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Steve's 1999 Corvette Convertible

Steve's 1999 Corvette Roadster

Steve's 1999 Corvette Convertible

Factory Options

Original Colour: Pewter
Engine: Chevrolet Standard 5.7 Ltr with an added Stage 1 Performance Kit, which includes a 160F Thermostat, TB By-Pass, Twin Race Air Cleaner and inlets, increased Mass Flow Air sensor, Cold Air Screen entry, Reprogrammed Chip and 2nd - 4th gear lockout removed.
Standard engine is 345HP, but this puts out around 380HP.
Transmission: 6-speed manual.
Differential: 3.42 ratio.
Interior: Colour - Grey.
Other Factory Options: Traction Control, Dual Zone A/C, Memory Pack (A/C, Radio, Mirrors, Seats), 12 way power seats (driver and passenger) and a Bose sound system.
Added Accessories: Bilstein Sports Shocks, Hotchkis Hi-Performance Sway Bars and end-links, Custom s/s long tube headers, flow-through s/s exhaust system and mufflers, enlarged throttle body.

Some more info...

It's just been me and her since the beginning!
I spec'd her, ordered her from the factory in March 99 and took delivery of her new from my local Miami dealer. My only regret is not taking the factory delivery option! Perhaps for the next one!!
I've always loved the look of Corvettes but never thought that I'd get to own one (having been born and bred in Australia where they're not exactly plentiful!). Fortunately though, my work allowed me to travel and so the US thing just sort of happened. Bingo -- access to Corvettes! I originally thought my lovely wife wouldn't let me spend "that sort of money" and so looked at Camaro's and Firebirds. Luckily for me however, she actually pushed me into the Corvette, telling me that I looked like a "grey-haired teenager" in those "other" cars. Thank goodness for the early onset of grey hair!

When we decided to come back to Australia in late 2000, I was devastated with the prospect of leaving the C5 behind, so . . . I did some homework and through the club found people who knew what a Corvette was, where to work on them if needed, and how to go through the importing, conversion and compliance process. Next day, I booked an extra shipping container and the rest is history!

Some of the things I like about her are...

One hell of a big V-8 up front providing incredible power in such a light body!

Good handling (at least now after the suspension upgrade!) given the low centre of gravity, wide track, long wheel base and those huge tyres!.

Comfort with plenty of cabin room (for a convertible - this one even has a trunk/boot!) and lots of mod-cons (buttons everywhere!). I've done a couple of longer trips now and she cruises beautifully (120kph/75mph and only 1400rpm! That's what a six speed and a 3:42 diff. will do for you!). As an aside, she also returns incredible fuel economy when treated gently (aka -- cruise control on the highway. I kid you not -- over 30mpg or under 7.8 l/100 kms for the metrically-minded).

A degree of uniqueness. There are "other" marques everywhere (Was that another Boxter? Yawn! Oh look, a Mazda MX-5/Miata Yawn!! Boy, that Saab sure is UGLY! Yawn!!! Oh Wow, a Corvette!!!! Way to go!).

You'll have gathered by now, I'm a pretty pleased customer. Well done GM!

And just a few more recent improvements...
Custom s/s long tube headers, flow-through s/s exhaust system and mufflers, enlarged throttle body.
All of this now gives me 224Kw at the rear wheels. The dyno guy (who does a lot of work for Holden on research vehicles) says that this equates to about 307Kw at the crank (his reference point being the HSV GTS-300 which puts out 221Kw at the rear wheels).

The PCM is being remapped next week to improve the torque and air/fuel ratios and will perhaps add a further 7-10Kw (if we're lucky!). I'll let you know when that's done!
And . . . all of this without even touching the cam or heads. That LS1 is an amazing engine!!

That's it (for now!!)

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