Woodson

I believe I recall that my car is never in 4 cylinder mode. So it sounds the same. Post actual links proving otherwise and I'm happy to plead mea culpa.

MikeyTX

True this !

jclarksnakes

Thanks for the replies. Exactly what I expected. I have heard a couple of ZO6s but no Grand Sports yet. There are enough reports that GS sounds better than Z51 that I was wondering.

Bill Dearborn

It all depends on what you plan on doing in the car. Noise depends on the power being produced and if you look at the power curve for the LT1 and LT4 engines you see neither comes close to their max power output until the engine is in the mid 6000 range at wide open throttle with a full load on the car.

Just putt putting around town and jumping on the throttle for a second or two now and then will not produce much HP so the difference between the two will be nil to none. Same goes for winging the throttle in neutral as the engine rpm is limited in neutral and you only produce enough HP to spin the engine which is less than 5 hp.

The reason I say it depends is because it depends on whether you are a wannabe or an actual high performance driver who can put the car through its paces without killing yourself or somebody else.

If you run both cars through first gear wide open the Z will make more noise once the rpms get above a certain point but it won't last long before you hit the rev limiter. You have to be in 3rd and 4th gear where acceleration is slower and running near red line in both to hear either engine sing.

If you can run the car wide open or near wide for a time period of 15 to 20 seconds where the engine speed gets high enough to produce 650 HP then the Z06 will make more noise. However, you do need to realize that puts you into some serious go to jail immediately mid triple digit speed ranges in either car. Usually you need to be on a road course with some long straights to get those kinds of speeds.

Bill

Z06NJ

Does anyone know if the stock camshaft on the Z6 is more aggressive than the base Vette or the GS? (therefore giving it a louder/lumpier idle sound)?

jovette

Why don't you simply park your Z51 next to a Z06 and listen during cold start up on both cars with NPP in open position.......as many forum members who have both stingray/Z51 and Z06 have stated, Z06 IS louder..........or maybe your Z51 is different from all the others?

Woodson

I don't think you saw the period in my post.

sTz

^^^Bingo

The camshaft profile of the LT4 delivers greater valve lift and duration than the LT1’s. Also, LT4’s compression ratio is 10.0:1 compared to 11.5:1 for the LT1.

While I've seen different results, Car and Driver conducted a decibel comparison a couple years ago. There's a thread on this forum somewhere discussing the results. The Z06 measured at 95dB, and the base (w/NPP) registered at 89dB.

Not sure of the accuracy of the decibel levels, or the parameters, but the Z06 clearly recorded a higher reading when tested side-by-side.

I personally heard a Z51/NPP and Z06 side-by-side (both in track mode), and the Z06 was noticeably louder at cold start-up, a little louder at idle, and much louder at WOT. I'm confident that any doubters will be easily convinced if you hear them in person.

Lastly, any similar exhaust mods will yield similar results as previously discussed. My Corsa/Xtreme Cat-back equipped Z06 is much louder than my friend's Stingray with the same set-up (both C7s).

Not sure if this answered the OP's question as louder doesn't always mean "better," but the Z06 is definitely louder, and I think it sounds better.

sunsalem

Unlike most owners, I would like it if my Z was actually QUIETER.
IMO, the LT4 doesn't generate a symphony of gorgeous car sound.
It sounds more like my daddy's old 73 Chevy pick-up with holes in the mufflers than anything else.

sTz

I've heard that some compare it to a boat. If so, that's a badazz boat

sTz

The importance of punctuation. I thought the same.

Z06NJ

Thank you for the detailed explanation. That was pretty insightful for me. I really want to get a comp cam for a sick idle sounds + power but I'm afraid of tuning a $90K car!!

sunsalem

Like they say, "different strokes for...."

rbartick

Mine is very quiet when I set the exhaust to Stealth mode. I wouldn't want it any quieter than that.

snow

I have a GS and for sure the Z sounds better not just exhaust but the SC has a distinctive sound that is intoxicating, well at least to me.

Monkey D. Luffy

Same here

MikeyTX

this is so true. I love my CTS-V for long highway trips but miss the sound of the Z06 and it's feel.

360Lemans

Every C7 Z06 owner that previously owned a C7 like myself. Has stated they should have purchased a Z in the beginning and would have saved a bunch of money, and would never go back. The power of the Z06 is just amazing!! The only negative about my Z is gas millage. It's so fun to drive your always on it, and always at the filling station!!!

MikeyTX

I can equat to that. Owing both a Z and a V would make driving a base model of either difficult long term.

thirtythird

Yep, never window shop at a Ferrari dealership. I know for sure if I drove a Z I would want to do stupid things to my bank account. I'll suffer with my z51 stingray but the Z is a beast for sure. For those that have one enjoy!