First launching for the 2001 model year as a successor to the ZR-1, the C5 Corvette Z06 hit the scene as a new high-performance model variant that gave a hat tip to the Z06 of the classic ‘60s-era C2 Corvette. Offering sharper handling, higher grip, less weight, and more power, the C5 Corvette Z06 is definitely an impressive machine, even by the standards of today. This particular example is pretty much immaculate, but does have a few issues that need to be addressed – one of which is somewhat serious, as covered in the following video.
This C5 Corvette Z06 is from the 2003 model year, and presents in very clean condition with less than 15,000 miles on the clock. The 50th Anniversary Crossed Flags badging is on the exterior.
The vehicle’s owner brought their Corvette Z06 to the video host for a check-up and to address a few lingering issues. The tune-up includes a brake fluid flush, oil change, and general inspection, including an inspection of the engine’s harmonic balancer, which is considered a known fail point for the vehicle.
The video starts with a walk around the exterior, showing off the surprisingly nice paint (save for a single paint chip near the driver’s side door). Under the hood, the C5 Corvette Z06 cradles the naturally aspirated 5.7L V8 LS6 engine, which got a power boost for the 2002 model year to 405 horsepower. Output is routed to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual.
We next get a tour of the interior, which looks equally as nice. Afterwards, the C5 Corvette Z06 gets hoisted up into the air, and everything looks pretty good underneath as well. The video host leads the viewer through all the important bits and pieces, including the suspension, the lower engine components, the exhaust system, and the transaxle.
Unfortunately, there are a few issues that need to be addressed. The front door, for example, fails to lock properly. More concerning, however, is the steering lock. According to the video host, the steering lock issue was actually the target of a recall, and could cause the car to stall.
Check out the full video here:
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Comments
It has a nick in the door, so what? Enjoy the car, drive it. You are bound to get a few souvenirs along the way, no matter how careful you are. It’s not a museum piece yet.
I know right? With fewer than 15K miles on it, though, this one’s been a grarage queen most of its life, which makes me sad.
From the factory, the trunk doesn’t have a wall between it and the interior (unless it went with the 2003. Mine was a 2002). If it wasn’t there, the owner has installed an aftermarket wall. Good thing, because without the wall, lots of tire noise. Good thing on the 2002 Z06 removed as much weight as possible, including noise barriers.
It is an aftermarket sound barrier wall. They never came with one from the factory.
I’m the reason the Partition wall existed from 1999-2004 Fixed roof coupes. Not Gm
I owned Zo6parts.com in those years and sold just north of 3500. It was a must have item for sure.
I could sit here for hours and tell the story of why it happened and why it sold for $499.00( in the beginning) and how me and a friend could not build them fast enough.
I now own admperformance.com as well as many others 🤫
Andy, I bought one from you along with a split cargo mat. All of it still looks like new. Superior workmanship! Thanks, so much.
When I changed the foam on my ’98 Convertible’s Sport Seats, I kept the center sections for kneeling on the garage floor. I had the idea of using them as a sound wall, as they are very dense foam.
I had my wife cover them in a heavy fabric, and they fit near perfectly between the waterfall and the B pillar. I have roll bars behind the seats, and I secured the foam to those. They are a very effective sound barrier, even in my Convertible. I have Borla straight pipes, and it helps with that too.
It might not work as well in a hatchback coupe or FRC due to fitment.
I have a 2004 with under 5,000 miles, only drive it on sunny days, never been in the rain. Also a 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP with under 10,000 miles
The column lock issue is an easy fix. I’m surprised the owner has nit already done it. Most all C5’s have had an LC5 column lock bypass kit installed. It only takes about 15 minutes to do. Forget taking it to GM for the recall on it because like most things GM does, their recall fix is also known to fail. Get an aftermarket LC5 kit, install it and forget about it.
I had to fix the column lock system at about 38,000 miles. I purchased a kit from Corvette of Houston, and it fixed it.
I had column lock issue on my 2002 Z06 car was loaded on a flatbed for fix by Chev dealer. All good but soon after same issue, but, was corrected by another Chev dealer.
I am currently waiting on parts since 12/22/22 for my 3rd harmonic balancer replacement. First failed at 50,100, #2 51,700 and now at 52,650 miles.
I had that steering wheel issue on my C5. I bought it from a dealer and paid for an extended warranty. The recall was done on my C5 but the car went into the shut down mode on vacation one year. We took it to the dealer and spent 4 days in a local hotel waiting for it. They couldn’t find what was wrong when I picked it up it started right up. I heard about the bypass module you can buy but where I paid for the warranty, I wanted to leave everything bone stock. I ended up selling the car as a result. Since I’ve had a C6 G.S. and a C8, but I’m thinking that C5z might be the way to go again.
I had purchased the C5 Z06 from a friend, and he had it “fixed” the steering wheel lock issue from a dealer. However the problem came back. The kit I bought from Corvette of Houston, sold a module that plugged into the cars harness for the steering lock, and it simulates the column lock, and that fixed it, finally. I have a copy of the installation document, but I don’t think there is a way of putting it up in this blog.
Has the same issue and problem occurred after the Recall. Corvettes of Houston gave me a 50 dollar part and fixed immediately. The Recall fix made it worse.
I have a 2000 FRC C5 Corvette. Only 17k miles and garage queen. It was the Precursor to the Z06. It is everything Z06 except the motor. Personally, I love it. The LS1 and suspension is amazing. I do like the C8 more for handling but one more kid in college. Doubt I will ever get rid of the FRC C5 though.
The problem was manual shift and a easy plug and play fix.,
The C5 has proven to be one of the best Corvettes of All time. One is at the museum with almost 900,000 miles on it.
The wall is aftermarket and just foam. No real weighy.
The Z06 weight savings is due to no glass rear hatch and no folding top. There is no real gutting as it is a complete comfortable car.
The one main c5 issue is the 97-2000 cars having the Bosch active control units. They can’t be repaired or replaced with a new unit since they don’t make them anymore.
The later cars have Delhi system that can be replaced and repaired.
Back in the day Chevy wasn’t known for chronic problems. What is it, low bidderitis or ‘No Student Left Behind’ engineers?
That’s the Wizard from Show Car Issues, isn’t it?
I own a C5 Commemorative Edition (04) convertible, manual, magnetic selective ride, stock
wheels that i bought brand new in 2004. Not stock any more. (’17) Same block LS1 with custom Comp cam, etc. AHR headers with Bassani Xhaust. Bassani and stock rotors powder coated to match car color in 2007. LOW milage, no winter driving in New England (summer tires).
Wheeezard!!!
99% chance the weak door lock actuator is caused by the associated relay not the actuator itself. The relay was the cause of both left and right weak door lockactuation on my C5.
Bought a 2004 c5 zo6 with 4500 miles on it. Yes I paid a pretty price but the car is basically new, and like you it’s my favorite body style corvette.
Author needs to do his homework. 50th Anniversary Special.Edition cars are Anniversary red with Shale interior and no Z06’s were built with that color.combination. All 2003 cars had the front and rear badges. The official 50th cars also had a 50th badge above the vent on both front fenders.
Wizard? I wouldn’t let this guy touch my lawn mower. Oh, this car will leave his shop for under $1K. It better! For a door lock actuator and an oil change? Uh, NO.
The last front engine Corvette is the best looking one of all time especially when it shows that bulge in the man, er hood area. The new mid-engines would like alright with an Ivan Tampi body widening kit, and of course, (spoil alert) a spoiler.