How To Modify a C5 Corvette (1997-2004)

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Today, we embark on an immersive journey tracing the evolution of the C5 Corvette, from its groundbreaking design to its enduring status as a symbol of American performance engineering. Join us as we uncover the engineering marvels that define the C5's legacy and explore the myriad ways enthusiasts have customized and optimized their rides. Whether you're seeking to enhance performance, refine aesthetics, or simply gain a deeper appreciation for automotive craftsmanship, we provide expert insights and practical advice to elevate your C5 Corvette experience.
"How to Modify" is a series for any automotive enthusiast looking to modify their Subaru, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Infiniti, Mazda, etc. Whether you are looking for performance, aesthetic, or something to spice up your daily driving experience, these videos will walk you through everything you need to know before you hop into modifying your car.
#chevy #corvette #c5
Thumbnail: @bagged.frc
Video Credit:
ThatDudeinBlue
Shooting Cars
Autobahn Archives
HelloooimJensen
CodyDriven
Crown Racing Co.
Lucky Garage USA
Toys4Life C5
C4 Productions
GO HARDER
KnightDriveTV
Energy Suspension
Rubber City Motoring
Jimmy Bruce
Hudson B
SPXFFY
Chase Farrow
MLZ Garage
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - History
3:18 - Modifications
6:37 - Final Thoughts

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

Are C5's a hidden gem? Let us know! If you like the video and want to support us, pick up car parts, merch & more at www.martiniworks.com!

[@tuck_you3083]

Do a 8th gen v6 Camry . I dare you 😭

[@bolofton]

😂😂

[@terjehimle3107]

ohhh yes :)

[@andrewramirez4951]

Bro I’m trying to buy one stop promoting these 💀

[@Eren13201]

Same

[@alexbarn3841]

Everyone already knows about C5s they’re a dime a dozen, they’re not gonna go up in price

[@silaspostal_]

@@alexbarn3841 20k is not a dime a dozen for smth from late 90's

[@anthonyhouse6702]

I got one definitely worth it sell a organ bro worth it 10000000percent 😭

[@arelmartinez1044]

On god I’m 3k away and they slowly all going and rising😤😤

[@almostlastplace]

I got a C5 as my first project car and I absolute adore it. I'm running it with a Texas speed cam and LGM longtubes and coils (along with a ton of other things) looking to widebody and change up the wheels from the rep C7Z wheels on it now. The car itself is now stupidly sentimental due to so many important memories being made with it/in it but I'm glad the car that is the most sentimental to me also happens to just be an incredibly fun to own and drive

[@bigbutt5647]

Hey man I’ve been absolutely loving learning everything about the platform. Only issue is everyone in my life doesn’t support the decision. I have everything worked out, the money, insurance, etc everyone’s main arguement is it’s “impractical”. As a c5 owner how unpractical for daily use do u think it is. I’m in Rhode Island so the roads aren’t perfect but they get a bad wrap, atleast in my area. Are hills and inclines too much? Is it too u comfortable? Any details of living with it would be appreciated

[@exactlybasically8603]

I just got mine for 20k, 65k miles, one owner. Dale has no idea what’s about to happen to his baby.

[@Ranguvar13]

Hahaha, you said it perfect. Similar situation here. Man I bought my c5z from refused to sell until a 100% sunny weekend because he didn't want to let it touch rain...

[@raamyasharahla535]

🤣 I told the old man I bought mine from the same thing. If he only knew!!!!!

[@YBKJ.50]

Got mine 63k manual clean title for 13k

[@exactlybasically8603]

@@YBKJ.50veryyyy nice

[@francoistaillefer6930]

zo6 or ls1?

[@Atlas.X9X]

I think the interior has aged just fine. A few more suggestions: Update the head unit and it feels much newer. Update all of the lighting (interior and exterior) to LEDs for about $1300 and it's wayyy better. Update the C5 manual shift knob to a C6 manual shift knob and it's better. Upgrade the seats to C6 or C7. You all can run up the prices of C5's now, I already have one in the garage.

[@caseymoore4759]

I truly don’t get the hate on the interior lol I think it looks cool and just upgrading a couple things like the steering wheel and radio make a giant difference

[@hollowshadow1544]

Agree on all points except shifter, go with mgw

[@Atlas.X9X]

@@hollowshadow1544 I agree, I haven't done that yet. I cut 1 inch off the C5 shifter and added a C6 knob.

[@joels6736]

Had mine since 2010. I let her sit for close to 7 years, flushed all fluids, put fresh gas in, cleaned the plugs, and she happily fired right up. These cars already have a very nice power to weight ratio. I personally focused on mods that took weight off the front, tightened up the suspension and brakes, and put sticky tires on it. The result is a very snappy but extremely controllable and reliable track prepped machine that, while rougher than stock, is still more than bearable on the street. Mods: A/c delete with ATI super damper without the a/c pulley section and 10% underdrive (6lbs lighter than stock), AMT motor mounts, HPI trans brace, Pfadt control arm poly bushing (drilled out the factory control arms and install zerk grease fittings for easy yearly greasing), Pfadt Johny O sway bars, Bilstein sport shocks, HOWE racing ball joints front and rear upper and lower, Bump steer inner and outer rods front and rear, battery relocated to the trunk, single 16" radiator slim fan (stock double fan is heavy, about 5-6 lbs savings, no over heating issues after tuning fan curve), Pfadt tri-Y headers no cats (mostly for the 20lb weight savings off the front), SS brake lines, Hawk HPS pads, Willwood stock sized 2-piece drilled and slotted rotors, Nitto NT01 sticky ickys. Future mods: relocating radiator to the rear with full electric water pump setup, OS giken LSD, Penske custom springed coilovers with remote canisters, hand porting heads and going 1 size up on the valves with undercut stems, custom mild cam 214/218 .575/.575 117 LSA.

[@joshuafallet5690]

Always loved the c5 looks so nice tbh.

[@KleanShots]

Love the c5, picking up one soon

[@ChaseFarrow]

Aye! Thanks for featuring my car!

[@nickbro_mero]

bought a c5 in 2019 with my dad from this older gentleman who bought a C7 with the same spec. ours had every bell and whistle you can imagine for the time, a convertible with a 6 speed which turns heads more often bc of the pairing of the two, $10k for a car with 30k miles, got it for a steal when we did, absolutely love it

[@CodyDriven]

Thanks for the feature🔥🔥

[@lesedixz]

Lol I was just watching the old do you want a c5 Corvette video randomly for fun then this video pops up

[@Luckydraw4me]

Just got a 02 c5 Z06 i love it

[@masoncook72]

I just bought my built cammed 33k mile 02 just a month ago, has some minor misfire problems but taking it to get retuned soon. other than that, this thing is nuts.

[@voidcmplx]

lucky garage mentioned 🔥🔥🔥

[@illuminate4]

a video on the sc300/400/soarer would be interesting.

[@navyy5131]

might as well do one for the c6 as well

[@K24516]

C5 in the era of early 2000’s chevy time

[@wandering_moto]

Here’s a hack for you guys. FK8 fitment. If it fits an FK8, it will work on a C5. I run Rotiform R147 WGRs 19x9.5 +40, with 275/35 square. Fits damnear perfectly flush with about -2.5 camber upfront. Im lowered, though not completely slammed. 5x120 wheels work, but you will need hubcentric rings.

[@silaspostal_]

wtf thats interesting

[@sp3gg]

Sick vid bro!!!! When's the Chevrolet Volt video coming?

[@IvanMiata]

Buying a z this Saturday, been my dream car since I first saw one as a kid back in 2004! For the interior I plan on getting sparco qrt’s in suede/leather and eventually wrapping most of the dash+headliner in suede to give it a better look/feel! Super excited to throw way too much money into a 20+ year old car instead making the smart decision at 23 to buy a house 😂

[@brycehollen6373]

I’m fitting 18 by 11 front and rear on c5 the leaf suspension is actually really nice too after lowering bolts in the rear

[@DavidTerceira-ss2yh]

Try coilovers, you won’t believe the difference. Good luck!

[@drxqn]

That Vette on the thumbnail is 🥵

[@silaspostal_]

that would be "@bagged.frc" or cam. lots of stuff of him on yt, mostly from his trip to slammedenuff gat this yr, idk if he has an yt channel tho, but thats his ig and tiktok user

[@RR-in7do]

I've just been throwing C6 Z06 parts on mine. 😅 Wheels, tires, sway bars, shocks.

[@emacgggaming9732]

literally just thinking about getting one of these get out of my head

[@wr1ght939]

What song do y’all use for these intros?

[@stephenmolinski6837]

Keep the Corvette content coming. 🤌

[@AaronLatimer]

LS the world baby.

[@caseyrenner2061]

Should do something on Jackson Racing or comptech

[@foxbatmotorsports]

I wonder if that same TE37 set-up would fit my 4th gen F-body?

[@ADHDgaming00]

Can you do the 2017 ish charger 5.7?

[@funkonsight]

Please do Acura Legend soon. Can’t even find anything from your old F.I days

[@Dior_fr3ddy]

I’m tryna get this shit asap

[@K_Swap_The_World_69]

Oh no not the deer! 🦌 🤣

[@behindbarsmototouring898]

I watched for that white white Nissan Cedric!!

[@oscarmazariegos5585]

Do a C7!!

[@AlossFS]

My c5 z06 valve spring broke while idling in the driveway. The sounds it made... Oof. Incredibly, no damage other than valve spring replacement.

[@tehtehkhantengames8580]

I have driven two c6's, two sn95 mustangs, a sn 197 mustang, two s550's, a tt 300zx, a 335xi and a c5. The c5 has consistently been my favorite and I honestly don't even know why. Mine is way beyond stock... way, but even when it was stock it was so much damn fun and felt like it was on rails even when it was stock suspension. I honestly prefer it over the c6 for aesthetic reasons and it doesnt take much money at all to surpass the performance of newer vettes.

[@deontejames430]

Where can I get wheels like those that are stance wheels?

[@volt101x]

First thing you need to do is replace the stock Harmonic Balancer before adding more power 👍

[@AntonioRodriguez-rl7nd]

Could you do a how to modify for the Honda civic 8th gen please??

[@BaddDukk]

I love my C3 but the power these have is making me consider a change..

[@Projectcharles]

got mine for 19k, 51k miles and 1 owner

[@chris3.873]

I’m glad I got my c5 before all these c5 videos started to come out😬

[@huntrusso]

So glad I bought a C5 Z06 a year ago. Everyone is finally figuring out how sweet these cars are

[@Ranguvar13]

Same man! The front end (to me) is one of the best on any car, better than the FD RX-7 even, especially with low-profile square LED headlights.

[@salsa_50]

you can find these in pretty good condition for around $7k-12k on fbm. i myself am planning to go that route and then mod the shit out the engine with a cam and turbo kit and more, slap on some coil overs, new rims/tires, etc. overall should come out to around $25k for a beast of a vette. imo, c5's are one of the best vettes I've ever seen.

[@elitebose0088]

I would be needing inspiration for a 1995 pontiac firebird, if you like?😎

[@caseymoore4759]

Glad I got my clean example to build while they are still under the radar! In 10 years it’ll be far harder to find these clean garage kept boomer cars

[@drakehoward9631]

Just got a 2001 with 160k miles for $7800, I know what you're thinking but I'm saving up to rebuild the motor and trans next

[@Gspapi]

Rip my dream i getting one for the low 😪

[@leightonarcher4283]

can we get the same for c6

[@pain.497]

I want the C6 more

[@raamyasharahla535]

I have both c5 and a c7….. I’m thinking a c6 couldn’t hurt either

[@speedfiend925]

Controversial take on this channel: C5s look perfect completely stock. 😁

[@gravity4515]

I’m ready to wear my Jean shorts

[@DSmoove]

Somebody offered me one of these for my 1996 Impala I’m torn trying too see if I should do it

[@carterbishop2935]

bought my 2003 Z06 in 2012. Original owner had Les Stanford Chev in Dearborn MI build up the engine,supercharge her, upgrade the trans/clutch, headers, aftermarket exhaust and lower suspension about 3/4 inch. She's got 590 rwhp but drives smooth at 35 mph in 4th gear. She's wearing stock wheels and tires so she cannot do a dig but doing rolls on the freeway allows for her to embarrass much newer and more expensive sports cars. I could sell her for what I paid for her in 2012 which was 25k.

[@martymccord9875]

Now do the pontiac g8/Holden commodore ve

[@ryanwilliams5904]

Wish I knew how to drive manual cuz dude I want one of these without that bunk 4 speed auto transmission.

[@0Heeroyuy01]

i have a 01 auto its not a bad car, and i daily drive it and drive it hard

[@frankgrant5399]

Not hard to learn to drive a stick, and it's more fun in my opinion. (Base 2002 6 speed z51 suspension)

[@SpeedCultureStudios]

Aluminum LS1 and aluminum trans-axel but not aluminum chassis.

[@dahdoinkman854]

Oooo brother I already see the Miata affect happening to the c4/c5 :-((( if you don’t already have one you better get one asap

[@blakerodriguez5999]

Is this a thing?? I own a c4 and c5 so I guess I’m good lol 😂

[@user-ur9gj6ju5z]

nope gotta get the clamshell ones

[@chrisramos2532]

And this is my sign to buck up and buy air suspension for my c5z

[@chandlermcknight8438]

How to modify a Volvo S60R🙏

[@peaohvee1784]

Steps before you start dumping cash into mods 1. Harmonic Balancer 2. Torque tube bushings 3. Do your clutch while you're at it 4. Skip Shift Eliminator (manual cars) 5. Steering Lock Bypass 6. whatever mods you want after here oh yeah. and dont buy a car with F45/55 active suspension. theres a way to code around it on the 02 and 03 iirc. but best way to not have to do that. is dont buy a car with it.

[@jahbetts6682]

Unc wore a sun visor

[@mindtwister6249]

I’ve got a 2002 automatic when I tell you that gearing is LONG like I can hit 50 in first

[@unknownerror5926]

or hear me out, an LS3 swap, ccw wheels, Viking triple adjustable coils, and some Spec corvette aero...

[@dantheman1689]

lol “You’re voting red…”

[@jessevergara4946]

Got mine 18k 70k miles

[@frankgrant5399]

Bought mine last July, in Ontario Canada approximately $18,000 US and also 70k. Love it.

[@vilhelmstein2091]

No more fitment industries?

[@Ghostchild81]

Please please do an Infiniti M37s 56s for a friend of course 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sethcheak3349]

Chill bro I'm saving for one, now I need like 8k more😞

[@alexl9334]

6th gen celica

[@dontever]

When's "How to modify a 3rd gen GK5 Honda Fit"

[@ianeric4205]

Hey Alex can you maybe talk about an American car conversion from left hand drive to right hand drive 😅

[@Brennan_TE]

Just got a 2000 C5 for 12500 and I upgraded from a 2000 Honda civic

[@AaronLatimer]

325/30's fit on the rears if you like living on the edge of destroying your fenders and don't mind them rubbing on the inner wells. So no. They don't actually fit but they do if you think they do.

[@DavidTerceira-ss2yh]

If you know what you’re doing, they will fit.

[@AaronLatimer]

@@DavidTerceira-ss2yh They'll fit just fine with some minor modification. ie; spacers and fender flares

[@TheVihtahousu86]

Why you yelling????

[@aaronhancock9864]

I almost bought a C5 Corvette, but I talked myself out of it and went with a 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Some days I regret the decision, but I wouldn't have room to pack all our stuff for a honeymoon in the back of the car, and I'd be danged if we were going to take my wife's rinky dink little HHR.

[@arelmartinez1044]

Heard the Genesis 2.0t better than the veloster, I was gonna get the Genesis but right when I was checking out the g a c5 pulled up next to us and I said “fwaaak I want oneee” now I’m here saving up 3k just for a stock c5👍

[@antlaurence]

You can fit a lot in the hatch of a base c5.

[@caseymoore4759]

I wouldn’t even trade my old 15 mustang gt pp for my c5….. a veloster! 😂 Go look at a trunk space videos lol so big

[@boywonderrr71]

STOP PROMOTING THE CORVETTES!! I need to be able to buy one shhhhhh🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫

[@BeeTrev]

I own one, “its easy to work” is thee biggest lie ive ever heard in my life bro.

[@boywonderrr71]

STOP LYING!!! E46 is the most BEAUTIFULL😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 BMPHUCINGW there is

[@tunerdadtunerdad7927]

Buy c5....skip headers and H pipe. Buy ebay cat back and A&A supercharger system. DO NOT add poly bushings....if you do it won't be long before your fenders no longer line up. Drop on stock bolts......

[@blakerodriguez5999]

What are it talking about with the bushings? I’ve never heard this

[@birdfacts8730]

stop making videos about the C5, they're already climbing in price ;(

[@the13546754]

You don't carry much stuff for the c5. Lol

[@0Heeroyuy01]

as someone with a C5 lets see what your opinion is, so step up to the plate. disagree with all of this

[@clintcheezewood]

@MartiniWorks please delete this and just make a new vid. But.....just say it's outright trash. That way the value will go back down. It's crazy what ppl are wanting for these in my area, and if you want a non-clapped out z06, just forget about it

[@rharrison79]

Want to modify your c5? Don’t watch this video, these guys are clueless.

[@Ls_corvette]

I had one and it was nothing, but problems. C6 is so much better:

[@caseymoore4759]

They are basically the same car 😂 your car just had issues. Doesn’t mean they all suck. Trans for example…. Same t56 in both c5 and c6 cars. You use all the same short shifters, clutches etc. a good amount of engine stuff is also swappable, even a lot of suspension parts are swappable. The Chevy engineers said themselves it’s about a 10% increase going from the c5-c6…… they said it was a 250% improvement going from the c4 to c5

[@Ranguvar13]

C5 looks unique from the front, C6 looks pretty generic imo

[@joekoenig9587]

Stick with the Japanese cars …. They look much better all fucked up! 😂

[@yeetllmcskeetllw6389]

if you need a car to make u think “do i actually like american cars” then go back to ur jdm shit if it’s anything short of love ur not welcomed. oh and the fd rx7 is the japanese vette not the other way around 🤦 cmon now the vette been around since the 50s

[@Ranguvar13]

Lol that not welcomed shit is goofy. I love Japanese cars and own one but the C5 is one of the most Japanese designs of any American car, and was released during a time when Japan had dominance in the sports car market, it makes sense. C5Z makes for huge grins every time

[@yeetllmcskeetllw6389]

@@Ranguvar13 when you have a community of all kinds of people who love american cars you don’t wanna see or hear people saying “oh ig this one made me like american cars” that’s like a backhanded compliment

[@Ranguvar13]

@@yeetllmcskeetllw6389 I mean low key my C5Z made me appreciate American cars? I feel like that’s not a controversial thing to say at all lol. I wanted a GT350 prior but either way those were the only two American cars of everything I had considered for my first sportscar. All my previous experiences with “domestic” brands that had less American parts than Honda at the time, were very poor. The GM C5/C6 and 5th/6th Camaros and Ford S197/S550 Mustang are where things started to get decent, minus the GM active fuel management and the crappy MT-82 trans in the manual Mustang… and Fiat/Chrysler/Shitlantis quality and security is not something I’d live with personally, as cool as the Challenger and Charger are, they’re on a legacy and underperforming super heavyweight platform.

[@mikeeaton9822]

The C5 is a beautiful car but you all killed the look by lower and giving it way to much toe angle which equals tire wear and poor handling.

[@justpiri421]

these are actually super terrible avoid at all costs

[@caseymoore4759]

😂😂 wrong

[@voidcmplx]

bro tryna keep the prices low 💀

[@ivanjovanovic362]

Why are you telling us how to modify our cars? I'll modify it how I want it

[@wacofives5094]

LITTLE WEIRD PLUCKER! FROM SQUEKY SUCKS BABY FOOD THROUGH A STRAW!!