Cal Club Autocross Forums

So, what's the best year for a Super Stock C5 Z06?

I heard that an 04 can get slightly lower than a 02-03. I hear the 01 is a no-no for power delivery and other issues.

The 04 anniversary has a lighter hood.

And yes, I know it may not be the best car for the class, but it is the best $$/fun ratio IMO.

Thoughts?

P.S. If any of you SS Z06 owners have a black,grey or blue one for sale, let me know

I think the best SS Z06 is this one....

That maybe so Steve, but they blow up a lot

Just buy Tom's ASP car and be done with it.

Curt Luther wrote:Just buy Tom's ASP car and be done with it.

I wouldn't buy an SP car unless I had a truck and trailer, which is not in the plans. This car will, or at least need the ability to be, a daily driver as well.

Max Hayter wrote:So, what's the best year for a Super Stock C5 Z06?

I heard that an 04 can get slightly lower than a 02-03. I hear the 01 is a no-no for power delivery and other issues.

The 04 anniversary has a lighter hood.

And yes, I know it may not be the best car for the class, but it is the best $$/fun ratio IMO.

Thoughts?

P.S. If any of you SS Z06 owners have a black,grey or blue one for sale, let me know

Don't think you will find grey, Robertson's is a repaint. 405hp+2wd+Max= Drifting is out, so you will have to learn how to drive.

I would not call the hood a deal breaker, very little difference. You should be ok with a 03-04. 01 is low on power, till it hits , and the 02 had some suspension changes that did not seem to work as good as the later cars.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Max Hayter wrote:

Curt Luther wrote:Just buy Tom's ASP car and be done with it.

I wouldn't buy an SP car unless I had a truck and trailer, which is not in the plans. This car will, or at least need the ability to be, a daily driver as well.

It's as drivable as your STi

I should add that I'm just inquiring for a friend who is adamant that it not be an SP car... stock, factory warranty, reliable, etc etc.

Visit the tech center here: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; lots of info to kick start your new lifestyle.

Z06: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c5/z06/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Jason... one thing I notice that the 04 has over the 03...

Besides the new shocks, there are two other changes. Front, upper control arm bushings now use higher durometer rubber to reduce compliance. This increases front "camber stiffness" under high cornering loads, especially during hard cornering over chatter bumps. The increased camber stiffness makes the front end stick a little better so, to balance the car, a little rear end grip was added by increasing the compliance of the rear stabilizer bar mounts. This had the same effect as a slight reduction in bar diameter but was less costly than tooling-up a new rear bar.

If he has the $$$, hardf to beat the newer C6 versions.

Lighter, more horsepower, definetly a better daily driver and fast as all get out.
Ask the Lynch's how they like theirs?

Max Hayter wrote:Thanks Jayson... one thing I notice that the 04 has over the 03...

Besides the new shocks, there are two other changes. Front, upper control arm bushings now use higher durometer rubber to reduce compliance. This increases front "camber stiffness" under high cornering loads, especially during hard cornering over chatter bumps. The increased camber stiffness makes the front end stick a little better so, to balance the car, a little rear end grip was added by increasing the compliance of the rear stabilizer bar mounts. This had the same effect as a slight reduction in bar diameter but was less costly than tooling-up a new rear bar.

For the most part all of the old bushings have been updated to the new part number.... The LCA bushings were real bad on the early cars. Leslie seems to go fast in her 03'. But I guess you are use to getting beat by a girl, so wont be much of an adjustment.

And its JASON, @ss.

I think the C6Z06 gearing isn't optimal for autocross, and those darn bling wheels they run.

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote: And its JASON, @ss.

Doh - senior moment!!

Max Hayter wrote:

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote: And its JASON, @ss.

Doh - senior moment!!

Well then, you're buying the right car. I'm sure Hair Club for Geezers has plan to add chest hair to go with your gold chains and polyester sports shirt.

The airbags work really well in the 01's

02+, don't worry about the Z16, the hood is, I think 10lbs lighter. It's not not going to make much of a difference unless your talking about running it at Nats and even then it's within the noise. The 04+ shocks are supposed to be pretty good but even Leslie's car on the cheapo Koin's is good (albiet soft). I also wouldn't worry too much about ride height, unless the rear shocks are shorter in the newer cars... Unless it's super smooth, you probably won't be able to run the at min ride height and chances are you aren't going to want a ton of rake.

The C6s are quite a bit nicer than the C5s. But really, the newer LS3 C6 Z51s are likely to be better than the C6 Z06 and tires are less than ideal and $$$.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:

Max Hayter wrote:

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote: And its JASON, @ss.

Doh - senior moment!!

Well then, you're buying the right car. I'm sure Hair Club for Geezers has plan to add chest hair to go with your gold chains and polyester sports shirt.

Louie is that you out there man? You forgot the blow!

Isn't it only "modified" (prepped) Elise engines that blow ...

Theres not any Corvette spots left in SS

Chad Stubblefield wrote:Theres not any Corvette spots left in SS

Just more trophy fodder for you Chad

Maybe if we get a few more we could out number you and someone would beat you some day

Mako Koiwai wrote:Isn't it only "modified" (prepped) Elise engines that blow ...

I've heard of some stock motors blowing too... ;)

Always best with C5Z to get the newest one w/ lowest miles. Bushings, shifter, shocks, cf hood (Z16 CE model only), all were updated as the model progressed over the years.

It'll be a challenge to be competitive with an alignment that suits a dual purpose car, unless you are willing to crawl under at the event & mess with it or own an alignment shop.

Mine is 98% autox 2% DD so I live with the aggressive alignment.

I am surprised that more guys/gals are not showing up with C5Z's, incredible value & fun factor car. I guess it's because it's not a "practical" car & thus has to be a second or third car in the garage.

As mentioned earlier in the thread an Elise and/or GT3 will often have a size advantage in autox competition depending on the course design.

Good Luck, should not be hard to find a few of these.



It's a long shot, but if I were to find a good deal on a used GT3 for next season, I would put mine up for sale, but like I said, long shot.

Thanks Bob - alignment won't be an issue... I'm used to messing with that.

Good to know that Leslie's car is an 03 - she seems quite competitive in it!

What's the typical cost of buying a used C5 Z06, prepping it for SS, and running it on R-comp tires?

Greg Peng wrote:What's the typical cost of buying a used C5 Z06, prepping it for SS, and running it on R-comp tires?

About the same annually as having a kept woman in an apartment across town. Most middle age guys do one or the other...