Need opinions on z06's
#1
Need opinions on z06's
have always had older vettes but now looking for a z06.would be happy with a 2003, or are the newer ones(2008) worth the extra 20k.what would be the big diferences? besides the extra 100hp-thanks mike
#2
Race Director
The biggest difference is that a 2003 and a 2008 are two different models with different engines, interiors, and body styles. '03 is a C5 and '08 is a C6.
#3
Safety Car
I prefer the looks of the C5 but the running gear in the 08+ cars is worth it as you'd easily spend $20k upgrading a C5 to similar specs.
#4
Burning Brakes
The biggest difference is the earlier models have bulletproof engines whereas the later ones are ticking time bombs.
I'd recommend a Grand Sport wholeheartedly though.
I'd recommend a Grand Sport wholeheartedly though.
#5
Safety Car
ANY LS7 powered car should have the heads done IMMEDIATELY upon taking delivery or you are rolling the dice.
#6
Safety Car
Agree with that. The problem is that if you like the looks of the c5 more, a grand sport doesn't offer THAT much more performance for the money. Honestly boltons and a tune with some suspension work will make a c5z perform like a grand sport.
#8
Melting Slicks
I like the looks of the C6 Grand Sport, but if performance is the issue, as others have said a Grand Sport and a C5 Z06 is a wash. The C5Z06 is lighter weight which will turn in similar quarter mile times and likewise track time.
To exceed the performance of the C6 Z06 with a C5 Z06 for less money, bolt on a Eldebrock Super Charger, which uses a roots blower setup. That would be < 10K with the Ligenfelter C6 conversion kit, dyno tune, and installation. You should be at about 550 RWP with this setup on 5-6 lbs boost. The difference between the roots and a centrifical kit is that the roots kit will provide boost from off idle. This is important to get into the power band at lower RPMs. The downside is that since it is providing boost off idle, gas mileage will suffer (you need more fuel on delivery). The centrifical SC freewheels until above 3,000 RPMs before any boost is applied. Does not make much difference in a track type scenario, but would in a drag race.
To exceed the performance of the C6 Z06 with a C5 Z06 for less money, bolt on a Eldebrock Super Charger, which uses a roots blower setup. That would be < 10K with the Ligenfelter C6 conversion kit, dyno tune, and installation. You should be at about 550 RWP with this setup on 5-6 lbs boost. The difference between the roots and a centrifical kit is that the roots kit will provide boost from off idle. This is important to get into the power band at lower RPMs. The downside is that since it is providing boost off idle, gas mileage will suffer (you need more fuel on delivery). The centrifical SC freewheels until above 3,000 RPMs before any boost is applied. Does not make much difference in a track type scenario, but would in a drag race.
Last edited by bikeriderga; 09-30-2014 at 05:41 PM.
#9
Burning Brakes
Not knocking the C5Z but modding a car is like throwing money into the toilet. Hell I've spent a lot on my own C5 to make it the way I want it to be but I'm also aware that the 10k I put into it in mods will never add anything to the resale and did nothing to make the car more modern like a C6. Then again I wasn't cross shopping C6Z06s at the time either.
#10
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#11
Safety Car
Modding cars is totally a waste of money from a monetary investment standpoint, but my modded z makes me as excited as a 12 year old who just saw his first boob. And that's worth every penny I've invested!
#14
Le Mans Master
Hard to beat a C5Z in value. It's the performance bargain of all time. The cars stats are valid by todays standards...12yrs later. Unless you MUST have the look of a C6, I see no reason to own one. The 20k difference isn't justified imo.
#15
Instructor
Make sure it does not have aftermarket radio, Im going through all kinds of problems as the previous owner had a aftermarket radio installed and they hacked up all my wiring. Car has been out of service for 5 weeks.
#16
Safety Car
I have both a 03 Z06 that I have my self installed a ECS supercharger system and an 2008 Z06 bought with 12k on her and so far she just hit 18k in less then in a year of ownership, not one single issue with the 08z, the whole valve drop issue is pretty small % number so I would not let that deter you from getting a C6Z..
as for the C5 Z06 I did not buy the car for an investment because that is foolish, and everything I have done to it which by now is a lot and I am still not done I know I will not get anything extra out of that, no big deal, I do it because I enjoy modding my car VETTE ! and making it different and unique then every other VETTE out there!
here are pics of my 2003 Z06
and the 08z and my 03z
as for the C5 Z06 I did not buy the car for an investment because that is foolish, and everything I have done to it which by now is a lot and I am still not done I know I will not get anything extra out of that, no big deal, I do it because I enjoy modding my car VETTE ! and making it different and unique then every other VETTE out there!
here are pics of my 2003 Z06
and the 08z and my 03z
#17
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I say go with what you can afford at the time... when I was shopping the c6z was out of reach so I went with a nice c5z... got a promotion and paid that off in 2 years and have since put enough mods on top of the price of the car to buy a nice c6z BUT I will walk away from most of the cars I run into on the street and to someone like me that's more... stock for stock I'd rather have a c6z but where I am now I don't think I would trade mine for a bone stock c6z
#18
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MOMO MOMO more.... pics of the C5Z w ghost flames.....
I too prefer the C5Z, but then again I am partial. If I were to add a C6 to the stable an LS3 based (forged) GS would be my second choice. Unless I could steal an AO C6Z....
I too prefer the C5Z, but then again I am partial. If I were to add a C6 to the stable an LS3 based (forged) GS would be my second choice. Unless I could steal an AO C6Z....
#19
Tech Contributor