LivinTheDream

I've seen occasional comments about the 98 being stronger for some reason. Personal experience tells me it's true, but I wonder what the facts are? My car was one of the last 98's built before starting 99 production. With nothing but a Blackwing and Stingers my Z51 A4 torch red gem still runs almost 12.99 1/4 and seems very strong at 65K miles. I'm the second owner, bought it with 50K a year ago.

Is there anything to the myth or is it just good fortune?

Thanks!

John's vette

I ran 12.92 with my '98 with only Halltech intake really. As far as them being any stronger. The 97-98 had different heads with the valve cover bolts on the outside instead of the center like the new heads. The casting numbers are different but they seem to flow the same. The fuel rail and I believe injectors was also different.

Saying all that above, I don't believe there is really any difference between the performance of the 97-00 vettes but I could be wrong.

Maybe someone else could reflect some light on what is different.

MUKAK

I ran 12.4 with K&n, borlas with mufflers and run flats in almost 100 degree weather. Mine is a 97 coupe there was a lot of Z06s there that day and they could beleive me that my car was stock

i did drive my friends 99 FRC with the same mods and it seems slower for some reason

Some motors do come stronger from the factory than others

Screamin

I'l have to keep that in mind next spring when I go corvette shopping

97-98s are cheaper..... and they run 12s stock, not a bad deal

LivinTheDream

I got similar comments; general opinion was I had a more aggressive cam because I was still pulling at the finish. Somebody's got to have good insider info. We all know the factory airbox was more restrictive, the intake was pre-LS6 and the fuel injector pressure could be adjusted. While the seats, upholstery, sensors, etc. have been an effort, the engine burns zero oil and is sweet!

BlueDragon

I know my 98 pulled very strong when stock. (Has not been stock for a very long time. I know it came with 28lb injectors and GM backed down later cars to 26lb. I have since added the Halltech snorkle intake LG long tubes Z06 intake and 1.85 rockers. Stock Z06s don't give me much of a problem (but with my mods it is a bit unfair). About the only thing I have not done is heads and cam. I figure If I want more power, I will just take the current config and add a blower sometime out in the future. I don't know about the cam and heads being any different.

Jackal

I ran a 12.7 @ 112 with my 1998, I had Borla Stingers, Haltech TRAP, lower thermostat, and Kumo Supras.

marco383

My '98 MN6 dynoed at 301 RWHP stock, which would indicate that the 345 HP GM rating was on the low side if you accept a 15% driveline loss. The car had 19000 easy miles on at the time of that test.

BlueDragon

Mine baselined a couple of years ago at almost exactly 301 RWHP stock and I have an auto majic! So 345 was most certainly low!

Richin Chicago

Nothing much happened to the engine until 2001:

1997
• Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
• All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler, xx, xx, ??
• 97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

1998
• Convertible becomes available
• Active Handling becomes available late in year
• The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)

1999
• 26# injectors substituted for 28#
• Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
• FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
• HUD introduced
• only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover (no fuel return line?)
• Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
• ? Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
• door sill trim plates added

2000
• Millennium Yellow available
• ? "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
• Pup cats added to CA models for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99)
• Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
• Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
• No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
• Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)

2001
• return to 28# injectors for all models.
• Second Generation Active Handling
• Nassau Blue discontinued
• Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
• New soundproofing + foam in all cars
• Smaller keyfob
• electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
• lighter AGM battery
• Thickness + Material in vert change
• Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + vert
• 85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
• LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
• All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
• All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
• LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
• Hardtop/FRC discontinued
• Pup cats added to all models
• Stronger synchros in all transmissions
• Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
• metal valvestem caps (late year)
• Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in dia from 55 to 63 mm.
• Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
• Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
o hardtop body style
o rear brake ducting
o screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
o F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
o new LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) - 385hp
o M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
o Titanium exhaust system
o lightweight windshield
o New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
o Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
o Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
o Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
o 6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
o redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
o Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
o FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

2002
• Z06 Changes:
o Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
o Less restrictive intake airbox lid
o Descreened MAF
o Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
o Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
o Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
o Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
o higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
o slight piston redesign *
o clutch strength upgraded.
o HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
o Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
• Electron Blue color offered
• Steel endlinks changed to aluminum

2003
• Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's

2004
• Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.

Fastguy

Mine is pushing 150,000 miles and runs low 12's with mods in sig.

John's vette

Great list

Richin Chicago

I wish i could claim credit it for it but I got it from the Forum here.

MUKAK

the only thing i dont get is

HOW da F**K do stock Z06s with a filter maybe run low 12s and my pretty much stock 97 at the time ran 12.4 on run flats? Makes no sence , does it??
60 more Hp to the fly wheel? and only a few tens betters??

I did race a Z06 on the freeway from 65 and he killed me bad i am talking about NO CONTEST and yes I did downshift into 3rd gear Ohh well maybe the Z wasnt stock

Richin Chicago

A healthy Z06 dynos around 355 - 360 at the rear wheels. A healthy LS1 can be 315 or more. That's not a lot of difference on a 3100 lb car.

tk97

[QUOTE
1998
• Convertible becomes available
• Active Handling becomes available late in year
• The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)
[/QUOTE]

What do you mean by "the two slots"?

angryfly

My Y2K FRC doesn't have a shut off switch. Hmmm

MUKAK

I forgot to mention: My car is gutted No Carpet at all, no rear or front bumper reinforsments, no Airbags, race seats, Lexan Rear Hatch Glass, No AC, No smog pump, No windshield washer reservour, No mufflers ,

Next mod is to get rid of Speakers and stereo system

The reason for the above mods is
NOT TO LET THE WIFE DRIVE VETTE AT ALL

She is scared of it now

And yes my vette did weigth 2960 Lb on many scales

Richin Chicago

My 2000 FRC does. I think that came mid year.

Flyin'Brian

What do you mean by "the two slots"?[/QUOTE]

Never heard this one before