LS2 potential?
The C6 is an excellent platform, and far from numb or weak with regards to LS2 powered cars. I will concede to the points of the LS2 intake being a hunk of garbage, and the 05 differentials being suspect. Plenty of stock lower end FI cars making 600+ with great reliability. I really enjoy it when isolated parties name themselves "experts in the field" with little data to validate other than negative opinions on what they do not have. I have had a C4, C5, and C6, and while all wonderful cars, this is the best one, yet. Road course, around town, or at the dragstrip.
I also wouldn't get all that worked up with getting beat by a bolt on C5. There's all kinds of factors at play. If you like the C6 interior (and it really is much nicer) or prefer the looks, don't get a C5 based on some limited experiences with the C6. However if you prefer the looks of the C5, then by all means get one. Since it sounds like you may be inclined to mod the car and if you do go the C5 route, I would seriously consider a 99-00 FRC or a coupe with the Z51 package. You'll save even more coin for mods and you won't end up taking off parts you paid a premium for by going with the Z06.
I despised the GS wheels until I saw them in black at Sebring this year. Everyone else was doing spyders, and I didn't want to be another Z0clone. ZR1 wheels would have given me fits cleaning after a track day.
Car's plenty fast, and looks different enough that I know whose it is at a Corvette meet.
I also wouldn't get all that worked up with getting beat by a bolt on C5. There's all kinds of factors at play. If you like the C6 interior (and it really is much nicer) or prefer the looks, don't get a C5 based on some limited experiences with the C6. However if you prefer the looks of the C5, then by all means get one. Since it sounds like you may be inclined to mod the car and if you do go the C5 route, I would seriously consider a 99-00 FRC or a coupe with the Z51 package. You'll save even more coin for mods and you won't end up taking off parts you paid a premium for by going with the Z06.
An FRC also has a better transmission (IMO). The MN6 would respond better to any mods you do. Sometimes I love that I have an MN12, but I wish they would have left the O/D gears alone. I've been driving my dad's C5 Vert around and it has the MN6. The only thing I don't like is that I have to wait until after 45MPH to get into 6th without dropping below 1000RPM. In my MN12, I can get into 6th at 40MPH. (This isn't to save gas... It's just so I can be lazy on the streets.
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