z51 vs. stock
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Crestwood KY
DSOM, it's all good. Yes, you are right, there is a slight difference in performance with the Z51 over base.
You know how these discussions take on a life of their own.
For me resale on my upgrades is not an issue. I will likely keep this car for several years. As much as I wash and wax the damn thing, you'd think it was one of my children.
Track for me. I don't like racing in a strit line or even an oval for that matter.
You really don't have to spend a ton of money to reach the performance level of the Z51. Is it more than the $1700 for model difference? Yes, a little. But, you have more options.
I can afford what I want, but like I said before I would buy a Z51 if it were the right color and price.
You know how these discussions take on a life of their own.
For me resale on my upgrades is not an issue. I will likely keep this car for several years. As much as I wash and wax the damn thing, you'd think it was one of my children.
Track for me. I don't like racing in a strit line or even an oval for that matter.
You really don't have to spend a ton of money to reach the performance level of the Z51. Is it more than the $1700 for model difference? Yes, a little. But, you have more options.
I can afford what I want, but like I said before I would buy a Z51 if it were the right color and price.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by CoolBlueC6
DSOM, it's all good. Yes, you are right, there is a slight difference in performance with the Z51 over base.
You know how these discussions take on a life of their own.
For me resale on my upgrades is not an issue. I will likely keep this car for several years. As much as I wash and wax the damn thing, you'd think it was one of my children.
Track for me. I don't like racing in a strit line or even an oval for that matter.
You really don't have to spend a ton of money to reach the performance level of the Z51. Is it more than the $1700 for model difference? Yes, a little. But, you have more options.
I can afford what I want, but like I said before I would buy a Z51 if it were the right color and price.
You know how these discussions take on a life of their own.
For me resale on my upgrades is not an issue. I will likely keep this car for several years. As much as I wash and wax the damn thing, you'd think it was one of my children.
Track for me. I don't like racing in a strit line or even an oval for that matter.
You really don't have to spend a ton of money to reach the performance level of the Z51. Is it more than the $1700 for model difference? Yes, a little. But, you have more options.
I can afford what I want, but like I said before I would buy a Z51 if it were the right color and price.
Its all good and each to their own. Thats why they call them options and thats why they come in different colors. Not everyone is going to want, or "need" the same thing.
Good luck with the modifications, and no you don't have to spend a ton of money to surpass C6 Z51 performance in a base car. You don't really have to spend a ton of money to get a base C6 to C6 Z06 performance levels for that matter. Certainly not funds equaling the difference in price between the two cars.
However if things like warranty, and dependability are paramount for the owner, then he or she "may" decide to make a different decision.
Having modified my last two Vettes, I prefer to keep this one basically stock. Thats why I chose the Vette with the most factory performance potential available that I could still remove the roof/let the top down on. But thats my preference. Someone else may decide something else.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 7, 2006 at 01:58 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
Oh yeah, and bobartstar, there is a lot of envy among some C6 owners whose cars are not Z51 equipped.
See how you asked a straight forward question and they come out of the woodwork attempting to badmouth the Z51 equipped C6?
If you bought a Z51 C6 get used to it. The "Z51 envy" that some of these base model and F55 equipped C6 owners have I mean. It happens when you realize that you just bought the Vette on the bottom of the Corvette performance rung.
It would be even worse if you had bought a Z06.
See how you asked a straight forward question and they come out of the woodwork attempting to badmouth the Z51 equipped C6?
If you bought a Z51 C6 get used to it. The "Z51 envy" that some of these base model and F55 equipped C6 owners have I mean. It happens when you realize that you just bought the Vette on the bottom of the Corvette performance rung.
It would be even worse if you had bought a Z06.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by glennhl
Actually I have a Z51 car, I just think it's funny how people falsely elevate this option to something much more than it is.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton FL
Originally Posted by Turbooo2u
Interesting how there's only a tenth difference in the quarter mile with the same trap speed between Z51 and base.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: VA
Originally Posted by CoolBlueC6
With the little bit of extra torque and HP from LG headers, CAI, ported intake, and a tune, the base ratios in the tranny are better suited for the track than Z51.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by GMRULZ
I don`t understand this statement. does the Z06 not have extra torque and hp over the base? and what gear ratios are in the trans? Hmmm...Maybe the same ratios in the Z51??
Many times if the car has more power under the hood, more aggressive gearing can be counterproductive due to traction issues.
The Z06 already makes 505hp and is traction limited on it's street tires as it is. If it had the gearing of the Z51, which is approaching 3.90:1, traction would be even more of an issue on it's street tires.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 7, 2006 at 06:13 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: VA
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
Same as in the base model.
Many times if the car has more power under the hood, more aggressive gearing can be counterproductive due to traction issues.
The Z06 already makes 505hp and is traction limited as it is. If it had the gearing of the Z51, traction would be even more of an issue.
Many times if the car has more power under the hood, more aggressive gearing can be counterproductive due to traction issues.
The Z06 already makes 505hp and is traction limited as it is. If it had the gearing of the Z51, traction would be even more of an issue.
W/ a good set of drag radials the z51 gearing should help elapsed time in a drag race one would think. that is if the clutch will hold up.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by GMRULZ
I see. Well that explains a question I had on that. I was told by a local salesman that the Z06 and the Z51 gearing were the same. Obviously he was mistaken.
W/ a good set of drag radials the z51 gearing should help elapsed time in a drag race one would think. that is if the clutch will hold up.
W/ a good set of drag radials the z51 gearing should help elapsed time in a drag race one would think. that is if the clutch will hold up.
The C5 Z06 and the C6 Manual Z51 do indeed have the same gearing in gears 1 through 4.
The C6 Z06 and the C6 Z51 do not.
Except for the C6 Z06s, the C6 Z51s have so far proven to be the quickest stock C6s out there, with 9 of the top 10, bone stock quickest non Z06 C6s being Z51s.
Bone stock
06C6FVR, Z51 ....12.23 @ 115.58 06
DrRichie, Z51 .... 12.42 @ 113.9
LS1LT1, Auto ..... 12.48 @112.11 06
David K, Z51 .......12.49 @116
Jschindler, Z51 .... 12.49 @ 114.9
Nine Ball, Z51 ..... 12.54 @ 113.24 (fan/stat mod)
Orange C6, Z51/auto .... 12.56 @ 112
Zippin Zee, Z51 .... 12.65 @ 111.65
Jelsis, Z51/Auto..... 12.70 @112.43 06
Demented, Z51/auto ...... 12.71 @ 111
SR0707, A6 ....... 12.73 @ 111.46 06
Shooter 49, Auto/3:15 .... 12.74 @108.67
Jchazr, Z51 ...... 12.79 @112.17
Vette-oholic, Z51 ..... 12.81 @ 112.83
Tommy D, Auto/3:15 .... 12.83 @109.44
Mr 35th, Z51 ...... 12.85 @ 114.53 06
Ginny C6, Auto/F55 .... 12.97 @ 108
Tampa Vet, Auto/3:15 .... 12.98 @108
C64ME, Z51 ........12.99 @111.7
Soldsyclone, Auto …….13.05 @ 108.7706
TMyers, Auto ...... 13.20 @ 108.91 06
C6 Matt, Z51 ........... 13.25 @110.6
JDWK, Z51 ………. 13.25 @108.4
Rich28, Z51/auto ...... 13.62 @ 106.18
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 7, 2006 at 06:27 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: VA
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
The salesman was part right.
The C5 Z06 and the C6 Manual Z51 do indeed have the same gearing in gears 1 through 4.
The C6 Z06 and the C6 Z51 do not.
The C5 Z06 and the C6 Manual Z51 do indeed have the same gearing in gears 1 through 4.
The C6 Z06 and the C6 Z51 do not.
Well thats cool then. Thats probably what he meant. I was so busy drooling over the test ride, I wasn`t even sure what my name was after...
Too bad they didn`t want to sell below MSRP and I had to buy mine from Rick Daniel, which by the way was a wonderful experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
Except for the C6 Z06s, the C6 Z51s have so far proven to be the quickest stock C6s out there, with 9 of the top 10, bone stock quickest non Z06 C6s being Z51s.
I took my F55 and ran a 12.39 bone stock, but it was amongst a few mid-hi 12.5's. Since I began to mod that very week, I was unable to back it up, and I said nothing. I'm fairly certain with some practice, and luck, I could have matched the quickest time here, but with only 5 passes on a car with 400 miles, it was tough to do. It depends on the driver. These tires suck too. With headers I'm still not able to run 11's. It's not the gearing, for me anyway. I think the car is getting quicker as I break it in a little. Running through the traps in 3rd is an advantage. Also, there is no doubt TM plays a role, this car is a dog compared to my C5 Z06. It's .4 slower, and the gears don't give you .4
I'm not sure why we're arguing a point we can't prove anyway. I offered to swap cars at the track with a Z51 owner to see what would happen no one showed up.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Crestwood KY
The Z51 is quicker mainly because of tires. Period. The Supercars hook up better then the GS2 both cool and warm. An apples to apples comparison may show you different results because of the base models gearing.
I acknowledged earlier that stock to stock, the Z51 IS slightly quicker and I do mean SLIGHTLY. change the base's tires and it's a different ballgame.
The drag results are also skewed because people that intend to drag will likely purchase Z51s. The number of Z51s sold outnumbers the base as well.
I acknowledged earlier that stock to stock, the Z51 IS slightly quicker and I do mean SLIGHTLY. change the base's tires and it's a different ballgame.
The drag results are also skewed because people that intend to drag will likely purchase Z51s. The number of Z51s sold outnumbers the base as well.
