LT5 and LS6: different feel?

[Gary Yarbrough]

Hi Everyone,

I've owned my ZR-1 for about 8 months now and I really love the car. I've been kicking around the idea of selling my '71 and buying another newer vette. Today, I went and drove a 2003 Z06. I noticed a few things and I wanted to get some opinions.

Compared to the LT5, the LS6 had a much different feel. I could certainly feel the extra 30 horses, but there was something else. The LT5 feels much smoother. Am I crazy or do others experience the same feeling?

The sound of the LS6 can't even begin to compare to the sound of the LT5.

The clutch effort was quite a bit less. I'm wondering if that is normal or if I've got a problem with my Z. Any ideas?

I found myself spinning the tires much easier in the Z06 compared to the ZR-1.

Anyway, after driving the Z06, I wasn't that impressed. It's the feel thing (oh, and I like the 1990 interior better). I think I'd be better off putting my money into an upgrade for my LT5. Which leads to my last question. The main option I'm considering is the various 500hp 350c.i. packages that a few tuners offer. For those that have driven these cars, do you loose any of the stock feel of the LT5?

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. I've been reading the forum posts for about 9 months and have finally joined up. I really appreciate reading all the great things you guys post.

Gary Yarbrough

[LPE385]

Gary the feel is totally different. One thing you have to remember is the Z06 is geared better and its about 200 to 300lbs lighter. This is going to make the car harder to hook. This the really short version.

If you do the following to your car it will feel totally different,

410 gears
Headers
Exhaust
Chip

This will totally change to feel of your car. You will have an appox. 50 hp gain but just the gears alone will make your car feel like it has 30 more ft lbs of tq. Depends on the type of chip and exhaust you go with for + or - hp gains. I would call SGC, Aaron Scott in Thomasville, GA.

Good Luck

[DMark]

Gary,

Agree with everything LPE385 said.

I sold my Z06 to buy my ZR-1. The Beast just has more "Soul" to me. Nothing wrong with the Z06 and I wouldn't rule out another one for me later...., but around here evrybody and their brother has a C5 or C6 Z06.

[jonszr1]

gary the 500 hp option will make you smile forever .

If you are just driving the car around on the street, I don't think you will be that impressed. Where the car shines is on the track. A stock C5 Z06 is a potent animal on the track.

I love my ZR-1 and love tracking it, but I step into a C5 or C6 on the track and it's no contest. My student a couple of weekends ago was in a Porsche GT3. I was disappointed in that car after driving it.

[XfireZ51]

I had the opportunity to drive both back to back. The best analogy I could give you is the difference between a quarter horse vs. A thoroughbred.
The Z06 felt immediate and urgent.
The ZR-1 feels like it will run forever,
A long distance runner.

[lbszr]

Only newer one I've been in as a passenger was the LS6 on a track with 380 rwhp 15 less than mine but it felt stronger, pulled like a freight train and I don't how it hung on going into the turns, but it did(although the diriver was a experienced driver and suspension mods with -3 degree camber and hoosier tires) so I was impressed. It felt like it was more nimble taking the turns, less time to settle. But I haven't driven one.


And it must be true about the Lt5 sounding different cause a guy came over to see what it was after hearing it on the track.

[DMark]

Originally Posted by lbszr

..... And it must be true about the Lt5 sounding different cause a guy came over to see what it was after hearing it on the track.

My father-in-law (old old old school hot rodder) said mine sounds like an Indy car from the 60s.

He calls it a tone where you just know something Bad-*** Serious is happening!

[95ZR1]

Before you do anything, drive a C6.

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by DMark

My father-in-law (old old old school hot rodder) said mine sounds like an Indy car from the 60s.

He calls it a tone where you just know something Bad-*** Serious is happening!

Maybe he's talking about the Novi.

http://uk.geocities.com/historicslot/novi.html

Supercharged DOHC V8.

Interesting incident that recently happened to me. I was sitting in my car
3 weeks ago and a riced out Honda pulled up next to me. The young driver yelled out to me and asked "Hey is that a ZR-1?" When I answered yeah it is, he yelled "Awesome". I thought that was cool.