Thread 28577419

Zoomer here who finally has enough money to buy a fun car, and I'm going to either get a 350z or a C5. People say the C5 is better but I feel like it's just boomers hyping up their chariot, and the 350z seems like it would be better on the twisty backroads where I live. Which one should I go for?

>v6 muscle car or a hot hatch
Vette

>>28577421
technically these are both hatchbacks lol

The Corvette is probably easier to work on for less money and probably has more performance potential over-all.

I think you will struggle to find reasons to pick a 350z over C5. If it's your daily driver then maybe some considerations other than performance.

>>28577452
Cheaper, more reliable, better weight balance, less normalfag.

>>28577419 (OP)
non-z06 corvettes are gay and you can't find z06's for under $20k now

>>28577419 (OP)
The z is no better than the vette on back roads. They have almost the same suspension setup, the vette weighs the same or less, the vettw has better gearing, more upgrade potential, a stronger driveline, and overall is just better at everything besides driving in the snow maybe, not that a z is great at it anyway. Regardless, the vette only really has the downside of pricing. A c5 z06 destroys a nismo 370z for around the same price

>>28577450
not when you have to pull a torque tube

>>28577460
>>28577470
I can't afford the Z06 if I get the vette it's gonna be a base coupe, that's the only reason I'm comparing it to a Z. Also I do get snow where I live

>>28577473
But why would you want to do that

>>28577419 (OP)
Obvisously go with the ls engine, those make great noises. The 350z is just another generic v6 sound

>>28577459
>less normalfag
around here when you see a 350z it's a safe bet that it's a 22 yo mexican driving it straight piped w/ cut springs, being obnoxious. corvette has a much better reputation if you're concerned with appearances lol

>>28577419 (OP)
Ausfag here, are these cars seriously comparable in price in the USA?

>>28577419 (OP)
I have a 400z which is similar too but superior to the 350z.

The family are more like GT cars than true sports cars, they are pretty sporty and perfectly fine for everyday driving and twisty roads but not so much the track.

I'm not american so i don't really know enough about the corvette but i'd imagine it's a faster car, if the 350z is in better condition in terms of KM's or just exterior/interior it might be worth it though, they are pretty cool and unique cars.

It might be easier/cheaper to find cars for the Nissan and it probably shares some parts with the 370 and 400z. The battery cubby and strut/boot car are cool.

try and drive both

>>28577488
young fun having kid vs boomer with asscancer

>>28577419 (OP)
This is a preference question newfriend. The C5 is slightly faster and doesn't need CTR/ITS gap insurance, the 350Z does. Both have a shit interior. Both are very high performance for the cost. I actually do think the Corvette is probably easier to maintain at this point and all 350Zs are clapped out. The C5 only really loses on being a true boomer mobile. I haven't looked at mpg, but something to consider since this will presumably be your daily. Check basic stuff like cost for tires, pads, how much more oil the v8 needs, etc.

>>28577419 (OP)
350 is probably comfier and has turbo powa

>>28577483
Nobody wants to, but sometimes you have to and if you dont have the means or money the car is basically totaled as far as you're concerned.
vettes are generally reliable but knowing I need to drop the entire drivetrain out of the car to do a clutch or torque tube is not something id sign up for personally. if you know what you're getting into thats a different story, but in this case the Z having a simple traditional drivetrain layout is a point in its favor , imo

>>28577510
I dont think they come turbo stadard? Wasnt it like. 3.2 v6 liter or something

>>28577513
3.5 liter na v6 making 287hp. later 07 08 models got the vq35hr, a higher revving engine making just over 300hp.

>>28577479
>Also I do get snow where I live
I've been driving a 350z in the GTA where we get snow every winter. I put hakkapelita R3s on and a couple of bags of sand in the trunk and it drives perfectly fine, unless it's deep snow then I'm fucked.

350z is really easy to own, they're fairly reliable, fun to drive, require below average maintenance besides adding a qt of oil every 500-1000km or so if you are looking at a DE engine (mine is '06). Also a reasonable daily if you won't ever need back seats. Rear trunk space is actually generous for the size of the car, I can fit 2 golf bags in the back and I've gone on cottage trips with my wife in it packing light. Aftermarket for it is huge, though the C5 might have an even bigger one at least for the LS engine.
I put a Pioneer Android Auto head unit in and that solved a lot of the QoL that it's missing for its age, Bluetooth calling, music, GPS etc. I've had it since I was 21 and only plan to sell once I get my wife preggers, has been a fantastic car to me over the last 8 years.

>>28577510
no turbo. 3.5L NA, and they are high strung from the factory so no power to be gained without expensive forced induction. corvette is the clear performance winner.

I think a 350z with an ls swap is the answer here

>>28577525
300zx with an ls is way cooler imo and easier to pull off
>>28577496
A manual 350z in clean condition with lower miles is around the same price as an auto hardtop c5 most of the time which is around the $10k usd range. A decent manual vette is more like $15k which is in 370z range, but still destroys a 370z.

>>28577511
>vettes are generally reliable but knowing I need to drop the entire drivetrain out of the car to do a clutch
Automatics win again I guess

>>28577514
That was it. Pretty decent numbers for na

>>28577537
>That pic
Damn people are asking for a lot for those things.
>11.5k for a convertible 2005 z33
Lmao nobody wants those
I wonder what hardtop manual HRs are going for

>>28577514
>>28577510
>>28577516
I forgot, only the 400z had turbos. The 350z and 370 z were named after their displacement, 3.5l and 3.7l.
>>28577514
the late model 350zs and 370zs redlined at 7500rpm which is pretty cool

>>28577419 (OP)
Boomer here.

Having driven both a 350Z and a C5 Z06, I feel like the C5 is the superior car. Faster, handles better, weighs a shitload less and is actually pretty good on fuel. The corvette is also insanely practical.

Turbo miata is still more fun than both of these cars.

In the end it depends what you want.

JDM Clout and VQ Trumpets? 350Z
Comfortable cruiser and track potential? C5 Z06 (Can't speak for the base, but I assume you're getting a manuel anyways.)
Downright fun on backroads? Miata.

T. Owns a vette and a miata.

>>28577543
That's just a consequence of c5s and c6s having a rear transaxle with a torque tube meaning you have to remove the entire drivetrain together to work on either end of it. In a traditional FR layout that isnt typically a concern.

>>28577572
1. Why not the green monster?
2. "Manuel" - if you are a redneck and obese, you have to disclose. Not saying you are, or that being a redneck is bad, it's just relevant.
3. Miata a shit stock - had an NA - floppiest piece of shit ever. Yes, it spins out in the rain, but the no power and roll really gets to you.
4. Corvette really does beat out a lot of things on mpg, its weird.

>>28577419 (OP)
C6>C5 Z06>370Z>C5>350Z

>>28577575
In a traditional FR longitudinal layout it's still a concern in a number of cars. Good thing I'm not some American tryhard boyracer obsessed with driving manuals to feel better than his friends. I can just crooze.

>>28577585
>Corvette really does beat out a lot of things on mpg, its weird.
That's mostly due to super long gearing. 1st gear goes to about 50mph and 6th gear could theoretically hit 290mph. You're basically idling at cruising speed in a corvette

>>28577572
insanely practical?
might be overstating it a bit

>>28577587
>Good thing I'm not some American tryhard boyracer obsessed with driving manuals to feel better than his friends
Not beating the rent free third worlder allegations anon. I dont even own anything you'd consider an enthusiast car nor do I have local car friends, but both my cars are manual because I just prefer it.

>>28577587
When you are on the highway you are cruising in a manual anyway, you barely change gears

>>28577585
1. White Monster is based.
2. I'm a europoor, manuel is just an/o/ meme. I know the correct spelling is manual.
3. Get a NB, get a good set of Coilovers (Supermiata Tecnas) and slap a turbo on it. Progressive boost curve and keeping it under 210 ft/lb allows you to run stock internals and still make 250whp, it will spank a 350Z on the straights, but a Z06 still pulls away from it quite easily. It is by far the most fun car in corners though.
4. Overdrive on the vette is crazy. I get 7L/100km which is like 35 mpg or so. It's the perfect cruiser.

>>28577586
C6 LS3 > C5 Z06 > C6 LS2

>>28577591
You'd be surprised with the things you can fit in a vette, especially the base models.

>>28577419 (OP)
I think american cars are dumb but get the C5. It's superior in almost all ways

Modern manuals feel like buttons anyway. I have a new CTR and its virtually impossible to fuck up a shift even with Rev match off. I let some kid who knows the theory drive it, and he didn't stall once. Not really sure if much would be missing, especially with fwd.

>>28577594
I understand some people like manuals because the roads and landscapes around them are so boring they don't have anything better to do than play with their manny trannies.

>>28577601
You are alright eurofren, even if you do drink the worst monsters.

>>28577607
>some people think a thing
ok and?

>>28577609
The best flavour is Ultra Black anyways.

Picrel, safe torque/horsepower for stock Miata internals. If OP wants a fun ride I will keep shilling the turbo Miata route. Girls love miatas too.

>>28577537
> all the Zs are clapped
At least corvette guys take care of their car 9 times out 10 :/

>>28577604
>he doesn't know about the 1-2 shift in the fl5 civic
if you shift and dont take at least 2 seconds the car hates it

>>28577419 (OP)
The C5 is the better car performance-wise both outright and speed per dollar, but the 350z will be cheaper to maintain due to a larger pool of salvage cars. Insurance on the C5 will be cheaper though, and neither car is finicky. As a Zoomer, if you finally have "enough" money to buy a fun car you probably have five figures in consumer debt you should pay off first, so as much as it pains me the cheaper Z is probably the more responsible choice. If I'm wrong then reward yourself for your self-discipline and buy the Corvette. In either case, you should plan on tearing down the car and replacing all consumables (clutch, brakes, fluids, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, plug wires, oil filter, fuel filter, serpentine & aux belt, windshield wipers, headlights & signaling lights) when you purchase it anyway. It'll make you value the car more, you'll learn little things about it you otherwise wouldn't, and the peace of mind is worth it.

Most importantly the C5 has two more cylinders than the 350z, so you know what to do.

>>28577511
>but sometimes you have to and if you dont have the means or money the car is basically totaled as far as you're concerned
I did it in a storage unit with hand tools, it's really not that big of a deal. The most annoying part is removing the 36 bolts holding in the heat shield that separates the exhaust from the torque tube. After that it's a handful of electrical connections and <15 bolts to separate the entire driveline into its individual units.

>>28577585
>Corvette really does beat out a lot of things on mpg, its weird.
2000rpm @ 90mph will do that for you.

>>28577612
I hate the Miata. It's super easy to work on and you can literally do anything except clutch in a couple of hours, but with cars that old, its still a constant maintenance issue if you dont immediately do a full rebuild. The fact that you need a brace to hold the firewall in place so brakes dont flex it tells me everything I need to know.

Also, I feel like you might as well be in a motorcycle at that point.

>>28577619
I have only grinded second twice. It's literally all civics btw. My 8th gen Si does it too, but dat sweet NA acceleration. Turbos a shit for daily.

>>28577620
obviously once you've done a job its no big deal, but for someone that doesnt have the space, tools or experience to drop a driveline its a concern worth pointing out especially when you're cross shopping different vehicles. the cost of a clutch for both cars vary wildly if you're paying a shop to do the work

>>28577626
We need to be real about it - most people aren't doing the clutch themselves. The two points where amateurs draw the line are dropping the trans or pulling the head/whole engine.

I will be honest, I have only done clutch once and feel like it was possibly a waste of life. That and pulling whole dash on an A4 made me realize that either cars are my life or its a waste of time.

Lets not act like doing the clutch yourself is worth it unless you race or repair/mod for income

>>28577631
I personally DIY all my own work because I dont trust underpaid monkies who hate their jobs to do work to my standards. I also hate cars I can't fix myself, and I refuse to be jewed by $200/hr labor rates. I also enjoy the process of resurrecting a shitbox and turning it into a nice well maintained vehicle.

That said, most people do not operate this way because of a lack of tools, space or even just desire to learn.

In any case, its worth discussing the worst case maintenance scenario for any car (in this case the c5 (and by extension c6)) because if you dont have the space, tools or knowledge that kind of repair will royally fuck you in the mouth. Idk what kind of cards OP is dealing with but he should at the very least be aware that the quirks of the c5 go beyond a typical FR layout sportscar, if he's going to cross shop for one.

>>28577640
Agree with everything you said regarding being aware of it

>>28577611
I write this mostly for the OP to compensate for lots of the bullshit opinions circulating here.
No reason to pursue Z06 or manuals specifically because manual-obsessed 4chinners tell each other it's the only way to be a man.

>>28577537
A C5 for $15k is such an easy buy wtf

>>28577648
Nobody cares bro, just drive whatever you prefer like everyone else

>>28577419 (OP)
I love Japanese cars as much as the next guy but you will NOT regret the C5. Both have interiors made of pure garboleum, both are about a 6/10 in the corners, but one sounds like sharting into a trombone and the other has God's own unkillable glorious LS1, peace be unto him.

>>28577419 (OP)
These two aren't even in the same league. I have a 350z but if I could get a c5 in my shithole I would take it every time over the Z.

>>28577419 (OP)
Insurance will rape you on the z compared to the vette
Vette is also the better car in pretty much every way.

>>28577513
>Wasnt it like. 3.2 v6 liter or something
It's literally in the name...

>>28577648
>or manuals specifically
Lmaoooo this nigga bought an auto tragic sports car from the early 2000s ahahahaha

>>28577719
tbf anon may be European in which case model designations coinciding with engine displacement (like bmw/mb) stopped happening a long long time ago

>>28577515
>I've been driving a 350z in the GTA
I don't think driving a car in a video game provides an accurate representation of how a vehicle performs in the real world.

>>28577725
He's talking about Canada you turbo tard

>>28577724
>model designations coinciding with engine displacement (like bmw/mb) stopped happening a long long time ago
Well yeah because if they kept the displacement naming scheme, the consumer would either know he's buying a cucked 1.1l l3, or they would get confused why the newer car in the same line has a smaller number.

>>28577725
Greater Toronto Area - GTA

>>28577419 (OP)
Have you considered an E63 M6 OP?

>>28577622
>The fact that you need a brace to hold the firewall in place so brakes dont flex it tells me everything I need to know.

Some cars will crack the firewall where the clutch master cylinder mounts. RX8 GTOs and STis off the top of my head. It's just not a strong part sometimes.

>>28577419 (OP)
If you get a c5, do your research.
model year matters a lot.
Pre 01 models had a ticking time bomb EBCM that was nonserviceable and chevy doesn't make them anymore, so if yours goes out, you're at the mercy of the ever dwindling supply of 2nd hand options that constantly go up in price. Currently they're about $2000.
The harmonic balancer was another ticking time bomb that will run you about $1500 to replace if you can't do it yourself (it's a fairly lengthy repair and not something I'd suggest for a new wrencher). Chevy used a 2 piece balancer, and these cars are at an age where the rubber is statting to dry rot. The car will start to chirp to let you know it's going out.
There was also a problem with 1st to 4th gear lockout that I forgot what the deal was with that, and something with the steering lock that would fuck you over.

Other than those issues, c5s are robust and low maintenance cars, mostly with low mileage because boomers drive them once a weekend. My 97k mile 2000 was """high mileage""", despite the LS1 easily being able to hit 200k+ without major servicing. Chevy designed a truck then slapped a sports car body on it, but people still baby them like it's going to break if you drive the car.

>>28577756
also I'll say I was in your exact position about 5 years ago choosing between a 370z and c5. C5 is probably the single best bang for your buck performance of anything out there. That said, I actually found the corvette boring to own because I couldn't use it to it's potential often. "more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow" is never wrong. It also has a very large footprint. Every single panel is huge. The doors for example are almost 4 feet long.

Two other common but minor things: chevy used a plastic gear for the headlights that likes to break and will cause your headlight to pop back up. $40 for a replacement brass gear fixes this. It's a sealer unit, but the kits come with epoxy to put it back together and they never have to be serviced again.
If the PO took off the roof often, the weather seal might be worn and you'll have a leaky roof.

>>28577763
How would you compare the interior/daily driving experience between the two?

>>28577419 (OP)
>sports car with a v8 that's known for reliability and cheap go-fast parts
vs
>sports car with a v6 that has questionable reliability depending on the year and expensive go fast parts (and an awful exhaust note if you put aftermarket pipes or straight pipe it)

>>28577733
I believe you mean lesser toronto area

>>28577873
I believe you mean shitty America

>>28577878
Canadia isn't part of America and I hope it stays that way.

>>28577591

I find my c5 pretty practical. Much more so than my c8, but that's another story.

Easy to live with, comfy, and relatively easy to maintain. Effecicent and Very reliable.

Only 2 seats, but the hatch is huge. Packing for a trip is no problem even with my better half's obscene luggage demands. I even brought a kegerator to road america packed in there with our other shit.

I mean its not practical like a carolla or something, but pretty practical as far as fun cars go.

Op, dont listen to the z06 posters. The z06 is great but the base is plenty of car to have fun with as is, and has a ton of potential if you want to fiddle with it

>>28577421
>v6 muscle car
easy choice if you want everyone to know how much of a fag you are

>>28577770
I never got a Z, I sold the corvette and bought an sti instead.
370s are cool but I wanted an import

>>28577883
>dont listen to the z06 posters.
the difference in performance between the ls1 and ls6 is so incredibly small that I don't understand why people suggest getting a z06 just for the performance differences. a base c5 will run you 10k less for the same condition car, and you can easily just get heads/cams/etc or even get a supercharger and have more car for less money.

>>28577459
>Cheaper
You get what you pay for. Corvette is generally considered the king of cheap performance so if the other is cheaper, ask yourself why
>more reliable, better weight balance
C5 objectively wins at both those
>less normalfag.
Not a real reason

>>28577419 (OP)
No American technology was ever fun and you will never be cool unless you embrace Japanese culture in every possible way.

>>28577470
>They have almost the same suspension setup
Somehow I missed the part where the vette has a double wishbone front and a multilink rear

>>28578043
>Not a real reason
not op but I do like my car to have less of a normalfag blue collar dream car stigma to it. As gay as it sounds, I want a "car guy" car, not """traffic""" as zoomers would say.

>>28578131
Corvettes are not regular traffic, retard. Nobody at a car meet will think your vette is not cool but coping retards who showed up in their mom's minivan

>>28578141
>Corvettes are not regular traffic, retard.
maybe not in your 3rd world country, but they're extremely common in the US, and only really get noticed by joe everyman.
Roll up to a car meet with a vette or mustang or camaro or [insert american sports car], and no one will really give a shit because they probably saw 5 of them just like it on their way there.

>>28578145
People would give more of a shit about a C5 Z06 than a 350Z, unless the Z is heavily modded (in which case you would be given a wide berth). It's not some super rare classic or expensive car but nobody could argue that your car doesn't belong at the meet

>>28578131
The C5 is way more "car guy" than the 350z, to use the parlance of our times

>>28578167
I think the 350 is more commonly modified and embraces tuner car bro culture compared to corvettes. 350s won't really get any more attention for the most part than a corvette would though, especially since now they're kinda just associated with beaners.

>>28577640
Honestly a clutch is one of those things along for transmission replacement that the shop hours are going to be a lot less than you would think. From what I remember most clutch jobs are 4-6 hours of shop time....having a lift and a transmission jack makes the job significantly easier.

>>28578187
timing belt is the same way, but the risk of fucking it up means you're blowing an engine

>>28578181
350zs have been associated with mexicans since their release and they're RICED out more than C5s is what you mean

>>28578198
>Riced out
>Associated with Mexicans
GTA anon here, true but they're associated with Filipinos here
They're not ALL riced out, I try to keep mine in good shape

>>28578219
Ay nako we have have pilipinos here too but I couldn't tell you what stereotype of car they drive. Probably civics?
Only half filipino guy I know is also half mexican and has a tacoma
That 350z is kind have ricelet stancelet slowfaglet boyracelet THOUGH. To be 100% on gods witchu f.a.m. it needs coilovers, bigger wheels, less sidewall
>inb4 nooo good MODIFICATIONS are actually R.I.C.E.!!!

>>28578219
That looks pretty nice, questionable wheel choice notwithstanding. I'd give you an approving nod and thumbs up at the meet

>>28578238
Trust me anon I know but the RPF1s didn't come bigger than 18" and I was a poor student when I got them kek
>Coilovers
>Bigger wheels
U rite u rite ngl but I'm selling it soon need 4 doors for incoming kids

>>28578198
>350zs have been associated with mexicans since their release
you think mexicans could afford 350s when they were released? lmao
no pablo, that's a change that happened in the last 5-10 years.

>>28578219
this is the first time I've ever seen rpf1s on a car and thought they looked bad.

>>28578247
For sure just get an E39 530i, LCI E90 M3 Competition, F10 M5 Competition, W124, W126, W140, or W201 already godsDAMN
Congrats on the upcoming kiddos
>>28578249
Yeah I do. One of my mexican neighbors just traded in his MODIFIED gti for a z400. It sounds like shit. The gti did too LOL

>>28578259
oh you're that dumb faggot poster everyone ignores
my bad for responding

>>28578262
>ebonics

>>28578246
You're a ricelet nocar THOUGH

>>28578259
>LCI E90 M3 comp
>F10 M5 comp
Yeah these are fuckin unicorns in 6spd

>>28578306
They're THAT gay?

>>28577419 (OP)
350Z is worse in every way. The interior especially, which is crazy because the C5 is fucking awful lol.
>V6

Get a C5 coupe. The Zs look fucking stupid. Try to get a 2002-2004 though. Some of the earlier electronics aren't rebuildable like in the 02+ cars

>>28578057
You forgot Greenland.

>>28578617
ebcm is 97-00, 01+ is fine

>>28578621
I had to have my EBCM rebuilt in my 2002. They all fail. The earlier ones have more issues being rebuilt.

>>28578621
>>28578624
And in the 02+ cars you get the LS6 intake across all cars.

>>28578306
I forgot to include the LCI E90 N54 335i (2009-2010)
I only saw sedans in manual when I was looking for a manual coupe so I know those are somewhat plentiful
The manual F10 M5s are worth almost double what the DCT ones cost and yeah E90 M3 Comps are rare already, good luck finding a manual manual

>>28578624
>I had to have my EBCM rebuilt in my 2002.
okay?
97-00 were the non serviceable ebcm years, 01-05 were.

>>28578635
Which is why I told anon to get a 2002+ car? Also 2005 is a C6. Mongoloid.

>>28578641
>2002+
there's no reason to avoid 01s you cockgobbler.

>>28577459
>less normalfag
the nigsan is not that far off from being a methmobile

>>28578708
Both the nigsan and cheby are extremely normalfag cars

>>28577736
I'm not a fan of BMWs. Even if they're fast they look like NPC traffic to me. I'd go for an E36 though.

>>28578986
That's because they are NPC traffic.

>>28577511
Based input, wrencher.

>>28577419 (OP)
>V6 Vs V8
Imbalanced
A fun car, you say? Get an online or flat 6, with a dry sump. A base Cayman (important don't get the S unless you want to deal with dry sump issues). Water pump once every 60k miles and you're golden. Those are truly unkillable, and maintenance is super easy. I learned to wrench on mine, currently at 200k miles no worries, and I track mine every weekend.

>>28579192
Snorefest.

>>28579192
>a water pump every 60k
>truly unkillable

>>28577419 (OP)
Today's used car market is mostly boomers selling their cars because they are unable to drive any longer.
But remember, they are greedy fucks, and they "know what they've got".
So they unashamedly ask a premium price for their 2002 Subaru with "only" 86,000 miles on it.
For those fuckers who own decent wheels, they have done their research on CarFax, and because they have always been rich, they feel you owe them premium money.
The stealerships are the same, only worse.
They're not selling a car.
The car is just a convenient excuse to sell you financing.
They love the recurring revenue from six-year car loans at 22% APR interest.
Such a deal!
And they know they can fuck you over and get away with it.
Because (You) need transportation, and the state looks the other way.
Enjoy your shopping experience, and remember: everything is negotiable.

>>28577736
As cool as those cars are they're almost certain to be a lot more expensive to maintain than a 350 or C5. Both the VQ and LS families of engines are quite ubiquitous and easy to get parts for, with wide aftermarkets for OEM replacement parts or upgrades.

>>28579192
The Cayman is NARP (Not a Real Porsche).

chally
h
a
l
l
y

it's mean like a vette
practical like a z
double bones suspension
comes in both V6 and V8
clearly the superior choice

ignore all bmw/porsche buttplug owners

>>28577419 (OP)
If you have to do a lot of high way driving i'd got with the vette.
I love my 350z, but when ever i have to do big drives out to Roma and i'm not tailing a road train the L/100kms make me want to kill my self.
Either way just consider the type of driving you'd like to be doing and if you'd like to do anything down the line mod wise.
Suspensions mods have been fun on my 350z, but beyond a catch can I doubt i'll be able to do much with the stock engine without opening it up, while if you went with the c5 you'd have a lot more support if you wanted to do fun engine mods to you'd LS1.