ScaryFast

Ok gents, it's time to graduate from vintage racing the C4 and join the rest of you at the adult table this Thanksgiving.

I've been shopping C5Z's for awhile now, there are lots under $20k and a few of the first gen 2001 cars in the $15k range.

Then I got to thinking...what about 2005 LS2 cars? I found several in the low $20k range.

Thus the question - which is going to be a better long term platform for racing? I want to keep it a PTA car, so LS3 cars are not eligible. Z51 is ok, though. Other than that, both cars are base classed as PTA*, so very little modification will be allowed. Therefore, bascially "stock to stock", which car is a better race car?

Consider the following:

• Initial cost to turn car into a race car (not including cost of car)
• Availability of parts (replacement and aftermarket)
• Cost of parts
• Reliability (i.e. oiling issues like the LS3 cars have)
• Longevity of the platform (need probably 5 years)
• etc

Thoughts, especially from those of you with experience with both platforms?
Thanks!

Racer-38

WHAT EVER YOU CHOOSE....BUY A RACE CAR THAT IS ALREADY BUILT!!!!!!!! YOU WILL SAVE SO MUCH MONEY AND HEADACHES

ScaryFast

Bob, that's definately good advice, and it's also a consideration. I'm also looking into buying a wrecked car. However, one of my scenarios involves driving the car on the street until C4 sells. So for this topic, especially since PTA is damn near stock anyway, I want to talk about starting with a street car.

Jason

Given the oiling problems, I think I'd go LS6.

0Vector Vette

Jon,
I am not familiar with PTA rules, is drysump legal? If so, I would go LS2 for sure. Car is faster and will hold value longer in my opinion.

mrc24x

Now that I'm over you jumping ship......C5Z. A lot of proven race miles. Plenty of parts. Cheaper than a C6.

PushinTheLimit

I was looking at the same thing you were and I finally came to a conclusion that the C6 LS2 cars are a little out of my price range right now (the ones that are road race prepped). A good T1 C5Z is going somewhere between $25k-$35k alot of times with tons of spares. Most T1 C6Z LS2 cars are in the low to mid $50k. So I ended up choosing the C5Z for the bang for your buck on the car.

I think the C5Z and C6 LS2 are a good match under the Nasa rules... especially for ST2 and probably even PTA. But I too would suggest to find a way to just get a prepped car already done, it will save you so much hassle and money.

Jason

PTA is probably one of the rare occasions when it's easier to start with a street car. Sway bars, 295's, seat and cage and you're done. If you bought someone else's track-car, you'd probably have to undo a lot of stuff to get back to PTA.

davidfarmer

I'd buy a C5Z, unless you find a killer bargain on an early C6. Other than the styling of the C6 (which I like better), the C5 is mechanically identical in almost every way, and you won't have the headache of dealing with electronic door handles, TPMS's etc. Plus, you can get C5 spare parts on e8ay for next to nothing (if you snipe and shop around)

spazegun2213

c5 hands down for RACING. The ls2 might produce too much power and you may end up having a 3500lb race car... which is never good, lol!

Also, you have a PM

ScaryFast

Awesome input, thanks guys.

What about the brakes? Most likely I'd upgrade as it's not much of a penalty (we're not talking T1, here ), but just in case, are the calipers the same? I know Popp has had success with stock C5 calipers...what about the C6?

Robert - Dry sump is a point penalty, I'll have to check how much. Do the LS2 cars have the oiling problems? I thought that came about with the LS3.

And right now, I agree with you guys - C5Z is a bargain for a helluva car. But in 3 - 5 years, will that still be the case? I don't want to trade in a 15 year old car for a 10 year old car and be right back here in the near future, with a dried up aftermarket and a tired car that I can't keep running.

Also, is there a T1 sway bar kit for the C6 yet?

Z06_BluByU

mechanically the c5 and c6 are almost identical.. thereby eliminating the dried up aftermarket bit.. I believe the C6 and C5 brakes are the same (non-z51).

eogel

Another one bites the dust!

Jon,

Like Matt, I hate to see you make the move, but fully understand it.
Best of luck in finding a replacement.

Ed

drivinhard

I think the difference there is C4 - C5 - C6.

There's a huge jump in technology from C4 - C5. The C6 is essentially a tweaked version of the C5. A '97 C5 is not all that worlds away from a 2010 C6. A '96 C4 is.

And I agree with Jason on the C5Z-PTA thing. You'd probably spend as much if not more time un-doing a previous race car, than starting with a street car. Simply because there isn't much you can do to one. I guess it would depend on your donor car though.

FWIW, I plan to run my '01 up to PTA (aka, Spec C5Z . It may or may not happen in 2010, likely for sure by 2011.

L98Terror

The fastest car in TTA/PTA is currently a C4, just saying

ScaryFast

How do you figure? Katrina won TTA in Utah, that's what matters.

Only one C4, an ST1 car that you passed.

ScaryFast

PTA is the place to be, man. I'll most likely keep running the C4 there in 2010 while this project comes together. I was thinking of heading down to play with you guys in December at RA, but instead I'm having knee surgery.

Awesome.

mrc24x

Prexactly! They need to slow those Multi-Time National Championship C5Z's down a little. I heard a rumor that the base tire for A is going to be 255.........j/k

drivinhard

The problem is down here, we don't have any time in the off season to do a big race car project. We'll barely have time to change brake pads from RA in Dec to CMP in early Feb

Least you have another car to run while the other gets underway

L98Terror

No C4s running TTA in Utah & I believe a certain C4 beat a Certain C5Z06 at Mid Ohio that won in Utah. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the C4 is the car top beat in TTA/PTA in 2010