View Poll Results: Which would you rather own?
Voters: 268. You may not vote on this poll
Which would you rather own?
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
I'd buy the Z06 then throw on a Procharger/Novi/Vortech blower and do tires and brakes for the same price as a base C6.
Do a lot of mountain runs with a corvette group. There's 1 ZR1, 10+ c6z's, 2 C6's, 4 C5z's(two blown), and a couple C5 coupes (both blown). The C6's are the slowest in the group.
Do a lot of mountain runs with a corvette group. There's 1 ZR1, 10+ c6z's, 2 C6's, 4 C5z's(two blown), and a couple C5 coupes (both blown). The C6's are the slowest in the group.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, TX
My opinion? No way. Not even close.
But to each his own.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
I have driven both and own a 2003 TR Z06. Nuff said. More rough around the edges, still like the looks of a C5 FRC. Its just more RAW n racey than a base C6. Although I would KILL for a C6Z !! 
Derek
Derek
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Euless, Tx
c6: advantages
1. More cubes 376 vs 347 (more horsepower)
2. better suspension (z51) bigger sway bars
3. no pop up headlights
4. better brakes front: 13.4 x 1.26 / 340 x 32, rear: 13 x 1 / 330 x 26 compared to 12.6 front 11.8 rear for the zo6
5. better interior and more interior room
6. push putton start and doors
7. removable top
8. NEW
9. Upgraded rack and pinion for more response
10. more aerodynamic .286 drag
11. Better weight distribution 52/48 vs 53/47
12. Smaller dimensions length and width
c5zo6 advantages:
1. cheaper to buy
2 taller gearing ratio (not an advantage for autox and road racing)
3. Less production numbers
4. 100 lbs lighter
5. wheels are wider
6. my only pet peve of the c6 is it sits higher and I dont like the 19 wheels in the rear.
7. stiffer chasis (no removable top)
IMHO, if money is not an issue, c6 ls3 is a better choice. You can find an o6 zo6 in the high 30's and low for 40's now a days.
1. More cubes 376 vs 347 (more horsepower)
2. better suspension (z51) bigger sway bars
3. no pop up headlights
4. better brakes front: 13.4 x 1.26 / 340 x 32, rear: 13 x 1 / 330 x 26 compared to 12.6 front 11.8 rear for the zo6
5. better interior and more interior room
6. push putton start and doors
7. removable top
8. NEW
9. Upgraded rack and pinion for more response
10. more aerodynamic .286 drag
11. Better weight distribution 52/48 vs 53/47
12. Smaller dimensions length and width
c5zo6 advantages:
1. cheaper to buy
2 taller gearing ratio (not an advantage for autox and road racing)
3. Less production numbers
4. 100 lbs lighter
5. wheels are wider
6. my only pet peve of the c6 is it sits higher and I dont like the 19 wheels in the rear.
7. stiffer chasis (no removable top)
IMHO, if money is not an issue, c6 ls3 is a better choice. You can find an o6 zo6 in the high 30's and low for 40's now a days.
Last edited by kendo347; Feb 28, 2009 at 06:06 AM.
c6: advantages
1. More cubes 376 vs 347 (more horsepower)
2. better suspension (z51) bigger sway bars
3. no pop up headlights
4. better brakes front: 13.4 x 1.26 / 340 x 32, rear: 13 x 1 / 330 x 26 compared to 12.6 front 11.8 rear for the zo6
5. better interior and more interior room
6. push putton start and doors
7. removable top
8. NEW
9. Upgraded rack and pinion for more response
10. more aerodynamic .286 drag
11. Better weight distribution 52/48 vs 53/47
12. Smaller dimensions length and width
c5zo6 advantages:
1. cheaper to buy
2 taller gearing ratio (not an advantage for autox and road racing)
3. Less production numbers
4. 100 lbs lighter
5. wheels are wider
6. my only pet peve of the c6 is it sits higher and I dont like the 19 wheels in the rear.
7. stiffer chasis (no removable top)
IMHO, if money is not an issue, c6 ls3 is a better choice. You can find an o6 zo6 in the high 30's and low for 40's now a days.
1. More cubes 376 vs 347 (more horsepower)
2. better suspension (z51) bigger sway bars
3. no pop up headlights
4. better brakes front: 13.4 x 1.26 / 340 x 32, rear: 13 x 1 / 330 x 26 compared to 12.6 front 11.8 rear for the zo6
5. better interior and more interior room
6. push putton start and doors
7. removable top
8. NEW
9. Upgraded rack and pinion for more response
10. more aerodynamic .286 drag
11. Better weight distribution 52/48 vs 53/47
12. Smaller dimensions length and width
c5zo6 advantages:
1. cheaper to buy
2 taller gearing ratio (not an advantage for autox and road racing)
3. Less production numbers
4. 100 lbs lighter
5. wheels are wider
6. my only pet peve of the c6 is it sits higher and I dont like the 19 wheels in the rear.
7. stiffer chasis (no removable top)
IMHO, if money is not an issue, c6 ls3 is a better choice. You can find an o6 zo6 in the high 30's and low for 40's now a days.
You need to do some research buddy.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Euless, Tx
As you can see, the c6 z51 comes with bigger front and rear sway bars more closer to the t1 range. The c5zo6 shocks are standard c6 shocks. The only difference is the stiffer rear spring which may be worse on the road course as far as cornering goes. Most people go with the 3.42 for hpde. Alot of people have have upgraded their gears and gone back to stock because it is just way too much shifting. I have had 4.10's in the past and it was great in the street and drag strip but I would not go past 3.73 for road racing. Any higher will put you in high rpms and cause your oil temps to get too high. The m12 with 3.42 rear is equivelant to the m6 with 3.90. With the smaller gears you will spend most of your time in 3rd and 4th gear instead of 2nd gear-5th gear.
Another advantage of the 08+ is there is an option to get an oil cooler, trans cooler and powersteering cooler. A must when you are running full throttle for 40 minutes of non stop road racing.
My vette is going to be paid off in 6 months and I am going to get a c6zo6 near future when the prices come down to 30-35k. I am currently turning my coupe into a dedicated track car. Personally, I would not buy an ls3 but if I had to choose between the c5z06 and the ls3 and money not being an issue, ls3 ALLLLL the way and would not even look back once. If you put all the bolt ons on both including suspension, gears, tires, ls3 wins. Hell, just change the tires, ls3 wins. Whats with that damn trunk. Lg and Pfadt racing used a c5 coupe. C6zo6 ditched the trunk. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. They are both corvettes and thats all that matters.
Last edited by kendo347; Feb 28, 2009 at 07:12 AM.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, TX
It's a tough sell, Kendo. There are many who think the C5Z is the be all, end all of Vette road race cars. And in the bang for the buck category, it does win. You can take that C5Z and add some very nice Pfadt aftermarket suspension components and sway bars and still be much less money invested than if you bought an LS3 C6 Z51.
Now a Pfadt equipped C6Z is where I'm headed. But I could buy 3 C5Zs for what I will have invested in my C6Z once all is said and done. And not everyone has that kind of money to burn.
Now a Pfadt equipped C6Z is where I'm headed. But I could buy 3 C5Zs for what I will have invested in my C6Z once all is said and done. And not everyone has that kind of money to burn.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Euless, Tx
It's a tough sell, Kendo. There are many who think the C5Z is the be all, end all of Vette road race cars. And in the bang for the buck category, it does win. You can take that C5Z and add some very nice Pfadt aftermarket suspension components and sway bars and still be much less money invested than if you bought an LS3 C6 Z51.
Now a Pfadt equipped C6Z is where I'm headed. But I could buy 3 C5Zs for what I will have invested in my C6Z once all is said and done. And not everyone has that kind of money to burn.
Now a Pfadt equipped C6Z is where I'm headed. But I could buy 3 C5Zs for what I will have invested in my C6Z once all is said and done. And not everyone has that kind of money to burn.
Once the ls3's get older and more aftermarket parts become more available we will see what it has to offer. Hopefully the corvette performance does not go away. I have a feeling it may get a smaller engine with less hp in the near future.
Last edited by kendo347; Feb 28, 2009 at 07:15 AM.
Uhhhh, ok. Lets start with the chart below.
As you can see, the c6 z51 comes with bigger front and rear sway bars more closer to the t1 range. The c5zo6 shocks are standard c6 shocks. The only difference is the stiffer rear spring which may be worse on the road course as far as cornering goes. Most people go with the 3.42 for hpde. Alot of people have have upgraded their gears and gone back to stock because it is just way too much shifting. I have had 4.10's in the past and it was great in the street and drag strip but I would not go past 3.73 for road racing. Any higher will put you in high rpms and cause your oil temps to get too high. The m12 with 3.42 rear is equivelant to the m6 with 3.90. With the smaller gears you will spend most of your time in 3rd and 4th gear instead of 2nd gear-5th gear.
Another advantage of the 08+ is there is an option to get an oil cooler, trans cooler and powersteering cooler. A must when you are running full throttle for 40 minutes of non stop road racing.
My vette is going to be paid off in 6 months and I am going to get a c6zo6 near future when the prices come down to 30-35k. I am currently turning my coupe into a dedicated track car. Personally, I would not buy an ls3 but if I had to choose between the c5z06 and the ls3 and money not being an issue, ls3 ALLLLL the way and would not even look back once. If you put all the bolt ons on both including suspension, gears, tires, ls3 wins. Hell, just change the tires, ls3 wins. Whats with that damn trunk. Lg and Pfadt racing used a c5 coupe. C6zo6 ditched the trunk. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. They are both corvettes and thats all that matters.
As you can see, the c6 z51 comes with bigger front and rear sway bars more closer to the t1 range. The c5zo6 shocks are standard c6 shocks. The only difference is the stiffer rear spring which may be worse on the road course as far as cornering goes. Most people go with the 3.42 for hpde. Alot of people have have upgraded their gears and gone back to stock because it is just way too much shifting. I have had 4.10's in the past and it was great in the street and drag strip but I would not go past 3.73 for road racing. Any higher will put you in high rpms and cause your oil temps to get too high. The m12 with 3.42 rear is equivelant to the m6 with 3.90. With the smaller gears you will spend most of your time in 3rd and 4th gear instead of 2nd gear-5th gear.
Another advantage of the 08+ is there is an option to get an oil cooler, trans cooler and powersteering cooler. A must when you are running full throttle for 40 minutes of non stop road racing.
My vette is going to be paid off in 6 months and I am going to get a c6zo6 near future when the prices come down to 30-35k. I am currently turning my coupe into a dedicated track car. Personally, I would not buy an ls3 but if I had to choose between the c5z06 and the ls3 and money not being an issue, ls3 ALLLLL the way and would not even look back once. If you put all the bolt ons on both including suspension, gears, tires, ls3 wins. Hell, just change the tires, ls3 wins. Whats with that damn trunk. Lg and Pfadt racing used a c5 coupe. C6zo6 ditched the trunk. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. They are both corvettes and thats all that matters.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Euless, Tx
You can get a o6zo6 for less than what it costs to get into an 08 ls3 z51. Last edited by kendo347; Feb 28, 2009 at 05:59 PM.
I seem to like the look of the C6 better. To me the C5 just looks a bit "dated" I guess.
Can anyone throw up side by side pictures? Front, Side, Rear?
With a C5Z, you'll have more issues of having to fix things, just for the fact that it's an older car, right?
Can anyone throw up side by side pictures? Front, Side, Rear?
With a C5Z, you'll have more issues of having to fix things, just for the fact that it's an older car, right?
I don't have any experience with either, but generally speaking a design that has been in production for a few years will have better reliability than a new design. Many small things are changed between production years that is never relayed to the public because its so small, such as the gage of a piece of metal or number of screws used to secure something. I'm sure the C5 design has been improved significantly from 97' to 04'
For reliability, I'd take an 04Z before an 05 base, hands down
For reliability, I'd take an 04Z before an 05 base, hands down