oversteer

I am in the market for a used C5 and need to make a decision between a "regular" C5 and a Z06. The cars in question would be a '98 or '99 C5 or an '01 Z06.

I know the Z06 is an amazing car, but financially it would be a streeetch! How different are the Z06s? I don't care about the Z06 badge on the side, I just want performance! Can I save the money and buy a normal C5?

If I was to buy a '98 C5 and spend ~$6 on upgrades (headers, exhaust, pullies, Hypertech, wheels, sway bars, etc) could I bring the C5 up to the power and handling abilities of the Z06? Was the Z06 suspension much different? Transmission and diff changes?? What will it take to get an honest 400+HP?

Please forgive my newbie question but I wasn't able to find a site that details all the differences.

TIA,

Steve02C5

Better for what, racing or mostly boulevard cruising with an occasional romp. They both have their pros and cons depending on what your primary purpose is. It can get expensive to get to 400rwhp. Do you enjoy manual shifting, not much room for golf clubs or luggage, a little more cabin noise and hauling butt - get the Z06; otherwise, go for the Coupe. :cheers:

corvette dave

Steve,
If you were talking a 2002 or 2003 Z06 I might have a different answer but here goes.
A '98 coupe is only 40 hp less than a 2001 Z06. If you spend $6000 on mods you will be ahead of the Z06 and still have money left over. You could probably equal the Z06 for about $2000. And you can take the top off!
The handling advantage of the Z06 is mostly because of the tires. If the '98 you buy has the Z51 suspension, you will be very close in handling with similar tires.
This comes from someone who has owned both.
My guess is that you can buy a nice '98 coupe for $24000 and add $6000 for mods equals $30,000. What are 2001 Z06s going for, $35,000?
I would get the coupe and enjoy it.
Dave

WALLstAL

Get a convertible, you will enjoy it more in Cali!

MC98

:iagree:


I have a modded 98 coupe (see my signature). Performance wise I don't think I would have any problems taking care of a stock Z06 in the 1/4 mile. I like the extra comfort features of the coupes and verts and I would not trade my coupe for a Z06.


98 A4
Donaldson Blackwing
Cartek Stage 2 Heads
Cartek M Cam
LS6 Intake
TPIS Headers
Underdrive Pulley
Comp Push Rods
Rev 1116 Valve Springs
Borla Exhaust
172 T.sat
ST3500
3.73 Gears
B&M Trans Cooler
LS1 Edit Tuning




[Modified by MC98, 8:08 AM 2/11/2003]

Steve02C5

I don't disagree with you; however, we don't know the type driving he's primarily into. Also, the Z06's lighter weight and better tranny ratios need to be considered when comparing 1/4 mi. performance; along with the fact that for a very few $ more, the Z06's hp can be enhanced very well, e.g., air intake. Your math appears to be correct; but, at the end of the day, the Z06 should have better resale value - it's hard to recoup $6K in mods.
WallSt, vert in Cali, yeahhh, baybeeeeeeeee.

rbartick

Get the Z06. A few years down the road when your finances settle in you will be glad you did.

FRC sexi blk

TIA,
I was in your position last year when trying to decide whether to go for a z06 or 2000hardtop.

For me, its all about performace so I test drove an 03 zo6 and a 2000 hardtop. The 2000 hardtop was lowered other than that, it was stock. Handling wise, the z06 didn't impress me much. The 2000hardtop was almost just as good on the turnes, (I took these cars on a 30 mile curvey strech of hills and open roads :) As far as power, the z06 defitnely has more puch and power to it out of the box. but spend 2,000 on a non-zo6 and you'll have a 405 or more HP c5. If you love handling like I do, make sure you have the z-51 suspension on a coupe. I plan to upgrade my shocks and sway bars in the future.

I would always say buying a used car, at least 1 or 2 years old is ALWAYS a better deal than buying a brand new car. The depreaction value doesn't drop $10,000 3 months later after driving the new car off of the lot.

If you spend $6,000 on a 98 coupe, you'll have tons of fun with the top off, plus enjoy the mod fever we all have on this forum. Nothing is as fun as adding more power. And you can do it over time, instead of having a huge car payment to pay off every month.

just my .02 Jonny A. :steering:

jimman

coupe or convert

oversteer

Hey guys,

thanks very much for the replies so far. I suppose I should have given more info in my orginal post so here goes.

I am only interested in a Coupe or Hardtop with 6spd manual. I do care about HP, but mainly because the car will see lots of open track days where I'll be up against Vipers, 911s, etc. Around 400hp is required!

In my area Z06s are very rare and the price difference between a '98 C5 and an '01 Z06 is quite large (~$9k+).

From the info you have given it seen that getting a stock 345hp car to around 400hp isn't too difficult or costly, but what about the handling difference? Don't worry about the wheel/tires, as either way I'd end up with some 18x11.5 CCWs.

Is the Z06 "beefed up" in any other way...i.e transmission, brakes, diff, chassis?

Thanks again,

Beer:30

I went with the coupe. I got all the options except for z-51. That was not an issue as I redid the suspension anyway. Check out the list of my mods in my sig. I am confident my handling will match or suprass the Z06. As far as the power I will find out when I get some time slips in a few months ;)
I found some of the parts here on the forum slightly used and saved a ton. I spent a little over $5000 and did all of the work myself. A bargin if you ask me. I could have spent about the same $ and gotten a 01' Z-06 but then I would just have a stock car. I like mine better. Oh yeah....and the top comes off. :D

rwj383

the ZO6 is not 'beefed up' so much compared to the coupe. aside from the additional hp, the suspension has heavier sway bars and a few other susp tweaks that makes it tight. Also, the tranny is geared a little tighter for performance, but is not 'beefier'. in fact, many modaholics are finding the MN6 gear box more favorable over the ZO6's M12 with higher hp applications. your post above tells a little more what youre after. I am currently building a heads/cam package that i will be installing on a local 99 FRC C5. Since the ZO6 is a glorified FRC, this car will outperform any stock ZO6 by a huge margin when i am done. FRC is a light car, you can find them cheap, and then do a h/c package that will have you grinning for a long time.

LTC Z06

YES the Z06 is beefed up! The hard top makes the car stiffer, there by making the suspension more responsive. If a chassis flexes you have to wait for the flex to stop before the suspension can do its job, and if a chassis is too lose than a too stiff suspension will not be as effective. But if it’s all a matter of money, get what you can and go from there, you will still be happy. A bad driver in Z06 will still get spanked by a good driver in much “slower” cars, trust me on this one; when I first started I was passed by some crap with really good drivers.

oversteer

rbartick,

you say the Z06 is lighter and stiffer. Can this be true? I thought the Z06 was the same as all the hardtop (FRC?) cars? Is the Z06 unibody actually stiffer?

Re. the power upgrades. I am planning to do LT headers, X-pipe, Corsa Ti (gotta' save weight), pullies, intake, programming and maybe a cam. However I am not willing, nor is my wallet, to do a set of heads. Will this get me to about 400HP? Is 400HP on these cars about 335RWHP?

Here is my real newbie question! Are there only 2 types oc C5 (other than the convert)? From what I understand there is a "coupe" with a targa top and a "hardtop" (FRC?). Could you get a "coupe" with a fixed roof? Are there other variations?

Thanks for all your help. So far this forum rocks :cheers:

MilYellow02

The seats alone are the reason I bought a coupe

Maineiac

I sold my 01 vert for an 03 Z06. They are very different...and I don't miss the vert at all. :D

I say buy the Z. :yesnod: :cheers:

ruking1

I have the 2001 Z06 and love it! I also say that the 6-7k difference in price between a Z06/coupe can buy you a LOT of modifications on a cheaper FRC! Do you even like the hard top or FRC option? As a previous poster said the FRC option was even cheaper new than the coupe and certainly the Z06! The only down side to getting a hard top or FRC option is they may have held their value better than a coupe due to their lower build numbers.

TXSTICK

If you want to be closed in buy the Z06, if you enjoy the open air (which is easy in Cal) then get the Vert. I drive mine everyday with the top down.
You can open all the windows and pull out panels from the roof but it does not even come close to the open air feeling of a Vert. :thumbs:

With the extra money put in a SC for the power.

Steve02C5

Call VetteNet and let them shop for you a Z06 if price is all that's holding you back. They find very good deals for us CF members.

oversteer

Keep the info flowing ;)

"Do you even like the hard top or FRC option? As a previous poster said the FRC option was even cheaper new than the coupe and certainly the Z06! The only down side to getting a hard top or FRC option is they may have held their value better than a coupe due to their lower build numbers."

Not sure I follow this. I know that the FRC (Billy-Bob?) car was introduced in 1999. Is there such thing as a normal C5 (not FRC or 'Vert) that has a fixed roof or are they all removable targa roofs? I do NOT want a convertible and would prefer to not have a removable glass roof either! So I guess my 1st choice would be a '99 FRC, although I bet that won't be easy to find, while '97 and '98 coupes are a dime-a-dozen!

I do believe the Z06 is an amazing machine, but it will be much easier for me financially to get a C5 and upgrade it. I just need to make certain I won't be pissing my $$ away going this route :)

Thanks :U