Alright, well I decided my next ls1/ls6 toy was going to be a vette.... I am looking for a C5 00-03 etc... The big question is: Should I really buy a Z06? I plan on doing H/C work. Doesen't the Z06 have better brakes? So the engine isn't my worries but what else is different. Gears, Brakes, Looks, Rims, Suspension etc???? I am going to road race this car and beat the crap out of it by the way.... So what would be the best way for me to go?

 

I'd pass on it. Targa is the way to go anyway.

Think about it. You're going to pay a premium for a ZO6 just to rip out the heart of what makes it a ZO6 for some aftermarket stuff. At that point, you'll have essentially the same motor as if you'd done the aftermarket stuff to a Coupe/Vert. Now, if a FRC is the body you desire, there's always the 99-00 FRC's. Otherwise, it's a ZO6 for you.

The ZO6 has a closer ratio'd tranny, brakes are the same, is about 100 lbs lighter than a coupe, suspension is upgraded (sway bars and shocks I believe).

 

Nice, and yes, i would rip the Z06 **** right out.... So the body is actually different? FRC Vs. Coupe? Targo would be pimp but does it handle as good? ( think of road racing ).

 

If you're worried about handling, spending around $550 on z06 shocks and sway bars will just about do the trick. The z06 would probably cost more than $550 extra over a similar mileage coupe. Also, the z06 uses cheaper and thinner windshield, carpeting, and insulation materials to save on production costs. i.e. greater road noise. The coupe is also the most stable body type at top speeds. Brakes are the same. Tearing into the motor removes most of the reasons to go with a z06. The only other reasons to go with the z06 are styling/exclusivity.

 

I think it all depends on what body style you like the best. Both cars have pro and cons. I like the FRC look better so that's why I went with a Z06. I would like to have a targa top though. I think they are pimp!

 

The Z06 has lighter windshield and lighter body overall and better suspension. Tranny gearing is different which with a stock 3.46 equates to almost a 3.90 in a stock C5. Brake calapers are painted red but the same as C5. No targa top and not as aerodynamic as the coup. I would strongly suggest not to fool with a head/cam as you will never get the torque you need, Go with a 404 or 427 sleeved ls6. In the long run it is much better money spent. Remember...Horsepower is for talkin but torque is for walkin!

 

Brakes have the better racing pads.
Remeber the Z06 allready has a head cam package-ls6, try to find another car that can run mid to high 11's stock.

The Z06 uses thinner glass and less insulation to save weight, not for cost concerns. The Z06 holds a much higher resale value, still over 30k, and some coupes now in the teens. At the end of the day, do you want a Z06 in the driveway, or a dime a dozen Coupe? Even if you tear into the engine, saving parts to go back to stock will allow having the high resale value.
If your serious about road racing then the Z06 really can't be beat, but if $$ is really a concern then a frc or coupe and a build up over time could be a good choice.
Robert

 

The Z06 does not use cheaper materials to save on production cost, the z06 use's thinner glass and no sound deading to save on weight period. It is designed to be there production race-car.

 

If you are going to beat the snot out of it and mod everything get the cheapest on you can! Put the $$ in the parts. No question in my mind.

 

I would say it depends on how long you decide to keep the car. Like Robert56@NitrousDirect says, You can always put the Z06 back to stock and get a good price for the car still. The Z06 is one of the best stock handling cars bone stock. You could road race the Z06 stock and do very good, then just add on suspension here and there, then get some more power. If you don't have the money to get a Z06 and mod it then get a already cheap *** Corvette and change everything on it for the same price almost as a Z06. Then in the end, you will still have a vette but won't be worth ****. If you don't care about in the end then I say not to get a Z06 and get a cheaper vette. If you want to road race don't get a targa, especially if you really want to get into it. The bodies are so much more ridgid than a targas. Up to you. Good luck with your choice.

 

I think torque #'s are going to be in issue with a 346 ci motor (like someone else mentioned) How about getting an ATI supercharger or a Magnusson and spend extra money on intercooling to keep your IAT's down and your boost consistent all day long. Heat soaked superchargers suck. Start off like a bat out of hell, and then feel doggy when the boost numbers fall off by a couple pounds. JMO Hope it helps.

 

Thanks for the info, this is what I wanted to read. Well, I had a 400wrhp V and it was pimp, i even beat a bunch of Z06's but most likely because of driver error & power... Screw another V by the way. I have a daily driver and i just moved to DC so i wanted a toy. For money reasons, it does make since for me to get a none Z06 because of engine mod reasons but: Now that i know about the glass, carpet etc. it makes me want the Z06 even more. Im not sure yet on what im going to buy, i do have a month to decide... I plan on just racing this bitch, so i dont care THAT much about all the weight... I probley will stip a bunch of **** out of it!!!

 

u dont care about the weights!?!?!?! than u shouldnt be road racing!!

 

if u dont think weight is a big deal. than y does lotus elise have a four cylinder in it and cand still beat most cars on the road? because it wieighs around 2000 lbs race weight with a driver. and u want a lighter windsheild. that alone probly saved u around 15 lbs

 

The windshield may have been thinner with weight savings in mind, but GM itself admitted to using cheaper carpeting/insulation materials with the goal of helping the bottom line.

Also, the z06 has a slightly stronger, more durable 3.42 rear-end than the coupe or convertible six-speeds.

Titanium exhaust saves weight as well.

Higher compression makes it better n/a, but limits the amount of boost you can run if you go F.I. (unless you swap heads also)

Sport seats not available, the standard seats are terrible for racing. (of course the c5 sports seats aren't all that either)

Try to avoid 2001 models; only 385 hp, no heads-up display.

Wider wheels (9.5F, 10.5R)

Better leaf springs, sways, shocks.

As for road racing, the only difference in handling are the springs, shocks, and sways. You can change to these cheaply, or even better go with hotchkis or even T1 sways and better shocks and a coupe will handle just as good, despite the Z's more rigid body. Unless you're planning on competing in SCCA events and fully setting the car up as a road course car, the less rigid body style of the coupe will not come into play. Also, the coupe has a weight distribution of closer to 50/50 front/rear than the frc. Also there is the high speed stability issue addressed earlier, So the coupe is much better for drag racing or high speed pulls. It would be much more difficult and $$$ to address the z's weaknesses in handling compared to the coupe than vice versa.

Personally I would rather have the Z06, just because of what it is and what it stands for. But you have to decide what's more important to you and what you're plans are for the car.

My thinking was this. Out of the box, stock for stock, the z06 is better. Exclusivity, styling, resale the z06 is better. But if you're are going to mod heavily, better to save money for mods by going with the coupe. So that's what I did.

 

Are you sure about the brake pads thing??? Even if they are different, a pad swap is nothing cosmic.

As for the stock for stock running, sure, a ZO6 is quite competent. However, the OP said that he'd be pulling the top end of the motor in lieu of aftermarket equipment anyway, so what's the point?? Upgrade the oil pump to a ported LS6 and you're good to go.

As for the thinner windshield, lighter carpet and pad, ect. We're talking about a difference between a Coupe and ZO6 of 100 lbs. Significant? Maybe. But enough for such a drastic difference as seems to be implied?? Doubtful.

Point is (all looks aside), if you're keeping it stock, then sure, the ZO6 is a great option, but at a premium. If however, you plan to mod away like a lot of enthusiasts do, there's just no outstanding reason to plunk down the extra cash on a ZO6 unless you want to have the FRC or feel a need to have the "status symbol" that a ZO6 seems to be (no offense to the ZO6 owners out there).

 

I'm curious, what did they change in the rear? I thought the only driveline change made was the close ration MM12 tranny.

 

What I was meaning is that I DO care about the weight! I just phrased my words shitty. 01 doesn't have the HUD? That sucks.... Well Z06 sounds like its the way to go. I would mod the suspension either way soo resale, weight, style you name it. It is a sexy looking car for sure but I know i could make a Coupe/ FRC look just as good if not better. Does the Z06 have the M12?

 

When I bought my coupe I had plenty of money for a Z06 but weighed all my options. I knew I wanted to do motor mods and knew that I would only race it occasionally. I knew it would be mainly a cruiser also I personally do not like the looks of the Z06 or FRC nearly as much as the coupe. The fact that they dont have a targa top either, forget about it no contest. The coupe was exactly what I wanted hands down. You have to do a good realistic assessment on exactly what you are going to do with the car and the answer should be clear to you.

 

I bought a Z06 because it only cam in a 6 speed and the car is speedway white (very rare).