched 12v power.
Before I do any logging, I'm going to have a complete service done on it including the following...
Leak down test
New spark plugs
Fuel filter replacement
Air filter replacement
Engine oil/filter change
Transmission service
Differential service
Check belts/hoses
Install W02
Refurbed HVAC display panel ordered
Vettenuts DD console is ordered. I'll be going to Car Toys to check out head units. I've already got the JL Audio speakers.
Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 16, 2019 at 05:24 PM.
I gotta say again, I'm just blown away with the excellent shape this car is in. I looked at a few locally with less & more miles and none were anywhere this nice.
Thanks for your perspective on going from a C7 to C5. Having never had the pleasure of driving a newer Corvette, it's nice to hear our cars still handle and respond well compared to the C7.
There's a switch on the C5 key fob to enable/disable proximity door locks. And memory seats were a very common C5 option.
My "other" car has keyless ignition. Not anything I would particularly choose. Apart from anything else, it makes stealing cars off of driveways a lot easier. Just a magic box found on Ebay and the car is unlocked.
The back up camera, I am definitely with you on. And I like the parking proximity sensors also. But all the rest of the stuff (lane keeping, etc.), I turned off as it was just a pain in the butt. And while I like the lane change visual warning, I turned off the alarm because in normal city driving, it was going off all the time. It seems to want about 100' clear space round the car at all times.
Agree with you on size perception - the C5 cabin is very roomy for a sports/GT car, and C7's (my neighbor has one) always look bigger than they are to me. I guess it's just the styling, which I have to confess, I am not a fan of. Too many sharp lines and angles for me.
From a performance stand point, IMO the C5 holds up very well. Of course modern technology allows for more base horsepower, but there are hard limits that get reached very quickly on the GenV.
As far as modern gizmos, you get used to them very quickly. That said, my 2016 was a base 1LT and my 2017 is a base 2LT. Other than homelink & memory seats, there's isn't anything I really want in the 2LT package. My 2017 is the first HUD I've had or even seen first hand. Meh. The heated/cooled seats in the C7 suck. The A8 transmission ... that's a story unto itself. The transmission in normal mode sucks even though Chevy says its operating as designed. However, when you get into performance mode, it is the most awesome transmission I've ever driven.
Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 16, 2019 at 05:32 PM.
There's a switch on the C5 key fob to enable/disable proximity door locks.
Kinda pointless, IMHO, since you still have to stick the key in the ignition. Might as well get the key/FOB out and push the button. My thing is, I need to remember to lock the car when I get out.
Originally Posted by jackthelad
My "other" car has keyless ignition. Not anything I would particularly choose. Apart from anything else, it makes stealing cars off of driveways a lot easier. Just a magic box found on Ebay and the car is unlocked.
Noted for anyone else reading, but I don't park in the drive/street.
Last edited by bigsapper; Jan 16, 2019 at 05:30 PM.
Black Jack C5
For the record (using a Mirror Tap) using a standard mirror with map lights, Black is ground and Brown is switched 12v power.
