C5 Z06 2001 - 2004 Corvette’s legendary Zora Duntov first brought forth the concept of Z06. Though the Automobile Manufacturers Association had encouraged a ban on racing in 1957, which the GM chairman strongly supported, Duntov knew customers would continue to race Corvettes. In the midst of planning for Sting Ray production, Duntov suggested it was in Chevrolet’s best interest to continue with parts development to benefit racers. Thus, Duntov and colleagues created “RPO Z06” as a special performance equipment package on 1963 Corvette models.
Once Ford broke the racing ban, GM officially followed suit. Chevy revealed its 427-cubic-inch displacement V-8 big block “mystery motor” at the Daytona 500 stock car race in January 1963. By the time Z06 was thick in the racing scene, Duntov had already begun working on Sting Ray prototype racers called Grand Sports.
Grand Sports picked up racing elements from Z06, and Corvette continued to evolve. While Z06s raced as production cars, Grand Sports were planned to race against the world’s most elite prototypes. Following Z06, Corvette picked up the racing designation ZR-1, standing for “Zora’s Racers.”
Z06 was resurrected in the fall of 2000 as a third body style for 2001 models. The Z06 option offered 385 horsepower from the LS6 engine versus the standard 350 horsepower of the LS1 engine. The LS6 recalled the mighty 425 horsepower, 427 cubic inch aluminum-headed big-block of 1971.
The 2002 Z06 was modified and rated 405 horsepower, achieved through removing two of the precatalytic converters in the exhaust system. Induction was improved and hi-lift camshafts were installed, acting on a lightweight valve gear. The final Z05 - 405 hp Corvettes rolled off the line in the 2004 model year.
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