Z06..I just got to drive one!
 

I just got to drive a Black Z06 around and holy shit is it awsome. The torque on the thing just pulls any gear and from 0 the think rockets. My dad has driven me in one before but this time he let me drive it because he has it for the weekend. Amazing how a $45,000 car can kick so much ass, just wish i could have pushed it in the corners more :D. not to start anything in the forums but i feel bad for the people who buy the $55,000-$60,000 M3, LOL now yes quality wise the BMW wins but damn the Z06 is THE car for the money.

Ill try to post some pics of it later

It is a great car, but I still prefer the M3. No idea why...

Re: Z06..I just got to drive one!
 

...and another one is converted....

:lol: yes you could say that, i always gave it respect but for being a teenager i couldnt ask for anything more

Yep. Can't beat that car for the price. After having a stock Z06 for a while, you WILL crave for more though. I've got mine pretty beefed up, and I'm still planning on lots more. It's one of the best sports cars that America Has to offer. Congrats on getting to drive one!! :D

Just for clarification - (and not to nitpick) but so as not to mislead folks - is your 2000 an FRC or a Coupe?

The difference is subtle, but important.... and as it's a 2000 model, it's not a Z06 but (don't take this the wrong way) rather a "regular C5 with a blower".... the same way my Z06 is a 2001, NOT an '02 or newer - so it is a few steps behind the slightly more powerful, better handleling '04...

It's a Coupe. I have the same suspension as the Z06 does, and I have mods to bring up to about 410 hp without the blower. I wanted to get a C5 with the Z51 suspension and then bring it up to or over Z06 specs, then add the blower. This way I can get the best of both worlds wihout paying the extra price. I'm getting the heads and cam done here in the next few weeks too with more boost. We're aiming for 625 RWHP and about 570 RWTQ. Should be a good time this summer!!

once again. and not to start falmes........ i hate the corvette. even though its one of the best american handling and fastest cars...... i guess i dont fancy it and never will

So you replaced the entire Z51 setup with FE4 components then? You running the wider wheels as well then?

Exactly what "best of both worlds" would that be? The Coupe is heavier, and less torsionally rigid with the open roof and huge glass hatch - the MN6 runs higher gear ratios requiring you to run more HP than an FRC to get the same performance - again due to the higher gearing and extra weight.

I just hate to see new Corvette enthusiasts get pointed in the wrong direction.

With the price of used Z06's dipping close to $30,000 now - the "extra" money (which is still a lot less than the cost of "building a Coupe to Z06 specs) for the much taughter suspension, lower more aggressive transmission ratios - lower weight and noticable extra rigidity - you would be a fool to NOT buy a used Z06.

Unless one is not really after a "true sports car" - because I (and many other Z06 drivers) see the C5 Coupe/Vert bunch much like the way the 996 Turbo guys view the Boxter crowd - you almost have a "real" Vette... ;)

Yes, the entire suspension has been replaced and the rear tires are 295 F1 supercars and the front are the 265s. I have replaced many of the stock components with lighter weight items that will perform better (exhaust, headers, hood) and many non essential items have just been take off. I've saved almost 160lbs doing this. With the open top and glass tops that may be true. But with the hard top on, it's almost exactly the same regidity. I have 3.73 gears and Baer rotors and calipers. The car performs as well as any Z06 stock. With the blower, I consistantly run faster times on both the 1/4 and the local road course. I bought the car new and with the money that I've put into it (minus the supercharger) It still would have cost more to buy a Z06.

My "almost" real Vette will kill a Z06 any day of the week and for less money.

I had an '02 Z06 and an E36 M3. Sold them when work took me to the Uk. They were both awesome cars, but very different. The M3 was simply the best transportation I have ever owned. Fast, fun and practical.

The Z06 was different. The car was an animal. Great grip, and an awesome motor. Performance wise no (stock) M3 is a match. Wouldn't haul the wife and kids though.


Why settle for just one!

Hate to beat a dead horse - but this statement is not true. (and it is a 2000 model right? Which you bought new for how much? When you were 19... right?)

I admire your tenacity and perseverance to "build the car" right - but please at least be honest enough to admit that the cost of this build out to "get to the Z06" level cost more than the price difference of the cars.

But to each his/her own I guess.

Still wouldn't be caught dead in a Coupe/Vert - they're hairdressers cars... and for the record - the same goes for the C6 - If the base Coupe C5 (and now C6) represented the pinnacle of the current Corvette model - they wouldn't build the Z06 at all.

*shrug*

Back to the topic starter:

edit: I was breathing Aston Martin exhaust fumes...

The only thing that would have brought the price closer to that of the Z06 would have been the labor cost of various installs. I did most of it muself, but some I just didn't know how. I know how to work on suspension components, but getting those headers on and welded up was a bitch and a half. That and the exhaust and the manifold I had done for me. That install alone cost close to 1000. But just buying the components to build the car didn't make up the difference of the Z06 alone.

Hey,

Are you going to the tuner shootout in SC this year? I think I may go, haven't decided if I want to put that many miles on the car. I know they almost held it down in Texas by you. If that were the case I's be there no doubt. But now it's a little iffy.

Nah - if an event isn't close enough - I just give em a miss. You should take your car to the One Mile Shootout at Goliad this year - the goal - run 200mph in the standing mile.

The numbers your car has might bring it close enough to get into the 200mph club (even if it is just a Coupe.. ;) ) down here.

Shit!! 200 in a standing mile?? I don't know if it could do that, not with 3.73's anyway. I'd have to put the 3.42s back in. I have no clue what my car will run at sea level. Right now it's about 12.2 @ 119 @ 6000 ft altitude. I've never pushed it that hard for a mile though. I don't know if I'd have the balls to try. The fastest that I've had it was like 180 or so, but that scared me and I only had it there for a second before chickening out. Could be really fun to do though if I only had a few days left to live or something.