MeekRN

option 1... 06 Z06
cost-high HP-high ease-high reliability-high depriciate-high
option 2...cheap Z06 or C5 upgrade with new cam heads intake exhaust
cost-medium HP-high ease-hard reliability-medium depriciate-low
option 3...cheapest C5 upgrade with blower and or NO2
cost-medium HP-high ease-medium reliability-medium depriciate-low
option 4 buy cheapest c5 with new LS7 engine
cost-medium HP-high ease-medium Reliability-high depriciate-medium


What are your thoughts on these choices and over all choice that balances getting more HP with balancing cost and time expended and also depriciation value...

vettenuts

I like option 2 myself, and with a careful selection of parts I think reliability can still be kept as "high". I am trying for 400 HP in a very mannered car that will get good mileage and my wife can drive without any undo stress. I don't like option 3, well the NO2 portion of option 3. I think you will eventually blow out piston #7. A Magnacharger is a good option, HP is reasonable and available in the lower RPM as well. But then you need a new hood and paint.

torchvette10

Option 3 for me!!

Jstyle

it really depends on what is important to you cost or reliability...

Shane_S

a Blower can run you into the $7000-$9000 range fast. So i wouldnt call that exactly cheap. IT's about the same price as a real good heads and cam package after installation and all that.

I think I'd go for option 2. Or wait and see if the C6 Z06 prices come down after the next year model is released.

Shane

9secondflat

come on guys, the best bang for the buck is the bottle.... you can add a 100 shot with peace of mind. your torque curve will GO THROUGH THE ROOF. no i personally am not a big fan of the bottle but back in 92 i had a 91 mustang gt with basic mods running 12.50 motor and had a $500 run against a 91 vette- 383 stroker done by lingenfelter. no way i could run head to head so for 400 bucks i bolted on a n2O system from nitrous oxide systems.... bottom line for 400 bucks i went from 12.50 and with a 125 shot ran 11.20@ 120 and took home the 500 bucks.

sebrock

instead of heads and cam I would do the following -

Buy an 02 Z06 with low miles - $35k
Change to a Vette Brakes Extreme Suspension Set Up - $3500 w/labor
Get a set of Red Devil Titanium/Ceramic Brakes - $8000k w/labor
Ram Air System/Headers/Tuning - $3500 w/labor

For $50k you could have a 450HP car that can out handle and out stop almost anything out there - (including the new Z06).

I've come to the conclusion that whenever modding a car (unless you like to go to the drag strip) you are better off doing things in the following order:

1) Suspension
2) Brakes
3) Air in and Out (intake/Exhaust)
4) Cooling (tranny/rear/oil/steering)
5) Drive Train - FI/Engine upgrades all with reinforced parts

If things are done in this order you will have a reliable almost bullet proof car.

nightmel

option 5. 402 stroker with texas giant cam, F.A.S.T. 90/90, TSP LS6 heads with larger valves, TSP LT Headers, Borla Stinger quads, and if you have money left over, start on the suspension. With a 2000-2001 coupe you can get all this for about $30,000. That's buying the car included. If you have Texas Speed and Performance do the work and wind up with over 519RWHP in a MN6/12. Good luck to you!

StingerZ16

the Z06 with heads / cam / intake / headers

Best bang for the buck.

Great streetability and reliability.
Z06 already has the suspention and brakes.
But can still go further with simple mods.

DoubleZ06

#2 A C5 Z06 with H&C, headers, intake & tune will easily produce more power than an LS7 and you'll have a better looking car to boot.

DoubleZ06

I agree with this gentleman as well.