Newbie C5 questions...

[Konrad]

Hi everyone. I'd like to start off by saying that in the last couple of days I've learned a great deal from this site and all your threads and discussions about the C5. I'm currently looking for 99 or 00 Coupe. I'd like to buy an 01 Z06 but that would burn my wallet. Anyway, just have a couple of questions regarding a C5, specifically those years. I want to buy a 6 speed, which I've heard gets better gas mileage, is that true? What kind of fuel economy do you get? Also, do the C5s require premium gas or just regular? What is a Z51? I've heard people say that those motors are indestructible. Can those motors and trannys take a daily beating? I'm like a kid when it comes to smoking the tires and driving fast. I saw a couple of amateur C5 videos on the net which made me believe this is the right car. Don't get me wrong, this is my dream car and I will do everything to take care of it. I apologize for the silly questions. All comments and opinions welcome.
Thanks...

 

[DRTH VTR]

First, welcome to the CAC!

I think the biggest variable in gas mileage will be how hard you drive. For example, my Z06 gets about 16MPG around town. But I like to accelerate briskly. On the highway at 65, I get about 30MPG. At 80, it drops to more like 27MPG. Pretty good for a 400HP car.

The Corvette will run on regular, but premium is the recommended fuel. The problem with regular is detonation or "pinging". It is very hard on the engine and the computer detects the detonation and alters timing to decrease it. That dials back the performance of the car. It is penny wise and dollar foolish. Tires are expensive. Stock tires are about $1400 a set installed.

The Z51 is a performance package. It is stiffer suspension, maybe bigger brake rotors and some other goodies.

At least the early automatics had a standard rear axle ratio (2.73?) or a performace ratio (3.15?). Get the performance one. I don't think the manuals offer a choice.

My Z06 is a daily driver. I have 150-200 passes down the dragstrip with it, and 100-150 autocross runs as well. The car is quite robust. It can be broken, if you try, especially if you add sticky tires such as drag slicks. But it is a very tough car.

Those were not silly questions, and no apology is needed. Good luck with your search. There should be quite a few very nice examples for you to choose from.

There is an excellent Corvette mechanic in CT. He can be found on this site and has the user name c4c5 specialist.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

I want to buy a 6 speed, which I've heard gets better gas mileage, is that true? What kind of fuel economy do you get? Also, do the C5s require premium gas or just regular? What is a Z51? I've heard people say that those motors are indestructible. Can those motors and trannys take a daily beating? I'm like a kid when it comes to smoking the tires and driving fast.

First, WELCOME! Second, nice choice with the C5.

To answer your questions...
* The manual 6-speed does (theoretically) get slightly better gas mileage. You can read about it here. In real life however, it will depend on how heavy your right foot is.
* I really don't care about fuel economy, and my modded car wouldn't be representative of what you could expect anyway.
* Z51 is a performance package consisting of upgraded suspension and cooler(s). You can read about the differences here.
* The motors are fairly indestructible, and the manual trannies are quite good. If I had to identify a "weak link," it would be the rear ends. You can break the differential case and/or output shaft(s). This is primarily caused by hopping or heavy hooking off the line (i.e., burnouts and drag racing).

HTH!

 

[Tuna]

Welcome to the CAC.

Generally a 6-sp manual should get better mileage than the A4 auto especially if the auto has the performance axle option. It all depends on how you drive the car. I find that I rev my manual cars more in each gear just to hear the exhaust and to have fun while my auto cars are driven more sedately. So, my mileage is generally worse in the manual cars but the driving is more 'sporty' - mind set.

My wife and I use our Vettes as daily drivers - the Caddy gets the least driving. They are very good daily drivers. If you take care of the routine maintanence issues, they'll be pretty much indestructible.

 

[blacksedan87]

Welcome!
First of all - there are no silly questions.....on second thought, maybe there are! But your questions aren't silly. The others above me have answered your questions, the MN6 (6 speed) came standard all years, regular C5 and Z06 with a 3.42 rear end. There was never any factory optional rear end for the six speed. The Z06 actually has an M12 - which is not a 12 speed, but it is a performance version of the six speed -

"This transmission is unique to the Z06, is the only transmission available for that model and is not available on coupe or convertible. It has more aggressive gearing to increase torque multiplication in most forward gears, allowing for more rapid acceleration and more usable torque at higher speeds."

Also -

"Other M12 Modifications
A transmission temperature sensor was added to protect the M12 from higher thermal stresses. The sensor warns the driver via the Driver Information Center with a "trans over temp" light if thermal loads become excessive - meaning that the transmission could be damaged if not allowed to cool down."

What all this means is the six speed in the Z06 is more robust and higher performance.

Here's a link on this site to some great information that will answer a lot of your questions about differences between model years, color and option availability, etc.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/


Good hunting!!!

 

[Konrad]

Thanks for all the information. I will definitely keep the CT mechanic in mind, just in case. All my questions so far have been answered. Should I really worry about the rear end or am I just kind of blowing it up in my mind more than I should. Just out of curiousity, which c5 came with the strongest rear end and what does a stock c5 do in a 1/4 (and the Z06)? Thanks again, you guys are lucky to have those cars sitting in your driveways now...
Konrad

 

[MoeJr]

You're avg 99-00 C5 will do 13.2-13.5 in the 1/4. A Z-06 anywhere from 12.4-12.8 depending on year.

I do know of a sweet 99 C5 that is either Navy Blue or Nassau Blue that will be coming up for sale though it is an Auto car.

:bar

 

[XLR8]

Konrad,

Welcome to the CAC. As you can tell, we have the nicest Corvette site on the web here.

I can't help with many of your questions pertaining to the manual tranny and times at the strip, I can only tell you what I have.

Mine is a 1998 Carmine Red Metallic convertible with automatic transmission and she's stock except for the B&B exhaust installed by her previous owner and the ceramic brake pads installed by my mechanic. I get decent gas mileage and I'm not a very sedate driver by any means. I like some lively acceleration (hence XLR8) and feeling her glide through the curves!

As for gas, I use Chevron (or Texaco) Supreme with Techron and an occasional tank of Exxon Supreme. Years ago, a mechanic friend told me to "pay at the pump or pay at the shop". I took him at his word, and was pleased when Paul (C4C5Specialist) recommended Chevron with Techron at our CruiseFest seminar.

Enjoy - and good luck in your search.
Jane Ann

 

[mqqn]

Hi Konrad -

I have both a 99 coupe with 3:15 and a4, and a 2002 Z06 (mn12 6 speed and 3:42)

They both get about 19mpg around town - but on the roadm the Z gets a solid 29 at 75-80, and the a4 coupe gets 26 or just a tad better.

The coupe is easier to drive calmly - and the Z makes your evil side show (it does mine lol).

My Z06 has almost 45k miles on it, I have averaged a tick over 19mpg for the entire 45k miles (I keep track in a logbook).

It has been relatively trouble free (knock on wood) and only minor issues have needed correction - nothing with the engine.

I have LG Longtube headers, no cats, and the stock mufflers (cat-back).

Sounds like you are a Z06 man if you like to burn rubber and run em hard.

They'll take more than your wallet can dish out, or your local police can stand...:L

All the c5 rear ends were the same as far as I know. Almost every driveline part is interchageable between standard C5s and Z06's

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Konrad]

xlr8, i've actually heard the same saying from one of my buddies a couple days ago, he has 99 maxima with 270K and always puts premium in it, so I guess it does work. thanks for the info.
by the way, that's a great picture of your car...

 

[XLR8]

xlr8, i've actually heard the same saying from one of my buddies a couple days ago, he has 99 maxima with 270K and always puts premium in it, so I guess it does work. thanks for the info.
by the way, that's a great picture of your car...

Thanks for the compliment on my ride, Konrad. Good luck in your search and post more questions if you've got 'em. The members here are really a great bunch of people and are an excellent resource on Corvettes.

Jane Ann

 

[GS Diva]

Konrad,

Let me add another welcome!! Glad you're here, and you can rest assured that there are no silly questions at all when it comes to Corvettes!

I sell Vettes for Corvette Mike New England (Plymouth, MA) (www.corvettemikenewengland.com) -- we have a couple of cars right now that might be of interest to you. One is a '99 black coupe, 6 speed, Z51 -- http://www.corvettemikenewengland.com/1999_coup3blkblkblk.htm

Take a look at our inventory and get in touch with me if I can be of any help.

Elaine
Cell - 617-872-8252

 

[Konrad]

mqqn, lucky you, you've got two of 'em! good information, thank you...

gsdiva, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I have a couple of local ones I'd like to check out, just haven't had the time to cause of work. If they don't work out, I'll be calling you...

 

[Pinky]

Hi everyone. I'd like to start off by saying that in the last couple of days I've learned a great deal from this site and all your threads and discussions about the C5. I'm currently looking for 99 or 00 Coupe. I'd like to buy an 01 Z06 but that would burn my wallet. Anyway, just have a couple of questions regarding a C5, specifically those years. I want to buy a 6 speed, which I've heard gets better gas mileage, is that true? What kind of fuel economy do you get? Also, do the C5s require premium gas or just regular? What is a Z51? I've heard people say that those motors are indestructible. Can those motors and trannys take a daily beating? I'm like a kid when it comes to smoking the tires and driving fast. I saw a couple of amateur C5 videos on the net which made me believe this is the right car. Don't get me wrong, this is my dream car and I will do everything to take care of it. I apologize for the silly questions. All comments and opinions welcome.
Thanks...

HI KONRAD!

I'm a new-to-me C5 owner so I can give you a few Myth Busters:

1. I have a '98 automatic convertible, most of my driving is stop & go around town with a weekly blow out (heh). According to the digital readout, I am averaging 19.5 mpg. Better than my previous Mitsubishi!

2. I use premium gas - it's a bit more expensive but it seems to get better gas mileage and performance so it all evens out.

3. The Vette is cheaper to insure than the Mitsubishi Diamante was. I guess the insurance companies realize Vette owners take care of their cars and other drivers respect that!

Good luck with your search! You won't regret it.

 

[djengr]

Welcome, and I will throw in my 2 cents.

I want to buy a 6 speed, which I've heard gets better gas mileage, is that true?

Yes it will get better gas mileage, an auto will lose about 10% more in drivetrain loses, equates to 1 to 2 mpg difference on the highway. My 98 with standard typically got around 27 to 28 mpg, 60-70 mph. My 01 gets 25 -26 mpg under the same conditions. Don't compare intown mpg it is way to subjective.


Also, do the C5s require premium gas or just regular?

They will run on 87 octane. I used 89 octane in my 98. I use 91 in my 01. You don't save that much by going to the cheaper gas and some say it reduces you mpg because the when the knock sensor feels a knock it will retard your timing where you don't get good economy.


Can those motors and trannys take a daily beating?

Yes to the motors and for around town yes to on the tranny as well. Racing may be another story with the transmission.

Good Luck.