[Z06] first Z'S in C5
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Braselton GA
Around a track, likely because both were on the run flats. But for a solid basis for a road racer, the FRC cut ~55 lbs from the absolute best place on the car (for sprung weight) ie the roofline (lower cg) and the 12% inrcease in chassis stiffness over the coupe. The Z06 took (more) advantage of the platform upgrade with of course the already mentioned upgrades.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
In short your friend is wrong. The 99 Hardtop can be called the predecessor of the Z06 but the cars are far from identical. From everything I’ve read/understand (sometimes I miss-read and misunderstand – that’s my standard disclaimer…) the C5 started out by design to have three body styles. The coupe debuted in 1997; the convertible in 1998 and a low option/low budget car, the hardtop or FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe) debuted in 1999. Originally the FRC was to be so low budget that it would have smaller tires, roll down windows, cloth interior, radio delete…etc, etc. Some think this was by design so that racers would have a platform to start with, other’s think it was a “budget” Vette by design – we may never know but thankfully someone at GM realized that this was a perfect platform for a factory race car to compliment the C5Rs. The FRC was built from 1999 to 2000 and the color combo’s are quite rare – you’ll never see a Nassau Blue or Pewter Z06 but they made them as FRCs in 1999 and 2000. In 2001 the first C5 Z06 was produced sporting the LS6 motor with 385 HP along with a host of body, suspension and even a few interior mods (there is no sound deadening under the carpet in your Z06). In 2002 the HP jumped to 405. The cars had minor increases in performance/suspension throughout 2002 – 2004 but are essentially identical…except for the ones produced in 2004 that are painted Lemans Blue with silver stripes, better known as a Z16 – they are the fastest, rarest of all the C5 Zs…OK, I might have embellished on that last part…
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
They're not the same. Here are the differences:
LS6 engine produces 405 HP in '02+ models.
Screened air inlets in the center of the front fascia that deliver additional cool air to the intake system.
Air scoop inlets on the sides of the front fascia that funnel air to the front brakes for better cooling. These inlets replaced the fog lamp housings and/or associated trim panels of the C5.
Air scoops on the rear rocker panels that funnel air to the rear brakes for better cooling. Z06 rear brake temperatures are reduced by as much as 10% under competition conditions; brake fade and wear are also greatly reduced.
Flat underside body panels for superior aerodynamics.
More effective front and rear brakes with distinctive red calipers.
The Z06 has the M12 6-speed manual transmission. It looks similar to the base-model MM6 manual transmission, however the M12 transmission is unique to the Z06, and is the only transmission available for that model; it is not available on Corvette coupés or convertibles.
The M12 has more aggressive gearing to increase torque multiplication in most forward gears, allowing for more rapid acceleration and more usable torque at higher speeds.
A special suspension (the FE4) was developed exclusively for the Z06, and is not available on other Corvette models. It features unique shock calibrations, a larger front stabilizer bar, a stiffer rear leaf spring, and revised camber settings — all calibrated with a bias toward maximum control during high-speed operation.
Also unique to the C5 Z06 are wider and lighter wheel rims and tires, which increase contact with the road and are essential to providing better grip.
Exhaust - The 26-pound titanium muffler and tailpipe assembly of the Z06 replaces the 44-pound stainless steel system used in the C5.
Misc - Thinner glass, reduced sound-proofing, fixed rear radio antenna, lighter battery, Z06 badges and emblems on exterior/interior.
Full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_C5_Z06
LS6 engine produces 405 HP in '02+ models.
Screened air inlets in the center of the front fascia that deliver additional cool air to the intake system.
Air scoop inlets on the sides of the front fascia that funnel air to the front brakes for better cooling. These inlets replaced the fog lamp housings and/or associated trim panels of the C5.
Air scoops on the rear rocker panels that funnel air to the rear brakes for better cooling. Z06 rear brake temperatures are reduced by as much as 10% under competition conditions; brake fade and wear are also greatly reduced.
Flat underside body panels for superior aerodynamics.
More effective front and rear brakes with distinctive red calipers.
The Z06 has the M12 6-speed manual transmission. It looks similar to the base-model MM6 manual transmission, however the M12 transmission is unique to the Z06, and is the only transmission available for that model; it is not available on Corvette coupés or convertibles.
The M12 has more aggressive gearing to increase torque multiplication in most forward gears, allowing for more rapid acceleration and more usable torque at higher speeds.
A special suspension (the FE4) was developed exclusively for the Z06, and is not available on other Corvette models. It features unique shock calibrations, a larger front stabilizer bar, a stiffer rear leaf spring, and revised camber settings — all calibrated with a bias toward maximum control during high-speed operation.
Also unique to the C5 Z06 are wider and lighter wheel rims and tires, which increase contact with the road and are essential to providing better grip.
Exhaust - The 26-pound titanium muffler and tailpipe assembly of the Z06 replaces the 44-pound stainless steel system used in the C5.
Misc - Thinner glass, reduced sound-proofing, fixed rear radio antenna, lighter battery, Z06 badges and emblems on exterior/interior.
Full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_C5_Z06
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