vette ruminator

I recently placed an order for a new ZR1. I plan to use it as a daily driver but also do maybe 10-12 HPDE track days per year (if I'm lucky!). Spring Mountain uses their ZR1s on the track every day and they leave everything totally stock, including DOT 3. Whien I emailed them re: their experience, they are getting 5-6K miles from pads and 12K miles from rotors with all-track use.

I plan to use good DOT 4 fluid at the least, but in terms of performance and durability for this kind of use, how many would use or have used

1. cooling ducts
2. stainless lines
3. stainless pedal covers (just threw that one in; does anybody have these and do they make heel-toe any easier or are they just for looks?)

I realize some may replace the rotors, etc with less expensive steel components but I would think the limited use as describes would not mean relegating the carbon ceramic units to street driving only. It seems to defeat the point. I'm not trying to open that can o' worms yet.

CHJ In Virginia

I think the Spring Mountain input should guide your decision. It is amazing that they are getting 5-6K Track miles from the ceramic pads. That should be several years at your projected max usage !! If you really have to do something, I would change to stainless lines and high temp fluid. As for the rest of the system IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT !!! As for pedal extensions, your right foot and shoe size will answer that question the first time you drive the car --- ENJOY !!

gmccreary

I just installed the Elite Engineering gas pedal on my C5Z. I haven't tried it at the track yet put from my experience on the street I think it will make heel-toe shifting much easier.

Everett Ogilvie

Did you go with their "standard" pedal or the even wider heel-toe pedal they are showing on the web site?

Timz06

Cheater

CorvetteZ51Racer

I put their heel and toe pedal on my C6Z. I have narrow feet, so the stock pedal locations made heel and toe at the track sketchy at best. Ran an HPDE two weeks ago, and it was a huge improvement. Full confidence to heel and toe in some heavy braking zones now. Definitely would recommend it for anyone without Sasquatch feet.

gkmccready

I'm only a 7.5 shoe and the only car I've ever driven with the pedal extension was a royal PITA for me. I kept getting gas when all I wanted was brake. I do have a wide foot, though... but once it's shoved in to the Simpson shoes...

punz

I have the wider Elite pedal, but have had issues when braking hard at times,my foot hits the gas pedal at the same time. Kind of thinking to switch to the Elite standard pedal or back to stock.

Bill Dearborn

I've had that happen with the stock pedals. Have to learn to tilt your foot to the left real quick to get off the gas.

Bill

gmccreary

I bought the heel-toe pedal

AU N EGL

The ZR1 brakes are very good for HPDEs. They do need to be heat cycled somewhat. Series of progressively harder brakings to turn the brake pads from gray to more of a whitish gray.

The other thing is a different brake style, you may not be able to be a last min braking with the carbon pads and rotors. vs iron.

the pads and rotors cool very very quickly.

95jersey

Would not be happy to see the price tag on those rotors when they need to be replaced. Also, that sounds like a LONG amount of wear under track conditions, but it could potentially could be believable based on a few factors:

1) Most of the drivers are total pure novices and are barely driving the cars.
2) If they use stock pads, the rotors are not getting nearly as hot as they would with race pads, hence the longer life.
3) They probably use street tires, and 95% of your braking performance comes from your tires, the calipers and rotors just need to withstand the heat of the pad and the grip of the tires. Using street tires changes the whole dynamic.

To your original post, just use good high temp quality brake fluid and get a complete flush.

AU N EGL

I have video of a stock ZR1 on Road America driven by a quite competent driver, and a C6Z06 with StopTechs, hawk DTC60s and Hooser Rs. also driven by a competent driver.

on the straights without traffic the ZR1 would walk from the Z06. But into the brake zones the Z06 could out brake and catch the ZR1 every corner.

Eventually the Z06 passed the ZR1 and slowly pulled away. Most do to better and deeper braking into corners.

dvandentop

post it we need some winter entertainment!

SIK02SS

Why do you guys keep mentioning "Winter", race season has already started!!

95jersey

I beleive it in a heartbeat! But if that ZR1 was on Hoosiers and had a set of track pads, what would happen then???

Black_Mamba

wallyman424

Thats why noone likes Californians.

96CollectorSport

The tires alone make the comparison less impressive.
Also whoever was driving the ZR1 wasn't driving there own car and more than likely they were holding back a little - I know I would - and the C6Z driver could push as hard as he wanted running his own car.
I typically agree with Tom but this isn't a fair comparsion of what the brake systems capabilities are.

I'll also wouldn't say that just because the drivers are novice at Spring Mountian doesn't mean that they are easy on the brakes. I've found that your typical novice will over-use the brakes and actually be a little harder on them than someone more framiliar with there own car at a DE. Especially in a car like the ZR1 that has some serious closing speed.

Oh yeah pedal extender for the gas is a good idea, anything that makes your life easier is a good thing.

And I agree with Wally no one wants to hear from how people are racing in Cali already!! It was 3 degrees on my way to work this morning.....3! wind chill is around -15! But the Packers won the Super Bowl and that warms me up right there!

fastrash

[QUOTE=But the Packers won the Super Bowl and that warms me up right there! [/QUOTE]


Was there some moo cow involved in the celebration????