Pondering Corvette
01-29-2013, 10:30 AM
#21
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Buddy of mine bought a '99 C5 6 speed. He put a catless x pipe on it with full length headers, some air box, then he got it tuned. It made like 360whp/360 wtq.
Then he got bored.
Now it has heads and a cam (not sure on specs), and he makes more like 450whp now.
Then he got bored.
Now it has heads and a cam (not sure on specs), and he makes more like 450whp now.
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01-29-2013, 11:06 AM
#22
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Do some research on the common potential issues the cars have, understanding that the list looks pretty ugly but not all cars will experience all the issues. Mine had none, other than the rocking chairs.
I read in a C7 article with the Corvette Chief who mentioned one of the goals with the new model was focusing on the subjective, in addition to the objective. That is, the "feel" in both the way the driver interacts with the vehicle and elements like the interior.
He talked about the car feeling like a blunt instrument and I thought that was appropriate. It feels heavier than it is, the steering wheel was a boat tiller and I remember the T56 being a rock-crusher in terms of length and effort of throw. Add to that the low seating height and long-*** doors and you look like an animal being birthed when you are getting in and out of it in a tight parking garage.
For me, it was perfect on paper. I still sold it and do not regret the decision.
I read in a C7 article with the Corvette Chief who mentioned one of the goals with the new model was focusing on the subjective, in addition to the objective. That is, the "feel" in both the way the driver interacts with the vehicle and elements like the interior.
He talked about the car feeling like a blunt instrument and I thought that was appropriate. It feels heavier than it is, the steering wheel was a boat tiller and I remember the T56 being a rock-crusher in terms of length and effort of throw. Add to that the low seating height and long-*** doors and you look like an animal being birthed when you are getting in and out of it in a tight parking garage.
For me, it was perfect on paper. I still sold it and do not regret the decision.
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01-29-2013, 11:26 AM
#24
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To the OP, as others alluded to the vette and miata are very different cars.
My take is if you will track the car, the vette will do it faster and reliably with minimal mods. On the street the feel of the car is far more important.
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01-29-2013, 11:40 AM
#25
Go on youtube and search c7 or something. Tons of videos, reviews, interviews, etc being up daily. Its one of the most talked about topics right now.
Whats weird is I feel exactly the opposite about it: I think its a great daily. No track experience though so no idea there. Its torquey, comfy, has more creature comforts, etc. Compared to a miata. Miata is high strung, nimble, more exciting, etc. I'd daily a vette and track a miata. But I've next to no track experience so that's just my humble opinion.
Whats weird is I feel exactly the opposite about it: I think its a great daily. No track experience though so no idea there. Its torquey, comfy, has more creature comforts, etc. Compared to a miata. Miata is high strung, nimble, more exciting, etc. I'd daily a vette and track a miata. But I've next to no track experience so that's just my humble opinion.
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01-29-2013, 11:47 AM
#26
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how old are you V(lad)? Perhaps that has something to do with it. Not saying your real old or anything -- I like a comfy daily too and I'm only 26. But some people want something that gets them from point a to b with as much excitement as possible. Which would be better for a weekend canyon carver? I'd say Miata.
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you're like the 50th person to ask me this. I'm in my upper 20's 
01-29-2013, 01:35 PM
#30
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I still have subscriptions to the physical editions of Car & Driver and Motor Trend or Road & Track (or all three?). It was an article in which the Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, talked about the C7 while driving some potential rivals like an M3, Porsche 911, Audi R8 and the outgoing C6 ZR1.
I think I've recycled the magazine at this point, but if I find it at home I'll try to be more specific. I enjoyed the article and am pretty optimistic for the C7.
I think I've recycled the magazine at this point, but if I find it at home I'll try to be more specific. I enjoyed the article and am pretty optimistic for the C7.
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01-29-2013, 01:50 PM
#31
Since we're on the subject, and this thread will probably get lots of corvette owners attention: what are the BEST forums to frequent for all knowledge C5 corvette related?
So far I've been reading corvetteforums and ls1tech. Any other good ones? Preferably the MT.net of vette forums?
So far I've been reading corvetteforums and ls1tech. Any other good ones? Preferably the MT.net of vette forums?
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01-29-2013, 02:03 PM
#32
Guess where my Cayman S cash went.
Intersting. Got link?
To the OP, as others alluded to the vette and miata are very different cars.
My take is if you will track the car, the vette will do it faster and reliably with minimal mods. On the street the feel of the car is far more important.
Intersting. Got link?
To the OP, as others alluded to the vette and miata are very different cars.
My take is if you will track the car, the vette will do it faster and reliably with minimal mods. On the street the feel of the car is far more important.
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray / Z51 Revealed - 2013 Detroit Auto Show - CAR and DRIVER - YouTube
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01-31-2013, 12:22 AM
#33
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Since we're on the subject, and this thread will probably get lots of corvette owners attention: what are the BEST forums to frequent for all knowledge C5 corvette related?
So far I've been reading corvetteforums and ls1tech. Any other good ones? Preferably the MT.net of vette forums?
So far I've been reading corvetteforums and ls1tech. Any other good ones? Preferably the MT.net of vette forums?
Corvetteforum.com is good for platform specific stuff like common problems and maintenance but my experience with the c5 and c4 zr-1 crowd is a little miata.net esque.
Speedtalk is good if you want some really good engine info.
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01-31-2013, 10:58 AM
#35
I did a 4-door Corvette for my "practical car" (Pontiac G8 with LS3). The GenIV V-8s are great. My only recommendation, if you do get a 'Vette, try like heck to get a manual. The automatic is way too "smart." It will drive you nuts and never really does what you want it to. I've got a transmission tune in my G8 that makes it tolerable, but I'd give my left nut to have a manual in the car.
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01-31-2013, 11:32 AM
#36
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The C5 Z06 I drove on the track had a beefed up suspension but that was it. It felt heavy and numb in the steering wheel. It was torquey and accelerated well but lacked some of the joy of the Miata because of the disconnected steering feel. The steering was precise, don't get me wrong, but it didn't talk to you. And the car felt wide and heavy. It was like a really fast barge. I couldn't feel the subtleties of the surface like I was used to. Maybe you want that in your DD.
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02-18-2013, 10:51 PM
#38
Just picked this up. 08 C6 Z06. 7700 miles on odo. I'll do a few track days for grins but it's not intended as a replacement for any of the Miatas. To expensive to run as hard/often as I do the Miatas. Not comfortable dri8ving this thing at it's limit on track without real safety equipment. It's a nice highway cruiser and I don't want to jack that up by putting race seats/harness/roll bar in it. Putting a roll bar in a C6Z is a PITA BTW, aluminum tub.
Plans for mods:
-Set of Carbotechs for track use to keep from destroying the nice new OEM pads.
-Maybe second set of wheels for track/autocross, four 18x10 LGWC. The OEM run flats are hideously expensive and will last if I don't tear them up at the track.
-Larger oil tank from 09+ C6Z/R1.
That's about it.
I'll still daily one of the Miatas most of the time, keeping this for occasional hoonage. I had a a really nice S2000 that I never drove because the 95R was more fun. So I sold the S and started keeping an eye out for a Z06.
Good gawd this thing is fast.
Plans for mods:
-Set of Carbotechs for track use to keep from destroying the nice new OEM pads.
-Maybe second set of wheels for track/autocross, four 18x10 LGWC. The OEM run flats are hideously expensive and will last if I don't tear them up at the track.
-Larger oil tank from 09+ C6Z/R1.
That's about it.
I'll still daily one of the Miatas most of the time, keeping this for occasional hoonage. I had a a really nice S2000 that I never drove because the 95R was more fun. So I sold the S and started keeping an eye out for a Z06.
Good gawd this thing is fast.
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02-19-2013, 12:20 AM
#39
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The LG world challenge wheels are knock offs of the ccw 505a. Ccw makes some really nice stuff for the c6. I put some classics on a c5 z and the owner told me the front only weighed Something retarded like 8 lbs. After lifting it I think that was pretty close.
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02-19-2013, 08:48 AM
#40
Just picked this up. 08 C6 Z06. 7700 miles on odo. I'll do a few track days for grins but it's not intended as a replacement for any of the Miatas. To expensive to run as hard/often as I do the Miatas. Not comfortable dri8ving this thing at it's limit on track without real safety equipment. It's a nice highway cruiser and I don't want to jack that up by putting race seats/harness/roll bar in it. Putting a roll bar in a C6Z is a PITA BTW, aluminum tub.
Plans for mods:
-Set of Carbotechs for track use to keep from destroying the nice new OEM pads.
-Maybe second set of wheels for track/autocross, four 18x10 LGWC. The OEM run flats are hideously expensive and will last if I don't tear them up at the track.
-Larger oil tank from 09+ C6Z/R1.
That's about it.
I'll still daily one of the Miatas most of the time, keeping this for occasional hoonage. I had a a really nice S2000 that I never drove because the 95R was more fun. So I sold the S and started keeping an eye out for a Z06.
Good gawd this thing is fast.
[IMG]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=67946&dateline=1361245 892[/MG]
Plans for mods:
-Set of Carbotechs for track use to keep from destroying the nice new OEM pads.
-Maybe second set of wheels for track/autocross, four 18x10 LGWC. The OEM run flats are hideously expensive and will last if I don't tear them up at the track.
-Larger oil tank from 09+ C6Z/R1.
That's about it.
I'll still daily one of the Miatas most of the time, keeping this for occasional hoonage. I had a a really nice S2000 that I never drove because the 95R was more fun. So I sold the S and started keeping an eye out for a Z06.
Good gawd this thing is fast.
[IMG]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=67946&dateline=1361245 892[/MG]
Wanna trade it for an '04 C5 auto and an '01 Miata SE (in my sig)?
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