Widow Mak3r

Been really leaning to the c5 after looking at some c6z's I think $$$ wise the c5 will be my choice.

Now the questions are

Is the ls6 worth my time to build up and put a single turbo on

Or

Should I look at a clean base c5 and put some money into that an do a lq9 swap in that. (Or a different swap)


Really want to have something that I can put a good amount of boost on. For not a ton of $$$

Last-ly. What all would a z06 drive train need to hold up to 1000hp

(Not sure if I really want a 1000hp but I want room to grow)

Phanni

Except for the gear ratios, the drive lines are pretty much identical for base and Z cars. There are several differences in the suspension components, but easily changed. The aerodynamics of the coupe are reportedly better than the Z06. 1000 HP is pretty edge for a street machine,

]Soon you'll be able to find an engine out of a wrecked C-7 Z06, but it'll likely be over $12,000. It'll be more streetable than a highly modified LS engine and have a whole bunch of HP (over 650).

PhysicsDude55

You'll want an LS3 or LQ9. Other blocks are out there too, but those are the cheap and easy ones. You can buy complete Lq9s from wrecked vehicles for $1000 any day of the week.

Z06 has a few goodies that are useful... good stock wheels, better suspension components, weighs about 100lbs less, but for the most part they don't offer that many advantages over a coupe (or convertible for that matter) as a basis for an F/I street car. In general, I find that Z06s are about $2000 more than a comparable coupe. I personally would rather have the $2000 to spend on mods, but its a debatable point.

I think 1000hp is really ambitious... after about 600hp things start getting exponentially more expensive. I would build an engine and turbos capabale for 1000hp, and shoot for 600hp. See how you like it, and if you want more, you can upgrade the drivetrain and other components later.

Keep in mind we're talking RWHP. The new C7Z06 has 585wrhp, and weighs ~3500lbs. A ~3300 lb C5 with 600rwhp will get you the same if not better performance, at least in a straight line.

dbgoodwin

If you're looking to do a major build just get the one you like more. At 1000hp, very little will be left factory.

bikeriderga

Here we go again!!

Basically if you ask C5 owners what the difference is they are going to tell you next to none.

If you ask Z06 owners (who have had or driven both), you are going to hear how much better the Z06 is.

I am going to be one of the latter, not former, so take my opinions appropriately.

First, if you are looking for drag street power, not going to make much difference. Cannot imagine that you are not looking for straight line power at 1000 HP (not going to do you much good on the track anyway). If your ultimate goal was the better track car, then the Z06 is definitely a much better choice. As a bolt on car (or cam/head or mild turbo/SC that I would be tracking), I would still opt for the Z06.

Since you are going to turbo and you pretty much asked about new engines, then it really does not matter. Personally if my goals were the same as yours I would buy the cheapest one I could buy. In this case motor does not matter much, if you plan to swap it out anyway. The frame, body, and chassis would be my concern as well as how long to you plan to keep it in the 500-600 RWHP category.

For the 1,000 HP monster, the Z06 is not going to truly buy you anything over the base except more overall rigidity. You are going to need to swap out the entire drive train anyway and probably will need to go to coil overs. I would consider replacing the engine, transmission, differential, and beef up the suspension any way. The stock components are simply not designed for this kind of HP/Torque and they are going to break.

Engines, I would probably go for the 383 stroker or the LS3. For 1,000 HP you will need full forged internals, so try and get a specialty motor already built to these specs. Several engine builders have these as part of their lineups.

Hope that helps.

4XLR8N

Cheap. Fast. Reliable. Choose any two...you cannot have all three.

redcycle13

The differences in a C5 coupe or convertible, and a Z06 can't be easily quantified without having owned both or driven each frequently. I've owned both a highly modified C5 convertible with over 700rwhp, and a cam only C5 Z06, and the Z06 was more fun. You can use the power of a head and cam Z06 everyday, but not really the 700+ of a boosted street car, and the two cars just feel different. The high power convertible is incredible to drive, but just not the same as a Z06. I would start with a Z06 if you don't want a convertible. I say skip the coupe, but this is just an opinion.

dbgoodwin

Honestly I would just buy an fbody. If you're building a car with that much power, a 15 year old chevy chassis isn't going to handle the power well. A camaro/trans am will be much cheaper, go like hell, and be just as overpowered as a 1000 horsepower corvette.

redcycle13

I actually find the chassis of a C5 to be quite durable, and suprisingly capable with high power. Not necessarily as a drag only car, but a car that can do most things pretty well without major chassis mods.

F&Yb0dluvr

I think the difference on average is closer to $4-5k same year/similar mileage/condition etc...personally if I was building a high HP C5 I would get a high mileage 97-98 for under $10k or maybe get lucky and find any year with a bad motor or salvaged one for cheap..you're going to devalue one anyway if you heavily mod/1000hp so why pay extra for a clean title..

momo20

this all greatly depends on what he is going to do with the car...at the 1000hp levels at that point its just a body style coupe or FRC so that does not really matter imo. like other's have said very little will be left stock engine and drivetrain wise

dbgoodwin

I just don't see anything north of 650 horsepower being great on a c5. You'll need a really aggressive setup, a big turbo, and a lot of boost to get to 1000rwhp, and none of those things are good for road course racing. To even put that kind of power down in any gear you'll need big soft sidewalls, again not good for road course.

Mattie Num Nums

I went with a Coupe over the Z06 because I heard it had better aero. I then threw suspension parts on it with the money I saved.

mrm13

Exactly what I did too….

Vetteman Jack

If I were to do something like this, I'd get a coupe and start the modding. The money you save over the Z06 can be put into new parts for the car.

road pilot

The Op wrote, "Really want to have something that I can have a
good amount of boost on. For not a ton of $$$". (sic)
It will not happen; Power cost's money. Good luck.

Stroker87

if your going to swap engine and turbo it you'll want a LQ4 NOT the LQ9, the LQ4 has -dish pistons so it has less compression and is more boost friendly also the 05+ blocks have stronger rods 04 was a slip year for the stronger rods. lq9 came in GM's suv's and SS trucks, the LQ4 came in HD trucks

on a truck forum there is guys with LQ4 / turbo setup making well over 800+ RWHP on stock bottom ends and have 4600lb trucks running 10's and some even 9's

youtube "stock48" its impressive!

OKZ06

I would choose the style you like the looks of best.

Too me the FRC styling is miles above the rest.

JETninja

Z06's just look better. (Personal opinion of course) Keep it around 600HP and you'll enjoy it a lot more in daily driving. Anything over is just tire wasting.

mrm13

The power goals the OP is looking to achieve means that any parts that would make a difference between a Z06 and Coupe would be replaced. So it really is about looks. I bought my car in the color and set up I liked for a smoking price with 140 000 miles on it. But the miles made no difference, because I have replaced the entire suspension, most of the interior, all the exhaust and have put aftermarket hood, lights and rear fenders. I bought the car with the clear intention to modify it. So I didn't see any sense paying for perfect paint, seats, wheels, when I knew they would be all replaced anyway.
And it's funny about the style thing. The main reason I did not start with a Z06 is because I think the FRC design is the ugliest thing on a Corvette ever. But there are plenty of people who feel same way about many things on my car.
But wanting to make 1000hp, you are basically looking for a shell to stuff with all the right things. So just look for a good deal of the body style you like.