Z06 vs. "coupe"
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 4
From: Oakley CA
Never said anything about build quality, just the fact that the roof joints tend to make noise on the targa top cars. Maybe not on all of them but the ones that I have driven have. Not knocking the cars at all.... just sayin
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 42
From: California
There are a lot of well engineered H/C packages out there, that will get you to or above that power level with a lot less spent. Not downing the Z06 or anything, just thought I'd mention it 
I like having a stiff chassis and removable roof, so does the gf
As for the stopping and turning, I think you could still match or surpass the Z06 still with less money spent...not much, but a little less
I like having a stiff chassis and removable roof, so does the gf
As for the stopping and turning, I think you could still match or surpass the Z06 still with less money spent...not much, but a little less
You would have to do a lot more mods than a cam to get a GS or base C6 to perform at the level of a Z06. Its more than a 70 HP difference. Performance is based on a lot more than horsepower. Besides when you throw in a cam you also throw away a large part of the powertrain warranty. For the few thousand extra for a Z06 you get a total engineered package not a hack job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
There are a lot of well engineered H/C packages out there, that will get you to or above that power level with a lot less spent. Not downing the Z06 or anything, just thought I'd mention it
I like having a stiff chassis and removable roof, so does the gf
As for the stopping and turning, I think you could still match or surpass the Z06 still with less money spent...not much, but a little less
I like having a stiff chassis and removable roof, so does the gf
As for the stopping and turning, I think you could still match or surpass the Z06 still with less money spent...not much, but a little less
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
These threads always turn into I can mod my coupe and stomp a Z06 and still save money. I think that isn't really the case, especially if you pay someone else to do the work. If you do it yourself it is still hours spent working on your car. I enjoy working on my car, but I don't want to invest dozens of hours modding it myself these days. My free time is worth more to me. I owned a Z51 and modded it, ran great. I own a Z06 now and it runs way faster, handles better, stops better, looks better etc. I drive through the local canyons and mountain passes on the central california coast so 500+ hp is enough for me anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 30
From: dfw Texas
Every c6 z0 i have been in has more interior rattles then thr number of coupes i have been in with a rattling roof... As a matter of fact out of the 8-10 coupe owners i know only 1 rattled slightly
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 2
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
If You Are Concerned About Rigidity!
Well just add a Pfadt Chassis Car and Tunnel Plate.
I have an 08Z and never experienced squeeking roofs and alike before or after upgrades. The Z is an animal.
I have an 08Z and never experienced squeeking roofs and alike before or after upgrades. The Z is an animal.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
Keeping it stock as a rock. Just hate creaks and rattles is all. The Z06 is 15% stiffer than the coupe according to GM. I wondered if it really showed. I rode in a C6 'vert and it felt like crap. Creaks, rattles, horrible cowl-shake. Real turn-off. I have never been in a car that floppy except for a 'vert 2003 mustang.
Hence why I discounted the coupe. However, I looked at one today and the sales rep took the roof panel off and it LOOKS well tied in, plus it has that "hoop". Thus my question.
Hence why I discounted the coupe. However, I looked at one today and the sales rep took the roof panel off and it LOOKS well tied in, plus it has that "hoop". Thus my question.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
That being said...
Maybe it's typical GM car-to-car quality variance. The '08 I rode in was show/cruise only. Had 8500 miles on it as of a month ago when I rode in it. Cowl-shake was readily apparent going over normal bridge expansion-joints, and the creaking came from at LEAST 2 spots where the top joined the windshield and rear of the car just going over normal highway contours. The car felt like laffy-taffy to me, compared to my Trans Am and the 370Z 'vert I drove. Who knows. Maybe riding allows you to notice that stuff a lot more than driving?
Z06 torsional is 28 Hz and bending was something near 23 Hz
Regular C6 torsional is 26.9 Hz and bending something near 22 Hz
For comparison:
The BMW E36 M3 coupe is rated at 29.2Hz,
Chevy Cobalt 28Hz,
Chrysler Crossfire 29.2Hz
So, not only does the Z06 share steering-wheels with the Cobalt, it also shares chassis rigidity specs, lol
*The Cobalt I rode in felt solid enough.
Last edited by BSSN; Oct 2, 2010 at 07:43 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
Maybe it's typical GM car-to-car quality variance. The '08 I rode in was show/cruise only. Had 8500 miles on it as of a month ago when I rode in it. Cowl-shake was readily apparent going over normal bridge expansion-joints, and the creaking came from at LEAST spots where the top joined the windshield and rear of the car just going over normal highway contours. The car felt like laffy-taffy to me, compared to my Trans Am and the 370Z 'vert I drove. Who knows. Maybe riding allows you to notice that stuff a lot more than driving? I just know the C6 'vert has one of the lowest torsional rigidity spec's in the industry. I think the only 'vert it is SLIGHTLY stiffer than is the base mustang. I just know it didn't feel solid to me. I expected creaking, but it was the massive amoutns of cowl-shake just going over expansion joints that really showed me the need for a roof on these cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,404
From: Bethesda MD
sounds clear to me that a Z is in your future. It's a fantastic car with a great motor that has lots of torque, without needing mods that void the warranty and are technically illegal. If you decide you need a little more from the car, you can add gears (3.90/4.10s) and good tires and not worry about trashing your engine warranty.
I need a roof that comes off or I would have bought a used Z06 rather than a new C6. coupe.
I need a roof that comes off or I would have bought a used Z06 rather than a new C6. coupe.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
I respect your observations, it would stand to reason that a well designed fixed roof coupe should be more rigid than a targa or a vert. If I were choosing a version for competitive driving , it would be the Z06. However I really enjoy cruising around with the top down. I occasionally track my 98 Z28 coupe, [ it has some chassis and suspension work], so I can appreciate your observations. Looks like the Z06 is your weapon of choice.
Alfa 159 - 31.400Nm/degree
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe 27,000 Nm/deg
Aston Martin DB9 Convertible 15,500 Nm/deg
Aston Martin Vanquish 28,500 Nm/deg
Audi TT Coupe 19,000 Nm/deg
Bugatti EB110 - 19,000 Nm/degree
BMW E36 Touring 10,900 Nm/deg
BMW E36 Z3 5,600 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Convertible 10,500 Nm/deg
BMW X5 (2004) - 23,100 Nm/degree
BMW E90: 22,500 Nm/deg
BMW Z4 Coupe, 32,000Nm/degree
BMW Z4 Roadster: 14,500 Nm/deg
Bugatti Veyron - 60,000 Nm/degree
Chrysler Crossfire 20,140 Nm/deg
Chrysler Durango 6,800 Nm/deg
Chevrolet Corvette C5 9,100 Nm/deg
Dodge Viper Coupe 7,600 Nm/deg
Ferrari 360 Spider 8,500 Nm/deg
Ford GT: 27,100 Nm/deg
Ford GT40 MkI 17,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang 2003 16,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang 2005 21,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang Convertible (2003) 4,800 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang Convertible (2005) 9,500 Nm/deg
Jaguar X-Type Sedan 22,000 Nm/deg
Jaguar X-Type Estate 16,319 Nm/deg
Koenigsegg - 28.100 Nm/degree
Lambo Murcielago 20,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Elan 7,900 Nm/deg
Lotus Elan GRP body 8,900 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise 10,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise 111s 11,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Esprit SE Turbo 5,850 Nm/deg
Maserati QP - 18.000 nm/degree
McLaren F1 13,500 Nm/deg
Mercedes SL - With top down 17,000 Nm/deg, with top up 21,000 Nm/deg
Mini (2003) 24,500 Nm/deg
Pagani Zonda C12 S 26,300 Nm/deg
Pagani Zonda F - 27,000 Nm/degree
Porsche 911 Turbo (2000) 13,500 Nm/deg
Porsche 959 12,900 Nm/deg
Porsche Carrera GT - 26,000Nm/degree
Rolls-Royce Phantom - 40,500 Nm/degree
Volvo S60 20,000 Nm/deg
Audi A2: 11,900 Nm/deg
Audi A8: 25,000 Nm/deg
Audi TT: 10,000 Nm/deg (22Hz)
Golf V GTI: 25,000 Nm/deg
Chevrolet Cobalt: 28 Hz
Ferrari 360: 1,474 kgm/degree (bending: 1,032 kg/mm)
Ferrari 355: 1,024 kgm/degree (bending: 727 kg/mm)
Ferrari 430: supposedly 20% higher than 360
Renault Sport Spider: 10,000 Nm/degree
Volvo S80: 18,600 Nm/deg
Koenigsegg CC-8: 28,100 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo 996: 27,000 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo 996 Convertible: 11,600 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Carrera Type 997: 33,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise S2 Exige (2004): 10,500 Nm/deg
Volkswagen Fox: 17,941 Nm/deg
VW Phaeton - 37,000 Nm/degree
VW Passat (2006) - 32,400 Nm/degree
Ferrari F50: 34,600 Nm/deg
Lambo Gallardo: 23000 Nm/deg
Mazda Rx-8: 30,000 Nm/deg
Mazda Rx-7: ~15,000 Nm/deg
Mazda RX8 - 30,000 Nm/degree
Saab 9-3 Sportcombi - 21,000 Nm/degree
Opel Astra - 12,000 Nm/degree
Land rover Freelander 2 - 28,000 Nm/degree
Lamborghini Countach 2,600 Nm/deg
Ford Focus 3d 19.600 Nm/deg
Ford Focus 5d 17.900 Nm/deg
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
sounds clear to me that a Z is in your future. It's a fantastic car with a great motor that has lots of torque, without needing mods that void the warranty and are technically illegal. If you decide you need a little more from the car, you can add gears (3.90/4.10s) and good tires and not worry about trashing your engine warranty.
I need a roof that comes off or I would have bought a used Z06 rather than a new C6. coupe.
I need a roof that comes off or I would have bought a used Z06 rather than a new C6. coupe.
