BossV8

Hi,

I want to go back to a Corvette for my trackdays.

Here in Europe, Z06 are collectors and as such, they are much more expensive than coupes on the second hand market.

I know that the Z is the proper weapon on the track but is it that different? And is it worth the price difference.

Here what I see on the market these days:

C5Z06 - year 2003 - 28.000 miles - carbon hood - $35.000
C5Z06 - year 2002 - 100.000 miles - Borla - $27.600
C5 coupe - year 1999 - 79.000 miles - BBK Wilwood 6 pistons, bilstein - $20.700
C5 coupe - year 2001 - 79.000 miles - stock - $22.000

Which one do you pick up and why?

thanks.

Oh, and for the record : I can pick up a C6LS3 with 50.000 miles for $37.000

93Polo

I would go 01 or newer as the early EBCMs are getting expensive in the States as they are no longer produced and can not be repaired. I wouldn't want to be in Europe calling US salvage yards to track one down.

If you are looking to change springs, swaybars etc. the Z06 does not have as much of a built in price to performance advantage.

brkntrxn

I agree with Polo. My choice would be the 01 C5 base. When and if you progress beyond the stock leaf springs, just go with coilovers.

BossV8

And would you stay away from C6 LS2/LS3?

brkntrxn

As an owner of a 2012 Grandsport, I love the cars and the engine. However, the C5 is going to be cheaper and almost as fast from the beginning.

v10climber

If you're not running a specific racing series and just doing fun track days then a base c5 is probably your best bet unless you've got money to burn. And if you've got extra cash why not spend it on more track days? If you can find a 2001+ base with the z51 handling package it'll be a great car.

93Polo

If I went C6 it would be a LS2 or a dry sump LS3 (Grandsport) / LS7 (Z06)

bigmackloud

I went with an 01' Base. While there are differences, I couldn't justify the extra cost of the Z06.

You can pick up a set of z06 leaf springs, plenty of shock upgrade options. the c6z front sway bar and c6z51 rear bar are cheap upgrades. even if you did a head/cam swap, you'd still be under the z06 purchase price.

Plus if you're doing track days, you'll want to invest in better seats and harnesses. So use some of the money saved towards those items.

BossV8

Could you explain?

I understand about the dry sump. More power, more risk of oil starvation.

But about LS2? I have read it was not as indestructible as the LS1 and le LS3. I am asking because a LS2 would be cheapest here.

BossV8

Outch! Did not know that! There are no solution? EBCMs before/after 01 are not compatible?

93Polo

In my opinion on wet sump cars, the LS6 block cars are the most reliable followed by LS1 and then the LS2. '01+ LS1s may have LS6 blocks as the LS1 block was being phased out. There is much debate on this but a good starting point for reading:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...the-track.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...m-success.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sollution.html

BossV8

Oh wow ...

Then it will be C5 coupe with stock LS1, long headers and upgraded brakes (wilwood ref 140-8230-R) and swaybars/suspensions from a Z06. Maybe a shorter ratio by changing the rear differential.

93Polo

If you want a sway bar upgrade run some searches on the C6 Z51 bars on a C5.

In my opinion given the price difference listed above an 01-04 would be my choice. I was in a facebook group just now with a M code EBCM for $700 which is the part used for a '99-00 without active handling. The V? code with active handling can go for $1,500-$2,000. It may not ever be a problem but when the newer car is not much more, it just doesn't make sense to me all things being equal going for the older car with the harder to find EBCM.

I wouldn't be anymore nervous about tracking a C6 LS2 on something like a good set of Michelin Pilots than a C5. I have a friend with a C6 that is tracking his LS2 without problem on Pilots.

Also the C5s have no problem making it past 100,000 miles assuming proper maintenance, so the 100,000 mile C5Z maybe worth consideration

bigmackloud

Starting in 01, the LS1 got the LS6 intake manifold, which is nice. But bare in mind that means they closed off the rear steam vent ports... which may contribute to the cylinder 7 failures you read about. So you may want to look into adding those back.

As for the rear gear, I'm running a 4:10 gear and have no complaints. Was in the car when I bought it but at least for the track I run at, it works well.

And for any of them, look into a catch can setup (check out Elite Engineering). Helps minimize the amount of oil that gets sucked back through the intake.

BossV8

The C5 coupe seems in mint condition and it already has the BBK. We seem to have spare 99-00 EBCMs here at the club. My tuner says a 99 model is okay to go as the EBCM is faster than before that date. I could buy on just to secure myself?

I am going to look closer at the 100.000 mile Z06 also. The current owner seem pretty calm on the road and also honest. He mentioned an oil leak at the oil sensor but he plans to fix it before sale.

BossV8

Do you see any problem using a C5 convertible as a track car?
I know it will not be allowed on some tracks without a cage, but I am talking rigidity, dynamics, weight or any other matters.

Kelly.s

I track my 2001 vert. Took some effort but installed a rpm roll bar. As my speed improved I did brakes, pads, fluid, lines, rotors, skip shift eliminator, harnes, would like a better seat, sway bars, mpss tires and next will be shocks. First time I remove the muffler I'll do a tunnel plate. This car is still better than I am. Plenty ridged.

BossV8

Interesting ! A Roll Bar in a Vert. Any pictures? What effort did you have to do?

rfn026

Keep in mind that you're running track days. You're not racing.

Track days are about driving around and having a lot of fun. No one wins.

The two most critical things when you run track days are:

Reliability

A Reasonable Budget

Richard Newton
Track Days 101