Hey guys, I came over from the C4 section but I had a few questions regarding the C5. My father has 2 of them. I once read that the base model C5 Corvette feels like an 11 second car stock, but it's not.

I've never been in an 11 second car, but those of you who have, would you say that's true?

I've been modifying my C4 and the only thing I have to compare it to is a C5, so if a C5 isn't really accurate to compare to for SOTP feel then I would like to know.

Thanks!

 

I don't really understand what you are saying but I can tell you this:

My C5Z feels fast but doesn't quite feel like an 11 sec car (some of the magazines had the 02-04 z06 at 11.9 @ 118mph or so).

Now the 08-up base model LS3 feels like an 11 sec car even though it's not. Most magazines have it mid to low 12's @ 114-116 depending on transmission and vert/hardtop

It's amazing how your SOTP meter can throw you off depending on the gearing, transmission type, and whether the car has a lot of low end torque or not

 

top end of the c5 is quite a bit better if we're talking coupes of c4 and c5

under 4000rpm there isn't that much difference stock vs stock

as for the z06. it's really similar to a built c4 in feel. a pair of 180cc AFR heads, 10:5-1 compression, 224/230 cam, long tube headers, miniram, 52mm TB, .040 overbore, you'll have an engine that behaves somewhat similar to a stock z06 and makes similar power

 

My C5 feels good in low and 2nd. It's an auto. Best ET is 10.99.
Compared to my nova which has been low nines, it feels rather slow.

So it all depends on the calibration of your butt dyno.

Ron

 

Butt dyno

 

My C5 Convertible has 3.42, almost 100% stock, and feels fun in the first three gears (it is a 6spd). Once you hit fourth, it pulls much slower. Fifth and sixth are just for cruising, and losing your license...........

Now, we do have two race cars, a low 11 second and a high 9 second car.

Each one has it's own feel. The street car "feels" faster, but put it in the track and it will be a dead-duck.

If you want a really fun fully streetable car that can get great mileage and is a fun car to drive, get a convertible six speed. I should have done this years ago!

 

My Z06 felt fast when I first got it. (Stock Dyno 358/342)
It feels faster now with the engine mods (Heads/Cam/LongTubes etc...) (Dyno 471/441).

With that said... its WAY slower than a lot of my friends Corvette's that I hang out with.

Fast is relative to who you ask.

Toque

 

My C5 feels as fast as all my other cars so long as I am at the same speed. However it is quicker than most of them.

 

My C5 feels solid and capable but 11 seconds? No.

 

When I purchased my 100% stock 85 Auto Coupe back in 88,, I felt it was the fastest car that I had ever owned. It felt amazing.
After about 9 months of driving it, it wasn't as fast as it felt when I first purchased it. I owned it for 10 years but didn't have the spare funds to do what was needed to make it faster at the time so it stayed stock.

We purchased a 98 MN6 Base Coupe new in 98. That car felt MUCH faster than the 85. So,,,, one day,, I raced my wife! I was driving the 85 and she drove the 98 and beat me by 3 car lengths. I sold the car a year later.

Purchase an 02 ZO6 new in 02. Friggen car felt like it had 400RWHP Dyno 358 RWHP/344 Tq It was fast enough for about 3 years. Then it became PREDICTABLE...
Added Stainless Works headers VARARAM and a tune. 390 RWHP 375 TQ. Car felt rocket ship fast for about two more years.

Added, Patriot Stage 2 heads, Ported FAST90/90mm TB and a big cam.
Dyno 450 RWHP/430Tq. Car was amazing again. Its still pretty fast but NOT as fast as some of my friends cars. I have two friends with superchargers. Well into 600 HP. That would be my next quest but,, all is good for now...

I think the secret is; If the car isn't scarring you, you need to add MORE POWER until it does.. As long as its still a little scary,, your BUTOMETER will be happy.

Bill

 

I just noticed how close stock Z06 dyno numbers were on them.

To the OP's question I agree with many others that it depends on what you are used to. The butt dyno has a learning curve and some muscle memory.

Mine feels like about 12.8's pretty close to stock (It coincidentally actually runs that in the 1/4) . It feels quite good in the lower gears and is starting to get traction limited on the street.

I have had C4's and C5's that were pretty similar in performance, but they drive so differently that it was hard to compare.

 

My 86 was running around 300-325 after mods. Predictable and very manageable hustling thru the mountain roads. The handling is not as neutral as it should be.

The 04Z now is a very different car. Lots of hp and torque. Very neutral, active handling takes some of the mistakes out of the equation.

My only negative for the Z is the seats. The lack of lateral support, a "pillowy" seat bottom and the feeling that your butt is not connected to the car. Wifey really likes the Z seats vs the 86 sport seats, so take that for what its worth.

 

My modded ZO6 doesn't really feel "fast" until you find a road open enough to safely get on it. Below 60 it just spins the tires, but above 100 it feels like the fictional "warp speed".