For the record, my beloved Scarlett isnt going anywhere (2011 GT500). Fiance wants a Wrangler/Bronco so this wouldnt happen until after my GT500 is paid off and we have a healthy chunk of her car paid down. But all this talk of the C8 got me thinking about the C5 and C6 cars that are probably going to flood the market the next few years. They seem to perform well in all the street racing videos Ive seen too. If I got one (coupe), it would be as a fun screw around project car. Something that my fiance and I can cruise around in with the targa roof off, and she can drive (automatic). Is one better than the other? Is the LS1, LS2 or LS3 preferred as a platform to build for H/C/I? Stroker kits for the LS3 seem to be reasonable. I wouldnt mind getting to the magic 427 CI. My lady and I are leaning C6, but a C5 for the right price could sway us. What say you?
C5 has the better fuel economy by far, but I’d go for a C6 since I don’t like the C5 FRC, so Z06 is out. You’ll make more power with an LS3 than an LS1. I’d give the edge to the C6 being the better car. Pick your poison.
I’m going the same route lol. Not much longer before the Shelby is paid off and here I come c6z06. From everywhere I’ve read it’s the ls3 that is the way to go.
06 or newer C6. That's when they put the 6spd auto in them and it really was a big boost over the 4spd.
For the most bang for the buck, I’d pick up a used c5z LS6 or C6 with the LS3. Those cars are WORK horses. If you have a little more cash to spend, might as well go C6Z LS7. It takes a little more “primping” but once you do it right, it pays in dividends! This was my car back in the day (C5Z with exhaust and caí), BEAT IT like a rental car for almost 100k miles, street racing galore, took it across country several times and NEVER skipped a beat (other than my VATS).
I'm in the exact boat as you. C5 is cheaper but a c6z is just plain badass. LS7 and call it a day. Seems a lot of us on here are taking the plunge into the dark side, I LOVE IT!!
I love the FRC coupes. We bought a brand new 2002 c5z and that car was THE SHIT. Miss it to this day and i will have another. Car was 3100 lbs soaking wet and was an absolute riot. "raw" is often thrown around to describe the Terminator and that's true. It is probably more true about the c5z though. This guy gets it.
This is my thoughts as well. I would imagine you could pick up a C5Z for roughly the price of a base C6. Now if you are comparing C6Z to C5Z go C6Z all day!
C5 Z's are pretty badass. With not much effort, and utilizing readily available and proven modifications, you can have a legit sub 3,000 lbs car with ~450ish RWHP. It will go like stink and handle freakishly well.
Heads/cam/intake/headers/tune you're over 600hp in an ls motor without even breaking a sweat. Not much compares to that.
Only thing I can say is The c6z is an amazing machine and I'm glad I owned one. Only thing I really hated was having to worry about the valve issues so I paid to get it done. But even then, people were still having problems.
100%. Forgot to mention that. C5Z is not for pussies. Rawest car I have ever owned. It’s a damn GO-Kart. It made terminators feel tame in comparison.
