Mikelly

Looking at 2010 Grandsport models for a potential repacement for my Porsche 996TT. The package looks great on paper, with a drysump, all the coolers, and the bodywork/suspension/brakes of a Z06. What am I missing here?

Love to hear some feedback, guys!

Mike

longdaddy

Let's see.

996 brakes are far more superior to what you get on any corvette short of Carbon pckged Z06 or ZR1.

Better gear/rear ratios than most corvettes.

much better shifter action (assuming yours is manual)

Arguably, better motor reliability (but order of magnitude more expensive to replace if you do blow it up). Jury is still out if drysump with increased oil tank capacity resolved starvation issues that more "advanced" C6/Z06 drivers have been running into

Having said that, Corvettes make better track cars overall as far as ease/cost of going very, very fast.


I have done several DEs in 996 Turbo. It's a great car but weight and turbo dynamics are irritating limits that I have run into almost immediately. On a tight, technical track, it takes heavy (almost physical) effort to muscle it around at corvette speeds, and my comparison point is 5.7 C5.

Mikelly

Well My 996TT was sold last September and is a non-factor now. I'm considering the C6 or a used 997GT3. The issues with the GT3 that have me looking at the Vette are engine replacement costs, as well as consumables costs.

I loved my 996TT and had a ton of work done to it, to include a complete suspension upgrade (GT3 control arms front and rear/toelinks/motor-trans mounts/custom valved PSS9s) and had to upgrade the gearbox ($11300) when first gear was beyond notchy. I upgraded the brakes as well, to the 6 piston calipers up front and custom Coleman Racing rotors. Everything about the car was great, except for the cost of consumables and repairs when things eventually wear out.

Figured the Grandsport would be worth a look... Z06 cylinder liner issues have me concerned about the LS7 motor.

Mike

AU N EGL

Mike

The GS is a result of the GM engineers asking some of us at a NCM event what we wanted for a track day car?

First thing was a STEEL FRAME, ( to weld a roll cage onto )
then wider fender flairs for bigger tires.
Better brakes
Coolers and a DRY SUMP.
Better suspension.

If not a GS then find a decent C5Z.

CHJ In Virginia

IMHO the GrandSport is the way to go. Almost all of the goodies needed are installed from the factory. Add headers, tune, safety equipment, tires and alignment and you are ready to rock !!!

ErnieN85

that says it all

95jersey

Buy a T1 car then drive a simple Honda Accord on the street. F* buying a new car just to spend tons of extra money to turn it into a track car and destroy it's value. Even after turning your GS into a track car, I guarantee a T1 car will still eat it for lunch for less than 1/2 the price, and probably be just as or more reliable. The LS6 to me has proven itself as the most durable LSX engine.

I learned my lesson 3 Corvette's later. If I decide to track in the future, my next car is dedicated race car.

z06801

For a track day fun car I would still look at a 2008-2009 Z06 I have seen some great buys. I love my 996TT as well but really miss how easy the z was to live with as a daily driver, cruising range and MPG, putting 6 bags of rock salt in the trunk then driving it to the track throwing on some scrubs and beating a bunch of full race STIs and evos with 400-450awhp at the Lapbattle with a stock LS6 and 110,000 miles on the clock and driving it home.

gkmccready

What happened to the 240Z? :-)

longdaddy

was in a similar boat last year, ended up with a Viper I do not know any 996/997 GT3 drivers who had to buy new engines, for what its worth. I know a few C6 drivers who had to.
If you know you will not trust GM's take on a dry sump in a street car and are going to upgrade the oiling system anyway, and don't care about welding roll bar/cage to aluminium frame rails, I'd go with an older C6Z to start with.

TGiuliante

I think Longdaddy hit the nail on the head in his first post. I ran a Porsche for a few years then went to a corvette DE car which i now want to turn into a dedicated track car. Corvette is a great car no doubt but you will need to address brakes, oil issues and cooling. That being said buy one done! If you want a cage do not go with an aluminum frame.

AU N EGL

Todd has it right.

You have the truck and trailer, go up to Phoenix Performance and buy a T1 car.

http://www.phoenixperformance.net/ph...s_for_sale.php

travisnd

Isn't this what you built the Z car for?

Mikelly

Guys, The Zcar is in the middle of a conversion to FAST fuel injection... It will be THE dedicated track day car. That said, I'm looking at something I can drive day to day that would also fill in when the track car is down for maintenance. This would be a car I could throw a student in the passenger seat of and run around the course in.

Thanks for all the input so far and YES the Zcar is going to be the dedicated track day monster.

Mike

johninar

And not to mention what a great chick magnet the Vette is.

I'd have the GT3 if money wasn't an issue.

RX-Ben

Word.
C5Z, w/bushings, sways, hoosiers and brake pads.
If you get serious, converted circle track car.

z06801

can we hear more about your Z car? pics, sounds cool

CanadianVetster

Clearly a fully dedicated track/race car is the to be the "best" track car... But if some street driving is desired then a Z06 with a few go fast goodies will rule the roost.

Mikelly

Here's a few pics of the Datsun Track car...





383 stroker with FAST XFI ECU/harness and Cutler FI intake/1000CFM TB/42# injectors...


The car is ver minimalist and all business inside. The passenger Seat will be coming out for a cool suit cooler in the late spring. Car gets very warm inside! Also, all the "doodads" bolted to the car were generated directly from our testing at A2 in Mooresville, NC. back in 2007. If it's on the car, it's there for a reason...

We just installed a new lightweight flywheel and Braille Battery, and have a set of CCW wheels/hoosiers that should help keep the weight into the lower 2600-upper 2500 pound range... Unfortunately, getting below that would require removing some of the cage. Full custom suspension with coil overs, large sway bars, adjustable control arms and camber plates at all corners help. Brakes were sourced from Ford's SVO parts bin. The only things I haven't done myself on this car are the cage and the silver paint. Drivetrain is a TKO600 with RR gearing and an Infinity Q45 rear with custom Speedway Engineering axles.

So, I've got the whole track car thing coming to a wrap up here. I want a street car I can take to the track if the need arises. I instruct with a couple clubs and would opt to take the street car to some of those events.

Thanks for the input!
Mike

AU N EGL

^^ damn that is Hot Mike


For the occasional track day and driver, then the GS would get my vote.