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'00 FRC Hardtop - moar LS/Murica/long distance high speed cruising

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  • '00 FRC Hardtop - moar LS/Murica/long distance high speed cruising

    With my 6.0 LS powered E39 saying goodbye in late December '15, I was in the market for something smaller, more fun, more agile, and better on gas. I was willing to give up some horsepower and engine size to gain that, but found a nice compromise After about 8 months of deliberation I settled on this nice 2000 Corvette FRC Hardtop (fixed roof coupe).

    After the usual slew of homework and background checks on the car, I booked a flight out to Providence to go pick her up. Nothing quite like getting on a one way flight with a pair of license plates and crossed fingers. This was my first time buying a car out of state and everything went off without a hitch.

    Apologize in advance for the poor quality pics. Here is the traditional long winded, pic heavy story.

    Early flight out of Buffalo to Philadelphia was uneventful if a bit early.

    Somewhere over PA:
    IMG_1177 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1178 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Flying into Philly on a nice Sunday morning. Need to visit in person some day.
    IMG_1180 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1179 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Quick layover and a bite to eat, back on the plane to continue on to Providence. 40 minutes later, the sellers Joe and Kathy picked me up at T.F. Green Airport and we made the 45 min drive to their place to inspect the car. I can't thank them enough for their generosity in making the drive there and back on a Sunday morning!

    Pulled up to their place and pulled out Kathy's new C7 and my new C5 for inspection, comparison, and general drooling.

    Kathy's new C7 Stingray. What a sound out of the exhaust on this car...no, it's not stock either
    IMG_1185 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    15 year generation gap
    IMG_1186 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1187 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1188 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1189 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Myself and the new car.
    IMG_1217 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    After tying up the last few loose ends I tossed my bag in the car, said my goodbyes, thanked Kathy and her husband for everything, and hit the road:
    IMG_1216 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    I was lucky enough to get a 50F day at the end of January with no snow on the ground to make this journey.

    Some ominous clouds gathering around Hartford CT
    IMG_1194 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Open road and remnants of fall scenery in Connecticut
    IMG_1198 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1196 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    I passed over this bridge north of Hartford many times as a kid in the family van on the way to visit family. A nice memory.
    IMG_1199 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1200 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1201 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Beautiful skies coming out of Massachusetts, pictures don't do it justice.
    IMG_1202 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    hmmmm...decisions, decisions.
    IMG_1203 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Cruising at an easy 82mph, the car returned stellar gas mileage.
    IMG_1205 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Being the realist that I am, I decided to pull over to fill up the half empty tank and see how she really did. Exactly 250.1 miles, it used 9.345 gals, for an average of 26.7 mpg, with me ripping on it every chance I got. I'm sure it would come close to 30mpg if I were cruising at 70.

    Some pictures and admiring the lines as the sun set in Central New York State

    IMG_1207 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1208 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1209 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1210 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1211 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    IMG_1212 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Last couple hours were uneventful.
    IMG_1213 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    The HUD is awesome.
    IMG_1214 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    Finally back to the Bat Cave:
    IMG_1215 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


    Will be back in a BMW some day, but for now it's time to enjoy this one. :woohoo: : :cheers: :rock: :thumbs:

    2/2/16:

    I took it out fer a rip last night and drove it to work this morning. Seriously daily-able.

    Placed some orders last night:

    TR55 plugs
    GMPP Red plug wires
    a shitload of oil filters (at $3 a pop for OEM AC Delco parts you can't go wrong)
    wiper blades
    air filter and fuel filter
    hood lip seal (weatherstripping)
    4x leave-in jacking pucks so i can get this pig up on the lift
    some interior trim pieces that the PO broke
    stubby antenna

    once the jacking pucks come in I plan on doing plugs, wires, engine oil + filter, trans fluid, diff fluid, fuel filter. The motor has an ever so slight miss while sitting at a light, and based on looking at most of the stuff under the hood I'm guessing the plugs and wires are original. I also need to order the LCM5 column lock bypass - even though the column lock was replaced/serviced multiple times over the past couple years.

    I did the zip tie mod to the intake last night and it definitely is a big improvement on the butt dyno. I took apart the whole snorkel/"power duct" to inspect it and am glad I did. bunch of leaves, dust, and general grime came out of the pre-filter area, and the MAF screen had last seen daylight circa 2000.

    _DSC4652 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

    The marks are just from me gently rubbing my finger on the screen face. Luckily the screened portion is removeable from the heated wire element so I gave it a hot soapy bath with a toothbrush, rinsed out the lower airbox, and put the whole thing back together.



    Finally I pulled the codes - looks like they are all history codes - I need to check the listing and see what they're all for.

    video, sharing, camera phone, video phone, free, upload

    2001 BMW 560i 6.0 LSx/T56 SOLD


    2000 Corvette Hardtop FRC

  • #2
    really like the sleek 90s lines of the c5 coupes. excited to see where this goes
    IG @gt3_brz

    My Mustang Build
    http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...=1#post1552949

    My BRZ Build
    http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=86482

    My F100 Build
    http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=97329

    Comment


    • #3
      i plan on test fitting some style 65s on it later this month (OEM E39 M5 wheel)

      2001 BMW 560i 6.0 LSx/T56 SOLD


      2000 Corvette Hardtop FRC

      Comment


      • #4
        Loved your E39 build, excited to see where this one goes. Always glad to see someone representing the Buffalo area so well ! Still wish I had seen the GMW before I moved.
        My Build:

        Comment


        • #5
          cant wait to see where this goes.
          Insta Mintyhinrichs

          Comment


          • #6
            nice car like to see where this goes

            Comment


            • #7
              Nice man I have a huge soft spot for FRC C5s.

              @fackinsteve ; fackin build thread :
              http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...ill-build-E36s

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              • #8
                Google doesn't know what it'll look like but I love style 65's so I'm gonna check in here to see how it'll look
                SAAB 900 T16s

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                • #9
                  I'm thinking either Style 65s or M-Parallels

                  2001 BMW 560i 6.0 LSx/T56 SOLD


                  2000 Corvette Hardtop FRC

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I loved your 5 series! Excited to see where youll take this.
                    E36 Bonnie

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Congrats!!!!

                      Definitely do LCM5 and I highly suggest HP Tuners to kill the column lock. It blows when that strands you.

                      Chinese long tubes are worth it.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by white out View Post
                        Congrats!!!!

                        Definitely do LCM5 and I highly suggest HP Tuners to kill the column lock. It blows when that strands you.

                        Chinese long tubes are worth it.
                        What this man says.

                        Lucas
                        Daily: 2004 Pontiac GTO. . . . . . . . . Daily Econobox: 2009 Mini Clubman Cooper
                        Originally posted by LCG
                        High 21! It's like a high 5 but includes both hands, both feet and a boner.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Time to resurrect my old LSX stainless license plate frame, which lived a life of glory and burnouts and commutes on my 6.0 LSX BMW.

                          _DSC4656 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          the mild hardware on the BMW plate had left its mark on the stainless plate frame. not good.

                          _DSC4657 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          the black background to the LSX nameplate had seen some mileage too.

                          _DSC4658 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          a brillo pad made quick work of the staining

                          _DSC4659 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          I ran the brillo pad over the whole surface of the stainless plate frame for good measure, the wife definitely won't be happy about the outline left on her kitchen towels from all the dirt and corrosion removed. I thought this was pretty funny

                          _DSC4660 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          the solution for everything is carbon fiber (3M wrap)

                          _DSC4664 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          lay the background against the vinyl wrap

                          _DSC4665 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          work the edges out with your fingers for a smooth finish

                          _DSC4666 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr


                          ok, so work out the edges, trim it, and put it behind the plate frame - now we're talking

                          _DSC4668 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          ok - let's get serious - no more cosmetic BS - time to get dirty

                          _DSC4670 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          I am a big fan of cheap/free mods that return REAL gains, so the zip tie mod was in order. the existing air filter had seen better days.

                          _DSC4671 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          this should breathe just a bit better.

                          _DSC4673 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          I am a big advocate of starting fresh on maintenance history so I decided to start fresh on all drivetrain fluids, starting with the differential.

                          _DSC4674 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          The diff oil MAY have been changed - not sure. At 105K I'd rather not take a chance
                          _DSC4676 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          What came out wasn't too bad in all honesty. A bit dark but overall clean with no particulate
                          _DSC4678 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          I also changed the trans fluid (T56) with new Dex III, no pics. What came out (again) wasn't bad, but wanted to start fresh. Finally, a fresh oil change with 5W30 Mobil 1 Full Syn. and AC Delco Filter rounded out the fluid changes.

                          the MaxJax lift makes things a bit easier

                          _DSC4679 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          _DSC4680 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          Oil and Filter
                          _DSC4681 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          Rounded out the maintenance with new TR55 spark plugs and Red Chevrolet Performance Plug Wires

                          _DSC4682 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          The old plugs looked so - so, but the gap on them was abysmal - up to .075" on the worst ones
                          _DSC4683 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          Driver's side 1 3 5 7

                          _DSC4686 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          Workspace

                          _DSC4684 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          105K worth of use
                          _DSC4686 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          new red GM Performance Wires
                          _DSC4687 by Norbert Ogiba, on Flickr

                          Luckily, I was able to reuse all the stamped metal heat shields for all the new wires.

                          Took the wife to the driving range and hit a couple buckets of balls. Car ran flawlessly. I spent Super Bowl Sunday morning washing the exterior, vacuuming inside, detailing the dash and door panels, cleaned glass, and cleaning the "udders" inside the engine compartment. Some minor leaves/crap in the udders, removed them and the AC drain and hosed them down inside and out.

                          Picking up a set of Z06 Titanium mufflers tonight locally to replace the droning bullet mufflers on the car now

                          Now that the car is pretty much all set with maintenance, I am going to passively start looking for some longtubes and and LS6 intake. In the meantime while I wait for spring I'll be trying my hand at paint correction since the clearcoat has random light scratches everywhere from 16 years of use. I think it has a lot of potential to look great with some work.
                          Last edited by nsogiba; 02-08-2016, 09:02 AM.

                          2001 BMW 560i 6.0 LSx/T56 SOLD


                          2000 Corvette Hardtop FRC

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Running any better with the new wires and plugs? Air filter mod just runs open then right?

                            Looking good and awesome to see that some of the fluids were clean.
                            Insta Mintyhinrichs

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Yes, air filter mod removes the shroud covering it so that the filter is open. I added some weatherstripping to the hood/bumper connection so that the filter wouldn't get drips of water on it when driving in heavy rain. Should have been there from the factory IMO.

                              There was a slight miss at idle once every couple seconds, after the plugs and wires it's reduced, but I only put about 20 miles on the car after the work, so I can't really say that it's gone yet. Weather here blows.

                              Picked up a sweet set of Titanium factory Z06 mufflers last night for a steal, I will need to modify the current exhaust to allow them to bolt up. Car is already up on the lift, I'll be cutting off the old exhaust tonight. My neighbors are not going to like me.
                              Last edited by nsogiba; 02-09-2016, 09:40 AM.

                              2001 BMW 560i 6.0 LSx/T56 SOLD


                              2000 Corvette Hardtop FRC

                              Comment

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