New C5 Owner
06-17-2018, 10:45 PM
#1
Cruising
Thread Starter
New C5 Owner
Hey Y'all
New owner of a basically new 2004 C5 Vert with only 9K miles. This is my first Vette and she is a beauty! Triple black with the 6 speed manual. Even has the nubs on the original tires. She's not going to be a total Garage Queen, but going to use her gently and keep her original.
So, I have already got new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires being mounted this week along with new TPS sensors. Also, got a CAGS bypass to install. I'm also gathering that I may need to do the LMC5 mod as well. Anything else I should be doing initially?
New owner of a basically new 2004 C5 Vert with only 9K miles. This is my first Vette and she is a beauty! Triple black with the 6 speed manual. Even has the nubs on the original tires. She's not going to be a total Garage Queen, but going to use her gently and keep her original.
So, I have already got new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires being mounted this week along with new TPS sensors. Also, got a CAGS bypass to install. I'm also gathering that I may need to do the LMC5 mod as well. Anything else I should be doing initially?
Last edited by Tri_Blk_C5; 06-17-2018 at 10:49 PM.
06-18-2018, 12:35 AM
#2
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If it were mine, I would change all the fluids (unless you have proof of when they were done last and it is a reasonable period of time) and I would check all the hoses/belts for any signs of deterioration. Sounds like you found a nice, low mileage ride.
06-18-2018, 01:33 AM
#4
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Congrats on the new ride. Sounds like you did some research so you're already ahead of the game. Best of luck with it and enjoy it as much as you can. Need pics of said car though, we like visual stimulation also.
06-18-2018, 06:33 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
Congrats! You will eventually read about all the weak points about your car.
I bought my 03 vert automatic a year ago. It was bone stock with just 28,000 miles on it. It had new tires and rotors and brakes. It was in perfect condition,
I changed out the coolant, hoses, engine oil and diff. Easy stuff to do in my garage on jack stands.
As time goes on you will start reading about the harmonic balancer problems on these cars. I found that troublesome and after I decided to keep the car after a year of ownership I purchased a better balancer, tensioners, pulleys and belts and had a local mechanic that knows Corvettes install them.
Now I have total peace of mind knowing my 03 Vert is in top shape mechanically.
My wife and I love this car and we will have it forever!
If you can't find a a good Corvette mechanic close to you let me know. You're not that far from me!
Good luck!
I bought my 03 vert automatic a year ago. It was bone stock with just 28,000 miles on it. It had new tires and rotors and brakes. It was in perfect condition,
I changed out the coolant, hoses, engine oil and diff. Easy stuff to do in my garage on jack stands.
As time goes on you will start reading about the harmonic balancer problems on these cars. I found that troublesome and after I decided to keep the car after a year of ownership I purchased a better balancer, tensioners, pulleys and belts and had a local mechanic that knows Corvettes install them.
Now I have total peace of mind knowing my 03 Vert is in top shape mechanically.
My wife and I love this car and we will have it forever!
If you can't find a a good Corvette mechanic close to you let me know. You're not that far from me!
Good luck!
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Tri_Blk_C5 (06-18-2018)
06-18-2018, 07:24 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
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Hey Y'all
New owner of a basically new 2004 C5 Vert with only 9K miles. This is my first Vette and she is a beauty! Triple black with the 6 speed manual. Even has the nubs on the original tires. She's not going to be a total Garage Queen, but going to use her gently and keep her original.
So, I have already got new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires being mounted this week along with new TPS sensors. Also, got a CAGS bypass to install. I'm also gathering that I may need to do the LMC5 mod as well. Anything else I should be doing initially?
New owner of a basically new 2004 C5 Vert with only 9K miles. This is my first Vette and she is a beauty! Triple black with the 6 speed manual. Even has the nubs on the original tires. She's not going to be a total Garage Queen, but going to use her gently and keep her original.
So, I have already got new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires being mounted this week along with new TPS sensors. Also, got a CAGS bypass to install. I'm also gathering that I may need to do the LMC5 mod as well. Anything else I should be doing initially?
06-18-2018, 08:00 AM
#8
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06-18-2018, 10:33 AM
#10
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06-18-2018, 11:04 AM
#11
Racer
She's a Beauty!
06-18-2018, 11:51 AM
#14
Cruising
Thread Starter
06-18-2018, 12:39 PM
#15
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Finally...........Pics! 
Thanks for the pictures! Very nice looking vert!
Thanks for the pictures! Very nice looking vert!
06-18-2018, 02:17 PM
#16
Instructor
Hey Y'all
New owner of a basically new 2004 C5 Vert with only 9K miles. This is my first Vette and she is a beauty! Triple black with the 6 speed manual. Even has the nubs on the original tires. She's not going to be a total Garage Queen, but going to use her gently and keep her original.
So, I have already got new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires being mounted this week along with new TPS sensors. Also, got a CAGS bypass to install. I'm also gathering that I may need to do the LMC5 mod as well. Anything else I should be doing initially?
New owner of a basically new 2004 C5 Vert with only 9K miles. This is my first Vette and she is a beauty! Triple black with the 6 speed manual. Even has the nubs on the original tires. She's not going to be a total Garage Queen, but going to use her gently and keep her original.
So, I have already got new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires being mounted this week along with new TPS sensors. Also, got a CAGS bypass to install. I'm also gathering that I may need to do the LMC5 mod as well. Anything else I should be doing initially?
06-18-2018, 02:44 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
Congrats on the find and welcome to the C-x world !
I know you want to keep it original, but you may find the OEM headlights leave a lot to be desired, especially if if whichever one of the other vehicles in the picture is your DD and it has HIDs.
IMHO, the CAGS delete and HID headlights are the best two mods I made.
I know you want to keep it original, but you may find the OEM headlights leave a lot to be desired, especially if if whichever one of the other vehicles in the picture is your DD and it has HIDs.
IMHO, the CAGS delete and HID headlights are the best two mods I made.
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Tri_Blk_C5 (06-18-2018)
06-18-2018, 03:16 PM
#18
Cruising
Thread Starter
Congrats on the find and welcome to the C-x world !
I know you want to keep it original, but you may find the OEM headlights leave a lot to be desired, especially if if whichever one of the other vehicles in the picture is your DD and it has HIDs.
IMHO, the CAGS delete and HID headlights are the best two mods I made.
I know you want to keep it original, but you may find the OEM headlights leave a lot to be desired, especially if if whichever one of the other vehicles in the picture is your DD and it has HIDs.
IMHO, the CAGS delete and HID headlights are the best two mods I made.
06-18-2018, 03:37 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
I like radioflyerinnovations - hes a vendor here, excellent customer service.
There are a couple different styles - I put in his bi-xenon kit.
Once in a while, he does a sale. George also offers discounts for certain professions (check his home page)
Yes, it is worth the cost. Wish I'd have done it a lot sooner than I did.
There are a couple different styles - I put in his bi-xenon kit.
Once in a while, he does a sale. George also offers discounts for certain professions (check his home page)
Yes, it is worth the cost. Wish I'd have done it a lot sooner than I did.
06-18-2018, 03:48 PM
#20
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Oldtimer
I like radioflyerinnovations - hes a vendor here, excellent customer service.
There are a couple different styles - I put in his bi-xenon kit.
Once in a while, he does a sale. George also offers discounts for certain professions (check his home page)
Yes, it is worth the cost. Wish I'd have done it a lot sooner than I did.
There are a couple different styles - I put in his bi-xenon kit.
Once in a while, he does a sale. George also offers discounts for certain professions (check his home page)
Yes, it is worth the cost. Wish I'd have done it a lot sooner than I did.
George Argel (Radioflyer) is a c5 lighting innovator and his products are excellent. Since he has a c5 you know whatever he’s done is tested and on his car.
I have not sprung for his Bi-Xenon kit, but it’s on the list and the best alternative available for the C5 headlights.
I’m not sure you need that CAGS kit. The LMC5 that I installed on my Z and now my coupe, is all that was needed and is also the best solution. Support from Richard at Compliance Parts is legendary.
Congrats on the beautiful car. Triple black verts are very cool.