Whether its a big-block or just more cubes...it will have to keep the excellent weight-bias and also keep the overal weight down. I hear the C6 is going to be 2900lbs or so. It will be hard to strip off another 200lbs from the Z06 _and_ add a bigger motor (certainly aluminum like the current one is, though) and keep the creature comforts---which is where the Z06 is way ahead of the Viper, even the new '03 one. They are not going to sacrifice the all-around capabilities of the C5 to make it a bit quicker in a straight-line contest. They can leave that up to you and me and the aftermarket. :)

Another issue is getting the power to the ground. That is what impresses me the most about this car. The chassis works to hold the power very, very well. You can light up the tires if you do a high rpm clutch drop, but otherwise, it hooks very well, especially on aggressive upshifts. Road-holding capabilities are extremely high, and the car is extremely easy to drive without much practice. I drove two Vipers ('99 models) before buying the Z06. The Viper is a tick faster in a straight line (stock), but it is much harder to drive at the limit, without a lot of seat time. Since this is not my daily driver, it made no sense to buy a car that I would have to "learn" how to drive well over a long period of time. Plus the fit and finish of the Z06 is way up on the Viper.

The Viper is more exclusive. If we want GM to build a production car with a total of 3000 units a year and with an $80k price tag, then they would crush the Viper in every category. Ford is going to do this with the GT-40 (more limited production and an even higher price tag, though).

 

SWEET....I want one :cry

 

I agree, improving it will be very hard to do. When I got in the Z06, I first had to hit memory button number two, then I put the key in the ignition and the seat and mirrors adjusted to a saved setting, then we adjusted the HUD so I could see it in the glass over the steering wheel . . . Then I shut the door and the car sealed up as well as our new Honda Accord and I felt my ears pop a little. I was already in heaven and I hadn't even started the car yet.

One of the best mods Mary has done to her car was replace the stock shifter. The replacement Hurst was soooooo tight and such a short throw.

As far as hooking up on launch, that's something the driver has to learn. I let the clutch out at 1600-1800 rpms and only punched the throttle 1/2 way and she lit up the tires without question . . . When Roy was driving, he nailed it at 75mph and it smashed me in the seat.

I've been in some fast cars (low 13's to low 14's), but the 2002 Z06 is by far the fastest car I've ever ridden in, let alone driven. If you've been around the dragstrip most of your life (I haven't), then maybe the Z06 isn't that impressive . . . But I sure can't comprehend that point of view. :confused:


[Modified by 74-Roadster, 12:40 PM 12/9/2002]

 

[QUOTE] ...but the 2002 Z06 is by far the fastest car I've ever ridden in, let alone driven. If you've been around the dragstrip most of your life (I haven't), then maybe the Z06 isn't that impressive . . . But I sure can't comprehend that point of view. :confused:[QUOTE]

To be so quick on the strip and still be able to humble most any other car requiring license plates on a road coarse is a pretty impressive feat. BTW did you notice that when you are racing, the stereo automatically increases in volume to compensate for the extra road noise? Pretty slick, huh?

Chuck

 

Drove one about 4 months ago and that was enough. IMHO it's an ALL around car. Great looks, speed, mileage, and comfort. For the money it's a bargin. Come spring I'll add a new RED Z06 to match the 79. JCL :yesnod:

 

Chuck,

My hands were gripping the steering wheel so tight, my ears must have turned off. Couldn't even tell you if the stereo was on . . . :lol: All I could think about was, "Don't wreck someone elses Z06!!!!!!!" :eek:

Chuck, you by far have the best of both worlds!!! You may have answered this in the past, but can your L88 whip up on the Z06 in the 1/4?

 

It truely is an awesome ride. I couldn't resist it, so, now I have both :D

So SWEET!

Des

 

I will answer this for him. ;) Chuck's L88 car makes 480+rwhp. Assuming its not 2000lbs heavier than the Z06 :lol:, his L88 will definitely beat a stock Z06.

How much does a BB C3 weigh anyway?


[Modified by WA 2 FST, 6:33 PM 12/9/2002]

 

According to the Corvette archive the L88 weighed in at 3,250lbs.


:cheers:

 

Thanks for the compliments. Wait until you see what we have done to her since you last saw her!! Even more beautiful, if that is possible. A true wolf in sheep's clothing until I fire up those Borla's :eek:

I will be at the next forum event so we will have a lot to talk about. I have had 2 sessions at Texas World Speedway and that discussion will call for at least 1 pitcher of adult beverages! :cheers:

If you don't see me arrive, you WILL hear me!! I drive her hard like she is supposed to be driven.. :smash:

Til then..... :seeya

Mary

 

Thanks, Corey 68. That's lighter than I thought. Hopefully with the new wheels coming I'll lose a fair amount off of that, too! (not that mine was/is an L88, but it does have alum. heads/intake, so weight shouldn't be too far off).

 

74-Roadster,

WA2Fast is right on. The L88 is the better 1/4 mile car, yet only if it has high numerical gear ratio. The stock L88 can be either faster or quicker than a new ZO6; but, not both. Mine has a ROD 6 speed so I do have the best of all worlds gear wise in the L88. The gear ratios are pretty close for the 1st 4 gears in both cars.

The weight difference is actually closer than was just posted for my L88. The Hooker side pipes save a huge chunk of weight compared to the massive iron exhaust manifolds, heavy tail pipes, and factory mufflers. If I leave the spare out like the ZO6 I probably save 30-40# more. The weight distribution is about the same; but, the L88 has a bit more bias toward the rear than the Z along with a greater tendency to squat down on acceleration gives it an advantage with straight-line acceleration.

Both cars can toast the tires throughout 1st gear and much of second. The cars would be pretty even up to about 60mph, from there the L88 would start pulling away faster and faster. The 3-4 shift is closer (better) with the L88 than the Z giving it a better advantage again in a 1/4 mile run. Both cars will use 4 gears in the 1/4; but, the L88 uses much more of 4th. The 130 rwhp difference between them is really only felt above 60mph, and it is felt in a big way. I have taken more than a little flack over this statement from my breathren in the ZO6 forum, they choose not to believe this, but it is true. My L88 is all factory spec with 12:1 compr, open chamber heads, numbers correct intake manifold, factory cam, etc., for now.

Chuck

 

Chuck,

Good to know about the weight. I need to go weigh my 'vert sometime. I may be pleasantly surprised by what I find.

As far as the Z06 vs. your L88... I don't know what tires are on your L88, but it must be a pretty sticky compound. Otherwise, I would think it would just overpower the tires. The Z06 launched properly can certainly do the low 4.xx sec 0-60 times. I have no doubt about this. More power doesn't necessarily = faster times, though. For instance, I don't dare think about hitting the "giggle gas" til I've shifted into 2nd _and_ hooked up the tires...or I'm just boiling tires to 100mph.

As far as anyone giving you grief over your claims that the L88 is faster...well, that's dumb. The proof is in the #s. It makes 480+rwhp and substantially more rwtq than the Z06...and you have it geared very well. :) So, there is no argument. If you put some tires on that thing it would run low, low-11s easy. A Z06 on slicks runs high-11s.

Continued best for both of your toys. :D

 

I can vouch for Chuck, not that he needs it.

My friend's Z06: "Wow, this is fast... bye-bye regular C5s."

Chuck's L-88: "Where did all the Lamborghinis go?"

The car is downright awesome. The Z06 is like a thoroughbred horse, fast, well mannered, and easy to handle. The L-88 is powerful in every aspect. Every which way it takes you, it does it violently and with a snarl, and lets you know that it's the best at what it does.

Accelerating from 60mph in the L-88 was like nothing I'd ever felt before in my life. It literally flung me back, at least three times as hard as a real good standstill launch in the 78. It took all of my 260 lbs and just about stuck it in the rear storage compartment. The car's not a joke!

And as far as exhaust notes go, the Z06 has an attack dog growl. The L-88 rumbles along, and growls like a pack of wolves.

My friends hate me for how much I love the L-88. :)

-Steve(Corvette Nut)