This delemma was driving me nuts when i was buying my new C7Corvette. Do i buy a C7 ZO6 or do i buy a C7 Stingray. This really bothered me until i made my final choice . The ZO6 is a really expensive car pricing usually over 100k. I already had a monster Hellcat in my garage but didnt want to drive a really nice corvette sports car that some people look at you like your an idiot . when you tell them its not a ZO6. This pisses me off when the first thing i get asked if its a ZO6 by non corvette morons. First off the Stingray is a really nice and not a cheap sports car with more or less the same engine minus the SC and a few other parts. The stingray can also be made a lot faster and nicer to drive daily around town . So you dont have the gm warrantied ZO6 thats supercharged. So i bought a 2015 3LT stingray that was on the showroom floor . I would have had to wait a month and shell out 102k if bought the Blue 2015 ZO6 supercar. I added a Supercharger,headers,exhaust ,tuning and now my Stingray is a supercar without the kick in ***** worth of more debt. Its more fun seeing the ZO6 drivers face when he gets blown off the road by a Nicely upgraded and kept non noticible until you really get on it . sorry didn't mean to ramble on about this issue. If you have the money to buy the ZO6 .Then get one .If you like building a ZO6 killer or close to it . Then buy the stingray . Its still a corvette and a really nice sports car.

 

You know Chevy may have fixed this lol I use to get the "is it a Z06" also but now people ask is this the new Stingray?? My buddy has a Z06 and he said people have asked him if it's the Stingray and when he says no it's a Z06 they seem dissapointed lol idiots

 

/Agree

Same thing happens to me and my friends with Z06's and Stingrays. Most people recognize its a corvette but aren't sure of the model.

People who aren't car buffs couldn't tell the difference at first glance whereas someone like you or I may spot them immediately.

In the end both the Stingray and Z06 are great sports cars. Really can't go wrong with either choice.

Really enjoy my Z51 and it's the first car I've considered keeping for a long time.

 

I get the opposite - I've had many people ask if mine was a Z06 for a long time (well before the Z06 came out), just because it looked/sounded different.

Just last week, a guy at another QT pump came over and asked (after complimenting the car) if it was the new Z06. Without going into gearhead mode and explaining the build, I explained that it was an early Stingray from back in 2013 and joked about the early bugs (trying to be friendly). He chuckled, and replied with "Well, I guess not everybody can afford the real thing".

Before I could say anything (wasn't worth a reply, anyway), he walked back to his car.

I still can't decide if that interaction is better than the (so far) three people who have asked me if it's the new Camaro.

 

I also had a C6 A6 (LS2). My original plan was to wait for the C7 Zo6 or at least A8. However, I drove a Limerock limited edition Stingray convertible in May of 2014 (A6, LT3, Z51, MRC, NPP) and fell in love. I bought it that day, I felt the car was fast enough. I then started getting the power bug when Zo6 became available. At that point it was less money to do a ECS SC then trade up, even putting aside money for engine/trans repair should a failure occur and warranty be denied (rightfully or wrongfully) due to SC.

I haven't driven a Zo6, but even starting from scratch would have most likely gone he the same route - especially with stronger A8 in Stingray now. There are lots of A6 with Centrifugal SCs putting out 550-600 RHWP with no trans or other engine issues.

I am in NJ too. You know how terrible our roads are here. I only drive on the street. I am not sure the suspension/brake upgrades on Zo6 would result in more performance on street anywhere, let alone here.

I find even with Z51 you need to get on it a bit before brakes/tires warm up. In NJ, you need to often slow down not due to grip but road hazards. So being lower, firmer, with thinner tires might make that even worse. Depending on your tune, a centrifugal SC Z51 may wind up with a better power to weight ratio even without other mods. The power is also concentrated in the usable rpm band, and with right tune you still get great throttle response and off idle torque, A positive displacement SC ("blower") like in Zo6 will still probably give you a bit more of that big block feel with feathering throttle. However, more of that gets turned into smoke/heat when going wide open in low gears on any sort of usable street tire.

I think if you are able to "self insure" against any failures not covered by warranty due to car being modified, and really just want more usable power on demand, then a centrifugal SC kit may be a better choice for you. We also have ECS right here. I had them do tune and install.

The reaction to the sound and power/speed by other folks in fast cars that believe you "only" in Stingray is priceless

 

I love answering this question. My answer, is it is not a Zo6 but it is supercharged and makes ~650HP. If they asked what that means, I usually have a video on my phone handy, or if at a stop light may provide a live demonstration - while obeying all traffic laws and safety precautions. You sometimes need nothing more than 60 feet and the blow off valve sound

 

It's a great week to be posting photos of a velocity yellow Z06, isn't it? Such a great-looking car.

We're currently working on an axle-back for the C7 Z06 and should have more information on it soon.

 

i have had a stingray and own a z06. i prefer the z06. that big booty in the rear does it for me. stingray you will spend another $30k trying to make like a z06.

 

LoL that was funny .

 

Congrats! As a fellow big booty lover too I also considered that as a plus to go the Z06 route.

However, we live in an older house with single car garage. So I'd have to take the Z to Weight Watchers before parking her in there. Those extra 3 inches on the sides can have some unintended consequences

 

There's NEVER a bad time for a Velocity Yellow Z06! Get an axle back kit for the Z06 and I will order one the day it is out! I have magnaflows on my ZZ572 powered 67 C10 Stepside and a 91 Mazda Miata with an LS2 where the four banger used to be. There is just nothing sweeter than the sound of a big bad motor exhaling through Magnaflows.
Just PLEASE make some decent tips. Anything but round or oval.

 

When I told my girlfriend my new fun car had a big booty just like hers she was NOT amused. Go figure.

 

Well, we do have rectangular-round tips.



And square tips. And...I'll spare you the Forrest Gump routine. Here's the lot of tips that we sell.

That Miata doesn't look half-bad, too.

 

Live demos have been a cash cow for my salesman @Kerbeck. At some point will need to collect a commission

At this point if someone asks me how much power does it have. I just say a lot.

Really like the whoosh but decided to go stealthier with a dual BOV setup from the mad tuner genius Doug @ECS. Aside from the thunderous exhaust note many have been surprised at how this baby gets up and goes.

Ping me sometime and we can meet up. Sounds like you have a great setup too

 

I will PM you. I surprised a new Zo6 and myself tonight. I didn't even know it was a vette. I just thought it was tailgater. I often shake them off with a little bit of boost through all 4 pipes. The power gives me distance, and the sound gives them pause. I let off and he came around under boost. When we pulled next to each other at next light, I didn't get chance to explain what I was driving. He seemed very perplexed, after seeing no Zo6 badge on mine and me seeing his badge

 

Ask me how I know! ACK ACK,
All sounds good but no! A cenrti on a C7 is still short of a Z06.
You need more mods.
Andy is a good guy though,

Went that route and wish I would have never bought the Stingray
and simply went with the Z06. Much happier with a Z06
than spending the same on a blown Stingray.
The stock Z06 with the simple Halltech mod is super nice set-up.

Would not trade any Stingray for it even Theta's!

 

You can prefer the Z but in a straight line an ECS or A&A stingray will pull a new Z06. My C6 LS3 just had the ECS kit and meth and went 10.4 at 136mph. No stock Z06 is touching that.

 

Aww, it's like I'm the king of the misfit mascots.

 

So My blown C6 was not as fast as my blown C6 z06.
Way passed a base C6? Your C6 ls3 is not faster either. I've had them all!
So I had a blown C7 too. Much happier with my set up.
Gladly give a few ponies NOT to run meth no thanks.
The halltech on the stock Z06 is plenty. Not all about just horsepower.
it is the package.
You give the wide body the Z06 looks better and is better package than a Stingray with mods.
I feel it was good move to the Z06 from the blown Stingray.
Don't like the lt1 to start with.
You can prefer the blown C7. The C6z06 is the best car for either kit.

 

I don't want to argue with you, cars are subjective. Just wanted to say from everything I have seen most base centri cars post faster times than Z06's. The C6 I loved the widebody look but the Stingray I felt it looked better with the sleek body since the car looked rather exotic to me. We all just get what we like. Your car is beast