I love the idea of getting a new C6 ZO6, but I still love my '02 ZO6. Even with over 63,000 miles, it still looks virtually showroom fresh and drives like it too.

1) Buy a new Z anyway and pay the probably $40K difference.

2) Buy a new LS7 crate engine for $10-17K

3) Mod my current LS6
a) Re-sleeve to 4.125", but keep stock stroke.
b) Install healthier but still modest solid roller cam
c) Install new LS7 heads or rework my LS6 heads
d) Lighten valve train (Schubeck Roller X lifters)

My thoughts for keeping the existing engine center around the fact that I love very high rpm engines. Modifying my LS6 could make me very close to the 500+ hp level of the new LS7 but give me a redline of close to 8000rpm. Unintentionally tripping the rev limiter with shifts at 7500rpm would not be a problem. Even the factory LS6 cam feels like we are short shifting at 6600 rpm. The hp is flat at that rpm, surely keeping the car in gear to over 7000 rpm now would give better acceleration times if not for the catastrophic consequences of valve float.

The extended rpm of the motor, even if a bit less torque, would give a distinct advantage over the new LS7. A few pounds less torque would be more than offset by the greater multiplication of staying in the lower gear longer.

Changing to a lightweight flywheel would truly make the engine feel more like the newer 8 cylinder Ferrari motors. It would certainly make more power at close to the same rpm.

Buying a new car vs. modifying an old car has many economic arguments for and against.

FOR:
1) A new car is fully integrated as a package.
2) The work is already done, just turn the key.
3) All the items that wear simply from the passage of time and would otherwise need to be replaced are new. i.e. rubber seals, bushings, etc.
4) New Body, huge wide tires, better interior.
5) Modifying older cars rarely adds, usually detracts from value.

AGAINST:
1) New car will depreciate by $10k as soon as I drive it out the dealership door.
2) How much better can a new Z really corner and stop?
3) Take some of the money saved and invest in driving school to more than make up for any minor difference in old vehicle vs. new vehicle potential.
4) Modifying my Z would be doing it my way. Car would be a screamer!
5) Even the new Z will be old in a few years too.

Your thoughts?

Chuck



.

 

I have had similar thoughts, but the thought of eating all the depreciation and them paying top dollar for the new Z just does not make sense to me. Granted I paid to much for my Z16.

I figure depending on cash, I will keep my current 04 Z and upgrade after the new Z comes down to a resonable price. and I get some more use and fun from my current Z. Seems I always get the best of the last gereration My last was a C4 LT4

 

I plan on keeping my '03 Z for at least a couple more years, maybe longer....I'm definitely not interested in 1st year production, as I will let others deal with the 1st year issues and also to get away from the top $$ mindset of so many dealers

 

Nothing you do to your Z06 will make it like the C6 Z06. It's more than just engine power. But in my opinion your 02 Z06 is to new to be dumping for the newer C6 Z06, no matter how much improved it is.

 

You don;t seem to take into account that you WILL mod your C6Z. C'mon, you know you will. The new Z06 is a very impressive package, no doubt about it, but I love to mod my cars. It's just an expression that I enjoy so much that when (or if) I make the transition to the C6, I will probably buy a 1SX and go from there.

I know it will never have the balance of the stock Z, but it will be enough to get by. Now, all bets are off if the new Z has a MSRP in the fifties.

 

I will keep my '03 for awhile. I have a total of closed to $70K investmet so far. It's superchargerd and has more, both the power and handling departmetne, than I can handle. The look of C5 is still very attachive to me. Hopefully the C7 Z06 is a 100% redesign (not like the C5.5) then I am interested.

 

If you are financially in a position to acquire a C6Z I say do it.No matter what you do to your '02Z it's still gonna be a modded '02Z.

 

What you haven't seen the pictures of the C6 Z06? It's not a 100% redesign but it does look good.

 

Exactly.
Resist the urge to do anything for a while, and buy a 2nd or 3rd year C6 Z06. I would be willing to bet there will be issues with the first year model (a la '01 Z06 rings, a subsequent 20 hp bump in the '02) that will be fixed. Even if you want on '06 Z06, by waiting until the second or third model year, you avoid the depreciation and get it at a much better price.

You can mod your '02 if you want, but consider your reasons for doing so. If you are trying to compete with the '06, how often are you going to actually see one, let alone race one (street or track). If it is worth the $10-20K for the instant gratification, then go for it. Just plan to keep the '02 for a good while, because that money you spend on mods will probably not be recouped when you sell it.

I guess you could get a supercharger or N02 and get similar performance. They're both cheaper mods than you mentioned and are easily reversible, if necessary, when you sell your 02.

Not trying to discourage you here, just giving you some points to ponder.

 

Buy the C6 Z06 if you can swing it.

 

just can't make myself buy a car that has lost it's unique, iconic identity. Driving a Z06 is not just about pure performance. It's also about driving a car that looks like no other built anywhere in the world.

My wife and I are going to dinner tonight, and she is pretty savy at recognizing new cars.

we drove right in front of a newer viper(convertible type) in the parking lot, and she mentioned how she didn't care for the new Corvette convertible.

from almost any angle(except the rear of course), the viper looks exactly like the C6 vert, particularly from the front and sides.

pitiful, it's just pitiful

No way I'm letting go of my C5 FRC body style. If I have the dough and garage space, I may consider adding a C6 Z06 to the stable just purely for the performance, but my Corvette of choice will always be a C5.

 

Gotta go with this line of thinking.

It all depends on your goals. If 505 hp is not enough, then remember you still gonna put 10k in a new Z!