harleyreb1

In the next few months I'm looking to buy and new "fun" car for myself I have pretty much narrowed it down to either a '11 or '12 gt 500, or a 06-08 ZO6, neither will be left stock and they will only be my "playtoy" That being said I do want very good drivability and want the AC and all amenities to work! I am mainly intersted in 40-140 rolls and running mile and half mile events such as the Texas Mile(which ive done in my 08 c6) also a little drag strip mixed in once in awhile.

I have been doing as much research as possible so I will end up with the best car for me. If I go GT 500 it will more than likely have a 3.4 whipple on it and make 700+ rwhp
If I go ZO6 it will either be H/C/I and small dry shot or blower of some sort (kinda like a maggie I have one on my 08 c6)

I know this is a pro zo6 board but that is the car that I think will be the best please convince me of it! thanks in advance!

LS7 BUD

C6 ZO6 by far... I've owned both and you'll love the C6 ZO6 more... If your gonna do H/C/I then throw in a set of forged pistons too...

CB1953

.......uh oh.........

mtm87tx

Its easier to add hp then loose weight... C6Z for me

mike06Z06

I have an 06 Z06 that is my favorite car of all time. I also have an 11 GT-500 for my supercharged addiction. Both are awesome cars but in different leagues.

Silver05GTO

Do some research on LS7's before you go and spend money on mods....

That said, if you plan on modding the motor, set aside an extra 15k for a new LS7 which you'll end up needing. Again, research the Z06 forum and you'll see time and time heavily modded LS7's not living very long....especially the 2006-2008's....especially when they are driven hard, as your planning to do. The C6Z06 is an incredible car, but the LS7 is a max effort NA motor, much better to leave it stock then gamble and loose with modding.

Don't know much about the GT500's but there are allegedly built to handle loads more hp, something that you'll be doing.

Nothing worse then having a fun car that's on the razors edge to suffer a catastrophic failure.

Antonio1988

Unless you are planning on motor builds, the GT500 will likely be a better choice because it will take more abuse. The Z06 can potentially be much faster in all aspects than the Shelby, just not as reliable when putting the motor through equal amounts of strain

RedZ4me

Well I sold my 659 dyno'd rwhp GT500 for a Z06.......no regrets, different beast. As for your future mods, 700 rwhp is about the max limit for the stock rods on the 5.4 so remember that, that's why I stayed under 700 rwhp.

Marc Lefebvre

If you want a Mustang buy the GT500, if you want a Corvette buy the Z06.

Blueline

I sold my 650rwhp 04 Cobra for my 06Z and have not one regret. My buddy has a GT500 making 738rwhp w/ 4kmiles on it and he is considering selling it for a Z06. My Z06 is making 526rwhp and it feels faster than my Cobra. I love my Z....

TORQJNKY

My story almost to a "T" (with a few modifications).

LSX_NUT

Z06 has much more potential than a GT500 IMO and they look so much better.

Just make sure you are aware of the valvetrain issue some people are having with the LS7. If it does 'BLOW' then just shy away from the LS7 an get a LS motor built for boost/blower.

I considered getting a 2013 GT500 over a C6Z a few months ago but then came to my senses.

SlayerRX8

Test drive both. You will know. No one else can tell you which one you will like better.

Too-Fast

LS9Drew

H/C C6Z is reliable, once you do the heads these cars are very reliable don't let others discourage you from buying go ask any of the big Lsx shops what they think of the LS7. If your interested in top end racing get an A&A kit Maggies are all low end and die off up top where as the A&A doesn't let up its way better suited for a Corvette imo.
GT500 is still a mustang at the end of the day I'd take a C6Z over one anyday now of you were talking 2013 GT500 it'd be a tough call but pre 2013 I'd never buy one

LS9Drew

Sounds about right, my Cai/Tune/Ported TB Z pulled a fender on a 613whp Cobra. They are just so much heavier

SIC_C6

buy both do the 3.4 and make 700 then put a cam in the z and nose out the gt500 on the highway

SIC_C6

u can look up videos of say carlisle stock z06 vs 600 hp mustang and watch the z beat it

harleyreb1

it seems the zo6 can give up about 100 rwhp to the mustang and still be equal or beat it just a hair. I have no problem building a motor just don't want to "have to" any sooner than needed. thanks for all the replies so far!
here are my "budget" thoughts: gt 500 $42-45 k for the car, 7k blower, 2-3k misc
zo6: $42-45k car either 6.5k blower and 2k misc or 5k H/C/I money is pretty close on either for what I want to do.

NytmereZ

Forced induction is forced induction , the Z06 is not made for forced any forced induction period.

Fact LS7 motors are brittle, I've never seen so many motors failures in any late model corvette, and I've had C4 l98, 2 LS1's, 1 LS6, 1 LS7, which I sold due to the fact of these motors not being reliable at all, when modded, even when pushed stock.

This is coming from an owner and someone who is in the car field.
You are obviously bias, with your remark "I'd never buy one"

This person wants opinions based on fact, not brand loyalty, "it's still a mustang" , that is what brand loyal viper people said about the Z06 in 2006, when the vette actually outperformed viper for the 1st time ever.

Every lambo/ Ferrari owner can say the same things about vette and viper.

The guy just wants an honest answer, if you know anything about motors( saying heads and cam LS7 is reliable, raises the red flag)
You would not be promoting forced induction on an LS7

Honest shops who work on LS motors, should tell the person the weakness"s in the LS7, most know them.