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Depends on the C4. 88-up would be the direction you're looking for. 88-up Z51's got the 13" frt brakes and better rear end. 89-up got the ZF6 6-spd. T-5, T-56, SBC Gen 1, LS swaps.... the door is wide open on what's available. You can build a 400hp torque monster L98, or you can go with a higher revving LS-swap making 600hp.
The chassis isn't as good as the C5/6's, the handling can be improved. But keep in mind that the newest C4 is 15 years old.
One of the more badass cars ever built. End of discussion.
Especially in black with the gray wheels. And a loud exhaust system.
Damn it....I was all set on what my next DD was going to be, then this thread comes along.
sachilles wrote:out of curiosity what about the c4 cars, they seem to be pretty darn cheap now.
I loved my C4 (92 LIT1, 6 speed, not a Z51) as a track day toy. But, overall, the LT1 isn't a great engine. It's an odd duck in the small block world -- and I wouldn't buy another. The LS motors are SO much better, with far better aftermarket suppor
A C5 brake upgrade is inexpensive, and was the single best improvement I made for track work.
ZOO wrote:sachilles wrote:out of curiosity what about the c4 cars, they seem to be pretty darn cheap now.
I loved my C4 (92 LIT1, 6 speed, not a Z51) as a track day toy. But, overall, the LT1 isn't a great engine. It's an odd duck in the small block world -- and I wouldn't buy another. The LS motors are SO much better, with far better aftermarket suppor
A C5 brake upgrade is inexpensive, and was the single best improvement I made for track work.
Sorry but I have to disagree. The LT1 is a great engine, the LS1 just happens to be even better.
My LT1 had 210k miles on it when I sold it, didnt burn a drop of oil, never left me stranded and still ran mid-high 13's.
I will agree that it is the redheaded step child of the SBC V8's though.
Soma007 wrote:ZOO wrote:sachilles wrote:out of curiosity what about the c4 cars, they seem to be pretty darn cheap now.
But, overall, the LT1 isn't a great engine. It's an odd duck in the small block world -- and I wouldn't buy another. The LS motors are SO much better, with far better aftermarket suppor
Sorry but I have to disagree. The LT1 is a great engine, the LS1 just happens to be even better.
My LT1 had 210k miles on it when I sold it, didnt burn a drop of oil, never left me stranded and still ran mid-high 13's.
I will agree that it is the redheaded step child of the SBC V8's though.
I think you are confusng "good" with "great". I'd suggestthat an LT1 is a good engine (but perhaps not as desirable as an L98, given the limited aftermarket), but it is not a "great" engine, a la the LS series.
Cotton wrote:Yeah, me too. That's sort of why I started this thread. I didn't think the positive responses would be quite so dominant. As in 100%...Damn it....I was all set on what my next DD was going to be, then this thread comes along.
Ok then, how would a late C5 Z06 compare to an early C6? The C6's all got the 6.0 LS2 correct? Any major refinements, improvements, etc? I do prefer the styling of the C6, but I like them both.
I'de be happy with plain C5
I've heard a limitation on C4's are the wheel bearings. How well did you're wheel bearings fair with the track abuse?
I'd love a C5 Z06, but I think they may be faster than I need or can handle.
Brotus7 wrote:I've heard a limitation on C4's are the wheel bearings. How well did you're wheel bearings fair with the track abuse?
I'd love a C5 Z06, but I think they may be faster than I need or can handle.
Mine had been extensively tracked before I purchased it -- so it was in good shape all around. I didn't have any issues in approximately 1000 track miles, but that's not a huge amount to report on.
ECUs for the C4 LT1s are a bit problematic, if I recall correctly. And they are getting difficult to source.
The key with C4 wheelbearings is to get OEM bearings. I picked up a set of NOS bearings for a reasonable price: the aftermarket bearings don't seem to hold up well to R-compounds.....
chaparral wrote:drain the clutch and brake fluid reservoirs with a turkey baster and refill every oil change,
Wow, is this really needed? It does seem like good idea though.
The only C5 negative I can think of may be interior quality. I saw a C5 in a parking lot a few months ago - the driver's seat was literally coming apart - not worn - but actual separation between the center section and the bolster/head rest.
In reply to Ian F:
I would imagine that this is one area where a new owner could take his savings on a "value supercar" such as this and re-invest a little into a pair of Recaros or similar seats. Maybe a fresh steering wheel as well, after ~10 years that may be a bit grubby as well.
Ian F wrote:The only C5 negative I can think of may be interior quality.
Well, the huge size and the crappy over-boosted steering are also negatives but not enough to overcome the whole package. The C6 fixed the size issue somewhat but someone at GM needs to figure out that a sports car should have some steering feel. They should be forced to drive an E30 M3 for a week before even thinking about calibrating the the thing.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:Ian F wrote:The only C5 negative I can think of may be interior quality.
Well, the huge size and the crappy over-boosted steering are also negatives but not enough to overcome the whole package. The C6 fixed the size issue somewhat but someone at GM needs to figure out that a sports car should have some steering feel. They should be forced to drive an E30 M3 for a week before even thinking about calibrating the the thing.
tuna55 wrote:jstein77 wrote:The amazing thing is that they're not very heavy at all. At 3100 lbs or so, they're lighter than a WRX or an MS3.
Not very big either. I won't dig, but at least the C6 is smaller than the 911 in everything except width, and that's close.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:Ian F wrote:The only C5 negative I can think of may be interior quality.
Well, the huge size and the crappy over-boosted steering are also negatives but not enough to overcome the whole package. The C6 fixed the size issue somewhat but someone at GM needs to figure out that a sports car should have some steering feel. They should be forced to drive an E30 M3 for a week before even thinking about calibrating the the thing.
the same people they set up the steering for are the same kind of people that bitch about the viper not having an automatic option
This thread has not helped my desire for a C5 at all. A while ago, I realized that for motor sports fun besides rallycross, Corvette was the answer since I refuse to have a convertible.
It's a good thing I still can't afford one.
Even worse... this and the M3-LS thread had me browsing M3's on Ebay... where I found a nice looking E30 for $16K (one accident early in life, but driven a lot since) as well as a semi-high mileage (135K but otherwise stock & clean) E46 for $15K. Not to mention a gaggle of sub-$10K E36's in varying condition.
I avoided the temptation to look at C5 prices...
A Z06 is on my bucket list. I'd gladly take either a C5 or C6 when they're nearing the bottom of their depreciation curve...
Saw a black C6 Z06 today at lunchtime with a baby seat in the passenger side.
jstein77 wrote:Saw a black C6 Z06 today at lunchtime with a baby seat in the passenger side.
Lucky Kid 
Luckily for me, they are out of my price range. Sounds like an awesome bit of kit.
I drive by a used car dealer that specializes in used Corvettes almost every day. For 8 years I've managed to avoid stopping. You guys aren't helping 
Um, this?
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:Ian F wrote:The only C5 negative I can think of may be interior quality.
Well, the huge size and the crappy over-boosted steering are also negatives but not enough to overcome the whole package. ...They should be forced to drive an E30 M3 for a week before even thinking about calibrating the the thing.
this. +1
I got the chance to drive a c5 a bunch of miles. The steering feel was the only let down. The seats can be ripped out! In a similar vein, the Factory Five fans have some tricks to cut the boost on the stang's steering. Something might be possible with the ac delco unit.
