redzone

I don't know how it works now,but back in 2002 when I changed my screen name it also changed my join date to that year even though I had been a member since 1999.

B Stead

The Sesto Elemento says that it has an integral carbon fiber bodyshell in forged composite. (Well, I would want the bodywork to be separate from the chassis for the purpose of replacement after smaller crashes.)

In any case there is an issue of using scrap carbon fiber versus sheet carbon fiber.

That SGL company has really been in the news
.

Halltech

Exactly. I was installing our intakes at the Museum in the grass the very first anniversary when Troy was the owner. I started out with another user name as you did.

Halltech started in October 1999, and was engaged on the Steve Merekov website, just prior to the Corvetteforum.com.

Jim

Halltech

Thank you.

JockItch

No it won't.

B Stead

Just on the subject of light weight wheels here are some wheel specs:

Volk TE37 (for the C6 Z06)
18 x 9.5, 35mm, 19 pounds weight
19 x 12, 57mm, 23 pounds weight

The Volk forged wheels are famous for both light weight and strength. And then the TE37 has a thick spoke look to it. The other popular Volk wheel models are the CE28N and the RE30.

BBS RS-GT (for the C6 base model)
18 x 9, 54mm, 21 pounds
19 x 10.5, 75mm, 23.5 pounds
.

acrace

B Stead- sounds like you're "into" composites. Another technology that I've just started to play with is tailored fiber placement - essentially stitching fibers into a carrier to create a pre-form: http://www.tailoredfiberplacement.com/

What's neat about this technology is that you can orient fibers for optimal performance. And since one can program the stitch head, there is near zero waste. A lot different than typical carbon fiber that most people know, where it is a fabric that is trimmed and fibers are typically 0/90.

Z06Ronald

Thanks. I will contact you in March.

usroute66 MKW

track optimized wheels dont have to last 100,000 miles of potholed roads and curbs, otherwise more OEM sports wheels would be nearer 20 lbs to save fuel and reduce unsprung weight, but cost accountants and sales execs have to present a realistic business case to mgmt for every model variant .

Halltech

Hope you are right. Lower I assume. Just going by GMs statement that the Z06 will be priced around the same as the C6Z06. Last I looked they were selling for around $85,000 at our local dealer.

mirage2991

those c6z are with option, base is still/well was 73 I believe...so full optioned c7Z bellow 100k (like 99998? lol) would make the new Z06 base around 75 I think...even at 79, Z07 is probably 10k (8 for brakes and 4 for all the carbon stuff), figure the other 10k to go to 100 are interior options...

Paulchristian

Were the fenders on the C6 ZO6/ZO7 carbon fiber? If I am not mistaken, they were. If so, I think the OP has a valid point.

I also agree that we WILL see a C7 ZR1 sometime down the line. They may not call it a "ZR1" but it would be silly to think that we will not get a superior car down the line. We are in year two of the C7 generation and we already have a ZO6. I can envision carbon fiber everything, L88 (~700+hp), polycarbonate quarter and rear windows, etc. Think Porsche GT3/2 vs Porsche GT3/2 RS...A ZO6 "RS" if you will. It will come. If the economy doesn't go to total ****, you count on a superior model. It is not a matter of "if," but rather "when."

Halltech

Yes, from day one in 2005. The C6Z06 came with carbon fiber front fenders. If I remember correctly, the pitch was that the primer and paint was heavier than the fenders.

Plasan does have the molds for the Stingray. They make the hoods/roofs with a new technology called Pressure Press technology that makes the hoods in 20 minutes!!

http://plasancarbon.com/projects/corvette-stingray

Who knows, maybe by next year the fenders and other panels will be available in this same technology.

Jim Hall

Halltech

www.carbonrev.com

acrace

Maybe I should clarify my post #18. Yes, Plasan has the molds for the hood and the roof. They do not have the molds for the fenders, doors, quarters, and other exterior SMC. Plasan is not the supplier for those parts.

There is no reason why their technology cannot be applied to fenders and these other panels. GM, for whatever reason, in addition to the hood and the roof being high CG, selected the applications for Stingray.

As I posted earlier, unless there is a capital investment made, Plasan is probably close to being capacity constrained in their Walker, Michigan facility.

Your original point about mass efficiency is well taken. As GM is trying to commercialize the vehicle at a low (relatively speaking) price point, they need to constantly balance what technologies give the best value.

We'll just all have to see, later this year, what the price point truly will be, and what technologies are used on the panels unique to the Z06.

JockItch

And I think this is a good thread to illustrate that GM did cut costs to achieve a very accessible base price. Examples like this, the LT4 not being hand built, etc will make it possible for GM to release their biggest performance bargain yet.

JustinStrife

They are doing everything they can to keep this car priced under 100k.

JG853

I agree with Jim -

I would have suspected more CF on the C7 Z06. I really like the car, but thought they would want to be as light as possible with that new LT4.

Joel G

B Stead

No, real forged wheels are both lighter and stronger than cast wheels. The denser forged metal weighs less than cast metal that has impurities in it. Obviously, a different mixture of alloy is used in forged versus cast.

Also, the cheapest aftermarket wheels are often the heaviest wheels and like OEM wheels.

The Volk TE37 itself is a very stout looking wheel with wide and thick spokes. Even the rim seems thick
.

usroute66 MKW

my point about real world durabilty stands, or you would see OEM full carbon fiber wheels now on coming million dollar LaFerrari, P1 or 918 Spyder
bending a wheel on a pothole is different than cracking a carbon fiber wheel, esp in these appliactions where the sidewalls are like rubber bands and the speeds are in the high 100s on the Autobahn.