Speed and more Speed are the Order of the day for the 2002 Corvette
If there was one word that could be used to describe the 2002 Corvette it would have to be fast. The beefy LS6 V-8 engine that came in the Corvette Z06 was boosted in power by an additional 20 horsepower and the Corvette had now broken the 400 hp mark once more at 405. This was made possible thanks to new cam profile, new valves that were hollow stem, a low restriction air cleaner, and a mass airflow sensor that was also low restriction.
Now the Z06 was putting out power numbers that were comparable to the ZR-1’s LT5 engine, but thanks to a higher power to weight ratio, the LT6 engine was actually faster. To compare the two, the ZR-1 had its fastest 0-60 miles per hour run at 4.5 seconds and its quickest quarter mile run at 12.8 seconds. According to Chevy, the 2002 Corvette Z06 was going 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and shooting a quarter mile time of 12.4 seconds.
As if the speed improvements weren’t enough, Chevy also made improvements to the FE4 suspension package and used a cast aluminum stabilizer bar to add better handling and lighter weight properties. The wheels for the 2002 Corvette Z06 were now cast spun aluminum as opposed to the forged wheels of the previous year.
Chevy topped off the Z06 of 2002 by making the heads up display standard. With all the added goodies the Z06 was pushing $50,000 but that did not seem to deter buyers from gobbling up the super Vette at a pretty steady clip.
Besides the added features to the Z06, the rest of the Corvette lineup in 2002 remained much the same as the 2001 model. The one nice feature that was made standard for the year was the addition of the AM/FM/CD player. Now the only way to get the cassette head was by ordering it with the optional 12-disc CD changer, though there were not many takers on the option as the cassette tape had fast faded from the limelight by 2002. The cast-aluminum stabilizer units that were on the Z06 could also be added if the buyer opted for the Z5, which was the ultimate performance handling package offered by Chevy.
The Z06 was not just turning heads on the street but it was also turning heads on the track as well. That year saw the Corvette racing teams excel and share many podiums in the La Mans Series including a class win in the 12 hours of Sebring. The Corvette was now blowing the doors off of the Dodge Viper and other domestic name plates that got in its way when the green flag dropped.
Sales again were steady for the 2002 year and the popularity of he Z06 was also climbing at a rapid pace. With the American icon now only one year away from reaching its 50 year milestone it seemed as though the sky was the limit and that nothing was going to stand in the way of this super car’s success.
Tags: 2002 Corvette, Z06, ZR-1
