C5Z with a 427 would be a beast..plus I am a little bias, I have always liked the looks of the C5 and the interior I feel its very ergonomic and user friendly..and yes it is a cheap GM interior from the early years, but not as bad as cars from that era.

 

That's why you take the proper measures and swap out the original valve guides and exhaust valves in the LS7 heads.

 

That's what I meant when I said those motors have fleas.

 

I don't have a 427 in my C5Z... I am running a little 414ci... I have driven a buddies H/C C6Z and LOVED it!!!! Would love to own one someday in the not too distant future. That being said, I could not part w my C5Z if I had to choose... I feel as though I am a part of it while driving it... Point and go.... Just my .02

 

thanks for all the replies and I am one of those who prefer the c5z interior over the c6, even with its flaws. I like the look and true black interior and I can add better leather. Just a note: I drove a 06 z when new at a dealer and pounded on it, then jumped into my c5z and did same thing...I felt c5 had a more raw feeling and the c6 was more refined yet more power, liked the c5 better and wished I had a 427 for power.

 

That is very accurate statement.

 

I own a C5 Z. I think the c5 fixed roof body happens to be the most beautifully drawn corvette ever. Its simplicity is perfect. To me, the C6 and even more so the c7 look like hot wheels cars. Overdone. After going to Ron fellows three day event and driving the c6 lineup, GS, ZO6 and ZRI, I came away thinking the Z06 was the best of the three. I think it's the LS7!
So I now dream of the day when I swap my ls6 out for an ls7. Then you end up with a beautiful and brutal track day car. Money not withstanding sure an early c6 zo6 is the best bang for the buck. But money isn't everything and everyone of the instructors at spring mountain talk about liking the balance of the c5z over the c6z. They all say the stock c6z is harder to drive right.( with traction control off ) than the c5z with mods for more power.
I say if you like the c5 body, put the ls7 in it and to hell with the cost. Hey , I think I just talked myself into it. I can mount the dry sump oil tank in place of the windshield washer tank! Yea, and then........

 

 

C5Z here with Forged H/C LS7... As MC Hammer says... "You Cant Touch This"....

 

if money wasnt a issue id ls7/tr6060/built dif, and big break kit...itll never be a c6z but when money isnt an issue anything has the potential and I prefer a nicely done c5z. frc body style was always my favorite

 

I agree w/ this completely. I have a C5Z w/ an LS7 434, and my father has a C6Z. The C6Z hands down is better all around. The transmission and diff are stouter stock, the gear is better IMO, and axle hop is just about non-existent in the C6Z. Not to mention, it can take a 13" wide wheel stock, comes w/ incredible brakes stock, it's better aero dynamically.

The list is long, but this is like comparing a Victoria secret model at 22 vs the same model at 30. Both amazing, younger is just better.

 

I will chime in once more... Here is the break down for me...

Stock vs Stock
C5Z:
* Awesome body style with unique body lines. Definitely one of the best looking corvettes ever built. Another + is Coupe owners cant Clone it ... Im a sucker for hideaway headlights as well.
* LS6 motor is a very stout power plant and can handle almost anything you throw at it. Obviously not as powerful as the LS7 in stock form nor comparable mod for mod!
* Car is extremely light tipping in at 3050lbs, Few mods and your in the high 2900lbs.
* MN12 Trans is race track purposed with steep gearing.
* Even though the brakes are not top of the line stock, The car stops very well.
* Suspension is pretty damn good stock and is very tight. C6Z is a tad better although the C5Z feels more race inspired and raw...
* Interior is presentable and serves its purpose! Basically for me to sit in and drive lol. No frills at all, No sound deadening so you hear everything and is cheaply made. Im not a creature of comforts nor is that the reason why I purchased it.

C6Z:
* Also a Awesome looking car, With a sexy booty. Downfall for me is its easily copied by C6 coupe guys via QP replacement and fenders which takes away the uniqueness of the C6Z
* Powerplant LS7 is a very powerful motor which makes ridiculous numbers with just boltons. It has it quarks but what doesn't.
* Car has great power to weight ratio but is still heavier then a C5Z by a couple hundred lbs...
* TR6060 is a great transmission with wide gearing for non stop highway pulling, More superior then the C5Z trans in this aspect.
* Great brakes which imo don't seem to stop any faster then the C5Z but they do look better with the monster calipers
* Suspension is slightly beefier but feels more refined over the C5Z. No racecar feel at all
* Interior is a little better to look at but is also full of rough plastic parts and is sound deadened better so you get less ambient noise. Still sucks though and cheaply made, But as I said before. Who cares...

My Car:

Pros:
*Low mileage 2001 Z06 with 21K miles on body
* Stock motor/Trans/Diff all pulled and replaced with a Forged H/C LS7/RPM A4/RPM C6Z Diff making 600rwhp / 575rwtq
* Car is faster and more powerful then any H/C/I C5Z or even some boosted C5Z's. I owned another C5Z before this making 440/408 with a LS6 and it doesn't even compare.
* I pretty much embarrass most H/C/I C6Z's with my setup
* My TQ curve is out of this world. God bless big cube motors
* I have C5Z calipers on all 4 corners with larger slotted rotors. I can say with confidence it will out stop a C6Z all day
* Full coilover suspension and again I can say I will put a C6Z to shame in the handling department.
* Car looks stock and most people think its just a Cammed stock motor LS6
* I love making 700+whp Cobras sad

Cons:
* It wasn't cheap lol

 

 

Can you comment on what heads, cam and intake youre running?

I'd love to know what it took to run 575rwtq...

 

lot of illinois boys on this thread.

 

I can concur w/ this.

And Pete, 575 ft-lbs is easily accomplished w/ the right cam in the LS7.

 

Can you please tell me which cams are pulling so much torque?

 

K501. QM600.

Those are the 2 off the top of my head. Both require good heads though.

 

LG G7XX Cam and Carl Wegner Custom ported / decked L92 heads with 5 angle valve job, Intake is a ported LS3. Dude is probably the best head guy out there if not 1 of the top 5... Guy is a known Nascar engine builder

Basically my car is a Built LS7 block with a Built LS3 Top end with better compression...

 

IL boys go hard with the C5Z's hahaha j/k