mrrrkva

If you had $55k - $60k to spend, is a C5 or C6 z06 a better track car? Im posting in both. Naturally a c5 will have more to spend due to lower cost of entry.

WICKEDFRC

I would recommend a C6Z any day over a C5Z; unless that C5Z was meticulously prepared as a track weapon. $55k too $60k to spend? Hell, I'll sell you my C6Z. Hahaha

WalterSobchak

Sad thing was spring of 2020 right as Covid was starting my dealer had a 2015 Z06 for 53k with only 20k miles. 55k is a nice budget I would look at C6 Z06/ZR1, possibly C7/Z/GS depending what's out there.

64drvr

The C5Z06 will be considerably cheaper to just get on track reliably, not to mention consumables. The C6Z06 however makes more sense to me if lap times are a high priority. One considerable factor on the C6Z06 is you should IMO budget to rebuild the cylinder heads ASAP and you'll benefit from analyzing the engine oil for titanium from the connecting rods. Depending on the year C6Z06, you'll be best off doing some improvements to the dry sump system like an AVIAD oil tank baffle and other mods - but IMO this is still a big improvement over the C5Z06 wet sump. The C5Z06 is no slouch however it will need some upgrades to hang with a C6Z06, not to mention the shear power potential of a C6Z06 with just a H/C/I/LT. It's not absolutely required however I would budget for brake caliper upgrades on either car.

MWWarlord

If you are doing nothing to it, the stock C6 Z06 is the better option than a stock C5 Z06. However, for pure track use, I'd get a C5 Z06, and use the money I saved to upgrade the brakes(6 piston BBK), and suspension(coilovers). I would swap out wheels to something that can mount some good track tires(and fit the BBK). I would then add a supercharger with supporting mods (including all forged internals). After that, I'd put in a nice cam to match the supercharger. Then LT headers. You'll then want to upgrade the transmission to handle the extra power. RPM has some good options. Good luck whatever you decide.

OU812!

You should tell us what you really mean by track car? Is it also a street car in between? How much track experience do you have? I have lots of track time in C5Z's and C6ZR1 but not the C6Z. Mine were dual purpose so I can give you my perspective based on your answers. As for a direct comparison in basically stock form running against a guy in a C6Z of equal skill and mostly stock (this was a Pacific Raceways google the layout) on very technical track I could keep him at bay except on the front stretch. The additional HP could get me going into turn one. The whole mod discussion is pointless because it all depends on how far you go with mods. Just compare fast lists for the C5Z and C6Z and you'll see. But answer the top two questions and we can go from there.

ArmchairArchitect

There's a $15-$20k price difference between the two, plus budget at least a couple thousand more to replace the heads on the C6Z.

I was faced with the same dilemma and had the budget for both; in the end chose the C5Z because I liked the styling better and it was more than enough performance for me, and kept the rest in investments. Still happy with my decision.

Pounder

from a husband and wife who AutoX both, the C6 Z06 hands down

TrackAire

With a C6Z06, I honestly think you can leave the engine hp at stock levels and add AP Racing front brakes, minor suspension upgrades and R-compound tires and you can really irritate 911 GT3's. The high revving ability of the LS7 is a huge advantage over a C5Z since you essentially are drag racing from corner to corner and not having to upshift between corners is key. Every shift costs time compared to those damn DCT cars. Essentially, you don't have to be faster, only finish in front of everyone and the C6Z is perfect for that. I also feel the oiling system is better and IIRC the rear end has a cooler.

With that kind of budget, C6Z over C5Z everyday.

JayhawkCPA

not considering the cost to track the car? C6...if its a fun hobby and cost to track the car considered, I would go with the cheaper option, C5. Not tracking the car? C6 Z for sure. If this is a true track car and you have $50K to spend, i would get the car for a cheap as possible due to inevitable part braking and possible accidents....

grinder11

........"a couple thousand more to replace the heads". I would add that the Ti rods in the C6 Z06 are starting to give trouble, too They seem to have a better reliability record on the LS9 in the C6 ZR-1, than in the LS7 in the C6ZO6. IMHO, I think the OP would be better off with an upgraded, blown C5 Z06. This is coming from a C5 owner that has a built LS7 installed. Yes, my valves and guides were junk in 20,000 miles, and this was with a stock lift cam with more duration than stock. Thank goodness the engine builder talked me out of the Ti rods. There's a reason GM no longer offers the LS7 in a production car. Just my .02......

Stingroo

C5Z is definitely the better budget track car if you want to do serious w2w. If you plan on doing it regularly, between the lower cost of entry and cheaper consumables, the C5Z is the clear winner.

A stock C5Z is more than enough car for 95% of people anyway. If you're in the 5%, power is easily added and so is aero.

z06801

What do you want to do? TT, W2W or just go out and win your group in HPDE? Are trailing it to the track? Buy something sorted out and ready to go, you'll save a lot. So on that budget if I was going for a all out race build would probably go c5z06 for a track car I was going to street and drive to the track I would go C6Z06.

LTCHAPPA

A C5 or a C6 is not worth that kind of money. That’s about what they were worth when new. Consider a C7. Just my opinion

Stingroo

If he's wanting it as a track car, some of that money is going to other things, not just the car itself.

Wheels/tires
Roll cage
Proper seat
Harness

etc. etc.

A C7 wrecks the whole equation. By a lot. And also raises the consumables costs.

grinder11

I agree with you, that a C7 wrecks the whole equation. Probably why the OP didn't mention a C7 in the first place......

OU812!

Instead of all the pissing back and forth here, I find it interesting the OP has never returned. That speaks volumes to me. As for which is the better track car I will defer to John Heinricy. Its in black and white which one he prefers and he helped engineer both.

mrrrkva

Tell me more about the C7 question. Is it cheaper to race a C7? My whole reaso to ask C5 or C6.... can MORE money placed in the c5 make it better? C5 Z06, your starting $15-20k less..... Can you put that $20k in a c5 and make it a more balanced, and faster car? Your starting on a large HP deficit right out of the box

mrrrkva

I do drive it on the street some. But I prefer, Time Trials, auto cross, and the occasional HPDE. Im assuming consubmables will be about the same.

OU812!

Sounds like this is a jack of all trades car. I would stay away from a C7 because it will blow you budget to get where you want it. Next in line is the C6Z. Since you looking for more track activities than driving around miles and stuff should not be that big of a deal to you so it sounds. You can pick one up in the low mid $30k's all day and have money to make it the way you want. You can pick of a really clean C5Z in the mid to high $20k's that leaves you more money to make it what you want. Everyone talks about the 505hp LS7 as being superior to the 405hp LS6. With $7-10k price difference I think you can make that 100hp difference up and then some. Then both of them need better brakes and suspension. I believe you could have what you want with either but that lower starting point opens a lot more doors. FYI - I sold my C6ZR1 because I have a much better time driving the C5Z. Maybe you should go drive both in stock form first and decide.