c5 weekend driver
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Surprise Arizona
The C5 marries low-RPM muscle with high-RPM finesse. Despite being an OHV engine, the LS1 has operating characteristics and a feel more like that of a state-of-the-art overhead cam engine. I believe this is why it doesn't have the classic feel of a "muscle car". But make no mistake, this baby was born to run!
I kind of remember hearing the same thing from the Ford crowd when Ford replaced the beloved "5.0" OHV V8 with the much revvier 4.6L SOHC engine. While many had perceived that the 4.6L had lost some of the "muscle" of the "5.0", the 4.6L was actually a superior performer in just about every way.
It's a strange paradox. The more refined an engine is, the less "muscle" it seems to have...until you look at your speedometer!
I kind of remember hearing the same thing from the Ford crowd when Ford replaced the beloved "5.0" OHV V8 with the much revvier 4.6L SOHC engine. While many had perceived that the 4.6L had lost some of the "muscle" of the "5.0", the 4.6L was actually a superior performer in just about every way.
It's a strange paradox. The more refined an engine is, the less "muscle" it seems to have...until you look at your speedometer!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 1,162
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
I started this Corvette journey 35 years ago when I bought a `61. It was rough riding, ill-handling, and brutish. Next came a `64 coupe - just a 327 auto, but I thought it was the fastest car on Earth. Then I found my `71 coupe basket-case rebuilder. Kept that one for 21 years before moving into a `93. Wow, was that `93 sweet. Then I traded up to a `96. The `96 was everything I ever wanted, fast & quick (there is a difference), nimble, and classy. I loved that car.
My point is that technology and engineering has advanced light years beyond that first `61. I enjoyed every Corvette more than the previous one. Maybe someday I will enjoy a C6 more than our current 2000, I just have to get past those "Viper eyes"!
My point is that technology and engineering has advanced light years beyond that first `61. I enjoyed every Corvette more than the previous one. Maybe someday I will enjoy a C6 more than our current 2000, I just have to get past those "Viper eyes"!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 17
From: Bartlett Tennessee
I had a 91 C-4 coupe before buying my 98 C-5 coupe.The 91 was hard to get in and out of but had that cockpit feel and nimble handling.My 98 has more comfortable seating and leg room ( especially on long trips)with more horses and less road noise inside than the C-4.I do kind of miss the clamshell hood but I do like the flip up head lights on my 98 ALOT BETTER , all things said I LOVE my 98 and wouldn't go back to a C-4. Just my .02 cents
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
I went from a 58 to a 63 to a 68 to a 75 to a 86 to a 93, each one got better........its a miracle.
But from 73 to 83 there wasn't much excitement going on at Corvette.
The C4 brought it all back......it was a clean sheet, a milestone car.
Ya think the C5 is better
It seems to me that the C6 is a C5 with a few tweeks except for the ZO6.I get it that a lot folks who've never owned a C4 don't care for them.
Just curious.........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 5
From: Grafton WI
I had a 91 C-4 coupe before buying my 98 C-5 coupe.The 91 was hard to get in and out of but had that cockpit feel and nimble handling.My 98 has more comfortable seating and leg room ( especially on long trips)with more horses and less road noise inside than the C-4.I do kind of miss the clamshell hood but I do like the flip up head lights on my 98 ALOT BETTER , all things said I LOVE my 98 and wouldn't go back to a C-4. Just my .02 cents
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I have driven every version except pre-1957 models, and the C6. I understand what the OP is saying. C4's do feel a bit more muscular and direct. The C5 is more sophisticated in mostly good ways.
However, I think much of the 'lack of muscle car feel' is also to be laid at the feet of the tall gearing. Drop a set of 3.73 gears in one, and that basic muscular feel, albeit a more sophisticated feel than the old days, will come through. I have driven old big block muscle cars that people have put 700R4's and tall gearing in with an aim to aid freeway cruising. You get the same result from those setups. A fairly fast though surprisingly calm car. Not a strong, heady, excited feeling in the car.
However, I think much of the 'lack of muscle car feel' is also to be laid at the feet of the tall gearing. Drop a set of 3.73 gears in one, and that basic muscular feel, albeit a more sophisticated feel than the old days, will come through. I have driven old big block muscle cars that people have put 700R4's and tall gearing in with an aim to aid freeway cruising. You get the same result from those setups. A fairly fast though surprisingly calm car. Not a strong, heady, excited feeling in the car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: MS
Well put. Loved my '93 coupe - the way it held you in place and the acceleration of the auto trans was awsome, but the C5 offers so much more refinement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
I had a c3, and a c4 but when I got the c5, and those were not getting driven, I sold them.
The 78 was under power'd, but was nice looking. The 85 with the mods was as fast as the c5, and had a look of its own. The 98 has it all, plus comfort. I drive a 100 miles everyday in it, and it fills everything I want in a vette.
The 78 was under power'd, but was nice looking. The 85 with the mods was as fast as the c5, and had a look of its own. The 98 has it all, plus comfort. I drive a 100 miles everyday in it, and it fills everything I want in a vette.
