Modded C5 or stock C6

[scottycards]

That is the question.

If you were (theoretically, of course) in the market for a Corvette, and were highly impressed with the new C6, but your reason for purchasing a Corvette was to drive it like you stole it, what would you do?

Here is background info, to help you with your decision:

New C6 base model can be bought for 40K. Probably a 2007, with the killer GM 100K mi warranty on the powertrain. 400 HP, 186MPH top speed, can run 165 all day right off the showroom floor, which is sufficient for your purposes.

Now you have to keep in mind that you are a car junkie, and you're the kind of guy who will want to "shizzle it up" once it's purchased, with rims, lowering springs, exhaust, intake, probably a cam and heads down the road sometime, so there are mods that will have to be made, and they ain't cheap. This must be viewed as an addiciton, and the option not to mod the car is just not there.

C5's are a friggin' bargain. A Z06 C5 can be bought for 25K. Modded with 450RWHP can be bought, in excellent condition, for 32K. This would have most of the necessary mods already on the car, and you'd be looking at cars with 20-30K miles on them in this price range, usually built and maintained by some ridiculously anal Corvette geek. So not much of a concern about the car being clapped out.

So what say you, modded C5, or new C6? :shrug:

Cool factor goes to the C6.
Wallet factor goes to the C5.
:shrug: :shrug: :shrug:

[Steve]

So what say you, modded C5, or new C6? :shrug:

Cool factor goes to the C6.

Easy decision for me, modded C5. With the $8k+ you save over the stock C6, you can do a lot of "cool" mods to really make it yours. And that doesn't even factor in the additional $$$ you'd want to put into the C6. The difference in price is much bigger if you consider that.

I strongly suspect from your posts here that you're much more into performance than cool factor. I know I would be.

[Leon Phelps]

Neither, blue oval is teh winnah :D

[Camp]

I'd also go modded C5, given the info listed. Are high speed handling characteristics significantly different between the two cars? Can the mods to the C6 make is out perform the modded C5 by worlds of difference? Is money the sole driving factor or just one of the keys?

[scottycards]

It's strange, I had this moment of clarity on this topic last evening. I'm like, "dude, you're going to end up dropping another 20K on a stock C6 to get it where you want it".
Money becomes a factor at that point. My wife is pretty cool, but she does know financial sense from financial silly-ness.

High speed differences betweent the two are negligable for the planned purposes- some track days, and the ORR thing with a tech of 168MPH. C5 is very adequate.

Thanks for the input, guys. When I bought my TJ a couple of years ago, after selling my modded A4 that I got nothing back out of after big $$$ in mods, I swore that although building it is fun, buying it mostly built is a lot more bang for the buck, and that's how I'd proceed in the future.

I'm feeling back on track now.

[Camp]

I would think that if you could by the C5 and had a good chunk of change to catch up with the C6 budget, you could send the car to Lingenfelter and have it destroy the C6, dollar for dollar :evil:

[scottycards]

Guy at work here has Lingenfelter 427 in his C5. It is NASTY! Like, really nasty. Total sleeper.

[Steve]

I'd probably give my left nut for the right Lingenfelter or Callaway 'Vette. :spit:

[Leon Phelps]

Question for ya guru's school me on the differences between the C5 and the C6 'vett. I'm a IDIOT when it comes to modern Bowtie peformance, and I ALWAYS enjoy ANYTHING that goes FAST.

[scottycards]

Well, new body style, of course. Shorter body, longer wheelbase (slightly), so the C6 does handle more nimbly.
They went from the LS1 5.7 motor to the 6.0 LS2, and saw a bump in HP.

Gotta run. Wiki info is good, BTW.

[ColoradoSkier]

Here's a nice C6 in Michigan for $58k (Lingenfelter) - http://www.lingenfelter.com/Lingenfelter2007C6CorvetteSCIC.htm

[scottycards]

My point exactly. 60K, but done right. :drool: :drool: :drool:

I found a CLEAN C5 Z06 today that dyno's 450 at the wheels, with 20K on it, for an asking price of 32K, and I know I could buy it for 30.

Tough to justify the additional 30, other than cool factor.:(

Oops, 440 at the wheels:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1738753

[RockyRed]

Had a C5 for 4 years, own a C6 now since they came out. Not much of a difference that you can feel..However it's what you think will work for you and the bucks you have to put in.
My C6 has a B&B exhaust system which helps a little on the HP, but gives it the sound you like when taking off. I think best bang for the buck.
If you got an extra $5,0000, SuperCharger is the way to go.
All that said, the '08 Vette, which is out now, has a new LS3 engine w/ 430HP and an optional exhaust flow control valve that adds 8HP. A new 6.2L engine with almost the same MSRP as the '07....you got a machine to have FUN.

[oleblue]

I have a mod'ed CJ5.... - oops wrong thread. :D

how about neither, save the money for retierment.

[Mcstiff]

C5, building from stock is fun but never economical.

Coming from the hypocrite building a 1991 Audi Coupe Quattro w/~350 AWHP (and very little resale value) and paying to store a pile of steel which will some day be a CJ6 again ;)

[scottycards]

RockyRed-
Good info. The exhaust cut out is a feature they took from the Z06 C6 and added to the regular car. It's been there for a year or two.
As for the Supercharger- if you're thinking of going that route, talk to some owners. I know several that did it, and ended up going back to NA after spending MUCH money on the SC and/or blown (no pun intended) motors.

I think if you want power, you're better off sticking with NA and going the cam and heads route. Way less headaches, way more reliability if it's a regularly-driven car.

[Ghettojeep]

C5 too much like the previous 2 generations, too big, to "boatish"

The C6 is back to a way a vette should be, smaller, lighter, more powerful. I love hearing the old C4s go by, vrooooom, rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle. lol.


my $.02, vettes got too big and long for their britches, I think the C6 is headed back in the right direction. I loved the widebody ZR-1's, but I think thats the only vette that is the shiat b/t 72 and the C6s.

:flipoff2:

[Ghettojeep]

C5, building from stock is fun but never economical.

Coming from the hypocrite building a 1991 Audi Coupe Quattro w/~350 AWHP (and very little resale value) and paying to store a pile of steel which will some day be a CJ6 again ;)

hahaha show me the dyno when your done. 350 awhp doesnt sound like much but in the real world it is.

[Ghettojeep]

ps c5s are fuggin ugly. :)

[Mcstiff]

hahaha show me the dyno when your done. 350 awhp doesnt sound like much but in the real world it is.

Especially here! 350 will prob have to be on E85, 91 oct more like 300. Thinking it can happen with a GT3071R (so something similar)

[REDLYNER]

That is a good deal on the '03 Z! I would jump on it if you are in the market.

Performance wise, bone stock: C5Z06>C6>C5.

I'm like you and have to mod my toys! Let me know if you can get down to the Highlands Ranch area. You can drive mine to see how you would like it. It won't be quite as fast as the one you posted, but it will be pretty close. My Z06 puts down right around 400rwhp (cam, headers, lowered, etc).

Shoot me a pm if interested. :thumbsup:

[JKTODD]

Hey Scotty how about this-FACTORY FIVE RACING GTM LS7. Just read about it in the new Car and Driver. :drool:

Plus didn't you have a Factory Five Cobra once?

[scottycards]

Done. 2006 Coupe. 22K miles. I had to compromise and accept the Auto/Paddle Shift in lieu of 6 sp. manual because this thing was a friggin' smokin' deal. Picking up in CA either this weekend or next weekend and driving it home.

http://www.colorado4x4.org/gallery/files/8/1/3/5/C6side.JPG

[Steve]

Done. 2006 Couple. 22K miles. :blah: :blah: ...friggin' smokin' deal. Picking up in CA either this weekend or next weekend and driving it home.

You suck. That is all. :flipoff2:

But WTF is a "couple?" :confused:

















Seriously, congrats, that's gonna be fun. :hail:

[scottycards]

Thanks, Steve!

Oops- "coupe". It should be fun.

[Steve]

If I wasn't in Bristol this coming weekend and in Cozumel the next two after that I'd offer to get free airline tickets and go with you to drive it back. :)

[scottycards]

I hope Cozumel is still there! We were in Coz right after hurricane Gilbert- it hit them pretty hard, but we still had a great time. Shallow reefs had sand on them, but anything over about 40 feet was still fine- minimal damage- and all the deep dives were still good as ever.

Bristol and Cozumel. You have a couple of good weeks ahead of you!

[JKTODD]

Sweet friggin car bro!

You know what you really need to now though.
















































Wait....





































Change your avatar! That picture is freaking me out!:flipoff2:

[Ghettojeep]

Nice ride Scotty!!!:drool: I bet that is gonna be a schweeeet road trip. :thumbsup:

Steve

[scottycards]

Nice ride Scotty!!!:drool: I bet that is gonna be a schweeeet road trip. :thumbsup:

Steve

Thanks, man! Spending time on corvetteforum, getting to know the in's and out's.

Me, the Valentine 1, the iPod, a carton of cigs, and the open road.

Is it Friday yet? :D :D :D :D

[Steve]

Me, the Valentine 1, the iPod, a carton of cigs, and the open road.

Is it Friday yet? :D :D :D :D

I'll be at a race in Bristol on Friday. Oh, and on Saturday too.:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:




Should be fun drive. :)

[REDLYNER]

Cross country in a vette is awesome! You will be amazed how the 400hp monster feels like a cadi on the interstate in cruise control.

:thumbsup:

[scottycards]

Detailed mileage log will be kept. I'm expecting high 20's for MPG. From what I'm hearing, at 75 it'll get right around 29, we'll see what it goes to at 85-90. Cd is .28 on that car.

Better than my 2.5l Forester........but with a lot more torque. Nothing like having power on tap at 1500RPM.

I don't know who is more excited for Friday to roll around- me or Steve. Hey Steve- renting the headsets at a race is pretty fun- you can hear all the driver chatter, and make sure to take earplugs- you'll use them.

One more tip, although I know you've been to races- one thing I do for people who are with me who have not been before- just prior to the start, take your friends down and time it so that you're walking by the start/finish as they take green- just past the start line- 43 cars at WOT will amaze them- you can't just stand there in the walkway, so you have to time it right.

Also, same spot after the finish, so you can see donuts up close.

[Camp]

No need to be near the start/finish line in Bristol. It is amazing from anywhere in that stadium :D

[SSII]

Done. 2006 Coupe. 22K miles. I had to compromise and accept the Auto/Paddle Shift in lieu of 6 sp. manual because this thing was a friggin' smokin' deal. Picking up in CA either this weekend or next weekend and driving it home.

http://www.colorado4x4.org/gallery/files/8/1/3/5/C6side.JPG

Congrats. You will love the Car. I am sure you will be very happy with it as I have been with my modded C5. Just take the time to get used to it before you get all crazy. A warning. Do NOT turn off the traction control. You can lose the car much easier than you think. Enjoy and maybe see you at the track. :)

[scottycards]

Thanks SSII and Redlyner! I think the last time I was this excited I was like 5 years old, and it was Christmas Eve.......

I haven't asked today...............is it Friday yet?

[SSII]

Thanks SSII and Redlyner! I think the last time I was this excited I was like 5 years old, and it was Christmas Eve.......

I haven't asked today...............is it Friday yet?


The next problem you will have is the Mod bug. I couldn't wait till the warranty ran out on mine.

Just a simple dyno tune with a aftermarket induction system and long tubes really wakes these cars up in Denver. Just stay away from "Corvette Connection" there in Denver. Dragon Race engineering used to be good up there as I used them before. I don't know if they are still in business or even still good.

Check out the Corvette forum for mods. You will see there is quite a few fast C6s out there.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/index.php

If the Car has the stock runcraps on them, that may be your next move. The runcraps tend to make these cars twitchy in mid corner bumps. Watch for that.

Especially East bound C-470 to the North bound I-25 on ramp. :)

The runcraps do have their advantages though.

http://www.corvetteblog.com/archives/corvette-videos-nashville-police-have-difficulty-spiking-corvette-runflats.html

[scottycards]

SSII-
Nice, and thank you. I've been lurking on cvforum for a while, but I'll check cvblog.

I don't know dragon race, but have heard about CC (heard the same things you have). Also know "one or two" people with C6's, so good to tap their knowledge as well.

I'm in no hurry to mod. For my purposes, stock will suffice for some time (150 class Open Road Racing).

[REDLYNER]

I agree with SSII-

Dragon race is very good at what they do, but they charge you for it (big bucks).

Rocky Mountain Corvette in Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree has been awesome for me. They helped build my engine. They do corvette only races almost monthly. The owner is Alex and he will doanything to help you out.

Regarding the traction control..... I tried to show off with out it and put my first vette into a tree. Learn about the "Competition Mode"- it's awesome!

Your bolt on max is going to be around 380 to 390rwhp. That is intake, headers, exhaust, and a good tune. Slap a cam in and you are seeing 430+rwhp. Bone stock auto is a 12 second car at sea level. Again, the red looks hot. Nice car and remember to wave!

[JKTODD]

Pssst-I'm sure you won't break ANY speed limit laws right?:D

[scottycards]

Hey Steve and Clint-

Don't know if you'll check the board this morning, and I figure you're leaving today for Bristol, so in honor of that:

:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

[Steve]

Yep, just checking work email and the board before we go to Bristol. We flew down yesterday. :P

Lots of stuff going on in Bristol today, so we're heading there. We're staying ~60 miles away since Econo-Lodge type hotel rooms anywhere near Bristol are over $300/night. :eek:

May go watch qualifying today. :flipoff2:

[Clint]

on our way to check out the track and see some hooters and bud girls! gonna be a good time! maybe jeff gordon will show up and I can throw rocks at him ;)