First off i just want to say hey everyone! and ya on to my silly question. and im not sure if i am posting this in the correct forum. I want to get a corvette. and the 00-01 models or so it looks like i can afford. (22-23 grand) is my budget pretty much. Is the z06 worth saving some more money and upgrading to or the c5 just fine? performance wise that is. and do you guys recommend any sites thats best to read up on stuff like this?

ty

-chris

 

[QUOTE=ohcrapitschris;1562226347] and do you guys recommend any sites thats best to read up on stuff like this?


You found it...

 

Here's a good multi-page article for you ....

http://www.idavette.net/hibz06/index.htm

 

The biggest differences are horsepower and suspension. A stock '01 LS6 ZO6 is puttin out 385hp vs stock '01 LS1 C5 is puttin out 350hp. ZO6 suspension handles better/firmer ride quality. Personally, I'd get the '02 ZO6. It comes out the box at 405hp.

 

Don't limit yourself to a certain year!!! Alot of people say that you should by the newest corvette you can afford.

I bought my 01 Z06 because of the color of all things!!! Its rare, I love white corvettes, the price was right, I love the look of the Z06 and the performance, and lastly because it was close to my family.

I would suggest driving a couple and a Z06 to see for yourself. GOOD LUCK!!!! Oh and there is a for sale section, there are at least 2 2001 SW Z06s for sale right now!!!!

 

awesome ty =)

 

The best answer I have ever heard to this question (and I asked it myself) is this... Are you going to buy and enjoy it as-is, or will you be modding it significantly? If you plan on adding heads/cam, you may well be better off buying a Z51 LS1 (this is the next best suspension to the Z06), because the heads and cam are the primary parts that make a Z06 faster than an LS1. I have heard a few Z06 guys tell me that if they had it to do all over again, they would have started with an LS1, since they re-did their suspension and heads/cam.

I bought a 99 FRC (looks like a Z06) and paid a good $3,000 or more under what I would have had to pay for an '01 or '02 Z06. I paid $4,500 or so to throw on heads/cam/longtubes/intake/tune, and I now have a car with a good 50whp more than a stock Z06 for about the same money. I'm not slamming you z06 guys or anything. Had I bought the Z06, I would have more likely had a harder time convincing the wife to let me spend the money, and in the end, I would have probably wound up with the same head/cam setup, pushing about the same whp I have now, but for $3,000-4,000 more. Sure, the car would have had a more aggressive transmission and the suspension would be better, but I can always cheaply upgrade my suspension later...

So, my take is, if you want a fun car out of the box, and don't want to mod it much, I'd shell out the extra $$$ for the Z06. If you plan on significantly modding it, consider a FRC or a coupe.

 

im sorry im new,whats "FRC" ? and oh ya i do plan on modding the hell out of the vette when the time comes lol..i think when i get one ill do the usual basic upgrade. intake,straight pipe,headers etc. i wont have the cash to upgrade much for a bit after that.

 

If you're going to mod it a lot then save your money and get a coupe. I've already made up the suspension difference for well under $1,000. If you're going to do wheels and tires then don't get the Z. However, if you decide to get a Z, get the 02+

 

There are 3 basic body styles in the C5 family ...

1) Coupe ... sloping back window .... removable "Targa" type top

2) Convertible

3) FRC ... Fixed Roof Coupe .... "upright" rear window and the roof is an integral part of the car

When the C5 was first released for Model Year (MY) 1997 only two body styles were available ... the couppe and the convertible.

Starting in MY 1999 the FRC was added to the family, and it used the same engine and suspension components as the other two.

With MY 2001 the FRC was rebadged as the Z06, with a different engine (LS6) and upgraded suspension components.

Generally when someone says they have an FRC it is a 1999 or 2000.

 

oh ty for the info

 

I like the lumbar adjusters in my 02 coupe. Z06 seats I think lack this.

 

so im reading a stock 01 z06 vs a stock regular c5 6 speed,1/4 times are around 13.0 for the regular c5,and around a 12.4 for a z06? that sound about right?

 

What are you wanting to do with the car? Cruiser, autocross/road racing, drag racing? Got a SO that you want to drive/enjoy the car?

Depending on your answers will help guide you to what you want.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

id like a fun street car that if i want,i can go up to the track and also put down some pretty good numbers too. I cant afford huge upgrades(supercharger/turbo) but would still like to do stuff to it here and there. (usual bpu upgrades,intake,downpipe)

 

Besides re-sale...

If all you care about is drag/street racing then a Z06 is not worth the extra $.

However, if you into Auto cross/Road-racing it is.

 

Ok, here comes the heresy: Consider the LS-1 f-bodies. They're good cars (my '94 just clicked over 200K miles), the solid rear axle is more conducive to drag racing, and the money you save you can toss into upgrades.

If you really want a Vette, then look at an FRC, unless you want an open roof. They're the cheapest, drive great (but hey, I have a bit of bias), and have stiffer chassis than the coupe or 'vert.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

Since you are about to purchase your first corvette, this may help you understand the differences between years.





Corvette Differences Throught the Years (C-5)


1997

- 28.8# injectors
- Return type fuel system, noted by two braided steel fuel lines at drivers side fuel rail cover
- Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
- All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler
- 97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.


1998

- Convertible becomes available
- Active Handling becomes available late in year
- The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)


1999
- 28.8# injectors replaced with 26.2# injectors
- fuel is now returned through the regulator, meaning only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover
- Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
- FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
- HUD introduced
- Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
- Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
- door sill trim plates added


2000

- 2 new colors, Millennium Yellow and Dark Bowling Green Metallic available
- "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
- Pup cats added to CA cars for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99, off set by bigger cam, in fact, 2000s have the largest cam of any, non Z06, C-5 .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5 LSA)
- Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
- Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
- No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
- Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)

2001

- return to 28.8# injectors for all models.
- Second Generation Active Handling
- Nassau Blue discontinued
- Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
- New soundproofing + foam in all cars
- Smaller keyfob
- electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
- lighter AGM battery
- Thickness + Material in vert change
- Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + vert
- 85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
- LS1 cam profile changed to: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117 lsa
- All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
- All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
- LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM
- Hardtop/FRC discontinued
- Pup cats added to all models
- Stronger synchros in all transmissions
- Exhaust manifolds revised - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
- metal valvestem caps (late year)
- Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in dia from 55 to 63 mm.
- Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
- Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
- hardtop body style
- rear brake ducting
- screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
- F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
- new LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) = 385hp
- M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
- Titanium exhaust system
- lightweight windshield
- New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
- Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
- Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
- Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
- 6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
- redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
- Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
- FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)


2002

- Z06 Changes:
- Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
- Less restrictive intake airbox lid
- Descreened MAF
- Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
- Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
- Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
- Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
- higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
- slight piston redesign *
- clutch strength upgraded.
- HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
- Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
- Electron Blue color offered
- Steel endlinks changed to aluminum
- Aluminum automatic transmission cooler case (all models)
- AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player now standard on Coupe and Convertible
- AM/FM/Cassette only available with 12-disc CD changer on Coupe and Convertible


2003

- Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's
- 2003 anniversary edition with Anniversary paint and decal option.


2004

- Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.
- 2004 Commemorative Editions. CE Z06 comes with carbon fiber hood and has decal package.
- new style water pump uses a separate thermostat and water neck allowing much cheaper thermostat changes, this style continued on to the C6s.

 

Those 1/4 mile times are about right. My best time at the strip with my FRC is a 13.12 on runflats (yuck). With a little more practice I know I can do better, especially with 2.0 60' times. (gotta practice launching)

IMO Z06's are amazing, I absolutely love everything about them, especially the body style (up right rear window and a trunk) thats why I bought an FRC. The style is the same minus the performance. If you can try to get a Z! But if not a C5 is a C5 (not literally) but in the sense that they are awesome, a blast to drive around town, and even more fun to take to the track and strip. You will love the car either way.

The advice given above is perfect information for you to make a choice. Any way you go, you will not be disappointed.

 

2001 was the year for the oil burners.. Just beware