C5 base - Z06 differences
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 172
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C5 base - Z06 differences
I've got an '01 vert and was wondering what the performance mods would have to be to upgrade the motor to what a stock Z06 is? Is this even doable? Wondering over time what swaps (if any are possible) could be done. I've seen the suspension upgrades with the Z shocks and Z51 sway bars - that makes a lot of sense - what differences are there wit the motors? just cams? Sorry if this sounds stupid but I like to dream 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
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From: Kelowna BC
You can easily get your car over 405HP; heads and a decent cam can get you there.
As for the differences between an LS1 and an LS6 there are plenty; heads, compression ratio, cam... etc. The Z is also lighter and has better gearing in the tranny, so a few more ponies needed.
As for the differences between an LS1 and an LS6 there are plenty; heads, compression ratio, cam... etc. The Z is also lighter and has better gearing in the tranny, so a few more ponies needed.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
I've got an '01 vert and was wondering what the performance mods would have to be to upgrade the motor to what a stock Z06 is? Is this even doable? Wondering over time what swaps (if any are possible) could be done. I've seen the suspension upgrades with the Z shocks and Z51 sway bars - that makes a lot of sense - what differences are there wit the motors? just cams? Sorry if this sounds stupid but I like to dream
* M12 transmission has tighter gear ratios
* 243 vs 241 heads: higher compression, better flow
* base auto had 2.73 or 3.15 rear end, all manuals had 3.42
* camshaft is slightly different (ie: better)
* rear brake ducts have cooling on Z06's
* lighter windshield on Z
* lighter hood on Z (not sure if thats all or commemorative only?)
* lighter rear glass on Z
* LS6 is a modest improvement over the LS1 - but most of the '01's have an LS6 block to start with
* LS6 vs LS1 intake is a pretty good upgrade - but again you should have that already, too
* better PCV evacuation system on the Z
* power steering cooler on the Z
* titanium exhaust on the Z, far lighter than the base models
thats all i can think of off the top of my head. if you do your own work, its honestly not that hard at all to replicate a Z, or just blow right by it.
Last edited by sean.b; Jan 18, 2017 at 01:51 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 16
I've got an '01 vert and was wondering what the performance mods would have to be to upgrade the motor to what a stock Z06 is? Is this even doable? Wondering over time what swaps (if any are possible) could be done. I've seen the suspension upgrades with the Z shocks and Z51 sway bars - that makes a lot of sense - what differences are there wit the motors? just cams? Sorry if this sounds stupid but I like to dream
If you want it to run better/quicker with the least effort, it's better valve springs, pushrods, getting rid of the very rich AFR at WOT in the OEM tune and changing the gearing. A 3.43/1 will really wake up a automatic and a 4.11/1 will make a 6 speed a lot more fun. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Last edited by kp1; Jan 18, 2017 at 08:34 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 307
Likes: 31
From: Upstate New York
Very easy, used lower mileage Z06 springs aren't to hard to come by at decent prices, and Z06 shocks / sways are available very reasonable from a few vendors here.
I've swapped my entire suspension over to Z06 components and it really don't take much wrench time or money to do.
TSP has a great set of ported 243 heads a an awesome price.
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4345-p...-outright.aspx
Then just take your choice of a cam and your beyond Z06 performance power wise.
I think more of it will depend your wants as far as what you want out of the car or plan to do with it? HPDE? Auto X? Strip? or just a cruiser. I'd make a decision on that first and then tailor your performance parts based of that.
I've swapped my entire suspension over to Z06 components and it really don't take much wrench time or money to do.
TSP has a great set of ported 243 heads a an awesome price.
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4345-p...-outright.aspx
Then just take your choice of a cam and your beyond Z06 performance power wise.
I think more of it will depend your wants as far as what you want out of the car or plan to do with it? HPDE? Auto X? Strip? or just a cruiser. I'd make a decision on that first and then tailor your performance parts based of that.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
100% that. dont worry about archetypes or replicating existing models. figure out what you want from the car and build the car to do it.working on these things is almost childishly easy.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
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Thanks for all the replies - kind of what I was thinking the differences would be - changing suspension sounds like the way to go for handling and then dealing with motor upgrades over time - getting the Corsa sport exhaust done this weekend - I'm thinking a tune will help and then I can worry about the other stuff down the road
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 307
Likes: 31
From: Upstate New York
Thanks for all the replies - kind of what I was thinking the differences would be - changing suspension sounds like the way to go for handling and then dealing with motor upgrades over time - getting the Corsa sport exhaust done this weekend - I'm thinking a tune will help and then I can worry about the other stuff down the road
I wouldn't worry about a tune for the car until you get into more substantial bolt-on's like LT headers, xpipe and a good air induction system etc. it may feel like it wakes the car up a little but really wont show any measureable gains until your deeper into modifications in terms or air/fuel and then will need the car retuned at that time anyway.
I will be taking off my C5 Z06 front sway bar along with my C6 Z06 shocks here in the near future as I'm going to a more dedicated auto X setup. All the parts have only around 10kmi I'll more then likely be posting them up in the classified section if your interested just let me know.
Last edited by 01badvette; Jan 19, 2017 at 09:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,028
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From: Palm Coast, FL
I've done some things to mine as far as gears, heads, cam, etc. (my daily driver) and like to take it to the track on occasion. My C-5 base with stock displacement will run a low ten second quarter mile @ +130 mph naturally aspirated. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
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I wouldn't worry about a tune for the car until you get into more substantial bolt-on's like LT headers, xpipe and a good air induction system etc. it may feel like it wakes the car up a little but really wont show any measureable gains until your deeper into modifications in terms or air/fuel and then will need the car retuned at that time anyway.
I will be taking off my C5 Z06 front sway bar along with my C6 Z06 shocks here in the near future as I'm going to a more dedicated auto X setup. All the parts have only around 10kmi I'll more then likely be posting them up in the classified section if your interested just let me know.
I will be taking off my C5 Z06 front sway bar along with my C6 Z06 shocks here in the near future as I'm going to a more dedicated auto X setup. All the parts have only around 10kmi I'll more then likely be posting them up in the classified section if your interested just let me know.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
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From: Atlantic Beach FL.
A mail order tune will be fine and will offer gains.
It is just not necessary for light bolt on mods. With an A4 trans a tune can "wake things up". The reduced torque management, Adjusted shift points, and higher line pressure are worth it IMO.
If you do other mods, such as heads and cam (necessary), you will be sending your PCM back again, most likely at your expense.
Just saying! It's your choice.
It is just not necessary for light bolt on mods. With an A4 trans a tune can "wake things up". The reduced torque management, Adjusted shift points, and higher line pressure are worth it IMO.
If you do other mods, such as heads and cam (necessary), you will be sending your PCM back again, most likely at your expense.
Just saying! It's your choice.
Last edited by Rob 02; Jan 20, 2017 at 03:23 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 57
A mail order tune will be fine and will offer gains.
It is just not necessary for light bolt on mods. With an A4 trans a tune can "wake things up". The reduced torque management, Adjusted shift points, and higher line pressure are worth it IMO.
If you do other mods, such as heads and cam (necessary), you will be sending your PCM back again, most likely at your expense.
Just saying! It's your choice.
It is just not necessary for light bolt on mods. With an A4 trans a tune can "wake things up". The reduced torque management, Adjusted shift points, and higher line pressure are worth it IMO.
If you do other mods, such as heads and cam (necessary), you will be sending your PCM back again, most likely at your expense.
Just saying! It's your choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
not a very expensive dream. so there's a few differences:
* M12 transmission has tighter gear ratios
* 243 vs 241 heads: higher compression, better flow
* base auto had 2.73 or 3.15 rear end, all manuals had 3.42
* camshaft is slightly different (ie: better)
* rear brake ducts have cooling on Z06's
* lighter windshield on Z
* lighter hood on Z (not sure if thats all or commemorative only?)
* lighter rear glass on Z
* LS6 is a modest improvement over the LS1 - but most of the '01's have an LS6 block to start with
* LS6 vs LS1 intake is a pretty good upgrade - but again you should have that already, too
* better PCV evacuation system on the Z
* power steering cooler on the Z
* titanium exhaust on the Z, far lighter than the base models
thats all i can think of off the top of my head. if you do your own work, its honestly not that hard at all to replicate a Z, or just blow right by it.
* M12 transmission has tighter gear ratios
* 243 vs 241 heads: higher compression, better flow
* base auto had 2.73 or 3.15 rear end, all manuals had 3.42
* camshaft is slightly different (ie: better)
* rear brake ducts have cooling on Z06's
* lighter windshield on Z
* lighter hood on Z (not sure if thats all or commemorative only?)
* lighter rear glass on Z
* LS6 is a modest improvement over the LS1 - but most of the '01's have an LS6 block to start with
* LS6 vs LS1 intake is a pretty good upgrade - but again you should have that already, too
* better PCV evacuation system on the Z
* power steering cooler on the Z
* titanium exhaust on the Z, far lighter than the base models
thats all i can think of off the top of my head. if you do your own work, its honestly not that hard at all to replicate a Z, or just blow right by it.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
i dont know of any company anywhere (certainly at least not domestic) that cryo treats anything from the factory.. the differences in the c5 and c5z transmissions is the tighter spacing between gear ratios, which would perhaps attribute to the "smoother" feeling. m6 vs m12 T56 transmissions.
Last edited by sean.b; Nov 8, 2018 at 01:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
If you look at some of the threads on here about rebuilding transmissions you should see that the tranny housings are different. Very different. Those Z06 trannys can take real race track punishment. Threads by Bill Curley and nsogiba come to mind. But there are probably others.