I used to drag race and run some 1000 superbike as a child. More recently have 2 Harley V-rods (1 a 105th anniversary limited ed.) that I've modified. The coppertop is cranking 130rwhp. Its time for a corvette. Lookin to spend tween $25k and $40k. I drive big truck longhaul so it would be a weekend project car. 6 speed is a must, I reckon. Do you vette guys (and gals) have any tips or suggestions on what I should get or look for (or for that matter look out for)? Speed is the goal (at the strip and later in the twistys)? I live in the Seattle area but anywhere in the western states is cool for purchase. I spend alot of time in the Vegas area.
Well as much as I hate to say it, a C6 has the edge on the C5 in both categories. You will have more potential with more cubes in the C6, and I believe the C6 outhandles the C5 as well. With that said, I would definitely shoot for a Z51 suspension car, as that will keep you happy for quite some time. Start with your basic mods, air intake, headers, catback(least amount of hp), and then and only then decide what you want to do.
If you want to do forced induction, keep the stock gears (3.42). These gears will allow you to not spin the tires too, too bad, yet they will allow for the right powerband so to speak. If you want to do a naturally aspirated motor, go with some 3.90's or 4.10's and do the usual heads/cam/intake. Most guys are running fast 90 or fast 92 intakes along with throttle bodies, and the heads and cams themselves are up to you. With the C5's you can get budget heads(patriot, PRC, stock Z06), mid-grade(afr) or top of the line(trickflows). You can get over 450rwhp in a C5 with a big cam, good heads, and supporting mods naturally aspirated.
You can get over 500rwhp in a C5 with basic bolt ons and a blower. Again, it is a matter of personal preference. Both setups are capable of 10 second timeslips on a tire, it's just a matter of what you want. You will lose streetability and a good amount of mpg with an all motor setup. With a blower you can retain your gas mileage, or even improve it, so long as you stay out of boost.
I personally have done all of the bolt ons and plan to add an A&A vortech kit along with a "bigger" blower cam(best of both worlds). Nothing sounds better than a cammed motor, yet nothing beats the power of forced induction. You can only get so far without a power adder. Hope this helps you. If you need some more help, feel free to send me a PM.
Thanks for the info. I figured to go the normal route at first (headers, cam, injectors, etc...) and keep the stock gears until I feel the need to warrant the change. I've been looking at turbos but don't like any that Ive seen so far and the superchargers have been noisy.
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Well as much as I hate to say it, a C6 has the edge on the C5 in both categories.
I don't agree, and I have a C6. The C5 has a shorter wheel base, and more front and rear overhang which makes it transfer slightly better, and it's also doesn't have as much wheel hop. Plus, you can get one much cheaper.
But even better than that, IMO, woule be a C4. Although it will require far more MODS to get the same power as a C5 or 6, the mods are MUCH cheaper. The car is cheaper too (older) and it tranfers way better than a C5 or 6, plus, has virtually no issues w/wheel hop. Knowing what I knwo now, I would have bought a C4, and made it "my own" (modded the sh!t out of it).
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C5,C6 or ??????
I live in the Seattle area but anywhere in the western states is cool for purchase. I spend alot of time in the Vegas area.
