Z06 Coupe Conversion
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
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From: Bowling Green KY
Z06 Coupe Conversion
OK, guys, here is the deal, and I need some advice.
I have an '02 Coupe (A4) that I love dearly, but I would love to have 100% Z06 performance. Not just HP, but suspension, gears, brakes, etc.
I have been doing all the usual bolt-ons, 3.42s, 2800 TC, Corsa Indies, Vararam, Power Duct, 85mm throttle body, and I have Kook's LT headers on the way.
It just seems to me that I am in a never ending cycle of modding the next "weak link" in my car, and no matter what I do, I am still chasing a moving target (a modded Z06).
What I would really love to do is take my Coupe and marry it to a Z06 running gear! Does this sound insane? Has anyone ever tried it? Any advice is appreciated, and I am really serious!
Please, don't tell me to buy a Z06, because I love the Coupe's body style, removable top, etc.
Thanks
I have an '02 Coupe (A4) that I love dearly, but I would love to have 100% Z06 performance. Not just HP, but suspension, gears, brakes, etc.
I have been doing all the usual bolt-ons, 3.42s, 2800 TC, Corsa Indies, Vararam, Power Duct, 85mm throttle body, and I have Kook's LT headers on the way.
It just seems to me that I am in a never ending cycle of modding the next "weak link" in my car, and no matter what I do, I am still chasing a moving target (a modded Z06).
What I would really love to do is take my Coupe and marry it to a Z06 running gear! Does this sound insane? Has anyone ever tried it? Any advice is appreciated, and I am really serious!
Please, don't tell me to buy a Z06, because I love the Coupe's body style, removable top, etc.
Thanks
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Haven't heard of anyone doing this yet, but with enough patience, parts and money, I guess anything is possible. If you do this, it would be nice if you documented each step. Would love to know how it is done and how it comes out.
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I know you said don't tell me to buy a Z06 but you have another option that you may not be aware of and it require you to have a Z06. Convert a Z06 to a Coupe. Check out what the cost of a Z06 running gear conversion would cost you with labour included. Check out the price of upgrading to a Z06 then get Caravaggio to convert the Z06 to a coupe.
Last edited by Zilla; Aug 8, 2004 at 12:11 AM.
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Originally Posted by tblair7500
OK, guys, here is the deal, and I need some advice.
I have an '02 Coupe (A4) that I love dearly, but I would love to have 100% Z06 performance. Not just HP, but suspension, gears, brakes, etc.
I have been doing all the usual bolt-ons, 3.42s, 2800 TC, Corsa Indies, Vararam, Power Duct, 85mm throttle body, and I have Kook's LT headers on the way.
It just seems to me that I am in a never ending cycle of modding the next "weak link" in my car, and no matter what I do, I am still chasing a moving target (a modded Z06).
What I would really love to do is take my Coupe and marry it to a Z06 running gear! Does this sound insane? Has anyone ever tried it? Any advice is appreciated, and I am really serious!
Please, don't tell me to buy a Z06, because I love the Coupe's body style, removable top, etc.
Thanks
I have an '02 Coupe (A4) that I love dearly, but I would love to have 100% Z06 performance. Not just HP, but suspension, gears, brakes, etc.
I have been doing all the usual bolt-ons, 3.42s, 2800 TC, Corsa Indies, Vararam, Power Duct, 85mm throttle body, and I have Kook's LT headers on the way.
It just seems to me that I am in a never ending cycle of modding the next "weak link" in my car, and no matter what I do, I am still chasing a moving target (a modded Z06).
What I would really love to do is take my Coupe and marry it to a Z06 running gear! Does this sound insane? Has anyone ever tried it? Any advice is appreciated, and I am really serious!
Please, don't tell me to buy a Z06, because I love the Coupe's body style, removable top, etc.
Thanks
Did you say that you were chasing a "modded" Z06. Hardly worth the time, effort or expense IMO.
You will have to upgrade your entire suspension, shocks, swaybars, and tires, plus change front brake pads, you'll need heads and cam, and programming.
I'm figuring around another 85-90hp total above your stock 350HP, to make up for the additive effect of the Z06s HP, gearing, and weight advantages. Once you do the heads and cam, it won't be to long before you will need a stronger automatic transmission to handle the new power. The Z is lighter, more powerful, and geared more aggressively.
Swapping out your own drivetrain for an entire Z06 drivetrain still does not address the handling issue.
In the end, with your automatic, it'll be tough to match the Z in both straight line performance and performance in the twisties.. Might be a bit easier if you had a stick.
You may get to Z06 straight line performance or beyond. But with that auto, it won't be easy to match a well driven "modded" Z06 on a road course, even if you do suspension upgrades
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Aug 8, 2004 at 12:40 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)
Get the specs on the ZO6 (engine, drivetrain, running gear etc.) and instead of trying to duplicate item for item just select after market parts that do the same thing. i.e. My 3.90 gear in my coupe gives the same overall ratio in 1st (MN6) as the ZO6.
Do a stage II LS1 head job and a Comp Cams X218/224/581/115 cam, some mid length headers and a good tune.
Hotchkiss or T1 bars, Billsteins, higher durometer bushings, street/strip brake pads and either ZO6 or other after market springs (I put in a set of used ZO6 springs).
Get a set of 18" reproduction ZO6 chromies and 275/295 18" BFG KD's and go out and KILL those ZO6's (is that blasphemy?).
Any way that's sorta what I did!
Roy
Do a stage II LS1 head job and a Comp Cams X218/224/581/115 cam, some mid length headers and a good tune.
Hotchkiss or T1 bars, Billsteins, higher durometer bushings, street/strip brake pads and either ZO6 or other after market springs (I put in a set of used ZO6 springs).
Get a set of 18" reproduction ZO6 chromies and 275/295 18" BFG KD's and go out and KILL those ZO6's (is that blasphemy?).
Any way that's sorta what I did!
Roy
Last edited by 7.0sc SuperVette; Aug 8, 2004 at 12:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
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From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by EB20003
Did you say that you were chasing a "modded" Z06. Hardly worth the time, effort or expense IMO.
As for the Caravaggio Z06 to Coupe upgrade, this sounds very interesting to me, except that I would first have to trade in my coupe for a Z06. Still a possibility, though. I think the $15,000 upgrade is not too bad, though. I could easily see that many mods on my existing coupe.
Thanks for the ideas. Keep them coming!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 68
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by EB20003
What about buying a C6 MN6 coupe with the Z51 package and going from there? A much better starting point as you would be very close to Z06 performance "bone stock".
Or waiting for the C6 Z06?
Or waiting for the C6 Z06?
I think the C6 is probably a very good option, but with two conditions:
1. I want to wait a couple of years until the inevitable "bugs" are worked out.
2. I can buy on GMS pricing, which will probably take a while until the dealers are willing to offer it.
When the C6 first came out, I wasn't for sure, but there are about a hundred of them running around Bowling Green now, and they are really starting to grow on me!
I really love living in "Vette City"!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
Swap the heads out with AFR pieces. The LS6 heads and cam make the biggest difference, right after tranny/diff, but since you have that already done, spend 3 grand and get ready for another ~100 hp.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 68
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by leaftye
Swap the heads out with AFR pieces. The LS6 heads and cam make the biggest difference, right after tranny/diff, but since you have that already done, spend 3 grand and get ready for another ~100 hp.
That also sounds like a very likely option. There is a local company called Total Engine Airflow (TEA) that does heads / cam work, and I have heard some very good things about their work.
Has anyone else on the forum used TEA's heads and cam?
