All the help I can get
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 130
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From: bakersfield CA
All the help I can get OK guys I am in the market for a C5, before I buy one and kick myself for buying the wrong one please let me in on any info you can. ie. I have heard the hardtop is like 500 lbs lighter than the coupe? is there a set of wheels lighter than another? are there certain years that make more power? I want a fast car(in the 11's) should I get the auto or manual tranny? What rearends come in these cars (3.42,3.73) and which one do I want? Anything you guys think is relevant please post it here, I would appreciate it very much, O yeah I plen on using s bit of nitrous so keep that in mind, good idea? bad idea? thanks for any help.
Re: All the help I can get first the Hardtop is lighter and has a stiffer chassis than the coupe. next there are lighter wheels on in 99-00 Magenisum (spelling) where way way lighter than the stockers but where like a $3000 option so there are not too many w/ them on. Autos come w/ a 2.42 rear unless they have the performance rear option which is like 3.?? i am not sure. The manuals all come w/ 3.42 rears your probaly better off getting a auto if your planning on drag racing and a stick for auto cross. the Hardtops only come w/ manuals also.
if you do get a auto a torque converter and new rear will amake the biggest SOTP difference and then start adding heads, cam, headers.
w/ a manual headers and a cam w/ make a bigger SOTP difference and then go onto heads a rear
alot of guys a do the rear swap and bolt on a Super Charger and coming really really close if not into the 11's on the track
oh the power i don't think that there is a big differnce in power from year to year except when they came out w/ the Z06 option, but a 01 and up already have the updated LS6 intake on w/ is a plus since they run like $500
as for nitrous alot of guys use it and it's safe as long a use your head, i seen some guys putting a 250+ shoot into a stock engine and wondering why the piston rings and stuff where blowing out.
last but no least i'll post a pic of mine, it's a 00 FRC w/ the mag wheels
if you do get a auto a torque converter and new rear will amake the biggest SOTP difference and then start adding heads, cam, headers.
w/ a manual headers and a cam w/ make a bigger SOTP difference and then go onto heads a rear
alot of guys a do the rear swap and bolt on a Super Charger and coming really really close if not into the 11's on the track
oh the power i don't think that there is a big differnce in power from year to year except when they came out w/ the Z06 option, but a 01 and up already have the updated LS6 intake on w/ is a plus since they run like $500
as for nitrous alot of guys use it and it's safe as long a use your head, i seen some guys putting a 250+ shoot into a stock engine and wondering why the piston rings and stuff where blowing out.
last but no least i'll post a pic of mine, it's a 00 FRC w/ the mag wheels
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 130
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From: bakersfield CA
Re: All the help I can get 3.42 seems like an awfully high gear, what do most guys move to? 3.73? what do those wheels you speak of look like? Sounds like the hardtop is the way to go I like the way the look better anyway, Nice car, and lastly what bells and whistles come on each car? I see some with adjustable suspension ***** or traction control? Sorry for all the questions but my last vehicle was a truck and needless to say I know little about C5 vettes.
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: St Louis, MO
Re: All the help I can get First of all, Magnesium wheels are only a lot lighter than the 97-99 wheels. They are similar weight to Z06 wheels and only slightly lighter than 00-04 wheels.
The FRC is about 75lbs lighter than the coupe. The Z06 lost some more weight because of the thinner windshield and exhaust. The additional stiffness comes from the crossbar under the rear window which is also present on the convertible.
Automatics have either a 2.73 rear axle or 3.15. Manual transmission cars have 3.42.
97-00 are rated at 345hp, 01-04 are 350hp, 01 Z06's are 385hp, 02-04 Z06's are 405hp.
Traction control is standard on all C5's, active handling became optional in late 98 it was revised and made standard in 01.
The Z51 suspension package is desirable and includes a power steering cooler, different shocks, springs and sway bars. Most people do not like the F45 adjustable suspension, but it redesigned for 03 and is the F55 option. It is said to be better than the Z51 suspension.
There are a lot of options available. Take a look at chevrolet's website, most options have been available since '97.
Eric
The FRC is about 75lbs lighter than the coupe. The Z06 lost some more weight because of the thinner windshield and exhaust. The additional stiffness comes from the crossbar under the rear window which is also present on the convertible.
Automatics have either a 2.73 rear axle or 3.15. Manual transmission cars have 3.42.
97-00 are rated at 345hp, 01-04 are 350hp, 01 Z06's are 385hp, 02-04 Z06's are 405hp.
Traction control is standard on all C5's, active handling became optional in late 98 it was revised and made standard in 01.
The Z51 suspension package is desirable and includes a power steering cooler, different shocks, springs and sway bars. Most people do not like the F45 adjustable suspension, but it redesigned for 03 and is the F55 option. It is said to be better than the Z51 suspension.
There are a lot of options available. Take a look at chevrolet's website, most options have been available since '97.
Eric
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: St Louis, MO
Re: All the help I can get I run a 18x9.5" z06 replicate wheel in front and 18x10.5" in the rear with 265 35R18 and 295 35R18. I think the added grip of this wide setup is better than the lighter weight of the magnesium wheels.
I really do like the look of the magnesium wheels and would probably buy them if they were wider.
Eric
I really do like the look of the magnesium wheels and would probably buy them if they were wider.
Eric
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: St Louis, MO
Re: All the help I can get Oh, about the gears. Most people upgrading gears with an M6 transmission are going to 3.90 or 4.10. 3.73 was the popular choice in the past because it was the only thing available.
I have a 4.10 rear end waiting to go in my own car.
Eric
I have a 4.10 rear end waiting to go in my own car.
Eric
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Re: All the help I can get With the gearing change, it just comes down to what you want. You can go w/ a 3.73 and have more top end or go with something like a 4.10 and have more out-of-the-hole performance. 3.73s are still some of the most popular street/track gears around cause it doesnt eat too much top end, and still nets good times.
And personally, i think the magnesium wheels are fugly as hell. They look like retarded Y2k rims to me personally. I just dont like the way they "fit" together. I'd rather have Y2ks or Z06s if im getting stock C5 rims. But, the wheels shouldnt make a big difference (outside of price difference between mag wheels and non-mag).
And personally, i think the magnesium wheels are fugly as hell. They look like retarded Y2k rims to me personally. I just dont like the way they "fit" together. I'd rather have Y2ks or Z06s if im getting stock C5 rims. But, the wheels shouldnt make a big difference (outside of price difference between mag wheels and non-mag).
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Verdad Gallardo Re: All the help I can get Nitrous isnt a bad idea. Companies like Agostino and MTI have built some insane LS1 powered cars on the spray (altho they're running 400+ CID engines in most cases too). But, its not a bad idea as long as you're not a moron. You cant put 150+ shots on a stock engine and expect it to last 100k miles. Put about a 100 shot on it, and make sure you're getting enough fuel, and that'd be fine untill the speed demon bit you again.
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Kemah, Tx.
Re: All the help I can get I think 66Impala covered most of the bases. Another thing to consider on the ZO6 is the M12 transmission has different ratios than the MN6 found on the regular C5s. It is basically similiar to 3.90 gears if you do the math. Good luck!!!