I have an 04 Z. My friend has a 99hardtop he says that is the first z06 that every thing is the same except for the hp. I did not think they made Z06 till 2000. Who is right. Or is it ,the only thing that's the same is the body style?

 

They didn't produce a Z06 till 2001

Now the FRC body style was started in 99'

 

the first real z06 was made in 2001 but i am pretty sure it was inspired by the 1999 FRC. I am sure back in 1999 GM already knew that the FRC would become a z06 for 2001 it was all part of the marketing.
I would never call my 2000 FRC a z06 but i would like to think it was part of reason for the z06.

 

Lets see the Z06 has

Different trans and gear

different engine LS6 385 hp for 01 and 405 hp for 02 03 and 04

rear brake ducts

suspension is different

Rims are wider by an 1 inch. 265 40 17's and 295 35 18's tires

seats have Z06 embroidered on them

dash gauges have checkered design with Z06 in it

thinner glass

I am probably missing a bit but your buddy was wrong....

 

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…

 

The (re) introduction of the 385 hp Z06 in 2001 (they made 199 C2 Z06's in 1963) was definitely a successful attempt to turn a negative into a positive. Much $$$$ was invested by GM to tool up for the new fixed hard top C5, which turned out to not be a hot seller by any means in '99 & '00. By turning the fixed hardtop C5 into the Z06, GM turned a sure loss into a total success which has continued to this day.......a very different car from the '99 / '00 'fixed hard top'.......

 

1963 was the first year for the Z06.

 

Yes, correct...I have a 1999 FRC, which yes was also the Z body, starting in 2K1....

There is much more different between the FRC and Z,
such as:
I believe the engine has more horse in the Z than the FRC
suspension is not the same eigher...
seats have Z06 label on the seat backs....some Z's also have two tone colors in the interior, which looks awsome...
Also a Z06 emblem on the exterior of the Z, and open slots in the FRC are closed with a screen installed....probably more, this is from memory..

Your buddy is alittle off...

 

I love my '03 FRC.

 

The history of these cars , where they come from and what the differences are compared to a C5 Roadster ,Coupe or FRC are not a secret.

The Z06, as so correctly stated above , is not to be compared to a 99 or 2000 Hardtop although the curb appearance is the same.

I recommend purchasing a Corvette Black Book, it's $20 on top of the $20,000 or more already invested. This book will answer tons of questions.

 

According to Old Car Price Guide, a 1999 hardtop in mint condition #1, is $36,900. An 2001 Z06 is $40,500 in #1 condition. So that means that they are being recognized.

On THE 99 AND 2000 HARDTOP The only thing that's the same as the 01 to 04 Z06 hardtop is the body style

 

You are right on the money, the FRC was a bust, initially it was supposed to be a low budget lower hp stripped vette, then they changed it the, the racers model, in that it came standard with the Z51 suspension , six speed only, while still having the Coupes base options, the fuel delivery system was also changed in 99 for an unclaimed 6hp, the top speed was rated lower due to drag. All in all when it was released, it didn't perform any better than the Z51 coupe, and due to the limited options sales were poor, they were to take a huge loss having all these leftovers, so they basically did a head an cam upgrade to the LS1, and called it an LS7, changed the tranny gears and clutch, along with some exterior and interior cosmetic changes, and walla!! Z06 was born, I bought mine the week they hit the dealerships, got bent over 5k over sticker, end of the model year they were 5 under. The earlier 01's seemed to be quicker than the late 01's, I ran 12.3 at 115 stock, on stock tires, my cousin bought a later model 01 I couldn't get it better than 12.5 at 113. I still have the car now but it is heavily modded and is for sale, actually its pretty much sold to a friend in spring, good memories with that car

 

You mean a LS6...

What made you come to the conclusion that the earlier 01's were "quicker" than the late 01's? Just because your cousin couldn't get the late model '01 faster down the quarter mile?

Different cars, different variables, conditions...

As long as its within the range specified by the manufacturer i think the car should perform accordingly...

Some specs for those who don't know:

The Z06 is 38 pounds lighter than a standard C5 hardtop:
Titanium exhaust.
Thinner glass.
Lighter wheels.
non-EMT tires.
Reduced sound proofing.
Fixed rear radio aerial.
Lighter battery.

Changes for 2002-2004:

Fender badging displays "405 hp".

Starting with the 2002 model year, the LS6 engine was uprated to 405 hp due to a larger volume air intake, stiffer valve springs, lighter sodium filled valves, more aggressive cam phasing and lift, revised pistons, revised block, removal of pup-cats, low restriction mass air flow sensor and a new low restriction air cleaner design.

Higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems.

LS6 Clutch Improvements for 2002-2004:

To withstand the greater torque output of the new engine, the LS6 clutch was redesigned. Clamp load has been increased seven percent as well as the durability.

Standard Heads-Up Display for 2002-2004.

Improved suspension settings.

They did change quite a bit as you can see.

 

Actually, I think there were more Z16s produced than Torch Red Z06s, so the red ones are more rare.

 

Not only Torch Red, but EVERY other color that year. I still never understood why the sticker package owners claim they have a rare 2004 Z06. Just enjoy the car for what it is, and not what you want to think it is.

But to the original poster, your friend is incorrect. Z06s are not just a roof.

 

...:o so I'm taking it that you guys missed the humor in my earlier posts...LMB was a one year color for C5's...of course it's not rare

For what it's worth - following is a breakdown of the colors of the Z06 that I pulled together from The Corvette Black Book for another discussion a couple of months back. As one looks across the four years of production the data shows that 51% of C5 Z06's produced were either Black or Red; guess what colors produce the best sales? LMB comes in third at only 7.1%. I'll admit, it was a slow day at work and I had some time on my hands...umm, that's humor again guys

Speedway White 1.2% of Production, 2001 color only
Machine Silver 3.4% of Production,2004 color only
LeMans Blue 7.1% of Production, 2004 color only
Electron Blue 10.8% of Production, 2002 and 2003 color only
Quick Silver 13.6% of Production, 2001 - 2003 color
Mill Yellow 14.1% of Production, 2001 - 2004
Torch Red 21.7% of Production, 2001 - 2004
Black 29.4% of Production, 2001 - 2004

 

Well that's different. Your original post mentioned 2004s only, so I was trying to keep it consistent with where you were going. In the big grand scheme of Z06s, color doesn't matter much. Things that we should be bragging about is the LS6 and the sexay roof line.

 

HR records reveal that a distant relative of Henry Ford was managing the paint booth in Bowling Green during this period.

 

I hope they gave him a raise...he was using the best color!

 

I came back to the Corvette in '99 because of the FRC.


and by aug of 2000 I had 2 2000 frcs and a 2001 Z06.
Hence my screen name.

http://www.c5frc.com/FRC_Production_...sults_page.asp

http://www.c5frc.com/Z06_Production_...sults_page.asp