MMH762

Beginning to look for a C5 Corvette. The wife would be happier w/ a convertible but will be OK w/ a coupe. The car would be used primarily to cruise around town w/ some weekend trips but I would also autocross & drag race.

What are the main differences between a C5 & Z06? I know that a convertible will not handle as well as a coupe, but how much would it cost to mod a C5 with the Z06 options (I would do the work myself). Would it close the gap?

MY03C5Z

See post #4 & 5 from the FAQ sticky at the top of this section for differences from a c5 to c5z.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tions-faq.html

If you really want a car to auto x and drag, then it makes a lot more sense to just start with a z car. Not much more than a base model or convertible these days and the z is waaay ahead of them stock in all aspects of performance.


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Shakeydeal

Totally!

striper

When I was looking for a new Vette I faced the same dilemma as you. Conv or Z06. I had a AT coupe C5 before, so I wanted something different. My wife didn't care but she did convince me that I liked extra hp. I got an '03 Z06, which I still have now. I have never regretted it for a moment. It's everything I wanted.

3sACROWD

As far as cruising experience, you're looking at polar opposites. Convertible gives you full open air whereas the Z06 has a fixed roof aka FRC. A coupe / Targa would give you a compromise by allowing you to remove the top panel.

Performance wise, the vert and coupe/targa will be similar. The Z out of the box is a better package but the other two can get similar results with some suspension and engine mods.

I would test drive one of each with your wife and see which makes you smile most. One other thing to note, the Z06 has less insulation to reduce weight. This makes for more road noise when driving

I drove a Targa and Z06. For me the Z06 was the car for me.

I’m Z one

'Nuff said

Brad Walters

Get the Z. If you're going to do any sort of track driving or drag racing, you'll appreciate the stiffer chassis, better brakes, better suspension, and more powerful motor in the Z vs the base vette (355 vs 405).

MY03C5Z

Also, 02-04 Z's dyno close to 360 whp stock vs 300 whp for a stock c5. Add in the aggressive ratios of the M12 trans in the z, weight reduction and this adds up to a FULL second faster 1/4 mi times. That's a huge performance difference, not to mention the much better handling of the z in auto-x. If you're more concerned with performance than other factors the z is the clear choice.

3sACROWD

For clarification, the first year of the C5 Z06 (2001) had 385hp. 2002-2004 had the 405hp.

Fast Cop

I have had both. Currently driving a 04 Z06. This replaced my 00 6 speed vert. Loved them both. Just out for a Sunday drive with the wife the vert was great. Saturday morning speed runs the Z is the best. In a perfect world would have both in the garage. After having both I do at times miss the vert, but I love the Z.

ApexerER

If you are looking for performance....The Z is the only choice....If you are going to want to spend 95% of the time just cruising with the top down...well, you can't do that with a Z....If you purchase a Coup and try to make it perform like a Z you will have a ton of $$ in it you will never get back out. I do miss removing the top on the coupe...

grantv

Posted in the Z06 forum, likely gonna get Z06 as the most common reply. You can make a vert as quick as a Z pretty easy, but it'll still be missing the roof. (no, I don't like verts)

fmvette9

I faced the same choice when I decided to buy a C5. Bought an 02 Convertible with Z51 and manual. After the 3 year warranty ran out, I converted the engine into an exact LS6 clone except for the red engine covers. Z51 suspension is close to Z06 specs. I have different gearing in transmission, and the diff is not shot peened, else identical drivetrain. Convertible is 100 lbs heavier. I have done trade-off driving with Z06 cars, put a 100 lb passenger in the Z06 and there is very very little difference on the street.

I have put 140 K miles on that car. The engine at red line and the top down on a summer evening is absolutely priceless for me.
​​​​The main activity I gave up are HDPE events on a track. But the countless driving hours with the top down more than made up for a few hours on the track (for me).

Total cost for the conversion including Ti exhaust, Z06 cats, all engine changes, and mail order tune was $1800 with me doing the labor. You need to start with an 02 to 04 since the LS1 short blocks in those years were identical to an LS6.

grantv

Did you do 243 heads and an LS6 cam also, or something equal / better? And Z06 wheels also? Just curious.

Shakeydeal

After all that, I hope you resisted the urge to put Z06 badges on it.


Oh, and sorry, it's still a convertible.........


Shakey

fmvette9

In 2005, GM sold new complete 243 LS6 heads with the light weight valves (did replace springs with a 2005 manufacture date). At the time, very low mile take out LS6 cams and air boxes were easily found and cheaper than today. Even picked up a couple sets of the light weight valves as spares. I wanted the engine to go it's 200K life, so went with the LS6 cam, and I knew I did not want headers, which are needed to obtain the benefits of longer duration cams. Put on a LS6 valley cover, LS2 timing chain, descreen the MAF, and with a mail order tune, and 2 weekends of wrenching, you have an LS6 engine clone. And my Vette came from the factory with an LS6 style non pup H pipe. I have put 120k miles on the conversion, and have only worked on the engine to change spark plugs, wires, oil, and an OPS.

The engine is an LS6 clone. The car is not a ZO6 clone, so do not have Z06 wheels.

And yes it is a convertible!!!

It interesting to note that the C6 and C7 models offered convertibles with the higher spec engines.

grantv

Lots of people like verts, demand dictated GM do what the people want. The C5 was a performance oddity, why it was created, etc. The C6 and C7 followed that success story and built on it.

bikeriderga

Perhaps this will help.

NVTHIS

Having had both the vert and z06, I feel the z06 is a better car for me. I do miss the vert occasionally, but every time I drive the z06, I know I made the right decision. I would have both if I could. Drive them both and you should be able to make a good decision.

My Vette Life

Hey nice wheels.