[Z06] C5Z427 vs C6Z
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
C5Z427 vs C6Z
what do you think, would you rather have and why a c5z with a ls7/427 motor or a c6z? forget warranty, suspension etc. type things on c6 and comment on motor only and reasons why or why not..
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 398
Likes: 22
From: Las Vegas NV
Money no object? C6Z and it's not close. I've owned both.
Better motor
Better Trans
Better Diff
Better Frame
Better oiling system
Better cooling systems
Better Brakes
Better/Bigger wheels/tires
Better interior
Better exterior
Im sure theres more…
The C5Z is a helluva deal for the money(I currently own one) but the C6Z is a monster.
By the time you buy a $20k C5Z and do an LS7 conversion, you coulda found a solid C6Z for the same price and picked up everything else above for free cause its standard on the C6. Just sayin...
Better motor
Better Trans
Better Diff
Better Frame
Better oiling system
Better cooling systems
Better Brakes
Better/Bigger wheels/tires
Better interior
Better exterior
Im sure theres more…
The C5Z is a helluva deal for the money(I currently own one) but the C6Z is a monster.
By the time you buy a $20k C5Z and do an LS7 conversion, you coulda found a solid C6Z for the same price and picked up everything else above for free cause its standard on the C6. Just sayin...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 20
From: Springfield NJ
Money no object? C6Z and it's not close. I've owned both.
Better motor
Better Trans
Better Diff
Better Frame
Better oiling system
Better cooling systems
Better Brakes
Better/Bigger wheels/tires
Better interior
Better exterior
Im sure theres more…
The C5Z is a helluva deal for the money(I currently own one) but the C6Z is a monster.
By the time you buy a $20k C5Z and do an LS7 conversion, you coulda found a solid C6Z for the same price and picked up everything else above for free cause its standard on the C6. Just sayin...
Better motor
Better Trans
Better Diff
Better Frame
Better oiling system
Better cooling systems
Better Brakes
Better/Bigger wheels/tires
Better interior
Better exterior
Im sure theres more…
The C5Z is a helluva deal for the money(I currently own one) but the C6Z is a monster.
By the time you buy a $20k C5Z and do an LS7 conversion, you coulda found a solid C6Z for the same price and picked up everything else above for free cause its standard on the C6. Just sayin...
Honest question: The gearing in much taller in the C6Z; is it that much more fun to drive on the street? I have never driven a C6Z, but I was driving my C5Z and just thinking that if you can't even redline 2nd gear without breaking speed limits, does it actually feel that much faster? I need to find an honest review of the two cars w/o bias. You would actually be in the perfect position, owning both, but currently owning a C5Z.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Bartlett IL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I have never owned a C6Z but a few friends have and still do and I got the chance to drive and beat on one on many occasions.
Theres a reason why I stuffed a LS7 in my C5Z after my experience in a C6Z. The only things I like about the C6Z are the power plant, lights and wide stance. Everything else like body lines, interior, road feedback, braking and even handling I prefer the C5Z
Theres a reason why I stuffed a LS7 in my C5Z after my experience in a C6Z. The only things I like about the C6Z are the power plant, lights and wide stance. Everything else like body lines, interior, road feedback, braking and even handling I prefer the C5Z
Last edited by PeteZ06; Mar 27, 2014 at 08:40 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Bartlett IL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
After rereading your question, it makes no sense..
Youre asking people to comment on motor only? If you have the LS7 in both cars then the LS7 will behave identically in either car... whats there left to comment on the engine?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 20
From: Springfield NJ
Could you elaborate a little more? C6Z brakes are supposed to be an upgrade for the C5.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 285
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
Money no object? C6Z and it's not close. I've owned both.
Better motor
Better Trans
Better Diff
Better Frame
Better oiling system
Better cooling systems
Better Brakes
Better/Bigger wheels/tires
Better interior
Better exterior
Im sure theres more…
The C5Z is a helluva deal for the money(I currently own one) but the C6Z is a monster.
By the time you buy a $20k C5Z and do an LS7 conversion, you coulda found a solid C6Z for the same price and picked up everything else above for free cause its standard on the C6. Just sayin...
Better motor
Better Trans
Better Diff
Better Frame
Better oiling system
Better cooling systems
Better Brakes
Better/Bigger wheels/tires
Better interior
Better exterior
Im sure theres more…
The C5Z is a helluva deal for the money(I currently own one) but the C6Z is a monster.
By the time you buy a $20k C5Z and do an LS7 conversion, you coulda found a solid C6Z for the same price and picked up everything else above for free cause its standard on the C6. Just sayin...
I personally own an LS7 swapped C5Z and like Pete stated above i prefer it over the C6Z (yes i've driven both). The price of the swap varies it's not necessarily 20k out the door.
Everything else you noted was "better" can be also had on a C5Z for less of a C6Z. It's all just based on preference and how wild you want to go.
Last edited by Maxx_Z06; Mar 27, 2014 at 09:10 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 285
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
Really, INTERIOR?!? I'm not a luxury car snob by any means...to be honest I'm not all that impressed with Audi's interior, and they supposedly are on the cutting edge of interior design. But the C5 interior is pretty terrible. It doesn't bother me much, but let's call a spade a spade. Hard, creaky plastics, pathetic excuse for leather seats, and panel gaps wide enough to lose spare change.
Could you elaborate a little more? C6Z brakes are supposed to be an upgrade for the C5.
Could you elaborate a little more? C6Z brakes are supposed to be an upgrade for the C5.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 20
From: Springfield NJ
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Bartlett IL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I agree the fit of the C6 is better but still very sub par.
The seats in the C6 are better padded but both severely lack lateral support.
And as far as I've seen, and someone correct me if I'm wrong.. the C5 interior offers a true black interior.. whereas the C6 is more of a charcoal.. very dark grey.. and I prefer a true black interior.
Those are my reasons why I prefer the C5 interior.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
Honestly I was going to stretch and get an earlier model C6Z but instead bought a brand new truck AND a C5Z w/ barely any miles. The main reasons were that a) I've always wanted the C5Z because its my generation's car (I'm 33), and b) after researching plenty online (including here) it seems that the LS6 is a MUCH more reliable/sturdy engine when it comes to pushing it and modding it compared to the LS7 - knowing that I'd eventually do cam/headers in the least, hell maybe a SC a few years down the road when I get "bored" I decided the C5Z was the better bet.
So I guess my answer to your question is - if I had to have the LS7 motor I'd take it in the car it is meant to be in - the C6Z, BUT I'd rather just have a heads/cam/header C5Z than an LS7 in either.
Does that make sense?
BTW - don't jump all over me for "bashing" the C6Z/LS7 - you all are the ones that made up my mind not to get one in the first place lol!
So I guess my answer to your question is - if I had to have the LS7 motor I'd take it in the car it is meant to be in - the C6Z, BUT I'd rather just have a heads/cam/header C5Z than an LS7 in either.
Does that make sense?
BTW - don't jump all over me for "bashing" the C6Z/LS7 - you all are the ones that made up my mind not to get one in the first place lol!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 1
From: King Ranch, 2015 GTR 2008 Z06 Viper Texas
My 08 C6Z has a blend of looks, performance and value that has kept me from pulling the trigger on a new toy, i.e. 911, GTR, Viper, etc.. until something really spectacular is released. It does everything pretty well.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Corvettes may never have the look of the FRC/ZO6 again. If it's a style you like, the platform can be modified to whatever performance/comfort level. The LS7 isn't magic, it's mostly an increase in displacement. Unless you're picking up a used LS7, it's cheaper to build a even more powerful, NA, or FI motor based on a gen3 design.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 227
From: Taylors South Carolina
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
After owning a 4th gen z28 for 10+ years the c5 interior is pretty damn nice imo. Yes its not mercedes/lexus quality but next to my old z28 its a huge upgrade. The 4th gen had the worst quality interior Ive seen since one of my first cars, an 85 cavalier, lol.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 285
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
i personally like the curves of the c5 and it feels homey, the newer models seem to be to "advanced"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 283
From: cary Il
I have to agree with you about the C5Z being a great value, and the C6Z being more of a purpose built, no-holds-barred track car. C6Z was my dream car. But, with all the fleas that have shown up in the motor and oiling system, and headaches with the axles and brake pads...I'm not sure sure.
Honest question: The gearing in much taller in the C6Z; is it that much more fun to drive on the street? I have never driven a C6Z, but I was driving my C5Z and just thinking that if you can't even redline 2nd gear without breaking speed limits, does it actually feel that much faster? I need to find an honest review of the two cars w/o bias. You would actually be in the perfect position, owning both, but currently owning a C5Z.
Honest question: The gearing in much taller in the C6Z; is it that much more fun to drive on the street? I have never driven a C6Z, but I was driving my C5Z and just thinking that if you can't even redline 2nd gear without breaking speed limits, does it actually feel that much faster? I need to find an honest review of the two cars w/o bias. You would actually be in the perfect position, owning both, but currently owning a C5Z.