Boomah

Gents, a couple of questions for the Z06 experts…

I’ve made my choice and plan on buying a C5 Z06 and would like to know how much difference there is between the 2002 & 2004 model years. Are there many changes to begin with? Are the drive-train & suspension generally the same?

Also…

How much power does the Z06 really have? I know it’s rated at 405hp at the flywheel but what does this really translate to? Is there room for improvement and if so, what are some options I could look at? I must admit thinking about a super-charger of some kind but don’t want to change the outward appearance of the car at all. Are there discrete exhaust systems and other performance parts I can start researching?

I know the Z06 is a true power house but would really like to know the real deal. I’d just like the confidence in knowing my Z06 holds the heat when that big muffler, ugly body kit, huge wing, vanity plate saying “FAH Q”, Honda Civic pulls up next to me at a stop light (not to condone street racing of course)

TIA & Mahalo,

Mark

Charles7Mitchell

You might want to consider another car. There will always be some ricer somewhere that is faster. From what I understand many of the foreign cars can be more cheaply purchased and then cheaply modded far beyond the performance levels of a Z06. A vette in comparison is likely to be much more expensive and leave you in a sour mood when one of the ricers uses you to prove his manhood.
There are some Z owners with the same attitude you have about out-running anything on the road. But they are in the minority. For most of us there is a pride in ownership that souped up ricers will never understand. When you acquire that feeling it will no longer matter what drives up next to you at the light. You're the one in the vette.

Hot BluZ

For most of us there is a pride in ownership that souped up ricers will never understand. When you acquire that feeling it will no longer matter what drives up next to you at the light. You're the one in the vette.[/QUOTE]

But to answer your questions, as far as I know there are no significant differences between the 02-04. The 405 hp translates to about 350 rwhp, with Long Tube headers, cold air intake, X-pipe, you'll see another 25-40 rwhp, the stock Z06 exhaust is good, minimal gains with after market, differences in exhaust note.

You can then go with some internals, cam, head mods and go well over the 400 rwhp threshhold, this would leave your engine fairly stock looking. But, no guarentees that some ricer won't be modded to the max with NOX and still blow you away, but hey, you've got the Vette, they've got the envy.

The best feeling is looking at them knowing they want to try, it's fun just to ignore them and watch the frustration on there face, they'll never really know.

Boomah

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for... Just some insight Wasn't trying to stir the pot at all, just learning Vette etiquette

Mahalo,

Mark

Scott04Z

Charles7Mitchell wrote "For most of us there is a pride in ownership that souped up ricers will never understand. When you acquire that feeling it will no longer matter what drives up next to you at the light. You're the one in the vette."



Very well said bro! I couldn't have put it better myself. I must say, however, that a stock Z06 is an incredible high performance automobile which few other stock or even highly modified performance cars can match. It is one of the finest all around performance machines ever made...powerful motor, awesome suspension, great brakes, awesome body lines, and great interior options as well. On top of all that, it is a Vette...and that does stand for something that most car lovers highly respect. It's only the under educated or ill informed that attempt to take one on without spending big bucks for mods!

BTE the differences between the 02 and 04 Z06 is the suspension. The 04's have retuned shocks that were tuned at Nurburbring. I think there might have been a change in one of the other suspension pieces, such as sway bar size, but I am not sure of that one. If you can't afford an 04 the 02's and 03's are a great bargain.

Boomah

Cool, thanks... Wasn't sure what the big diff was but that clears it up quite well. My good friend has a ‘04 Z06 but he wasn't sure about the earlier models. All I know is his car is quite impressive, both in looks & the performance area (from my limited experience "riding along"). I'm really looking forward to picking one up... All the research is pretty enjoyable as well as educating

Mahalo,

Mark

Chris.Shea

there is an 02 eb with 7,000 miles owner askin 35,000 in the maui classifieds. if you get your z here before me ima flip out mines been sitting in california forever now.

zo6vetteman2003

Somewhere, I've never met one yet. No doubt there is for sure. I'll keep modding to stay ahead of the one out there.

AFVETTE

Out of the box the Z is a world class performamce car, not some home made garage project.

I'll let the most recent published road test do the rest of the talking.
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...es/0410htp_zo/

Tom

chiefDave

A stock Z is damn near perfect. Many of us mod them per our tastes. A z, even a slower 01, is quiet a ride stock. I live with many ricers, and they always wana do something at a light. I invite them all to the track and most, MOST just want to hear the LS6 rev a bit. Our cars sound ok sitting there but under WOT full load at the strip Go for it and go slow on the street so they can see you. Lots of car folks, well most, realy appreciate the Z. Good luck!
Dave
PS Sometime, you even see the rice the next day at the track and then it is on

Z06Rono

Somewhere in one of these forums I saw a post last week which detailed the differences between the C5 model years. Of course I can't find it now. The differences aren't substantial, but if cost isn't that big of a factor I would go with an 04 over an 02 for the minor tweaks. Buy the best you can afford though, whether 02 or 04, you'll have a blast.

steckvette

This is a repost:

All of this information is variously collected from the Corvette Forum message board, so do not take it as absolute gospel. However, it should be somewhat close. Sources: 1,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)

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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:
hardtop body style
rear brake ducting
screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
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
M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
Titanium exhaust system
lightweight windshield
New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002

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

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2003

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

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

diverdan

As previously stated, the differences are minimal. I would let the condition of the cars vs price be the deciding factor; a mint condition 02 or 03 over an obviously hard used 04, etc. If you do get an 01-03 model and you want the nurburbring shocks you can get them off this forum for under $400.

Truthfully, there will always be a car faster than yours out there, be it ricer, mustang, or another vette. Don't worry about, enjoy the car; you will be faster that the vast majority of cars, even if you stay stock.

As others have touched on, the Z06 will make its power all day long, reliably and happily. Few ricers can make that claim.

Finally, if you can't stand it, throw a blower/NOS on the car and the number of cars that could keep up would be reduced to a miniscule amount.

PowerMad

Thanks for sharing the information with your repost.

dave

Boomah

WOW! Thanks for all the gouge & great model year break-down. That helped a bunch!

Mahalo,

Mark

rsxmanjoe

As far as making power, the LS6 will be a much better platform then any 4 cylinder out there.....The most power a stock motor can take without race gas is around 4-420whp(4g63 or the srt-4 motor)....Ls1s/LS6s have been making more power on the stock bottom end since the day they were released. Also to make over 500whp in a 4cyl, you usually need race gas. A built LS6 can make 700whp on pump all day long!

I had a 12.75 @ 113 rsx and now im switching over to a z06. Dont worry about the 4 cylinders. In the end youll be able to make more power and look a hell of alot better

AFVETTE

Oh and one last point, the sound of a hyper small block Chevy is so dam seductive, no 4 cyl can make that claim. I just hate the sound of those 4 bangers, not very agreeable to these old ears.

But the LS6 with either the OEM Ti's or almost any after market cat-back make beautiful music that no 4 cylinder could ever hope to make.

Tom

hemmerman

I also would like to ditto the pride of ownership thyme. I'm a newbie of sorts myself. my first vette was a 2002 vert, I jioned a local corvette club.(Nashville corvette Club) started going to nccc driving events, and could not resist a 2004 Torch Red Zo6, my present car. I like to listen to others in our club that have done this for years. Believe me and the others when we say, our Zo6's are fast right from the factory they're made to race and love it. Don't mess with all the mods out there. There's millions of em. enter a NCCC event near you, drive your car to the event race all day, have the time of your life in a safe envirement. Drive home and if you are human you won't be able to wait for the next event! Don't change a thing on your car. It's a great American Icon. Made by Americans. Have fun a enjoy your car. Drive safe on the road and drive it like you stole it on the track! God Bless Our Troops

Robert56@RNS

One of he sites best drivers, Ranger, is selling his 02 Z06, for 30k I believe. It's a documented 11.5x runner with airbox/DR and well taken care of. I must be in the minority, as I drive my icon like I stole it, every where, including the track. Not many can beat a Z06 with a good driver, that's for sure.

Charles7Mitchell

Driving a Z like it was stolen and modding it so that you can out run every ricer who pulls up next to you are two different things. It's hard to imagine a vette owner who would not let it loose once in a while in a variety of situations, but accepting challenges on the street is not one of them for me. I think the point that I and others were making with the pride of ownership comments was that there is no need to prove ourselves every time a ricer wants to measure his car, 0 - 60, against a vette. The only time a souped up ricer gets his recognition is by besting a vette on the streets. A vette draws comments parked in a lot and I believe most of us would not feel that we had proven anything by tromping on a ricer at a light. A Z06 is an excellent base for modding, if that is what you want, but it is an expensive base. If all one cares about is 0 - 60 there are probably easier ways to go. For me pride of ownership occurred when the Cadillac XLR hit the streets and I dropped by a dealer to look at one. In the brochure I was given was a picture of the XLR and another car and a case was made for why the XLR was superior to the other car pictured. Does anyone think they need three guesses as to what that other car was?