- It just so happens to be a fact however that a C5Z is atleast 17.8X better than an LS2 C6 
[Z06] Input wanted C5Z06 vs C6 ls2
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Vicksburg Michigan
Input wanted C5Z06 vs C6 ls2
Ok I asked the C6 forum for their input, didnt get alot of answers. Just sold my 04 Cobra it was whipple charged making 590rwhp. I have had 10 mustangs but have always wanted a vette, I am ready to pull the trigger and do it. My Cobra felt like my 90 Coupe, it was noisy and just not refined like I think vettes are. I have 30K to spend and 6K I am gonna use to mod, I cant leave anything stock. Have any of you C5Z06 owners driven or had an C6 ls2? which do you like better, I am not sure about wetjer I like the pop up headlights on the C5. I am looking for performance, handling, and something that doesnt creek, pop and rattle like my cobra did.
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 61
From: Branford, Connecticut
I have owned 5 Z06's. 2-03's 2-04's and an 07. I also owned an 08 LS3 Z51. I never owned an LS2, and I dont think I would want to. To me, they seem to be a little weak. But if you want refined and quiet, then stay away from a C5 Z06. A C5 Z06, is loud, has a stiff ride, and is just a nasty(in a good way) car. If you want a car that is going to put a smile on your face everytime you drive it, get the Z06. If you want refinement, and a smooth ride, then go with a C6, but try to get an LS3.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 165
From: Raleigh, NC
I have owned 5 Z06's. 2-03's 2-04's and an 07. I also owned an 08 LS3 Z51. I never owned an LS2, and I dont think I would want to. To me, they seem to be a little weak. But if you want refined and quiet, then stay away from a C5 Z06. A C5 Z06, is loud, has a stiff ride, and is just a nasty(in a good way) car. If you want a car that is going to put a smile on your face everytime you drive it, get the Z06. If you want refinement, and a smooth ride, then go with a C6, but try to get an LS3.
My comparison is that the C5Z is a more 'raw' car. Louder and more unrefined. 'Feels' faster than the LS2 but really is not by any substantial margin. I happen to like the styling of the C5Z better than the C6 Coupe, but the interior goes to the C6 hands down, much better fit, finish, and materials.
Like said above go with the LS3 if you can swing it. A Heads/Cam LS1/6 does not make any more power than a cam only LS3, awesome heads from the factory.
Good Luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
I have owned 5 Z06's. 2-03's 2-04's and an 07. I also owned an 08 LS3 Z51. I never owned an LS2, and I dont think I would want to. To me, they seem to be a little weak. But if you want refined and quiet, then stay away from a C5 Z06. A C5 Z06, is loud, has a stiff ride, and is just a nasty(in a good way) car. If you want a car that is going to put a smile on your face everytime you drive it, get the Z06. If you want refinement, and a smooth ride, then go with a C6, but try to get an LS3.
(With the second part) C5Z's aren't as refined as you mention, but a LS2 C6 is - although I would take the C5Z anyday, it's a great car, and the LS6 even in stock form makes for a nasty ride (once again in a good way).With a 36K budget, you really have 2 options:
1.) LS2/3 C6 - Cost 30K +/- 1-2K, leaving around 6K for mods (which goes FASSSST with the corvette tax)
2.) 02-04Z - Cost 22K +/- 1-2K, leaving around 14K for mods! Which I personally would use to pickup an A&A Kit; $5K, Clutch; 500-1K, and Dyno tune; 600 - Which would leave you with a 500WHP C5Z, and $8000 +/- to keep playing with!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 61
From: Branford, Connecticut
One other thing that the poster above me pointed out, the styling of the C5 Z is, in my opinion, much better than any C6. The fixed roof coupe body style just blows away the 'fastback" style. You can go on youtube and search C5 Z06 vs LS2 and I bet you can find a bunch of videos of C5 Z's walking all over LS2's.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville FL
Your last sentence convinced me that you should get the C5Z. How refined it feels depends on what you're ued to I guess. I came from a highly modded C4 and thought the C5 was verry refined. The only C6 I have driven was a C6Z, and it was a little to quiet/refined for my taste.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 3
From: New fairfield Connecticut
Last edited by apriliacati; Mar 24, 2009 at 10:22 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Harker Heights Texas
Ok I asked the C6 forum for their input, didnt get alot of answers. Just sold my 04 Cobra it was whipple charged making 590rwhp. I have had 10 mustangs but have always wanted a vette, I am ready to pull the trigger and do it. My Cobra felt like my 90 Coupe, it was noisy and just not refined like I think vettes are. I have 30K to spend and 6K I am gonna use to mod, I cant leave anything stock. Have any of you C5Z06 owners driven or had an C6 ls2? which do you like better, I am not sure about wetjer I like the pop up headlights on the C5. I am looking for performance, handling, and something that doesnt creek, pop and rattle like my cobra did.
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles IL
ive owned 2 Z06's and driven more than enough C6 LS2's to know that I dont regret my decision at all. You coming out of a Cobra will think that the C5Z is a lot more refined than the Cobra any way. Dont get me wrong the C6 is pretty quick for what it is but its just to smooth riding for me. doesnt feel like it should.
I would say go for the C5Z, not bc I own but bc it will already be a huge improvement from what you are coming from, cobra is still a nice a car though, as far as what you are looking for in the car.
also as mentioned above you will have a lot more money to use and play with to mod the C5Z rather than a C6
good luck with your decision either way
I would say go for the C5Z, not bc I own but bc it will already be a huge improvement from what you are coming from, cobra is still a nice a car though, as far as what you are looking for in the car.
also as mentioned above you will have a lot more money to use and play with to mod the C5Z rather than a C6
good luck with your decision either way
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Burbank CA
Go with the C5Z, you'll love it! I am a former 8 time mustang owner myself, the C5 Z is a different world, you can't beat 'em for the money. My neighbor wasn't to happy to lose to me in his Testarossa when I told him what I paid for the car 
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
If you are looking for plush, Caddy-like refinement with performance, go with the C6. If you are looking for a street-legal race-car that flaunts its lack of sound-deadening material and wears its rawness as a badge of honor, go with the C5Z.
I won't bore you with the details of my exact same dilemma 18-months ago, but suffice to say that I ended up with a 2004 Z16. I am eventually going to drop a mild 402 in it for the best of both worlds...
I won't bore you with the details of my exact same dilemma 18-months ago, but suffice to say that I ended up with a 2004 Z16. I am eventually going to drop a mild 402 in it for the best of both worlds...
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Fenton MI
12 time mustang owner here!
I came out of an 03 Cobra also, and I have had 2 C5 Z06s now. I am also curious about the LS2 C6, but I agree that the C5 Z06 is the best bet. If you go with the new C6 I would stick with the Ls3, and the APS kits work great on those also.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Vicksburg Michigan
Ok I am really leaning towards the C6, Some good deals on 2006's if you look, my plans are to do a stage 2 package from livernois right away which is heads, cam, headers intake tune, puts down 450 to the tires. I am not firm yet, going to be test driving both cars Saturday, an 04 Z06 with 14000 miles on it, and an 06 C6 with 11000 miles on it. I did love the power of my Cobra, just didnt like how sloppy it felt and how much it rattled, I am ready for the more exotic look of the vette also. I really am still torn, I do like both cars alot, I plan on adding CCW's also, I had them on my Cobra
Thanks for all the replies
Thanks for all the replies
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
I've had 8 C5 one a Z06 and the monster FRC I have now. I also owned last summer a 07 Base and 06 Z51 Ls2.
The Ls2 has a little more low end tq since it's a 6.0 compared to a 5.7. The Ls2 is simler to the LS3 except for the .2 litters,the heads and intake manifold.
If your going to mod the car I would do the C5 Z06. It's a great platform to start with and you can save about 8k right off the bat.
I don't miss my C6's at all especially since I put C6 sport seats in my C5. Good luck.
The Ls2 has a little more low end tq since it's a 6.0 compared to a 5.7. The Ls2 is simler to the LS3 except for the .2 litters,the heads and intake manifold.
If your going to mod the car I would do the C5 Z06. It's a great platform to start with and you can save about 8k right off the bat.
I don't miss my C6's at all especially since I put C6 sport seats in my C5. Good luck.
