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ThunderStruck is a 2LT C8 with Z51/MagRide Rage is 1970 454 LS5 with Brodix RaceRite heads, 850 Holley DP, AirGap, Headers, Flowmasters, Turbo400 and 3.55. Some suspension and steering upgrades. Edit.. full roller, cam and rockers.
Thunderstruck does almost everything better. The power and traction of the new car is amazing. It feels like all the important parts are actually connected to the car and it won’t destroy itself at any minute. It’s insanely smooth and rides like a luxury car.
Rage always seems like it might decide to kill you or itself. It’s loud, it smells, it bounces and it always feels like the back end is on wet ice. The brakes are very good luckily. The steering has been upgraded to a Borgosan box, but it’s nothing like the C8.
Gas mileage is similar in my typical driving, the C8 gets about 15.5 MPG using my mode allowing V4 mode, Rage gets almost 12 mpg. Rage is more difficult to abuse because of the lack of traction, rolling burnouts are common below 40 mph. ThunderStruck is really just too much car for the street and never feels like it is trying too hard.
The sounds from a big block make every trip to Publix feel like you are in a Steve McQueen movie, there is constant drama.
The NPP fits the C8 well, it’s very refined, you can hear it when you listen for it.
Rage wins ingress and egress hands down, easy car to get in and out of. ThunderStruck is a chore, but once you are it it’s nice. Visibility is better in the one mirror C3, but I just might need more seat time in the C8. ThunderStruck is FAT, it’s big… Rage is small and elegant, there is nothing to it but drivetrain, gas tank and 600 wats of sound.
Both cars are not a great place to be in with the top on, when I get an ERAY I may go for the convertible. Not sure yet.
People like both, but Rage gets more ‘love’, even the cops wave.
On a perfect 75 degree day for around town driving, Rage wins hands down. The drama, sounds and pure fun going slow makes it better, I do like my arm on the window sill. Most every other time ThunderStruck is better, especially at night.
Last edited by Fishfryer527; Mar 28, 2023 at 12:18 PM.
As someone who spent years with a 500Hp Roller-Cammed C3 with a 4 speed I get your comparison.
The C3 literally tried to kill me a few times, but firing that thing up - the crazy loud loping banging metal sound of the engine - got my heart racing every time.
I love my C8 Z51 HTC. There's no comparison between the cars - C8 wins every time. But sometimes, just sometimes - it's just a little too polite and I miss the smell of racing gas.
Great comparison, I agree with your assessment completely. I've also had a C3 built nicely, not the big block which I love but a 450 hp 350. Hopefully I get my C8 built Friday or the following Monday depending how many are built this week.
I remember in the C3 trying to hit 100+ mph I felt like I just escaped death. In my C6 150 mph was not even an issue, smooth and it wanted to keep going faster. I can't wait to feel the C8. Of course my high speed driving was in my much younger days. I tend to respect the speed limits more in my older days. Enjoy both those cars , they look beautiful.
You don’t name your vehicles? He’s a pic of Rage and Sasquatch (a 69 Z28 with a pump gas 598 tall deck big Chevy with 787 HP). Sasquatch was my wife’s race car she just got rid of.
C6 with A&A Supercharger, 580 rewhip. 68 Convertible, ZZ4, 5 speed Tremac. My 70 is still in the works. Engine will go on the dyno soon. all aluminum 498 cin Keith Black Big Block with Brodix heads. 1000 cfm sequential port fuel injection, Tom's Differential IRS, Tremac 5 speed.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Mar 30, 2023 at 01:23 AM.
the names throw me off a bit too.. thunderstruck is a mouthful... but hey, to each their own. my last 10 vettes have all had the same name: "the vette"
Except when I had an 06 at the same time as my 69... I would say "the z06 or the '69..
C6 with A&A Supercharger, 580 rewhip. 68 Convertible, ZZ4, 5 speed Tremac. My 70 is still in the works. Engine will go on the dyno soon. all aluminum 498 cin Keith Black Big Block with Bordix heads. 1000 cfm sequential port fuel injection, Tom's Differential IRS, Tremac 5 speed.
an aluminum block will make all the difference, I noticed the difference with just going with aluminum heads and intake!
the names throw me off a bit too.. thunderstruck is a mouthful... but hey, to each their own. my last 10 vettes have all had the same name: "the vette"
Except when I had an 06 at the same time as my 69... I would say "the z06 or the '69..
my wife is an AC/DC fan, so with the blue stripes it seemed like lightning bolts, yadda yadda.. ThunderStruck. Now it has theme music.
ThunderStruck vs Rage
