C5 vs C5Z
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
C5 vs C5Z
Hello,
I am starting to do some research on which corvette I am eventually going to buy. I have a few questions and appreciate any information shared.
Are there any differences between the c5 and the c5z, other than the cam, head, and transmission. Obviously they have different roofline as well. My concern is that the Z may not be worth the extra money because with the exception of the transmission the parts I plan to upgrade are the same parts that make the ls6 different that the ls1. I feel like the ls1 and ls6 have very similar if not the same end potential.
What are realistic performance numbers of a N/A c5 that has pretty good street manners?
I am starting to do some research on which corvette I am eventually going to buy. I have a few questions and appreciate any information shared.
Are there any differences between the c5 and the c5z, other than the cam, head, and transmission. Obviously they have different roofline as well. My concern is that the Z may not be worth the extra money because with the exception of the transmission the parts I plan to upgrade are the same parts that make the ls6 different that the ls1. I feel like the ls1 and ls6 have very similar if not the same end potential.
What are realistic performance numbers of a N/A c5 that has pretty good street manners?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 418
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Block castings are different. The z has lighter glass stiffer chassis. Has the upgraded sways and springs. Oil cooler. Etc.
If you're going to build it and want something the roof comes off of the coupe makes sense. If you dont care about the roof I'd go z06
If you're going to build it and want something the roof comes off of the coupe makes sense. If you dont care about the roof I'd go z06
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
What's your use case? That's what really matters.
The C5Z is a better track car from the factory. If you plan to upgrade everything that made the C5Z better regardless, then it's not going to make a ton of difference.
The C5 is a nicer cruiser, since the roof comes off. (Well, apart from the FRC.) Doesn't mean it can't be upgraded with C5Z parts, or better.
You can get 400+ whp (depending on the dyno, 425, even 450) while retaining good manners on an NA build. It actually takes a lot to get these cars to suck to drive on the street, engine-wise. The easiest way to make them terrible is to install a very light clutch for a street car (I mean very light). Otherwise, lightened clutch assembly and flywheel, super nice heads, a big ol' cam, supporting valvetrain stuff, intake, exhaust, etc -- it'll still be a reasonably nice street car unless you are really, really eking out the last little bits of horsepower you can, N/A.
The C5Z is a better track car from the factory. If you plan to upgrade everything that made the C5Z better regardless, then it's not going to make a ton of difference.
The C5 is a nicer cruiser, since the roof comes off. (Well, apart from the FRC.) Doesn't mean it can't be upgraded with C5Z parts, or better.
You can get 400+ whp (depending on the dyno, 425, even 450) while retaining good manners on an NA build. It actually takes a lot to get these cars to suck to drive on the street, engine-wise. The easiest way to make them terrible is to install a very light clutch for a street car (I mean very light). Otherwise, lightened clutch assembly and flywheel, super nice heads, a big ol' cam, supporting valvetrain stuff, intake, exhaust, etc -- it'll still be a reasonably nice street car unless you are really, really eking out the last little bits of horsepower you can, N/A.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
I am planning on taking the car to the track and the strip as often as I can, but as you all know it will see more street us than track use. Saying that I want to to perform well, where ever id take it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
How's the weather where you live? How important is a roof that comes off to you?
How much do you plan to modify the car? Are you gonna keep the stock C5Z goodies, if you got one, or would it mostly get upgraded anyways?
How much do you plan to modify the car? Are you gonna keep the stock C5Z goodies, if you got one, or would it mostly get upgraded anyways?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,350
Likes: 4,580
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
You can read about the C5 Z06 in the following 2 links. The first link is from when the 2001 Z06 was introduced and the second shows the changes for the 2002 model year Z06. The 2003-2004 Z06's were the basically the same as the 2002 except for the shocks in the '04:
2001 Z06 info: http://www.z06vette.com/01.php
2002 thru 2004 Z06 info: http://www.z06vette.com/02.php
More info:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/z06/
http://www.c5registry.com/2k2z06/page4.htm
2001 Z06 info: http://www.z06vette.com/01.php
2002 thru 2004 Z06 info: http://www.z06vette.com/02.php
More info:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/z06/
http://www.c5registry.com/2k2z06/page4.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,890
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
you will spend a pee pot full of money upgrading a non Z car, just to catch up to it, and not be any further ahead, only deeper in the cash hole. My opinion the Z has most of everything, and can still spend the same amount of upgrade cash and be waaaaaaaaay further ahead. JMO.. that is why i bought a Z. and hit 492 to the ground.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 281
From: NoVA
From my experience.
I wanted a Z06 back in 2001 so I bought a 1999 coupe and started modding it to a Z06. I did everything I could to bring it as close to Z06 spec but the rigidity of the chassis was not there. In 2003 I bought a 2003 Z06 and problem solved! Lesson learned.
I wanted a Z06 back in 2001 so I bought a 1999 coupe and started modding it to a Z06. I did everything I could to bring it as close to Z06 spec but the rigidity of the chassis was not there. In 2003 I bought a 2003 Z06 and problem solved! Lesson learned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 784
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
If you're spending a lot of time at the track get the Z06 although some think the roof is fugly and has more drag than the coupe. Most of the above responses are from Z owner and "may" be a bit biased.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 503
An important Z only part that is useful on track is the "competitive mode" traction control.
Without buying traction control parts from a same gen (2002-2004) Z and swapping to coupe, coupes will never have CM
the LS6 has higher rpm dependability and has better cylinder to cylinder breathing
Z's are a lot: smaller steering wheel, wider/lighter wheels, brake ducts, LS6 and all its parts, different gauge cluster, competitive mode, rear spring and sway bars, Ti exhaust, OE brake compound, powder coated calipers, thinner glass, power seat DS only, non tinting outside mirror, spare inflator kit, shorter gearing
list is long. Z is the better car, for performance. The base is the better car for comfort and 6th gear cruising.
Without buying traction control parts from a same gen (2002-2004) Z and swapping to coupe, coupes will never have CM
the LS6 has higher rpm dependability and has better cylinder to cylinder breathing
Z's are a lot: smaller steering wheel, wider/lighter wheels, brake ducts, LS6 and all its parts, different gauge cluster, competitive mode, rear spring and sway bars, Ti exhaust, OE brake compound, powder coated calipers, thinner glass, power seat DS only, non tinting outside mirror, spare inflator kit, shorter gearing
list is long. Z is the better car, for performance. The base is the better car for comfort and 6th gear cruising.
Last edited by arthursc2; Mar 26, 2019 at 10:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
An important Z only part that is useful on track is the "competitive mode" traction control.
Without buying traction control parts from a same gen (2002-2004) Z and swapping to coupe, coupes will never have CM
the LS6 has higher rpm dependability and has better cylinder to cylinder breathing
Z's are a lot: smaller steering wheel, wider/lighter wheels, brake ducts, LS6 and all its parts, different gauge cluster, competitive mode, rear spring and sway bars, Ti exhaust, OE brake compound, powder coated calipers, thinner glass, power seat DS only, non tinting outside mirror, spare inflator kit, shorter gearing
list is long. Z is the better car, for performance. The base is the better car for comfort and 6th gear cruising.
Without buying traction control parts from a same gen (2002-2004) Z and swapping to coupe, coupes will never have CM
the LS6 has higher rpm dependability and has better cylinder to cylinder breathing
Z's are a lot: smaller steering wheel, wider/lighter wheels, brake ducts, LS6 and all its parts, different gauge cluster, competitive mode, rear spring and sway bars, Ti exhaust, OE brake compound, powder coated calipers, thinner glass, power seat DS only, non tinting outside mirror, spare inflator kit, shorter gearing
list is long. Z is the better car, for performance. The base is the better car for comfort and 6th gear cruising.