udwdreams

Hi folks!

Considering the Corvette as a potential track car. What's a very solid base to start with? Checked out ads in racing junk, but $80k is way over what I intend to spend for this, so looks like it's going to be an incremental build.
I'd rather start with a more or less recent base (e.g C6), but beyond that I'm not sure what's a solid base. If I have to change everything from brakes to suspension to make it track worthy, better look elsewhere.

theseal

Get a c5z06. Put a radiator, diff cooler, accusump and stop tech kit in it with some seats and you are golden with stock everything else.

I just ran within 2 seconds of a full race car lap record with a bone stock one 300 pounds overweight for the class and on 285 tires instead of 335/345's. Stock shocks. Stock springs. Stock bushings. Stock bars. Stock motor. Stock trans. Stock wheels.

The race car had wings, splitters, was stripped out, nothing stock anywhere on it. The c5z is just that well tuned of a car.

theseal

Ps. Forget a c6 or 7. Nowhere near the car.

udwdreams

Thanks for the advice. How much does it cost to install a SFI roll cage on this? The car needs a full log book, so fire system, window nets, etc.

rfn026

I would give some serious consideration to a Miata for track events.

Richard Newton

StreetSpeed

No offense, but either the dude in the race car 1) can't drive or 2) has a real crappy race car or 3) you're amazing and your car is not at all stock. The difference between a real race car and street car is immense (I.e. a lot more than 2 seconds, but then again if you're two seconds off the pace in a race you've brought the wrong knife to the gun fight)

I have a C5Z which is a great platform. If I had to do it over again though I might have looked into a C6 Grandsport.

Regardless of what you do, if this is going to be a track car only and trailered to the track I would look into purchasing an already built racecar. Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket and want to spend it all in building a real race car. Solid race winners can be bought for the high 20s. I've spent $50k (not including the car) on mine in the last 2 years and would probably be lucky to get 30Gs for it. Pretty sure there only thing on touched on my car is the frame, and I still have to do a dry sump and real shocks this season.

jaa1992

Are you just going to HPDE? - any corvette will do
Are you going to time trial? - buy a BUILT car
Are you going wheel to wheel racing? - buy a built car

And by built car I mean any car with a log book that passes a detail inspection.

Now why didn't I list what Corvette to get?
Because you need to figure out which events you are going to want to attend, what the car counts are in each class. Pick a car in a class that has decent car counts and looks like it would be fun! Talk to the racers, sit in a few cars, then decide.

I Time Trial a 92 Corvette
I instruct using my 2012 v6 Camaro
I wish I could pick up a new C7

If I had the funds I'd pick up one of the already built cars in my region (mostly c5s) and give the c4 away. If I had an unlimited budget I'd get someone to build me a c7

jtmck

I have a 98 ST3/TT3 Corvette, prepared for 2016.
price is 29,500.00

You can see the results at Midwest and Great Lakes tracks.

Captain Buddha

It sounds like you are looking for a race car versus a track car - big difference. What are you really looking for / planning to do? Post that up and then the collective brain trust here can help you spend your money!

63Corvette

While I agree with the posts above, I recommend that you do a thorough analysis of your personal goals for track usage. If you are only going to occasionally track a street car, then focus on street manners and look at a cheap street C5Z06. However, if you are going to track serriously and occasionally or never street, then I recommend a properly set up RACE car (C5 or C6 Z06) purchased from a known Forum vendor like Phoenix Racing. It will be FAR far cheaper (better use of your money) to buy an already caged and set up (winning) race car, with all the coolers and tweaks (and set up book for each track) than for you to buy a street car and convert it www.yellowvette.com

theseal

Good post and true. But diminishing returns does set in, and a c5z is your best entry bang for the buck street car.

theseal

I'm not driving as well these days as I have at times. Need to work on that. But I am still quick. The biggest deal are the driver and the tires. After that comes basic dynamics and limits. Then the details take over.

I have not driven all the c6 models, but certainly my 08 z06's are nowhere near the car my c5z is.

JerryTX

I'm selling my C6 race car for $36k, check out the classifieds or pm me.

udwdreams

Will be for track use only, never on the street. Only looking for either a race-ready or a solid platform to start. Buying something already built saves money, if you can trust the people who did the build. If it's a known shop, great. If it's a DIY job, no thanks. Also I'd pass on anything with superchargers or other power mods.

JohnAlley

I have been on track with this car...wicked fast. Handles like it is on rails and Jim knows how to build a car. Cannot go wrong with purchase of this car best bank for your buck.

Captain Buddha

Look into purpose-built race cars, check out an ASA/GTA car, it is a tube frame race car. Built like a tank. I'm biased, I run one....used to have a '13 street Z06 and wanted full-on safety, i.e., a race car. That is the route I went. Many options out there to fulfill your wants/needs. What is your budget? Where are you located?

SouthernSon

Jim, you haven't sold that one yet? Are you hiding it under cover somewhere? I have seen some nice track cars change hands for decent prices but less than $30K for that car is a steal.

JerryTX

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-for-sale.html

Han Solo

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ad-course.html

sperkins

Couldn't be more wrong. The worst cars that I've ever seen have come from big name shops.


-promptly unsubscribing from this nonsensical thread....