c5 vs. c5 zo6?
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 147
Looking at the two cars i'm happy i got the z06. I never realized how much more i liked the frc design. I know it's a personal thing but i like it 10x better.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Out of the box, the Z06 is a more capable track setup. Once you get to modding though, the differences quickly disappear. The base Corvette can be set up to use the same shocks, tires, intake, cams, headers, etc. as the Z06. You can also mod the base Corvette to have the flush rear brake scoops, which IMO look far better than the Z06 rear brake scoop. A Vararam or Callaway Honker are much better than the Z06 intake setup. The engine blocks in 2001+ base C5s are the same as the Z06 blocks. The only differences that cannot be easily reconciled are the weight (to the tune of 100-150 lbs) and rigidity.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Out of the box, the Z06 is a more capable track setup. Once you get to modding though, the differences quickly disappear. The base Corvette can be set up to use the same shocks, tires, intake, cams, headers, etc. as the Z06. You can also mod the base Corvette to have the flush rear brake scoops, which IMO look far better than the Z06 rear brake scoop. A Vararam or Callaway Honker are much better than the Z06 intake setup. The engine blocks in 2001+ base C5s are the same as the Z06 blocks. The only differences that cannot be easily reconciled are the weight (to the tune of 100-150 lbs) and rigidity.
10.16 overall ratio in first gear for the Z compared to 9.10 on the base models. That's a truckload of more pull from a stop.
In a straight line I'm guessing you'd need 30-40 more HP to overcome the tranny gearing and weight.
Handling; sure sway bars etc., bigger tires...
Edit; that first gear would need to be mated with 3.82 gears on a base model to match the 3.42 with the Z first gear...
Last edited by grantv; Oct 26, 2018 at 01:55 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 421
From: Ventura County, CA
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
True for sure, but I'd say one of the hardest things to overcome is the tranny gearing 1 thru 3.
10.16 overall ratio in first gear for the Z compared to 9.10 on the base models. That's a truckload of more pull from a stop.
In a straight line I'm guessing you'd need 30-40 more HP to overcome the tranny gearing and weight.
Handling; sure sway bars etc., bigger tires...
Edit; that first gear would need to be mated with 3.82 gears on a base model to match the 3.42 with the Z first gear...
10.16 overall ratio in first gear for the Z compared to 9.10 on the base models. That's a truckload of more pull from a stop.
In a straight line I'm guessing you'd need 30-40 more HP to overcome the tranny gearing and weight.
Handling; sure sway bars etc., bigger tires...
Edit; that first gear would need to be mated with 3.82 gears on a base model to match the 3.42 with the Z first gear...
exactly, if we’re talking about modding cars then it won’t really matter as I’ve even seen school buses track prepped but at the end of the day you’ll either have a C5 or a Z06.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
True for sure, but I'd say one of the hardest things to overcome is the tranny gearing 1 thru 3.
10.16 overall ratio in first gear for the Z compared to 9.10 on the base models. That's a truckload of more pull from a stop.
In a straight line I'm guessing you'd need 30-40 more HP to overcome the tranny gearing and weight.
Handling; sure sway bars etc., bigger tires...
Edit; that first gear would need to be mated with 3.82 gears on a base model to match the 3.42 with the Z first gear...
10.16 overall ratio in first gear for the Z compared to 9.10 on the base models. That's a truckload of more pull from a stop.
In a straight line I'm guessing you'd need 30-40 more HP to overcome the tranny gearing and weight.
Handling; sure sway bars etc., bigger tires...
Edit; that first gear would need to be mated with 3.82 gears on a base model to match the 3.42 with the Z first gear...
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,004
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
It takea a LOT more than the price difference between a base C5 and a C5 Z06 to overcome the performance differential..might as well get the Z from the onset.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Oct 28, 2018 at 01:36 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
My suspicion is youre only thinking staight line performance...the Corvette is a sports car, not a muscle/drag car, keep that in mind.
It takea a LOT more than the price difference between a base C5 and a C5 Z06 to overcome the performance differential..might as well get the Z from the onset.
It takea a LOT more than the price difference between a base C5 and a C5 Z06 to overcome the performance differential..might as well get the Z from the onset.
Last edited by Tsumi; Oct 28, 2018 at 01:43 AM.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Kelowna BC
Always Shiftin'
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I've owned both a '99 6spd coupe (headers w/ high flow cats and corsa final, CAI, and performance tune), and now own a pretty stock (Corsa over axle) 2004 Z06.
Without question there is a very noticeable difference in "seat-of-the pants" acceleration and overall performance, with the Z06 winning hands down. However, I am of the belief that the vast majority of Corvette owners will NEVER really realize this difference in performance. My '99 was more than fast for me and I was very happy with it. The only reason I sold it was needing money for a new house and putting my daughter through college and grad school. Once I was able to buy another Corvette, this '04 Z06 was just available and at a very good price. This Z06 is awesome, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a coupe or convertible. They are all incredible driving experiences to me.
Without question there is a very noticeable difference in "seat-of-the pants" acceleration and overall performance, with the Z06 winning hands down. However, I am of the belief that the vast majority of Corvette owners will NEVER really realize this difference in performance. My '99 was more than fast for me and I was very happy with it. The only reason I sold it was needing money for a new house and putting my daughter through college and grad school. Once I was able to buy another Corvette, this '04 Z06 was just available and at a very good price. This Z06 is awesome, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a coupe or convertible. They are all incredible driving experiences to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Central Florida