Gannet

I'd like some opinions (and reasons!). For a "budget" dedicated HPDE car would you choose to start with a C4 or C5?

Edited to add that "budget" is definitely an important consideration. My impression is that the initial outlay for a C5 will be more. But will long-term costs be lower and/or "value" be greater?

timd38

C5, I think it is a much better car. Most C6 stuff fits as well, so parts are more plentiful.

Just my opinion.

johninar

The C5 if for the stiffer chassis alone. You have to spend a lot of money to get a C4 to be comparable to a C5.

Aardwolf

If I were to do it all over again I would buy a roller chassis C4. There's one for sale for $1650 in the parts section now. You could find one for cheaper, say $1200. That would leave thousands in savings making it fast compared to buying a C5. I guess it depends on if you are planning to do the work on it or buy an already made track car.

0Paul Ruggeri

If you just want to have fun, you can't beat a C4, they're really cheap

63Corvette

C5 Z06...................they're "real cheap" too

Aardwolf

How much are they now? $20,000? I don't keep careful watch on the prices. A C4 could be made as faster as one for half that cost though.

timd38

HA! The C4 guys say buy a C4 and the C6 guys say buy a C5. Interesting!

Sidney004

You need to factor in your mechanical ability; there is a lot that could go wrong on a 15-20 year old car that you beat up on. You have to be able to wrench on a C4 yourself, otherwise the cost and frustration will be too much.

96GS#007

Define "budget".

rfn026

I've run track events with my C4 for over 10 years now. I love my C4. If I were starting out today though I would opt for an early C5. It's just a better car and there are a lot more parts available.

Speed really isn't an issue and neither is cost since tires are going to be the same. The same with brake pads. When you look at what you spend money on it will be tires, gas, brakes and lodging. C4 or C5 those costs are going to be about the same.

Keep in mind that it will cost you just over a $1,000 a day to run track events. That's getting there, entry fees, hotels and food. You can throw in some routine upkeep into that number too. I know some of you run cheaper but is you like to sleep in a bed and eat decent food think $1,000 a day.

Richard Newton
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RedLS1GTO

If you are putting it on a track, there is every bit as much (if not more) that can go wrong with a C5. When things do start breaking, the C4 is easier and cheaper to work on for the most part.

As for which is better, it all depends on what your budget is... I have a track only C4 that is faster than most HPDE C5s out there.

With that said, if I had the cash I would start with a C5Z. It is a better platform for sure but if all you are looking for is HPDE fun you can build a fun, reliable, and fast C4 for a lot less than a C5.

I would venture to say that you could put together an HPDE ready C4 for well under $10k. No way you are doing that with a C5. Like I said to start, it all depends on how big your budget is.

C5 Z06 = $17,000-$20,000++

L98 C4 = $3,000-$8,000

LT1 C4 = $7,000-$12,000

Big difference

redtopz

If you are set on tracking a corvette, I would probably go with a C5Z or a C5. However, there are tons of cheap track cars available fully caged and ready to race. I think you can have just as much fun in a lower hp race-prepped track car as you would in a C4 or C5 and it would probably be cheaper on parts. The faster you go down the straights and the heavier your car, the more you will spend on brakes, hubs, tires, and other wear and tear items. Lighter cars with less power are still a blast to drive and are cheaper on parts (spec miata, specE30, Legends, GTS cars, etc). Shoot, even my $500 Lemons mazda RX7 gets around the track pretty quick and is fun to drive .

SouthernSon

If I were starting all over again, I would get a good used '02 or '03 Z. I would do nothing but a track seat, harness bar, belts, and race pads. After a few events I might consider headers and honker intake with good tune. As soon as I started getting too much heat in the oil and tranny fluid, I would start thinking about buying a good used T1 C5 track car with cage. I believe most everyone that has been through the "process" would probably say this is not a bad way to go. Not the only way, but certainly one of the best because you can recoup good money in the Z and save a ton with a good used T1 when you are ready to step up.

Rob31

I have just over 7k in my C4 . I just beat a bunch of c-5s at a HSAX at the Milwaukee Mile
They wrote a check , I turned a wrench


Wide open through nascar T3, T2 and T1 ...priceless
( had to lift a bit in T2)

Rob31

If we were smart we would all get Legends cars and have an auesome race

Git Er Dun

My C4 still has the stock L98 with 147K on it. It makes 230rwhp and 320rwtq. It weighs 2780lbs with 3/4 of fuel and no driver. The car has a ZF6, clutch+aluminum flywheel, and C5 front brakes with race pads.

That being said my 99 FRC (when it was in bone stock form still) would have been the C4 any day on any track. Stick on a set of Non-DOT race rubber on a set of CCW classics and some race pads and it was sticking right with waaaaaayyyyy faster cars on A/R6's.

I would say for sure spend the extra money to get a C5. Sure you might be able to buy a cheap C4 and throw in a 383 or a set of coilovers, ect. But in the end the C5 is a better starting platform with way better technology and aftermarket support.


^^Our garage...And I'm still saying go with the C5!!

rfn026

Redtopz is right. Buy someone else's money pit. Don't even think about building your own car. You can get a dedicated track car for less than $.50 on the dollar. Every week we have people on this forum going down that long slippery slope of trying to build their own track car. That's just crazy.

Buy someone's car. Let them put the big bucks into it. You're under $10,000 for a car that someone may have put $20,000 into.

Richard Newton
Vintage Motorsports Colummn
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AU N EGL

No offence to the OP and welcome to the dark side, however . .



"budget" ?????

Buy a C5 and <koff> attempt to restrain yourself

Good Luck and Welcome to the addiction?

Now where is that poster about crack cocaine ?

John Shiels

C5 better chassis & engine foundation and parts galore. Many parts are now gone for a C4.