Corvette Performance - What did you drive before you had a vette?

I'd love some feedback here...

Were you folks driving f-bodies before your vettes, and if so what prompted you to swap into one?

I have an '00 Z, daily driver as well as track car. Of course I love it and all, but I've always got this thought in the back of my head about selling it for a vette.

Is it a pain to put a clutch in a vette, and at what power level/time slips do you need to replace it?

I would be getting just a regular C5 for less than $20k, so it would probably have higher miles on it and be a 1997-2000 car.

I guess my problem with getting a vette is that it looks like kind of a pain to work on...doesn't the rack have to come out for a cam? And also the parts are more expensive because of the 'corvette tax'...one thing I do love about the f-body is parts are cheap and installations are straightforward.

I know I wouldn't be able to get a vette and keep it stock, and I'd want it to run in the 7's (1/8th) like my camaro does now. What kind of modifications are you all running to get in that range? I know it's the same engine and all but I would imagine a vettes a little better off with the weight advantage.

It would have to be an M6 for sure.

Any input/ramblings would be appreciated.

Well although I can't answer your more technical questions, I'll toss you my $.02 on why I moved to a Vette.

Previously, I drove F-Body's. Still have the two you saw actually, never plan on getting rid of them. My move to a Vette was a fulfillment of a boyhood dream, more or less. But it's also that I wanted the engineering, the looks, the handling, the attention to detail in a vette that an F-body could not offer. One drive in a Vette back in 00 (right before I bought the forsaken Black T/A I test drove a 95 Vette) told me all I needed to know, and my first C5 test drive back in February merely reinforced that want.

I will admit that the Corvette is much more noisy on the inside, and has a lot more creaks, squeaks, and rattles than I expected, but then again I've been spoiled on my buddies GTO and our Lincoln. After I got over that and realized that "Hey, it's GOING to be somewhat noisy, after all it IS a TRUE sports car" all was well.

From what I've seen (and am heading towards) a full bolt on C5 should put down in the area of 350 to 360 at the wheels, which should be more than enough for 7's in the 1/8. Exhaust work doesn't look to be too bad, but a clutch swap looks to suck as I believe the TQ tube and rear have to come down and out. Cam swap looked like it was relatively simple after removal of the radiator and A/C condensor though.

Hope this helps.

I owned a 93' 240sx with a built KA24DET motor. Made 451 rwhp on race gas. I still think the Vette was the best decision I ever made.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b130/HolyShiznit/100_0572.jpg

I owned five f-bodies including 2 LS1's and 2 LT1's... I'm happy with my decision. I love my vette... but there are times I miss driving an f-body every day.

A 396ci LT1 94 Z28 Vert.

http://kraest.com/396launch.avi

I'd love some feedback here...

Were you folks driving f-bodies before your vettes, and if so what prompted you to swap into one?

I have an '00 Z, daily driver as well as track car. Of course I love it and all, but I've always got this thought in the back of my head about selling it for a vette.

Is it a pain to put a clutch in a vette, and at what power level/time slips do you need to replace it?

I would be getting just a regular C5 for less than $20k, so it would probably have higher miles on it and be a 1997-2000 car.

I guess my problem with getting a vette is that it looks like kind of a pain to work on...doesn't the rack have to come out for a cam? And also the parts are more expensive because of the 'corvette tax'...one thing I do love about the f-body is parts are cheap and installations are straightforward.

I know I wouldn't be able to get a vette and keep it stock, and I'd want it to run in the 7's (1/8th) like my camaro does now. What kind of modifications are you all running to get in that range? I know it's the same engine and all but I would imagine a vettes a little better off with the weight advantage.

It would have to be an M6 for sure.

Any input/ramblings would be appreciated.


Well, i've OWNED two mustangs(gt/cobra) ... but i've lived with a few f-bodies over the years. I've almost bought, several of them. I love them. But, when you compare them to the Y-body(vette)....there isn't any comparison man. Drive a vette on the highway,...and right away your gonna see/feel/experience the difference.

when my car was stock,...I didn't have a problem running with alot of friends modded f-bodies.

Yes, clutchs without a doubt SUCK to do in a vette. I hate it, and don't look forward to it again. Yes, the rack does have to be jived with a little bit but, doesn't need to be removed for the cam swap. I'd recommend leaving it in, and lowering the cradle(ofcourse on a lift).

The vette, and the f-body both have rear end issues when launching hard so,...thats a given either way. (stalemate)

If you can.......I highly recommend the vette man....there is NOT a better car out there, performance minded, that can compete.

You'll love it dude. ...and one more thing,... the vette, gets em wet. I shouldn't need to explain that. :devil:

J

I had a 96 Trans am , switched to a Vette for the attention the LS1 and to fulfill a dream.

if you are looking for a cheap Vette with excellant performance keep an eye out for a 99 fixed roof coupe. They are a little light on options like HUD etc. heated mirrors etc., however they are all equipped with z51 suspension packages, 6 speeds, more ridgid chassis and are the lightest C5. Plus they have the Z06 look!

http://www.synistermotorsports.com/custom7.jpg

you can generally pick these up fairly cheap ( for a vette ) I bought mine 3 years ago with 25,000 miles on the clock for $26,000. Ive seen a few members on here pick them for ALOT less since they are 7 years old and a new body has been released

You will have a permanent smile with a C5 :drive:

You'll love it dude. ...and one more thing,... the vette, gets em wet. I shouldn't need to explain that. :devil:

J

:jest: :jest: Actually I am a girl so having a car that makes other girls wet might be a problem because I don't swing that way :)

:jest: :jest: Actually I am a girl so having a car that makes other girls wet might be a problem because I don't swing that way :)



lmao. Sorry doll.

Foot is in mouth.

:devil:

(but it still works)

you can generally pick these up fairly cheap ( for a vette ) I bought mine 3 years ago with 25,000 miles on the clock for $26,000. Ive seen a few members on here pick them for ALOT less since they are 7 years old and a new body has been released



Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I don't want anything fancy, no one's garaged pet...because this is something I would be driving every day. I would be absolutely fine with it if it came with a few dings/dents/etc. Besides there are so many shitty drivers and uninsured people in this area that it is almost impossible to keep anything pristine!!

Higher mileage would also be another thing to get the price lower...I don't mind that at all because I can fix anything in my garage. I think I could find a good car for less than $20k.

And about HUD - I found a guy on corvetteforum.com that sells the setup for $400, so I could always do that. I don't think I would miss not having hud though.

What does the typical run of the mill C5 run in the 1/8th mile?

And yeah I know the rear ends in the fbodies suck (see sig, 12 bolt now ;) ) What breaks in a vettes IRS, the axles?

The difference between y and f body is quite amazing. I was a little surprised that there was more road noise than I expected, but the cars are phenomenal none the less. The handling is just on rails...and I like the way the doors shut really quietly, less rattles, etc. But those 'rough edges' are also things I love about my pos camaro :)

lmao. Sorry doll.

Foot is in mouth.

:devil:

(but it still works)


:devil:

I had a '99 Z28 w/ cam, and TNT 150 shot. That car was alot of fun...but I dont miss it a bit. Going to my Z06 was the best decision I ever made. As far as working on the vette, overall I think It is EASIER to mod than an F-bod, with the exception being the clutch. I had that done for $350, because I do not have a lift. However, it isnt THAT bad if you have access to a lift. These cars are very easy to work on, I just did a heads/cam install and was suprised just how easy it was even with the steering rack (which also is relatively easy BTW)....

Personally, if you like the looks of the FRC Id definitely get the Z06, it will hold its value better, and has plenty of perks...one of which is a stronger bottom end for more revving later. :) You can find very good deals on the C5 Z06.

And that moistness thing... :jest:

:devil:



lol. Cool chick.

The things that break in a y-body are pretty much the output shaft, on the driver side.... besides that, I think I see more cracked housings then anything.

DTE makes a hardened output shaft,...and you can buy fully built rearends for about 3500 stage III(micropolished gears, the whole nine yards)

...they also make a brace, which I have,.."strut brace" .... which is designed to limit the twisting the trans and diff do under extreme load,....so...less of a chance of a broken output shaft.

More power/traction,..more problems.

Personally, if you like the looks of the FRC Id definitely get the Z06, it will hold its value better, and has plenty of perks...one of which is a stronger bottom end for more revving later. :) You can find very good deals on the C5 Z06.


Believe me I know, my boyfriend just picked one up for $29k, 01 with 35k miles, it is immaculate. That car is ridiculous amounts of awesome. I didn't want him to buy it because I knew that a week later I'd be making this post wanting a C5 too!!! :cry:

But I don't want to spend more than $20k no matter what it is. Am I cheap?? Oh hell yes. Probably so because I know firsthand how much time I spend at the track and don't want to have such a high car payment on a track mule/daily driver. Won't be worth jack when I am done with it anyway :jest:

As far as working on the vette, overall I think It is EASIER to mod than an F-bod

I will agree that cylinder #8 looks much more friendly in a vette than an fbody ;)

More power/traction,..more problems.

That holds true with anything!! In general though do you suppose you could make it into the 11's keeping the stock rear intact?

That holds true with anything!! In general though do you suppose you could make it into the 11's keeping the stock rear intact?


There have been quite a few C5Z06's deep in the 11's on stock rearends. I'm sure I can't though with my driving skills :emb: I'm not too sure if they have the same rear ends though, for sure they have different suspension parts, but rearend? Jaime should know the answer to that. Good luck! :cheers:

Keliente, you should be able to find a good deal if you're willing to compromise mileage and condition. When I purchased mine a couple of weeks ago there was one on the corvette forum for sale that was a smoking deal. It was a 99 pewter six speed coupe, lots of options, tint, C6 gunmetal wheels, brand new clutch/slave cylinder with 75K miles and a 2 inch crack in the driver side fender (which killed the deal for me). I talked to the guy and he was asking $17K but flat out told me he would take $16K. It's most likely gone now, but there are definitely deals out there.

Wow, you are awesome you sound like the coolest chick on this planet! There is nothing better than a picture of a chick welding stuff for her car... sorry, by the way my .02 is to get the vette I have both and love both very much but I am all about the vette, I have wanted one my whole life and there is just so much more quality and engineering put into it.

i had 01 z28. that car had too many little problems. i loved it dearly but the little things did it... a bit of detonation here and there, 2 useless seats, unintuitive cornering, creaks and rattles, poor paint quality etc.

corvette just feels so much more like a no-compromise package. i have a much better "feel" for what the car does when I drive it compared to f-body. it's not the acceleration or handling, it's the feeling of my body becoming one with the machine :hail:

if you never drove one, find somebody in your area with a z06/FRC or at least a coupe/vert with z51 and 6sp. no need to run it up to 160mph or anything like that, just drive it for a bit. you will see what I mean.

i do not care for the "attention" or any stereotypes that people put on me when they see me in a vette (including the "chick magnet" thing) - it's simply not why I bought the car: "I" love how it looks and drives - that's the only thing that matters.

'99 Navy Metallica Blue Z28. I upgraded from the poor man's vette to the real deal. When I was 20 all I could afford was an F-Body, 2 years later things changed a little.

That holds true with anything!! In general though do you suppose you could make it into the 11's keeping the stock rear intact?

Yes. Easily.... I havent broke my output shaft....YET. ;) You really dont need all that low of a 60' to cut an 11 in an FRC/Z06...modded. I dont run slicks on the car only drag radials. They are LIGHT!

I bought my Z06 in Jan 05 and was going to sell the Formula but ended up being able to keep both. Both cars have their high points but it's alot more FUN to drive the Corvette.
1/8 mile racing is definately not the Vettes strong point although I have posted some high 7's even with the stock Goodyears in the low 90's mph.(stock) I have only taken it to the track a handful of times. Most people break their rears due to wheelhop.

I still find straightline racing is more fun when I beat them in the truck! :)

Before my C5s I had both a 93 LT1 Roadster and a 87 cammed up LT1 Roasdter. Before, that my lil old 89 Ford Rustang 5.0 provided me with some shits and giggles. :)

Before my C5 I owned two 87 Mustang GTs, an 84 Corvette, a 97 GTP, a 95 Formula, a 95 TA and a 98 Formula (not in that order)

I considered all of those cars just stepping stones to the C5 though. The C5 is what I really wanted back in 98 when I got my Formula, but a new C5 was $60,000 in 98 while my 98 Formula was $31,000 (CDN dollars of course)

The C5 is by far my favorite car of all I've owned, but in typical Patman fashion I'm never satisfied and find myself craving a C6 so badly! Especially when I see them running well into the 12s in bone stock trim while I'm still stuck in the 13.1s with my slightly modded C5 (Vararam and dyno tuning)

I had a '00 Light Pewter Metallic Camaro SS with some bolt on's. Great car, but not close to my '03 Z. I'll always have love for F-bodies, but this is my first vette and I don't think I could ever go back. The Z is fun to drive at any speed. I had the most fun driving my SS WOT, and it was okay around town. The Z if a blast around town, on highway, or WOT! Awesome sports car. :drive:

Here was my car before the ZO6.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/lethl_ss/Exterior/IMG_0766.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/lethl_ss/Exterior/IMG_0767.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/lethl_ss/Exterior/IMG_0775.jpg

I'd take the vette stock over the 480 rwhp SS anyday of the week. However, I've already begun the modding and will be near that HP soon. :)

I drove an 01 camaro ss. when i went to go buy my vette I didnt even test drive it I just picked it out,signed my life away and drove home to install the mods I had waiting :devil:

in comparison,
the vette drives without all the rattles and feels so much tighter around corners.
its also very comfortable to sit in, the only thing I like that the f body had was they can roll their seats all the way back in case I wanted to rest on lunch break.

there are alot more things i can get into but this can all be explained by just getting in the vette and taking it for a lil drive.

Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it. I really have no doubt that a C5 will be the next car that I move on to...now I guess it's just a matter of 'when'. It's going to be hard to part with all of the hard hours I have in the camaro...all the fun times. Plus I've got to consider whether I'd sell the car whole, or de-mod it (its got goodies like a 12 bolt, suspension, cam, bolt-ons, etc). And if I'd bother putting the emissions stuff back on......hmmm choices choices.

Did you guys (who had f-bodies and sold them) de-mod your stuff, or sell it whole? I know that modifications don't add value to the car, but hell if there is a $2k rear end under this car, I do not want to sell it for KBB value...you know?

I had a 99 Trans Am that I had bought brand new. The vette is a better car in every way, shape, and form. I would definitely recommend making the upgrade to a C5.

I cant stay away from teh c5's. My 1st car was a 1993 lightning that my dad and i bought together when i was 15, the truck had aluminum heads powerdyne blower full bassani exhaust smaller cam chip shift kit the usual was a fast very clean truck in 2001 it had 24k when i was done w/the truck i think 2 years ago it had 30k sold it to my brother inlaw, from there i basically leased my 98 c5 from my dad for about 8 months. lost a job was just out of highschool and going to college so needless to say that didnt last long. shortly after i bought my 95 lightning off my dad for a good price. loved that truck was gonna get a 393 stroker and boost or spray but never got around to it, tried to sell that for about a year, finally got ready to buy another car and was looking at 98 cobras and ls1 f-bodys but wasnt really into them. I had a loan out and ready to buy a 70k 1996 collectors ed. lt4 silver w/red leather car, went there and the car was sold about 3 hours prior to me showing up. my dad called me the next morning and offered me my old 98 c5 back for a good price. we worked out a loan and here i sit w/my 98 and my dad bought the lightning back as a tow truck for his next project and to tow mine back and forth to the track next year whne i finish my car ahahahahhaha

1996 GMC Sierra 3500 extended cab longbed dually... 454gasser & auto.
was lots of fun driving around and with a big pickup its easy to make your way through rushour I-95 in south florida.(everyone scrambles out of your way for some odd reason lol). costed me over 100 bucks per fill up and a blown headgasket did the truck in and traded for the vette i had been saving for. if i would have kept the truck i would be in a mustang gt but it was worth it.

if you have mods you can transfer over(cam, heads, intake manifold...) demod and upgrade... no sence in selling them to buy over again.

Black 2000 SS
Trex
Fast 90/90
Spooled 9"
I miss that car. My best freind now drives it.

if you have mods you can transfer over(cam, heads, intake manifold...) demod and upgrade... no sence in selling them to buy over again.

When did they start putting the LS6 intake on the vettes, was it 2001 like the camaros?

I like the cam I have now but I had no idea it would tune in so easily and drive so tame. If I'd known how mild this cam would be I would have gone a lot bigger!! (230/224 .575"/.563 111 LSA).

When did they start putting the LS6 intake on the vettes, was it 2001 like the camaros?

Yup, 2001, same as the F-bodies, but you know that, which is why this senseless fodder is here because I couldn't just post "yup."

Before my 2000 COUPE, I had a 1999 Z28, cammed, with complete intake and exhaust and the car was a lot of fun, but it just seemed like I had to continue dumping more and more and more money into it to try and make it something it was not...my dream car, so I finally went looking. I found my 2000 COUPE at a dealership in Hawaii (I was stationed out there) and bought it. I miss the six speed at times, but man, the vette had instant throttle response, was smoother at higher speeds and just looked so much more exciting! I love my VETTE and don't see myself ever owning any other sports cars outside of the CORVETTE!

Trust me, it is so much easier to work on, steering rack removal sucks when doing a cam job and the clutch would be a PITA, but the car is so much more refined than the F-Body and it is AMERICA's favorite and first sportscar!

Micah

before the c5 i had a 99 grand prix gtp. pulley,exhaust,intake and some other goodies. even after a year of owning the vette i still enjoy driving it just as much as i did the first day i bought it, but its not stock anymore either :devil:

Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it. I really have no doubt that a C5 will be the next car that I move on to...now I guess it's just a matter of 'when'. It's going to be hard to part with all of the hard hours I have in the camaro...all the fun times. Plus I've got to consider whether I'd sell the car whole, or de-mod it (its got goodies like a 12 bolt, suspension, cam, bolt-ons, etc). And if I'd bother putting the emissions stuff back on......hmmm choices choices.

Did you guys (who had f-bodies and sold them) de-mod your stuff, or sell it whole? I know that modifications don't add value to the car, but hell if there is a $2k rear end under this car, I do not want to sell it for KBB value...you know?

I sold my '99 Z28 which had boyd Fury 17*11's rear and 17*9.5 in the front, TNT kit, cam, headers, twp amp system, with sony highs w 10" sub etc etc etc.

I took a loss on all the mods and sold it for 8500. The buyer got a great deal. It would have been so damn much work to just put it back to stock and sell everything that I just let it go.

I would have liked to keep both, but that wasnt finacially wise either.

That being said I do not miss the car. :) My Z06 is faster/quicker WITHOUT even hitting the juice. ;)

The first vette I owned was a '74 Stingray that I traded a '85 Z28 for. Then in '93 I traded my 735i for a new '94 coupe. I've had a vette ever since. One '00 coupe and now my '02 Z06.

Is a header install a pain in the butt on a vette, or can you tackle it in the home garage?

Wow, nevermind, I was checking it out on ls1howto.com and it looks like cake!

Is a header install a pain in the butt on a vette, or can you tackle it in the home garage?

depends on the headers. The Lg's are somewhat of a beotch. Kooks, are simple.

:drive:

There have been quite a few C5Z06's deep in the 11's on stock rearends. I'm sure I can't though with my driving skills :emb: I'm not too sure if they have the same rear ends though, for sure they have different suspension parts, but rearend? Jaime should know the answer to that. Good luck! :cheers:




Rearends,..are I belive the same. It is always possible for an update in the parts/gears. Not saying that there is/was but, it's possible. As far as I know, the gears/rear ends are the same.

Corvette is a better all-around car than an f-body, but I still enjoy f-bodies too. Each car has a different attitude/personality. The Vette feels more refined and gadget filled, the f-body feels more like a musclecar.

Cam swaps and clutch swaps are a PITA in the Vette, but the rest is more simple than an f-body. Lowering is FREE, and head/intake/header swaps are a breeze on a Vette.

Tony

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/C5Sam/c5c0db83.jpg you asked?

I owned five f-bodies including 2 LS1's and 2 LT1's... I'm happy with my decision. I love my vette... but there are times I miss driving an f-body every day.
Same here... had 95 z28 and still have 87 iroc heavily modded. It was a car I've always wanted while growing up. Like said earlier ..do'nt get to drive it much. D.D. is a 94 Grande Cherokee or wife's 06 BMW X3.

how about a ole twin turbo cummins diesel dually 650 + rwhp 1798 torque.
kind of miss it. it hauls ass like a vette. + firewood+ more women+ better fuel mileage and you can do some off roading, oh almost forgot the best part i used it mainly for tractor pulling 65,000 lbs. and was a daily driver. :eek2:

I made the switch to Vette a couple of years ago. I spent a lot of time and money on my Trans Am: true-dual exhaust, long tube headers, cam, pushrods, pulley, intake, injectors, throttle body, clutch, 3.73 gears, shifter, torque arm, panhard rod, lower control arms, R compound tires (Nitto 555R-II) all around, custom sub-frame connectors with X-bracing, strut tower brace, and Bilstein shocks. It was a dealer modded car, so it came with Raptor hood, LG wheels, G2 suspension (sway bars, Eibach springs) and Borla exhaust. I thought it handled extremely well until I drove the Z06. Even with all of those suspension and chassis mods, the difference was unbelievable.

When I went to the Z06, though, there were several things I missed about the Trans Am, the main one being the T-Tops. I picked up the C6 (probably not an option for you because I doubt you'll find one in your price range just yet :)) to combine the best of both cars and add some creature comforts on top of it (like being able to actually hear while talking on a cell phone :jest:). If all you want is straight-line power, then I would stay with the solid axle car (a lot cheaper to fix if you break the drive train). My whole purpose wasn't quarter mile with the Trans Am, so I made the right choice by going to the Vette.

01 Mustang GT...

Here is my old ride. 03 Cobra with KB, 591rwhp on 17psi and way more than that on 21psi!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b36/Bigmoz06/untitled1.jpg

03 cobra ported eaton made 496 rwhp im on the fence which i liked better but i guess the vette after im done modding

I had a 305 L03 RS 1992 Camaro... before that a 2002 M3. Now a 2002 Z06!

well i had a vette since i was 18. im 33 now. when i was 16 i had a camaro z28 :)

hey kaliente, I'm in the same boat as you. Looking for a FRC under $20k for awhile now so it would have to be one with slightly higher mileage. If youve never driven a vette thats the best place to start, I was really impressed with them in comparison to my camaro.

Nine Ball, how is lowering free on a vette?

hey kaliente, I'm in the same boat as you. Looking for a FRC under $20k for awhile now so it would have to be one with slightly higher mileage. If youve never driven a vette thats the best place to start, I was really impressed with them in comparison to my camaro.

Nine Ball, how is lowering free on a vette?

You can lower a vette as much as two inches just by cranking on a few bolts.

1997 GTP, my heavy lead foot prompted me to buy one.

I still have and love my GTP






I'd love some feedback here...

Were you folks driving f-bodies before your vettes, and if so what prompted you to swap into one?

my previous car was a 2000 SS M6 with a 408 iron stroker. diamond pistons, callies crank. oliver Ibeam rods. moser/eaton 12 bolt mid 11's on et streets (got kicked out because no cage)

Sold it because 1. the car was my death bed. 2. lost intrest and wanted to move up into something more high class. Now I get "when does dads vette have to be home?" EVERYWHERE I go lol