I will be getting one or the other in a few months. I am currently helping a friend of mine put in new heads/cam and headers on his 99 C5. The heads he got from MTI and they are stage II for 1500. The work on the heads are awesome. This is withouth the core. I was thinking of getting a c5 and doing the same mods. However before I do that I wanted to know the differences in the C5 and Z06. Another friend of mine said with headers and cam I will take my buddies C5. I'm not too sure about that, but if the z06 is lighter and has a better suspension I would prefer the Z06. I planned on keeping my Z28, but who knows how I feel after I am driving a Z06.

 

The Z06 is lighter, maybe 120 lbs? It will def have stiffer suspension, and the frc body style is stiffer. As for a cammed Z06 beating a heads/cam coupe, it depends on the size of the cam. If the cam is the same in both, usually the heads/cam coupe will do better than the cammed z06.

 

The Z06 is a C5 unless you are reffering to the C6 Z06.

Anyway, I would drive a Z06 before you decide to get a coupe. You'll see the difference, and love it! I had a 03 Coupe and switched to a 04 Z06. I couldn't go back if someone paid me.

Best of luck!

 

The "C5" term just refers to the 5th generation of vettes, including the FRC/Z06, coupe and convertible. Honestly at first I wanted a coupe with the removable top...Now I wouldnt trade my FRC for anything. If you are planning on modding it anyways, look for a 99/00 FRC (same hardtop body as z06) and you can take the extra money you would have spend on a 01+ z06 and sink that into your heads/cam package...

 

First of all a Z06 is a C5. The Z06 is the performance option for the C5.
The differences in the suspension are, higher rate springs, larger sway bars, and better shocks. Calipers are the same but, painted red. Tires; larger width non run flat tires without sensors. Wheels, are slighty wider to accomadate the larger tires and are lighter. Body; fixed roof coupe for more ridigity. Exhaust; titanium catback system flows better and weighs about 20 lbs. less than a stock coupe or vert. Mid section has an H-pipe with 2 cats and no pre cats, sans 2001 Z06. Exhaust manifolds are different as compared to the 1997 to 2000 engines. Differential; 3:42 gears that are shotpeened and hardended. Transmission; M12 has lower ratios than the standard MN6. Transmission cooler and heat sensor. Engine; intake manifold is different than the 1997 to 2000 engines. Heads are different. Higher compression, sodium filled valves, d-shaped exhaust ports, etc. Different cam. Different block as compared to 1997 thru 2001s. Z06's have power steering coolers. The Z06 is approximately 130 pounds lighter than the coupe. There are some slight differences in the 2001 LS6 engines and the '02-'04 LS6 engines. Z06's do not have fog lights. There is probably something I missed that others will address. If you are more performance oriented and don't care about top off driving or having an auto, get the Z06. Get a 2002 or newer Z06.

 

If I were in your shoes, I would take into consideration this.

1. how important is it that you crusie with the top off..? some people coulld care less.. others would rather have "top down" option vs more HPthe Z06 is a FRC (fixed roof coupe)

2. I believe the 2002 Z06 & newer have 405hp stock from the factory... pre 2002 the Z06 had 385hp ( I would only get a 02 or newer Z06)

3. 2001 newer coupes/verts have 350hp stock andsome other enhancements I am sure others will list for you

4 Z06 does have better/stiffer suspension and other goodies

when you start talking about modding this and that, it's a whole different ball game all around...I would look at what you would start with HP wise and option wise based on what model C5 you choose

good luck

 

Drive the Z06 and decide. I drove one and if I could afford it, I would be in one today. I just liked the feel of the car and the power (405HP) was very intoxicating. But my coupe is nice and offers greater flexibility in terms of usable space and the lift off roof.

Hard choice. Good luck with your decision.

 

Technically all Corvettes built for model years 1997 through 2004 are C5s whether they be a coupe, convertible or Z06. Z06 is the RPO (Regular Production Option) Code for the Special Performance Hardtop Merchandised Pkg.(1YY37). You can find a lot more information on the Z06 at the following links:

2001 - 2004 Z06 Corvette Center

2003-2004 Corvette Suspension Comparison

2004 Corvette Specifications

Hope this helps and good luck finding the right new car.

 

I've owned both a modded 99 MN6 coupe and now a modded 03 Z. The targa top on the 99 was nice and I took if off 4 maybe 5 times a year. So it wasn't a "must have" feature. On the other hand I like performance - total performance that is and after one drive in a stock Z I fell in love.

You need to drive both and figure out what's important. And as other's have said once you start modding either car your comparing apples to oranges since no two cars will respond the same. The extra stiffness and lighter weight can't be easily duplicated in a coupe and is esaily felt by even a casual vette driver. Hell my wife noticed the difference from the passenger seat.

Good luck as there is no right or wrong answer to your question.

Tom

 

I have a feeling most everyone here knows how you'll feel after driving the Z06

In a nutshell, Z06 is lighter and more powerful, with a stiffer suspension and different gear ratios in the tranny. Power upgrades are no big deal, neither is a suspension swap. about 1/3 of the weight difference between regular C5 and the Z06 trim is in the wheels/tires and the exhuast, so after those, there's probably about 90 to 100 lbs difference.

In terms of using the car, I think a coupe is great as a daily driver, and a vert is great for cruises. If you race, vert is not the best choice. Just my .02

Welcome to the forum.

 

The stiffer suspension and better tranny basically sold me. Thanks guys you've been a great help. I will use the z06 for Road Course and Autoxing and my z28 for the strip.

 

I have a 99 Coupe and my old man has an 04 Z16. They are both great cars, but as explained in earlier posts, the Z06 has a totally different feel. Stiffer, more HP, different gear ratios, etc. I've been really thinking about selling my 99 Coupe and getting a 02-04 Z06. But everytime I walk out my front door and see that Torch Red Coupe staring back at me, I always think to myself, how in the heck could I get rid of a car that looks that good. Just a matter of opinion I guess. And if you're going to heavily mod the car, the Z06 probably has a slight upper hand, but I just think it comes down to if you like the FRC or the Coupe body style.

 

But if you're going to correct that, let's also get the model names correct... Hardtop/Z06, Coupe, and Convertible. FRC was never an official (outside of GM) model designation for the Hardtop or Z06.

 

Tiger Shark is right on. In 1999 it was RPO1YY37 Base Corvette Hardtop. In 2001 it was RPO 1YY37 Base Corvette Z06 Hardtop. And if you really wanna get picky, the Coupe is not just a Coupe... it is a Base Corvette Sport Coupe... oh never mind!

 

Get the FRC platform for modding!

 

Also, those significantly lighter wheels and tires mean less rotational mass and that is a huge deal as far as the car's ability to accelerate.

If you want to save a little money, have more interior space, and the ability to see through or take the top off, buy the coupe. You will love it! Just one thing thing though, DON'T even look at a Z-06. You will wish you had bought the Z once you realize what you're missing!

 

Good luck, I like both

 

im waiting for the new C6 Z06

 

Me Too !