Posted: October 18 2004 at 10:47am | IP Logged

Hi there. I don't have a stock Z06 so I can't necessarily give you much info on how they handle without any changes, but I have a car setup for the SCCA T1 class: http://www.speedventures.net/T1_Z06_For_Sale.asp

I can tell you that with the changes done to the car it's a joy to drive on the track (it is street legal as well). The car will *never* feel as light as an S2000, but handles extremely well and makes up for the greater weight in the corners with the wider tires. It brakes very well and in T1 form has no overheating issues. The brakes are stock with stock ducting, and there's no fade with good track pads and fluid. The above link will give you more info.

The one thing I will point out about stock Z06's in particular is that they need tranny coolers to be used on the track regularly. The tranny doesn't get much airflow due to the air deflector under the nose of the car, and the tranny won't last long as a track car without some means of cooling it. The T1 car, of course, has the requisite cooling mods.

Posted: October 18 2004 at 12:18pm | IP Logged

Thanks for the info.  Your car is a bit too wild for me (and especially the wife).  I know there were some substantial changes for the '02 model year, and Chevrolet allegendly did some extended track running to test the '02's.  Are they still prone to tranny failures if tracked regularly?  I'm sort of concerned about it but not gravely since I plan to keep it farily stock and should the tranny blow it'll be fixed under warranty.  I'm more concerned about brakes & suspension since that will directly affect the laptimes and drivability on the track.  I looked up the weights and stock Z06 is ~300 lbs heavier than stock S2000 but in order to get the same lb/hp or lb/lbft S2000 needs to go on a serious diet, like 1,000 lbs + kinda diet, after all it only has 153 lbft of torque.

Drew

Posted: October 18 2004 at 2:21pm | IP Logged

I have heard nothing about changes to the tranny in 02, to my knowledge nothing was done to it. Keep in mind that in order to produce the same laptimes, a lighter car does not have to have the same hp/lb or tq/lb, it can have lower numbers and still match laptimes. Weight does not only effect a car in accleration, but in every aspect of track driving. However, you're basically right in thinking you can't cut enough weight out of an S2000 to make it turn the same times on the same tires.

The brakes on the C5's are fine, with just race pads and fluid. If you had a non-Z06, you would want to add Z06 ducting, or preferably something even better, as it's not the ideal ducting arrangement. The only problem you'll have with brakes is they will be quite hot, so caliper and hub replacements will have to be made every 2 seasons of monthly tracking or the equivalent.

As to suspension, I would say just add the T1 sway bars and take it out. You'll be very happy with how it drives, I'd imagine.

Posted: October 18 2004 at 3:55pm | IP Logged

Are there any relatively easy and effective weight saving mods for the Z06?  I have no clue what the stock seats weight is for example.

Posted: October 18 2004 at 4:38pm | IP Logged

That's really a question for the Z06 Forums  http://www.zo6vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62857&highlight=weight+reduction 

But the short answer is nothing huge. At about 3100lbs it's not the lightest car around, but it's pretty damn lightweight for a car with a 5.7l V8 and all that entails (beefy tranny, suspension, etc).

Weights are in pounds:

HVAC (base under dash unit) 18.0
Blower motor (Heat/AC) 4.0
HVAC plastic ducts 2.0
Airbag/glove box aluminum support 4.0
Aluminum Center console support 2.0
A/C control head 1.0
Dash vent duct 2.0
Knee bolster support (white foam) 1.0
Bose radio amplifier box 1.0
Radio, AM/FM/CD 3.0
Door module, harness, regulator (left) 7.0
Window glass (left) 9.0
Door module, harness, regulator (right) 7.0
Window glass (right) 9.0
Glove box assy 3.0
Door speaker (left) 3.0
Door speaker (right) 3.0
Exterior rear view mirror (left) 3.0
Exterior rear view mirror (right) 3.0

Posted: October 18 2004 at 8:13pm | IP Logged

Wheels could be lighter for sure, you could improve that and you'd want wider to boot. Stock exhaust is Ti, seats aren't very heavy either.

Pole position for the T1 June Sprints was 2:28.3. You would be doing extremely well to run a sub 2:30 at RA with just Dot-R's, fyi.

Posted: October 19 2004 at 8:02am | IP Logged

Thanks...  I'll start looking around for one.  What are the T1 sway bars and what are good tire sizes to keep the car balanced in 18's assuming aftermarket wheels?

Posted: October 22 2004 at 4:28pm | IP Logged

Thanks guys, my S2000 is for sale so as soon as it's sold I'll be looking hard to get a Z06.  Now what's that I hear about '04 shocks being worthwile upgrade?  Is it really more cost effective to get '04 shocks vs. good aftermarket shocks?  Also what about tie-rod ends (I think) that tend to melt & wore out due to close proximity to the brakes?  Has anyone here experiensed this phenomenon?  Sorry for all the questions, just doing my due diligence and planning for the must do's over the winter...

Drew

Posted: March 28 2005 at 11:10am | IP Logged

Well I got an '04 Z06 and have some #'s for those that are curious.  Took the car out to Gingerman last weekend.  The conditions were not ideal, the temperature was only in the high-30's low-40's and cloudy.  I managed to run the best of 1:33.00 with a passenger.  This is on full tread RA-1's (275/305) and using race pads.  My previous best in S2000 was 1:38.07 using shaved RA-1's (205/245), race pads, and running alone.  So the Z06 is good 5+ seconds a lap quicker than the S2000 on a 1.88 mile 11 turn course.

I think given conditions and constraints my times are decent in the Z06.  Ron Fellows drove a slightly lighter stock '04 to a 1:33.9 on a warmer day.  T1 record is 1:29.x.  I'll try to get it into 1:31's later in the season when it's a bit warmer outside.