Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 - General

General

The successor to the ZR-1 made its debut in 2001 as the Z06, giving a nod to the high-performance Z06 version of the C2 Corvette of the 1960s (See the history below). Instead of a heavy, double-overhead cam engine like in the ZR-1, the Z06 used a high-output, tuned version of the standard LS1 Corvette engine (designated LS6), which initially produced 385 horsepower (287 kW). Although its total power output was less than that of the last ZR-1, the Z06 was much lighter, out-performing the ZR-1 in every category except top speed. It also cost substantially less than the ZR-1. Like with the ZR-1, Starting with the most structurally rigid body style offered, the hardtop or "fixed roof coupé" (FRC), an uprated FE4 suspension, larger wheel rims and tires, revised gearing ratios, and functional brake cooling ducts became part of the total package. The Z06 is 38 pounds lighter than a standard C5 hardtop thanks to weight-saving measures such as a titanium exhaust, thinner glass, lighter wheel rims, non-EMT tires, reduced sound proofing, fixed rear radio aerial, and a lighter battery.

Starting with the 2002 model year, the LS6 engine was uprated to 405 horsepower (302 kW) by means of a larger volume air intake, stiffer valve springs, lighter sodium filled valves, more aggressive cam phasing and lift, revised pistons, and revised block. While Chevrolet officially claimed that the ultimate power output of the LS6 was 405 horsepower (302 kW), many dynamometer tests have shown that Chevrolet underrated the engine by 20 hp (15 kW), giving it an actual total of 425 horsepower (317 kW).