This Supercharged C5 Corvette eats Hellcats for half the price! Is this the Best Vette Ever?

I give you my driving impressions of this absolutely amazing C5 Z06 Corvette equipped with a Vortec supercharger, cam, headers, and multiple other supporting mods. This is one of my favorite Corvettes ever produced and this one is truly special. Watch out Shelby's and Redeye's.
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[@aaronlapp6070]

Had one of these. Procharged, fully built, so fast all you could do was hang on and aim. A miss shift meant you hit the rev limiter and felt like you stood on the brake. 50 more horse than a stock hellcat challenger and a thousand pounds lighter. Unfortunately I parked it upside down on a state highway one day. Learned a lot that day, now I drive a responsible level of horsepower, stock 3 pedal gen 2 coyote. I still look for one of these. Amazing car!

[@RacerX9]

Glad you made it out ok

[@Repomex01]

Same here, been there done that, now have a FRc that has mid four hundreds at the wheel and is a dam handful and faster than any stock hellkitty, Btw am lucky to be alive, and that thing needs at minimum a rollbar.

[@444BMWM4]

who built the car

[@The_Hi_Life]

A C5 Z06 back in 2001 was the first “fast car” I ever rode in. Needless to say, I’ve been a corvette fan and a horsepower junkie every since!

[@wydopnthrtl]

HA... the first car I drove over 100mph was a Jaguar XJ6. Of coarse.. I now have a V8 Jag in the garage (parked next to my C5 Z06)

[@daren9721]

I love my c5 z06 ecs supercharged 650whp! Can't beat the flip up lights!

[@wydopnthrtl]

Was that 650rwhp on pump gas and a stock engine? Also what did you do for clutch?

[@daren9721]

@@wydopnthrtl yes stock motor longtube headers, I did the valve spring upgrade, ati balancer. changed to a speed density tune and restrictor plate removed. Act twin disc clutch, smooth clutch! Tick master cylinder for the clutch. That's it! Been running like this for a year and half! 91 octane tune but I use 93 octane! Oh ya forgot to add nitto nt01 great street tire and get a dead hook on second gear!

[@RVVASI2024]

​@wydopnthrtl my 2001 vert makes 590whp stock motor only headers full exhaust and balancer and vram ram intake rest of it stock on a stock auto and she rips and drives stock till you smash the gas then wakes up and goes. For less then 20k including the car. Can't beat that.

[@felipecampos7406]

The 2002 C5 Z06 is a car that was way ahead of it’s time. 21 years later, and we are still talking about it. Not only in this channel, but in very many other channels. Amazing piece of equipment.

[@169abr]

The C6 is the best Corvette they made, but because the C6 is so great the C5 is very obtainable to your average Joe.

[@pre-paidcustomer5601]

Blah blah blah shut up you broken record sheesh

[@mmid8960]

Definitely the c6 is by far the best corvette I can’t wait to pick one up

[@19hundoc47]

Lol if you think the c6 is the best corvette ever, you’re either on drugs or you’ve never driven a c7 or c8

[@169abr]

@@19hundoc47 C8’s are too expensive and can’t really be heavily modified, which is what I care about more than having the coolest new car. C7’s are cool, but they’re heavier and the C6 just looks better than the C7. The C7 started looking too exotic and sharp. It’s all an opinion at the end of the day but I’m taking a C6 Z06 or ZR1 over any C7/8

[@pre-paidcustomer5601]

@@19hundoc47 both you and MMID love to 🚬 smoke monkey pole lmao

[@LivingOnCash]

That car must be a blast to drive. I picked up an '02 Z06 with 30K miles on it last summer. I had intended to do long tubes, maybe HCI and exhaust but after driving it the very first time I realized that even in stock form, it was way more car than I could ever use fully unless I was tracking it.

[@stevensimunov7826]

I've got an 02 Z06 too. It's plenty fast and struggles to put the 405 hp down. I've never felt like it needed more power.

[@Hokage2001]

Damn, that was a dope explanation lol

[@CrossWindsPat]

Naaaw lol. You will want more. I thought the same thing when I first got mine. The first time I test drove it and got on it I was in love. Shocked at how fast it was, coming from a bolt on S2000. 2 years in and I am slowly collecting parts to dump in and get her tuned! Should be able to push 400 wheel ohhhweee!

[@jimferrill1790]

@@CrossWindsPat I have a C5 (1999) that I just did a cam swap in. BTR Stage 2. 400 rear wheel. I agree that the car is plenty fast now. I also have long tubes and x-pipe and corsa. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaXGfniXbbZshNE

[@JerryPH]

I have an '04 Z06 in my garage, and though it is not as fast as the later generations, the thing is fast, sleek and looks damn good, and what I really like is that it actually does good mileage on the highway, making long drives a breeze... this thing is not just a good sports car, its an awesome grand touring car too!

[@wydopnthrtl]

Just drove mine 2800 miles. Avg was 27mph which included running Tail of the Dragon 5 times in 2nd gear at 4-5k rpms. AC on most of the trip too. Freeway alone it gets 29-30mpg at 70-75mph (avg of 1000 miles)

[@cae8525]

Great review. I had a c5 z06 with heads, cam, long tubes and a really good tune. All black ...car was just nasty. I sold it to buy a built c6 z06 441 texas speed built. The c6 was faster but secretly I knew I made a mistake for some reason I just never fell in love with it like the c5. Now im back in the market for a c5 z06 and your review explains why! Well done!

[@MS-mr4zm]

You certainly wouldn’t be The first person to have gone through that exercise

[@CrossWindsPat]

Wow thats surprising. All the c6 guys swear its an overall improvement. I personally think the C5 is way sexier, and also its price was sexy for me too. Snagged an 04 Z06 with 58k miles for 17.5 and I swear that car will go to another owner when I die. I wont make the same mistake I did with my S2000...

[@criminalscumx]

What a beauty! For what it's worth, I'd watch every single video you do on a car like that

[@garagegrunt8154]

He is 100%, I got a video on my KZbin channel where I go over how much my 650rwhp Supercharged C5 cost me and you would be surprised how cheap it is to build one! Excellent work on this review!

[@stepheno.2730]

The c5 is such a great platform with the ls1 (or ls6 in the Z). Hands down one of the best platforms to build on a budget.

[@tmoney99296]

All 2003 2004 cars have ls6 intake and block

[@FYRARMS]

I currently own my second '03 Z06. I have had many offers to buy it, and many opportunities to get into a newer generation Z06. However, I just can't part with this baby. It really is the perfect platform to build a beast with. A blank canvas ready for whatever you want to do. Currently it is just at 430rwhp with a cam upgrade, full header-back exhaust, and a tune, but I am planning a boosted engine build soon. I have added coilovers, big sway bars, Wilwood 6-piston brakes, and upgraded wheels/tires. Starting to upgrade the interior, which really is the worst part of the car. The OEM cabin layout is nice, but I am recovering the cheap plastic surfaces in leather and installing some good seats. Upgrading and modernizing old C5s is easy and very satisfying!

[@tb5118]

Great video, I just sold my 2002 C5 Z06. The Z handled and performed perfect, but I purchased a 2007 C6 Z06 and it performs and handles 100% better.

[@wydopnthrtl]

Hum....

[@tb5118]

Wicked Pissah

[@Coyote9smilespergallon]

I had a sliver C5Z06, and man was that a great driving handling and shifting car, all completely stock, and the shifter never missed the trans and clutch were perfect

[@DefinitelyNotYouThankGod]

The Z06 is a great car to drive. I drove one in Phx for 2 months as a demo when I was selling super cars years ago. I loved it! Great review Mr X! 👊

[@RacerX9]

Thanks buddy

[@Z16Jim]

I have a 04 CE Zo6 11years of smiles, Love this car!

[@ejomamma6234]

Kinda funny you running out of adjectives but what more can you say! Corvette. The best. Chevrolet. I've owned 5 of them and you mentioned go-kart and that's how they feel! Thanks for the really really really fun drive!❤

[@wotan91]

And here I am, just a guy from eastern Europe with Challenger 3.6 that is slower than my old Celica VII TS... Dreaming since childhood about C5, when I first "drove" it in Need For Speed 3. Lovely car.

[@FATmenDRIVEtrucks]

C5Z been the best budget platform in 2008 I bought one with 30k miles for $24k. That same car would be over $30k today

[@genemounce8302]

60k mile cars are $30k now in Dec 2023. lol

[@StickShiftMuscle]

I built a wide-body C3 Corvette with an 8.1 big block that makes 640 foot pounds of torque and 600 horsepower. It is so violent and raw power I love it.

[@JawkneeJay]

I just bought a ‘97 C5 for 9500, needed a few minor things to get it inspected (new horn, two new tires) but nothing i couldnt do myself on the cheap. Only mod it has is a K&N air filter but I dont even like to drive fast or race i just love the style of Corvette of that era so she makes for a great eye catching cruiser!

[@aaronknowles8198]

My favorite video you’ve ever done! Love corvettes and love C5’s!!!

[@kennethwilliams7281]

X I'm so glad you showed love to the c5 Corvette people just don't understand the advantage of power to weight

[@jasonbyassee7541]

My best friend bought a used c5 z06 several years ago. After owning it for a while he decided to build an ls3 for it. I wish I could remember what it made on the dyno. I just remember being very impressed.

[@wydopnthrtl]

Yeah an LS3 has more potential than the LS6 and it doesn't add any weight. Would be excellent if your looking for more mid range w/o SC'ing

[@MikeyMopar392]

Forget the channel X! Get that thing for yourself! I love seeing people smile!

[@1103jackal]

The moment Ive seen one for sale in Croatia i immediately bought it. I always loved american v8. Just perfect engine. My only struggle is in obtaining parts. Like headers, camms etc. Shipping and transport of parts is really expansive. But in the end it is worth it

[@billnye5183]

Me personally I don’t know to much on corvette models but the one I think is the best is the C6 ZR1 the looks and styling even to this day can hang and beat some of the best

[@169abr]

C6 ZR1 is peak corvette, the C7 ZR1 is cool and way more potent with the auto but it’s so unattainable

[@billnye5183]

@@169abr I just looked at some and I’ve seen some for as high as 220K 😭

[@joes.7536]

Really like that c5. I have memories of my old boss taking me for some sketchy rides in a triple black 2003 z06. It was brand new, few thousand miles. He was crazy. The handling was super impressive for its time. My favorite color is that medium blue color it came in. But that yellow looks cool too.

[@EchoSigma6]

Just a base C5 with the exhaust setup like this Z06 would make me happy. Great exhaust note off that Borla.

[@lsx_doc]

Last time i was there it was still sitting for sale. It’s been their a while but they truly are best bang for the buck

[@josels1292]

I was only 16 when the C5 came out and was in love with this car. But it was just a dream car nothing that I would be able to own anytime soon. About 6 years back I was driving to go pick up some food and during a red light I seen a beautiful white C5 with a sale sign. I stopped to take a close look at the car and felt In love. Car is sitting in my garage with my Camaro SS1le. It’s not a Z06 but it’s still lots of fun to drive.

[@thugnasty8400]

My neighbour has a red one and absolutely beats the piss out of it. Never has broken. Amazing platform.

[@donwilber1628]

The C4 had a heads up as well back in '84. I owned an '85.

[@Fmandan77]

About two years a go I bought my neighbor's 13K mile Silver 02 Z06 mainly because he was selling it well below market value. The car was mint and a lot of fun to drive. I think the balance of power is quite good in stock form, but heads and full exhaust, possibly a slightly larger cam would help one of these keep up with the cool kids. Sorta regret selling it now...

[@richardcerritelli9657]

I'm in Connecticut I saw a car in Pennsylvania C6 ZO6 Corvette 2006 model with 2,000 miles on it I'm not kidding you for 35000 the color was stunning sunset orange I called him up so fast please don't sell that car I'll buy it immediately it was from exotic car dealership lock the price literally flew down there LOL drove it back to Connecticut you have to see this car to believe it it's better than new you can virtually lick the undercarriage of this car I'm not kidding this got to be the best bang-for-the-buck of anybody ever got on a car been driving it ever since now just turn 6400 miles on it amazing bang-for-the-buck.

[@LSDdreams808]

The c5 zo6 monster to this day . With some light modifications very few cars will take it especially with a pair of turbos.

[@COBHC8890]

Agree. You don't haft to do much, to run will hellcats. I see older Z06's at my local track hanging with them. Good tire, regeared, heads/cam is all you need.

[@jointhefist1016]

Would love a corvette c5 or c6. The new ones are nice too, but there's something about these that make then special.

[@CrossWindsPat]

New ones weight like 500 lbs more keep that in mind. To me a corvette is a road race car so creature comforts are just added weight. But I wouldnt own my C5 if I didnt have my little civic for commuting.

[@01ZO6TT]

The first C5 Z06 was the 2001 model year. You are right about the horsepower at 385. I loved mine even when it was stock but, then the horsepower bug hit. Lol

[@MScott-y4g]

Thanks for the review. We have one setting in our garage. It's an 04 Z06 with the prcharger and cam just like this one. When your getting on the interstate your doing about 45 in 3rd gear you have to be careful. Your trying to merge with traffic and your going to be fish tailing if your not careful. I'm not talking about tromping the gas pedal. I' talking about moving it maybe 1 inch. They are awesome. All aluminium engine and frame and roll cage.

[@wydopnthrtl]

04Z here... what cam do you have?

[@azrael7923]

That C5 is one beautiful nice sounding Vette!!❤

[@ajvalencia5670]

Back in 2016 I purchased a 1999 C5 with a AA corvette super charger installed by previous owner. I found the KZbin video when dyno and it made 635 RWHP 550Rtq it was a dangerous beast to drive. I bought at a auction (when I still had my dealers license) for $11K and drove for 3-5 month and sold for $15K. I believe all mods were done in state of California. What I could not believe was the engine was never pulled out. All stock internals. The suspension was modified too. I guess if you find a low miles C5, at good price, add a supercharger and you will have a very fast car.

[@bullittboost6046]

Buddy had a yellow Z06. I got to drive it a few times. Really made me a Vette fan.

[@karpetcm]

Owned a 03 Z06 very light and nimble car. 01 was 385hp 02-04 was 405hp. Very good platform to by and mod.

[@beckd02]

The first year for the C5 Z06 was 2001, not 2000. It made 385hp that year. 2002 was the first year for the 405hp Z06. Also, that’s not an ash tray, it’s a cup holder.

[@bluecollarnobody4217]

The C-5 Corvette is probably the greatest generation of that you can buy It’s not so overly technologically advanced that you can’t work on it yourself but it’s not so primitive that you can’t have a little fun with it It’s easy to tune, responds well to mods and it’s cheap to maintain. What more do you want out of a sports car? No GPS no stupid back up alarm none of that just a pure and simple sports car

[@toddaulner5393]

My first vehicle was a 1965 Datsun pickup. Cute as hell. I then bought a 65 leMans and it was equiped with a 215 straight 6. The cam blem so i built a 68 389 police interceptor 389 with a cam, a high rise intake and a 1050 cfm carb from holly. Headers and thrush mufflers haha! I sold it to a friend and with a 2 speed powerglide he said it was hands down the fastest car he ever drove.

[@Ken-op7sg]

I agree totally the C5 is the prettiest Corvette ever made hands down I mean there's some beautiful Corvettes in the later models but the C5 is still after 21 years just as quick and just as powerful and handles just as well as any car on the street

[@spawn_blacksmith]

From the C5 and up, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't appreciate their Vette.

[@mart2561]

Have an 03, millinum yellow with 1,100 miles on it. Great light car!

[@kevinogles4770]

Dan Hill, Corvette's third chief engineer was a genuis. Actually meet the Man in Bowling Green during the 50th Bash! What a great and intelligent Man! Designed the best Corvette ever! So beautiful!

[@phuz_]

Rocking a very similar setup here with a 2001 base Targa with Torquer V2 cam, Procharger, LS6 heads, long tube headers, and same Borla exhaust. Incredible vehicle in every aspect.

[@JamesKovall]

i had a 2000 milly corvette 4 years great car miss it!

[@bgnorthport]

I bought a 2003 Z06 last year. I added a T-trim A&A supercharger, upgraded the fuel system, long tube headers, a Borla Arak cat-back exhaust, upgraded the clutch and put a transaxle support brace on it. It makes 634 RWHP and it knocks the tires off every time I get on it. The guy I bought the car from put Bridgestones on it which don't hook.at all, I need to find a decent tire upgrade next.

[@MS-mr4zm]

I have similar car. Toyo R888R, nitto NT01 or NT05/nt05r, Michelins

[@FugitiveVette]

It is amazing! I own one that's Pro-Charged, absolute beast that you must drive smoothly.

[@josephshehan4763]

Buy it! Id watch C5 Z content. Especially if you track it

[@jmaud1233]

My 2001 z06 made 663hp on the dyno. Procharged on 10lb boost. Swapped pulley now I’m making 12lbs boost so I think I’m close to the 700 mark

[@jmaud1233]

Hellcats are easy targets. I have 50 more rwhp and weigh 1000lbs lighter

[@shaunwalsh85]

Millennium yellow for the win! 😇

[@Justin_GFM]

9:25 it’s great seeing some old photos, I’m sure many would like to see a video with a history of all the cars you’ve owned up to now

[@Srt_Kev]

C5 or c6 Zo6 content would be great it would be like a blast from the past more with more modern mods

[@MS-mr4zm]

I have an 03 Z06 making 718whp/648wtq on 93 octane + dual nozzle meth injection, stage 3 BTR cam, built/blueprinted motor (after cracking piston rings), lunati forged crank/rods, custom cut blower pistons, carbon fiber TQ tube, suspension all upgraded, MGW shifter, A&A blower w/ ARH 1-7/8” headers into catless X pipe into Corsa extreme 4.5” axleback. Rolling on toyo R888Rs 315mm rear & 275mm front.

[@vicecityperformance9564]

Amazing car. Still to this day i regret selling my all stock 2001 speedway white Z06. I will definitely be picking up another c5z

[@wileecoyote5749]

My '85 Dodge Aries K cost 1/657 of a Hellcat.

[@kilpatrickjack6159]

Yes indeed the c5 is a lot of fun to drive.

[@busboyta]

Thanks. Sounds like fun! I drove a stick shift once and didn’t like it. Good content . When I come down to Tampa in a few months I will definitely visit Streetside!

[@octoman_games]

My C5 is a head turner STILL to this day!

[@alancall5113]

Put a super charger on my 03. The only way to go love that car hang on tight

[@wydopnthrtl]

What did you do for clutch?

[@tbrowning9643]

Gotta love a corvette, I think a Chevy is long overdue for your channel👍🏻

[@SovereignKnight74]

By the look on your face, you could totally tell you were digging that car. That 5.7 sounds eargasmic! It's too bad that the future won't offer the V8 anymore. All the more reason that cars like that Z06, could be worth allot more in the future due to its fun/sound factor. Great video review, Racer X!

[@pinnacleoftexas407]

The shelf behind the seats is the width of a pizza box, and the 2 cubbies on either side of the trunk fits a 12 pack perfectly. PIZZA AND BEER

[@puppysayshi7848]

My 842 RWHP D1X powered C5 eats everything except the Tesla Plaid. Hate to admit it, those EV's scoot. No matter how fast you shift you are at a disadvantage against built automatics today. The C5 corvette is an excellent platform. I highly recommend this car to anyone who wants a street-able track weapon. There are so many performance mods now because the LS platform has been a durable and dependable way to make big power. Driving this car through the back of the dragon into Marion, Virginia is a spiritual experience. The handling is impeccable with good rubber like the Pilot super sports.

[@vondrelleraven4380]

Dream car with all the bells and whistles I want. Soon I will have one even a base model

[@raysegura6669]

I got a millennium yellow one just like that and I love it. It’s the last thing I’ll ever sell

[@oldsmandodge2339]

Corvette= supercar....Hellcat= muscle car.

[@libertyordeath8351]

I love my Camaro but, these Corvettes are growing on me, might be time for a change, great video X!!!

[@alvinprettyman1802]

the exhaust made me hit the like button ... required no thinking just reaction

[@Chanikenskywalkr]

I just have to add that this will easily smoke a hellcat or red eye. I’ve seen stock 2015-2016 gt350s beat hellcats on highway pulls. I might look into getting one of these and throwing a supercharger on it. I think it will be the most fun for the price hands down.

[@chadpittman7826]

Awesome content buddy 👍💪 Beautiful

[@jonathanparker5375]

Street side Classics is the best.

[@haroldbirge6881]

🏆Racer X 🏆C5 real 🍀cajones 😎✌️

[@luigikilla5821]

Watched this channel because of the c5

[@cryptonz06]

best car i’ve ever owned i don’t think i could ever sell it 🙌🏽🙌🏽✅✅

[@danlaur7973]

An American icon!

[@dgiorgi2001]

Would have like to see the gauges in the drive as you nailed it.

[@stevieanderson7281]

Guys I have a question ⁉️ since I switched to chrome rims, I noticed the steering seems a little harder to turn, nothing major just a little. Should I just leave it or switch back to lighter rims since I'm driving with one arm

[@Corvette_pilot]

5:20 I have a Nitrous bottle right there in my 2002 Z06! 😎🤙🏼

[@torchred99]

have a 1999 FRC with A&A super charger..........fast

[@TrailWayzz]

C7 Z06 Has entered the room👀

[@bernardbrooks2889]

insane build perfect for victorracing

[@lukepotter5863]

Funny he mentioned it has analog gauges because of how old it is, but the c4 corvettes had all digital dashes

[@joshreynolds729]

🤣 I actually raced one years ago when I was stock. They are fast. Not sure what he had but he pulled out hard and held me off I was surprised he held me off, about 3 cars. But it’s way lighter I expected to lose honestly. Corvettes have always been a weapon on the street.

[@wydopnthrtl]

Full exhaust, CAI and tune on my 04Z. It'll move and sounds great w/the corsa. I've researched a lot.. sounds to me like CHI just can't complete with adding boost. You sacrifice low rpm drivability and get only 1/2 the gains for close to the same cost. 25-35% more cost and you get twice the power w/o sacrificing low end drivability. So that's my plan. Keep the long block stock and SC it w/an upgraded fuel system.

[@daren9721]

Supercharging will be the best mod you'll ever do! It was for me!

[@wydopnthrtl]

@@daren9721 I'm thinking Winter of 23/24 of doing an A&A or a ECS complete kit. I had a gen 2 Lighting for almost 10yrs and I built the engine. Ported the eaton too. I really like that type of blower but IMO the vette is so lite that it may not be as much fun to have that instant TQ. I'm thinking a more linear TQ curve might be more livable.

[@daren9721]

@@wydopnthrtl I have an ecs kit, but the a&a is just as good! These centri type superchargers build power real quick, it feels like no end to the pull! They run cooler than a Whipple style chargers!

[@0-60STYLE]

Damn I wanna go buy this one since I live near it

[@FullTimeGT]

Awesome content, love it! Must say this one is a beast 💪 I would keep watching your channel if you had one of these ;)

[@WalterJohn-i9n]

Love how the video is 13:20

[@cousinitt7915]

I quit buying Vette’s when they put the slant back glass in the late 70’s! I have 5 now, but they are earlier models, 66 427 4 speed tripower, 74 454 auto and air( last year for 454), 75 L82 auto I bought new, 84 first year new body, and a nice 88 auto! But I like the 69 440 GTX, 375 hp and 70 Cuda 472 4 speed I have also. Plus a couple Chargers 440 RT and a 383 Charger. Love them!

[@erichknodel4334]

Loved everything about the C5 except the legroom

[@dustinontaiyabbi5608]

Today on Facebook marketplace a guy is selling a 800whp c5 for $32k and its got carbon fiber panels.

[@raularredondo7272]

Simply OWESOME

[@carterbishop2935]

I paid 25K ( in 2012) for my 03 Z06 with a 685 HP procharged built engine. She runs stock tires/wheels so I cannot do a proper dig. Rolls are fun though, I thoroughly enjoy roasting new generation muscle cars

[@Patriot2332]

I love corvettes, but the original stingray is still my favorite vett.