Help me shop for a v8

[Vteckidd]

Ok so I'm out of the Honda game and I've been wanting a v8 for a few months now and I'm finally able to afford one.

I've got about $20,000 to spend but would prefer to keep it around 15-18k if I can

doesn't have to be crazy modded out stock with bolt ons I'm ok with not really looking for super fast just fun and a daily commuter


So far looks like c5 base with mods or c5zo6 is what I've been looking at. The zo6 really doesn't have to be what I want as I could care less about the upgraded brakes and such.

I've been told to stay away from ctsv's and gto's

what kind of mileage should I be weary of? Problems with c5s? Is it ok if I bought a base model good condition c5 99-00 and did stuff like heads cam exhaust rather than buy the z06? What are the engine differences between ls1 and ls6(zo6 right?)

it's not going to be a street racer or track car. Daily driver with some pep.

[HypnoToad]

Ok so I'm out of the Honda game and I've been wanting a v8 for a few months now and I'm finally able to afford one.

I've got about $20,000 to spend but would prefer to keep it around 15-18k if I can

doesn't have to be crazy modded out stock with bolt ons I'm ok with not really looking for super fast just fun and a daily commuter


So far looks like c5 base with mods or c5zo6 is what I've been looking at. The zo6 really doesn't have to be what I want as I could care less about the upgraded brakes and such.

I've been told to stay away from ctsv's and gto's

what kind of mileage should I be weary of? Problems with c5s? Is it ok if I bought a base model good condition c5 99-00 and did stuff like heads cam exhaust rather than buy the z06? What are the engine differences between ls1 and ls6(zo6 right?)

it's not going to be a street racer or track car. Daily driver with some pep.

how bout a 01-02 fbody?

asfar as the ls1 & ls6,i believe its heads,cam and intake(which some LS1s have the ls6 intake,like the last fbodies).

[98blackcivic]

u and ur vteckidd business are jus badd aass

[Big Baller]

I love my brother and Jacks Z06s but if I was going to buy a daily driver right now it would be the older CTSV and I would paint it flat black and Drop it on some 18inch CCWs (C14s http://www.ccwheel.com/files/wheelprofiles.php)

Maybe do heads cam and a kit....call it a day
Theres not much you are going to run into on the road that will hang with that.

[NewGen33]

The FRC would be a good choice and you might want to look on ls1 tech or corvette forum.

[mp5o]

Ok so I'm out of the Honda game and I've been wanting a v8 for a few months now and I'm finally able to afford one.

I've got about $20,000 to spend but would prefer to keep it around 15-18k if I can

doesn't have to be crazy modded out stock with bolt ons I'm ok with not really looking for super fast just fun and a daily commuter


So far looks like c5 base with mods or c5zo6 is what I've been looking at. The zo6 really doesn't have to be what I want as I could care less about the upgraded brakes and such.

I've been told to stay away from ctsv's and gto's

what kind of mileage should I be weary of? Problems with c5s? Is it ok if I bought a base model good condition c5 99-00 and did stuff like heads cam exhaust rather than buy the z06? What are the engine differences between ls1 and ls6(zo6 right?)

it's not going to be a street racer or track car. Daily driver with some pep.

Who told you to stay away from gto's? And why?

I miss mine alot...

[skacore]

m5?

[03RCode]

Terminator Cobra.




But if your mind is set on a vette go Z06. My uncles 04 with just a full exhaust, intake, cam and tune is an absolute blast to drive.

[BAD SS]

Ok so I'm out of the Honda game and I've been wanting a v8 for a few months now and I'm finally able to afford one.

I've got about $20,000 to spend but would prefer to keep it around 15-18k if I can

I know of someone that's trying to sell their silver '02 Z06 for 15k. Stock except for longtubes. 114k miles though... Highway miles mostly.

I've been told to stay away from ctsv's and gto's

Why?

Those are the two that I would be looking at if I were in your position.

what kind of mileage should I be weary of? Problems with c5s? Is it ok if I bought a base model good condition c5 99-00 and did stuff like heads cam exhaust rather than buy the z06? What are the engine differences between ls1 and ls6(zo6 right?)

Try and stay away from anything with more than 100k miles. Obviously highway miles are different than city miles.

C5 power steering pumps tend to leak.

Base model C5s have more interior room than a Z06. IMO, Heads/Cam C5 > C5Z.

The cam is a little more aggressive in an LS6 as compared to the LS1. The heads are different. Compression is different. The LS6 factory intake manifold also flows better than the LS1.

LS6 > LS1.

Answers in black.

Heads/Cam/Tune LS motors tend to make anywhere from 410-440 to the wheels depending on the setup.

My shit is cam/longtube/tune only and made 405 to the wheels through a three speed automatic, with a 3200 stall, on a nitrous tune.

[NoRotor]

For just a "daily with some pep", I'd agree that a lightly modded C5 will suit your purposes. C5 = more interior room and cheaper cost of entry. However, due to inferior heads, power will be a little harder to come by. Be wary of the Vette-tax though.

[Vteckidd]

Everyone I Talked to said the ctsv falls apart at 50k it's just not as well made as the vette.

Heard gto has rear end problems and personally the gto isn't stylish enough for me.

I know 03 cobra are good bang for the buck but again I don't like their looks same with fbodys.

So I guess I'm between a c5 base/cheap z06 , ctsv at the moment

what does a base model I/h/e mild cam make like 380whp?

[NoRotor]

Everyone I Talked to said the ctsv falls apart at 50k it's just not as well made as the vette.

Heard gto has rear end problems and personally the gto isn't stylish enough for me.

I know 03 cobra are good bang for the buck but again I don't like their looks same with fbodys.

So I guess I'm between a c5 base/cheap z06 , ctsv at the moment

what does a base model I/h/e mild cam make like 380whp?

Intake/Cam/Exhaust will net you 380whp (and up to low-low 400's on stock heads). If you go w/ new heads, you can get as high as 500whp on stock displacement.
Add a set of mild heads to the 380rwhp combo and you'll net 420-450whp.

Definitely replace the rod bolts on the bottom end, as they are a weak link. You'll be able to comfortably rev into the mid 6k range with no worries. Go w/ a 99+ LS1.

LSx motors love the juice and can up to a 150 shot, smiling.
100 shot on the motor would provide for cheap thrills, with plenty of margin of safety.

[Big Baller]

Jeremy and I were both looking at CTS-Vs and honestly all the ones we were looking at were over 70k and I wouldn't say they were falling a part.

[SPOOLIN]

do an FD with an LSx swap, that is only 1 of 2 ways i could own a v8 car. You get Sex, Size, And Power in one.

[One_Bad_SHO]

If it were my money:

1.) Used Jeep SRT8
*0-60 in under 5 seconds, wet or dry
*Not something you see everyday like Mustangs and Corvettes

OR

2.)Used Ford Lightning

[Vteckidd]

Jeremy and I were both looking at CTS-Vs and honestly all the ones we were looking at were over 70k and I wouldn't say they were falling a part.

Of course that's the reason for this thread to dispell rumors I may have heard

I had a buddy with a ctsv and his rear end went out twice (warrantied) and his interior was cheap and falling apart he had around 50k and he ended up selling it

but maybe he just didn't take care of it.

C5 mod costs?

Heard cams are dirt cheap, headers $1000-1200, intake???, heads???

[Vteckidd]

Hmmm srt8 is kinda gangsta

[NoRotor]

An LSx FD can be daily driven, but it should be incredibly well sorted.
Most ls1fd's for sale do not have A/C. Some do not have a/c or Powersteering (looped hydraulic rack... very few have the Maval rack true manuel conversion).
I know this is not a problem on a weekend car, but lets be honest... you want a daily driver. I daily'ed mine for a few months and it was great fun, but the concerns of door-dings, theft, and not having a/c, really started to make me miss having a DD that I didn't really give a crap about.
Again, my vote is C5 vette, as it is factory well-sorted. You know what you're getting. You can find a wiring diagram if something goes wrong, and track down the issues. No mixing and matching of manufacturers(Chevy motor, Mazda Body, Ford rear, custom mounting equipment, and a possible hack-job wiring), reduces the number of headaches for something that is supposed to be deadnuts reliable.
I'd go I/C/E and some decent suspension. Don't worry about the heads.

cam = 200ish
Long Tubes = 1000-1200ish
LS6 intake = 300ish
CAI = 200ish(?not sure as FD's don't use this type)
Ported 5.3L factory heads around 1500ish, but when you have it open, you'll want to also replace lifters for 200ish, and pushrods for 200ish, and rockers for $350ish

[One_Bad_SHO]

Hmmm srt8 is kinda gangsta

"Do it. Do it."

[skacore]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/1558437347.html

This m5 looks quite nice for about 20k. It also has navigation, cold weather package and plenty of room for a DD.

[Vteckidd]

M5? No German cars for me

[Vteckidd]

Yeah I thought about an LSD swapped s15, fd etc but in the end that's exactly what I DONT want ....a tuner car with mods.

I want a factory v8 ac ps that I can mildly mod and daily take out my gf and not smell like oil and gas or be afraid it's going to break

[Nemesis]

old men drive vettes lulz



CTS-V ftmfw!

[NEMO]

that black on black srt8 jeep is just sex

[RUFFIAN]

Because you are looking for the Grown up type ride I say the SRT8 jeep. they haul ass, have plenty of room and the pass the girlfriend test with flying colors. They are fairly rare as well.

[On_Her_Face]

99-00 Fixed roof coupe would be a great choice and it is a mix with the base and C5z (just exterior I believe). I'm not sure if you like the hatch or the Coupe look, I prefer the Coupe and the FRC is about 5k cheaper than a z06 from what I have seen..

[NoRotor]

Because you are looking for the Grown up type ride I say the SRT8 jeep. they haul ass, have plenty of room and the pass the girlfriend test with flying colors. They are fairly rare as well.

I'm not sure of your (Vteckidd) current other-car situation, but I know that if I were getting an SUV, it should be able to tow.
SRT Jeep tow rating is maxed at 3500 lbs. This might be fine for your honda, but it won't tow much else.

TBSS towing capacity limit is 6600 lbs. If you want a tow-capable sporty, reasonably priced v8 SUV, I'd go w/ the TBSS over the SRT-8 (mainly b/c it can tow). However, the SRT-8 Jeep does look much better.

Not that it matters but for reference: my current daily is a 98 SC400. My next daily will be something that can tow the FD. Either a Tahoe or a 4Runner.

[Turbodude06]

CTS-V would be my first choice... Building one of those just means your different and yes they do weigh a lot but everyone has a vette.... Luxury and room just makes it a better choice IMO.....


- And don't they make an CTS-V Supercharged now or something I've seen 2 near me with the badge??

[Vteckidd]

Yeah the supercharged ctsv is $80000 new prob $60-70k used. It's as much as a c6 zo6

I'll look at ctsv's again do some more research

I have a friend (redgts) that has a FRC c5 for sale I'll talk with him more about it

[One_Bad_SHO]

All signs are pointing to the Jeep. Ok, its settled. I called it. You're getting the Jeep.

[Boosted FC]

Mike the FD with a LS swap is nice. Mazcare in Marietta has been doing it for a while now & turn out some pretty sweet cars. Give them a call if you're interested. Speak to Alan or Charlie (owner) 770-859-9643 http://mazcare.com/.

[Vteckidd]

It's cool man but it's kinda not what I'm looking for. I thought about it already and in the end it's prob more money than I want to spend and it's a "tuner" car I'm trying to get away from.

The only LSX swap I would do is an s15 to piss everyone off more or less lol

[CHADbee]

mike, my dad has a 2004 85k mile CTS-V. the car has intake and magnaflow exhaust, powercoated stock wheels and 07 CTS-V wing. its a very nice car, i have been driving it alot lately and i drive it hard every once in awhile lol, it handles great, pulls hard for what the car weighs and feels solid as fuck for a 85k mile car.

he bought it at 65k-ish miles and did not know about the rear end issues they have. he had a G35 messing with him through town late at night and they happened to come up to a stop light at the same time. my dad launched the car, hit 2nd and exploded the rear end. come to find out the car had caddy's 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty so they put the new upgraded rear end in it with anti hop bushings and he hasnt had anymore problems and when he does drive, he fawking DRIVES it.

it really depend what you want out of the car, the V would be alot more comfortable and more practical to daily drive. the C5 can get annoying getting in and out of daily cause its kinda awkward but it would be faster and i personally think it looks better, as long as its a Z06 or a FRC, im not a fan of the base hatchback models.

[BAD SS]

My car is for sale...

Just putting it out there.

[5speed]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/1559158895.html
This looks good to me, but you want no heavy mods. Might be inheriting one of these except 67 model.

[94ej2]

GTO.

here buy my friend's car.

http://www.mobiledomestics.com/2005-...gto-t2183.html

[03RCode]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/1559158895.html
This looks good to me, but you want no heavy mods. Might be inheriting one of these except 67 model.

Imagine that beast with some KIDDRACING headers!

[5speed]

Imagine that beast with some KIDDRACING headers!

but in all seriousness I would like to see what he could pull off.

[Sunkenkarma]

Im all for the jeep srt8, but didnt he say 20k max? I think those go for like 33k+ right? all in all, I say get a c5 vette z06 with the ls6, sweet engines.

[Vteckidd]

I already have v8 headers in production should be out later this year