The C5 Corvette Z06 is super-light, has a manual transmission and with a supercharger upgrade offers the kind of performance that stands out in 2023.
RacerX, always a source of enthusiast-related information and advice through his YouTube channel is back today with a different proposition: the C5 Chevy Corvette Z06.
It wowed the press and public back then and today continues to be a great used-buy despite its two decades of service and relatively-simple powertrain.
Gear head RacerX believes he has found the perfect throwback car with performance to match modern top-shelf muscle cars, one that makes for a fun alternative to the usual suspects.
With the simple addition of a supercharger, this C5 Chevrolet ‘Vette could be the ultimate sports car in 2023 with classic American looks, speed, and handling that will leave you at the front in any race.
The C5 Supercharged Corvette: A Recipe For Success
Today’s C8 Corvette Z06 is a great car, one which has the accolade of the most-powerful naturally-aspirated V8 in the world with 670 hp and 460 lb-ft. Back in 2000 when the C5 Z06 came out though it was a real weapon with 385 hp from its 5.7-liter V8 and a curb weight of only 3000 lbs.
RacerX says this is a real advantage of the C5 Z06, as the 385 hp in a relatively-lightweight car (it went up to 405 hp later on) made for a rapid machine then that still feels quick and nimble today.
This is no ordinary C5 Z06 that sits at the Streetside Classics garage in Tampa, it is a modified Z06 with a Vortec supercharger and intercooler, with a Borla exhaust for extra American sound.
A supercharged C5 Corvette Z06 adds more than 200 hp in this case, with over 600 ponies now on offer from the aluminum LS6 engine. A standard C5 Z06 can reach 60 mph in 4 seconds, so the upgraded one should be closer to the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye’s 3.5 seconds.
How Much Does A C5 Corvette Z06 Cost Today To Turn Into A Hellcat-Slayer?
2002 C5 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 supercharged, rear quarter view
Via: YouTube via RacerX
Our host goes around the car picking up its qualities and talking about the great design; another awesome inclusion is the manual transmission which keeps the driver at the center of the experience at all times.
On the road, his praise continues – it’s a real agile and quick machine, combining the expertly-honed chassis from two decades ago with modern levels of power.
This all makes sense if you prefer old-school style, light handling and still want to take on Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat Redeyes at the strip which cost twice as much according to RacerX.
But how much does a C5 Chevrolet Corvette Z05 cost today? According to Classic.com average values are around $28,000 (compared to the $63,000 average for the standard Challenger Hellcat). A Vortec supercharger kit costs around $6,000 from West Coast Corvette – the labor (fitting) charges will be more on top though.
