corvette experts come in
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: miami, florida
corvette experts come in i am finally in the market to buy a z06 corvette. however, i have done alot of research regarding the difference between the 01 and 02 z06 and all i have found so far is that the 02's have lighter wheels, slightly bigger cam and better catalytics. is there a difference on the weight of the vehicles?
is it worth it to spend the extra $2000-$3000 dollar price difference between both or would u rather get the 01 z06 and do mild bolt ons?
i cant make my decision between both so i would like some input as far as what problems both have and if u own a 01 z06, do you wish you would have bought an 02 z06 instead?
is it worth it to spend the extra $2000-$3000 dollar price difference between both or would u rather get the 01 z06 and do mild bolt ons?
i cant make my decision between both so i would like some input as far as what problems both have and if u own a 01 z06, do you wish you would have bought an 02 z06 instead?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I believe there is a weight difference between the two. I was considering an 01 but a freind reminded me that its the first year that car was out. You could bring it up to a 02+ z06 pretty easily though if you wanted to go that route.
Get the '02 as '01's have/had oil problems and only 385hp compared to 405hp. Also, has diff air box, diff tune, diff valves, badging, screenless maf and some others I can't remember now.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
All that's been said and the 02 and up have HUD which is usually a huge deal and I believe the shocks/springs are different as well compared to the 02-03's and the 04 have the "special" shocks.
02s and up have a different cam and better valve springs. never heard the wheels weighing different. dont know how thats possible the 01 wheels were availible through 04 and chrome weighs more than paint. id personally just get whatever i could afford and was worth the money. i wouldnt consider year a factor personally. you may though, so think it over with the new knowledge you now have. i dont think youll go worong with either model
Personally go with the one you like the most i.e. color, interior, price etc. Performance is a cam away 
385 FWHP vs 405 FWHP, only matters on bench racing a driver will make up the diference in most cases. All the other stuff eh. Unless you plan on making this a collectable or stock maybe the MAF and shocks matter. Otherwise like most of us on this board nothing stays stock 
And if you never had a HUD your not missing much, I hardly use mine, jsut another "bling" affect. But it is cool though.
385 FWHP vs 405 FWHP, only matters on bench racing a driver will make up the diference in most cases. All the other stuff eh. Unless you plan on making this a collectable or stock maybe the MAF and shocks matter. Otherwise like most of us on this board nothing stays stock And if you never had a HUD your not missing much, I hardly use mine, jsut another "bling" affect. But it is cool though. Trending Topics
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: miami, florida
insurance for the 02 is 25 dollars higher every six months than the 01. from what everyone tells me it seems that the 02 is a much much better car. also, i have heard that 01s have oil consumption issues. anyone here with such problem?
i am ready to buy as we speak, but now it is jus a matter of whats better.
i am ready to buy as we speak, but now it is jus a matter of whats better.
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Launching!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Lakemoor
From what Ive seen. Mods in a 01 respond much better than in an 02. At the shop I go to theres a 01 making an insane amount of horsepower from just a cam and long tubes and full exhaust. He gained alot i dont remeber #'s but they did the same mods to an 02 and the 02 and 01 were making about the same amount. Maybe a 10hp difference. The 01's are the better buy in my opinion. Plus they have the better rims or i think their better looking. Buy the 01 and mod it. Thats what I'd do.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nor Cal
I borrowed this from some one on the Z06 forum.To respond to the above an 01 starts with lower Hp so it shows greater gains. As the cam is different once you switch the cam in both they equal out as the heads are the same.
differences between 2001 & 2002:
1. The LS6 engine standard in the Z06 increased from 385 to 405 horsepower. Torque increased from 385 to 400 lb-ft.
2. Front fender badges for Z06 models included the 405 HP designation.
3. LS6 exhaust back pressure was reduced by 16%
4. Cam shaft was redesigned resulting in increased lift and a 5% increase in air flow
5. Valve spring material composition was changed to increase seat load by 14%.
6. LS6 intake and exhaust valves were a new, lighter design.
7. The valvetrain weight was reduced by 0.81 pounds, which improved valve seating at high rpm.
8.Airflow over the LS6 MAF sensor was increased by removing gridwork
9. MAF software was recalibrated
10. LS6 aircleaner housing had a larger intake
11. Wheels looked the same BUT they were cast spun instead of forged for a weight savings of 1.3 pounds per car
12. rear shock valving was changed
13. Improved clutch
14. Ticker front anti-sway bar
15. Modified steering rack to reduce the turning radius by 2 feet
16. New front brake pads
17. HUD was standard
differences between 2001 & 2002:
1. The LS6 engine standard in the Z06 increased from 385 to 405 horsepower. Torque increased from 385 to 400 lb-ft.
2. Front fender badges for Z06 models included the 405 HP designation.
3. LS6 exhaust back pressure was reduced by 16%
4. Cam shaft was redesigned resulting in increased lift and a 5% increase in air flow
5. Valve spring material composition was changed to increase seat load by 14%.
6. LS6 intake and exhaust valves were a new, lighter design.
7. The valvetrain weight was reduced by 0.81 pounds, which improved valve seating at high rpm.
8.Airflow over the LS6 MAF sensor was increased by removing gridwork
9. MAF software was recalibrated
10. LS6 aircleaner housing had a larger intake
11. Wheels looked the same BUT they were cast spun instead of forged for a weight savings of 1.3 pounds per car
12. rear shock valving was changed
13. Improved clutch
14. Ticker front anti-sway bar
15. Modified steering rack to reduce the turning radius by 2 feet
16. New front brake pads
17. HUD was standard
Originally Posted by whitecamaross
yea i got it man, but unfourtunately my loan is for dealer purchase only. by the way, i used to be in the army in ft riley..is it cold right now over there?
I have an 01 and it does go through a little oil, alot of it ends up on the back but really maybe a 1/2 a quart for the last 3k miles. But that is me getting on it, my average MPG is like 12.5 if that gives you any idea on how I drive. Any year can have problems, the HUD isn't that big of a deal it is easy to retrofit.
IT really comes down to Condition, price and location of the car. For me I could have bought an 02 maybe an 03 with the same 8k miles on it in TX or FL. But the 01 was two blocks away and in PERFECT shape lowered and tinted windows. It was basically a new car. Now I could have flown to TX and drove it back up but then I wouldn't have known for sure the condition.
So I paid alot for my 01 but it is perfect and it was local and I'd do it the same again. I will say if you don't plan on modding it then an 02+ maybe a better option....but you could make the same arguement for an FRC.
Just my .02 for what its worth.
IT really comes down to Condition, price and location of the car. For me I could have bought an 02 maybe an 03 with the same 8k miles on it in TX or FL. But the 01 was two blocks away and in PERFECT shape lowered and tinted windows. It was basically a new car. Now I could have flown to TX and drove it back up but then I wouldn't have known for sure the condition.
So I paid alot for my 01 but it is perfect and it was local and I'd do it the same again. I will say if you don't plan on modding it then an 02+ maybe a better option....but you could make the same arguement for an FRC.
Just my .02 for what its worth.
One more thing on wheels, '01 were forged and thus stronger but a slightly heaver design. Also, '01 has I believe a slightly sharper edge on spokes and a little darker grey. In addition, some early production '02's have the '01 wheels (mine does built nov '01). The wheel of choice for road racing is the forged because of the strenght issue.
The stock rims on my O3' are very light compared to my chrome ZO6 rims that weigh a ton in comparison, but look alot better. I do not believe there is a substantial weight difference they kinda wash each other out with options vs. standard equipment on the 02's and later. You will probably do the same mods. anyway, either car. That 20hp difference won't mean much in the grand scheme of things. I also had a 99' FRC that was heavily modded and faster than my 03' ZO6 when it was stock. There is always room for improvement so, good luck with your decision, and enjoy whichever one you decide on. Either one has excellent breaks and handling, so the fun should start soon. again enjoy!
again enjoy!