My first 'real' car was a 95 z28 which I bought new. The f-body is the best bang for the buck out there. I always wanted a corvette but could not afford one. In 2001 I was able to buy a z06. I still have the camaro. Started doing road racing events in the z06, and I am now turning the z28 into a road track car. Here are the differences between the z06 and LT1 z28. I know the LS1 is better than the LT1.

Z06 weighs 3050 at the track, z28 weighed in at 3535 with 3/4 tank. 500 lbs difference

Z06 shorter gearing (not true for base c5) and higher rev limit. At one track I can run up to 145 in 4th in the z06 on the straight, but in the z28 I have to shift into 5th at 120 which kills me. I can only hit 130 with the z28 on this strectch of track.

Braking, the c5 brakes are 10x better than the lt1 brakes, and marginally better than the ls1.


Suspension, C5 much better transverse springs. Hardly any brake dive and leaning through corners. Z28, tons of brake dive and leaning. Better traction coming out of corners with the C5's independent suspension.

Prestige, you will get a lot more with a c5.

Insurance, your insurance will be a lot cheaper with a c5.

I am now modding my z28 to come up to z06 standards, but it is going to be very difficult to get there because of the weight and gearing disadvantages.

The z28 is a great car, but if I had 20k to spend now, I would look for a used c5. For less a z28 would be the best buy out there.

 

Also regarding motor issues, I have heard plenty of c5 owners talking about piston slap. Also, all of the 01 z06's use tons of oil. I had mine re-ringed at the dealer, I was using about 1 quart every 1k miles.

Regarding 1/4 times, my first time out in the z06 I ran 12.9 @112.5. Getting the car to launch properly is not easy. With a good driver this is a low 12 sec car, and some have even seen high 11's stock. I'd bet a stock c5 would be in the high 12's stock with a good driver.

 

I hear you on the insurance. Where I live you can get killed on insurance for a camaro without a squeaky clean record. That is what made it expensive to own.

The 4th gen v8 camaros & firebird redefined fbody performance for GM. It deserved better.

 

For me 33 years old, the full coverage when I bought my z06 new was about 1100 per year vs 1200 for the z28, which was worth about 8k. There must be some seriously bad accident statistics for the z28.

Insurance sux!

 

Go see http://www.highwaysafety.org/sr_ddr/sr3507_t2.htm for fatality rates.

 

Suprise, camaro was the highest I saw on the list at 300

 

not MUCH less. . but less yes..
I weigh in with 3470 full of gas. vette is what? 200 lbs lighter full weight? I would even bet that most show up at the track with less gas than I do.. I never got empty. I actually fill up at the Mobil that is 2 miles from the track. Soooo, I run about as heavy as possible whereas others tend to run as light as possible..

Now in giving up that weight advantage I get the advantage of more power to the ground. so are we even yet?

Well then there is gearing... Some say they (the vettes) are better geared.. I tend to think that the vette may be better geared for topend and not for the initial launch.. again less power being a factor here as they cant get as hard a launch..
Keep in mind this is all stock for stock..