Mastersorbet

Hi guys and gals--

I've done my research and I clearly understand that it is a great upgrade to go from a LS2 or LS3 Z51 to a 2008 or newer C6 Z06. However, will it be an upgrade to go from a 2008 Z51 (currently owned with 84K miles) to a 2006 Z06(27K miles)? The one I'm looking at will not be giving valve problems since the heads have been re-done.

MTPZ06

Yes, absolutely. Any year C6Z > any year Z51

LS7, 505hp, Larger brakes, better handling, aluminum space frame, etc. Many, many things about the C6Z that are constant across all years make it it far superior to the Z51.

ls2alex

Yes.

danziger

The 2008 C6 got a host of upgrades over the 2006-07 (as I'm sure you know) and the LS3 is a gem of an engine. Can't go wrong there.

However, IMHO the wide-body C6 looks better. The beastly NA LS7, aluminum frame, carbon panels, functional scoops and bigger wheels/tires/brakes just make the C6Z that much more enticing.

fattiremike

I had to have a Z06 for three numbers: 427. Everything else the car offers is icing on the cake.

Apocolipse

"Upgrades"

LMB-Z

The option "Z51" is nothing compared to the no option Z06. You are comparing apples to oranges. Basically, the Z51 option is stiffer springs, bigger sway bars, different shocks, better cooling, and different gear ratio. All of these are an upgrade from base model without Z51. Still no comparison to the Z06, including the engine. Go drive one, you will quickly learn.

Mastersorbet

I'm trying to find a local dealer that will let me drive one but I want to so I can see and feel the difference.

Unreal

The 06 may actually perform better than the 08. The differences between years is minor and besides stuff like the carbon brakes in the 2010+ are all cheap/easy upgrades (if needed at all). People get hung up on 08+ for basically no reason. 06-07s are great cars. The minor upgrades are not going to be noticeable to the vast majority of people and actual performance of the car did not change.

Apocolipse

Main difference is the larger oil tank and change in transmission...which lots report they like the shifting feel in the older t56 (06-07) vs newer t6060 (08+).

Unreal

Yep, minor interior updates that are cheap. Oil tank can be good or bad. I love my smaller oil tank. I don't do long sweeping left hand turns on race tires, so I rather save $20 an oil change. If I bought a 2008+ and someone wanted to give me cash and swap to the smaller tank, I would do it in a second, because it solves an issue I would never encounter, ever while having the downside of more expensive oil changes.

And yes, 100% I prefer the t56 over the 6060. Unless you are going for a 1000hp+ build, but if you are doing that you are going to be sinking 40k+ into the car so what is $1500 to swap the transmission out at that point.

LMB-Z

I really can't say which I prefer because I've never driven an 08 or newer Z. I like my T56, and as Unreal said, I save a few bucks on oil changes once a year. Plus, I'm not a big carbon fiber fan for the interior changes.

Unreal

If I could go back I would have kept the t56. All the 6 speed records are t56. They shift better, and like high RPM shifting better. Fastest 6 speed cars are all t56s. Just because a 6060s is newer, doesn't mean better.

I like the CF interior bits, so I got a center console for $100 and spent 20 minutes swapping it out. Little stuff like that is so cheap/easy to swap if that is the only hold up.

And like I said, I like the smaller oil capacity.

Mastersorbet

Thanks everyone for your inputs. My next question. Is 35k a good price for an 06 z06 with 27k miles all maintenance and modifications well documented and all up to date? Valve guides fixed as well.

Unreal

See the recent price thread.

Depends, and IMO on the high side. If it has reciept for quality head work, new tires, proven maintence records, is a loaded out 2lz/nav, and in perfect shape, maybe. Otherwise no, $35k is high. It would have to be perfect with recently fixed heads and brand new tires/fluids/etc for me to even consider $35k a decent price.

outhouse

Not really


made it heavier




Those are only perceived as upgrades, like MTPZ06 said they are all good

Mastersorbet

Well it is fully loaded to include supercharged, cammed, fully built heads, new twin disc spec clutch. Bottom line; it dynoed 700+whp at 8psi and it has all the supporting items to include meth injection. 20k in upgrades with all supporting documentation.

outhouse

Yep.


I bought mine at 30 and spent 5 more doing heads and cam. So I'm 35 in an 06 with 44k


Yours will also be cleaner paint wise then mine.

SGT_G

Last month I traded in my 08 z51 with about the same miles as yours for a 2011 z06. The difference is phenomenal. The only thing the z51 did better was gas mileage and a lot of that had to do with the tune, cai and exhaust. Unless gas mileage is an issue lol, you will not regret it.

furiousox

I went from an 08 Z51 with a manual transmission to an 07 z06

I had my 08 for almost 4 years as my daily driver, put almost 60,000 miles on it. I took it to canyon drives and drove it hard on a daily basis

When I first drove the z06 I immediately felt a difference even at normal street speeds. The Z06 just felt like a much tighter and much more responsive car. The car changes directions much faster vs. the Z51 car, and the brakes were a huge step up as well.

For me that was what sold me. We all know about the power and handling delta (which are significant in the Z06's favor), but the driving feel and dynamics were what really surprised and sold me.

Under 80mph I don't feel much acceleration difference, but it's likely due to the much longer gearings in the Z06 vs. a Z51 car. Past 80 though the Z06 absolutely flies in comparison. The LS7 really wakes up past 4500rpm for me.

The LS7 also sounds quite a bit different from the LS3. Of course much of this is probably due to the mufflers' designs, but bringing that LS7 past 6500rpm is quite an experience.