[Z06] What's the next mod?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 27
From: Whitby Ontario
What's the next mod?
Hey guys, I'm in sort of a lull with my z06. I feel like I need to add something to really make it my own.
It currently has an air intake, software and a z06 shifter.
What's the next logical upgrade? Suspension? Headers?
It has 175,000 KM on it, so she's getting up there.
It currently has an air intake, software and a z06 shifter.
What's the next logical upgrade? Suspension? Headers?
It has 175,000 KM on it, so she's getting up there.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
Hey guys, I'm in sort of a lull with my z06. I feel like I need to add something to really make it my own.
It currently has an air intake, software and a z06 shifter.
What's the next logical upgrade? Suspension? Headers?
It has 175,000 KM on it, so she's getting up there.
It currently has an air intake, software and a z06 shifter.
What's the next logical upgrade? Suspension? Headers?
It has 175,000 KM on it, so she's getting up there.
At this point in the game, you've got a high milage car, so throwing huge sums of money at it doesn't make a whole lot sense. A used set of headers and a re-tune would be a worthwhile bang for the buck. If you're still running stock shocks or even a set with half of your mileage, a set of Bilstein sports would be a good improvement to your ride/handling. Maybe even look into a set of stainless brake lines to improve braking and pedal feel. Just my $.02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Hey guys, I'm in sort of a lull with my z06. I feel like I need to add something to really make it my own.
It currently has an air intake, software and a z06 shifter.
What's the next logical upgrade? Suspension? Headers?
It has 175,000 KM on it, so she's getting up there.
It currently has an air intake, software and a z06 shifter.
What's the next logical upgrade? Suspension? Headers?
It has 175,000 KM on it, so she's getting up there.
You can add 20% rear wheel horsepower to your Z06 by having a 4.10:1 ring and pinion installed. After running with a 4.10 gear set in my Z06 for seven years, I had it taken out last spring. BIG MISTAKE !
As soon as Motive Gear makes optional gear sets for the C6 ZR1 differential, I am going back to RPM Transmission and have then correct my mistake.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 979
Likes: 0
From: millstone NJ
I'm almost positive gears don't raise rwhp at all Jus change the drive ratio to make it seem snappier, u also lose top end speed.... Id say headers ,custom tune , if that's not enough cam it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
At this point in the game, you've got a high milage car, so throwing huge sums of money at it doesn't make a whole lot sense. A used set of headers and a re-tune would be a worthwhile bang for the buck. If you're still running stock shocks or even a set with half of your mileage, a set of Bilstein sports would be a good improvement to your ride/handling. Maybe even look into a set of stainless brake lines to improve braking and pedal feel. Just my $.02
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
FYI...Texas speed has a deal on ceramic coated 1.75" headers (not including x pipe) for $449.00.
Last edited by MTPZ06; Jul 23, 2011 at 08:07 PM. Reason: TSP Update
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
You will most likey throw codes on the car if you don't tune after the header install from running lean.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
The following two EXCEL charts are used to size trans gear sets, differential gear sets, and tire sizes in conjunction with engine torque.
The first chart shows a typical Z06 with its standard 3.42:1 final drive ratio. Please note the last column on the right:
Also notice how the Engine RPM after the Shift how the cells have turned pink. This is due to the fact that the MN12 transmission's gear spacing is too wide to keep the RPMs above the torque peak after the shift.
The next chart shows the identical trans, engine, and tires, with a change to a 4.10:1 differential gear setup. Note the increased Peak Torque at the rear wheels:
Changing final drive ratios does change the torque applied to the rear wheels. Don't rely on Chassis Dynamometers as an indication of how gear ratio changes change vehicle performance. If changine rear gear ratios didn't matter, drag racers would be racing with 2.73:1 differential gear sets, instead of the 4.88:1 + gear sets that they use.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 968
Likes: 3
From: Coplay PA
It doesn't sound like he's drag racing the car. If you change the gear ratio then it takes away from your max speed. Maybe he does highway cruising or likes to race around here and there from a roll etc. Well going to 4.10 gears takes that away. It also lowers your MPG too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
It doesn't sound like he's drag racing the car. If you change the gear ratio then it takes away from your max speed. Maybe he does highway cruising or likes to race around here and there from a roll etc. Well going to 4.10 gears takes that away. It also lowers your MPG too.
If you look at the chart above for the 4.10:1 differential, you will see that if he has enough horsepower, he can achieve 220.1 mph in 6th gear. Also, he will only be turning 2,215 RPMs at 75 mph.
Highway cruising, rolling away from a stop light, 40 to 60 mph tip-ins are all vastly improved with the 4.10 ring and pinion.
And, if he can find a qualified shop, it should cost less than $1,000 to convert the differential.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
If you look at the chart above for the 4.10:1 differential, you will see that if he has enough horsepower, he can achieve 220.1 mph in 6th gear. Also, he will only be turning 2,215 RPMs at 75 mph.
Highway cruising, rolling away from a stop light, 40 to 60 mph tip-ins are all vastly improved with the 4.10 ring and pinion.
And, if he can find a qualified shop, it should cost less than $1,000 to convert the differential.
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Highway cruising, rolling away from a stop light, 40 to 60 mph tip-ins are all vastly improved with the 4.10 ring and pinion.
And, if he can find a qualified shop, it should cost less than $1,000 to convert the differential.
-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Gears offer huge bang for the buck, but the only problem I have with them on street driven (or mostly street) cars is that first gear is already tough to hook on a hard launch with street tires unless you're running R compund tires...which is a sacrafice on wear and handling over high performance street tires like PS2's.
You make a good point. I drove my Z06 for 5 years with 305/30R19 Michelin PS2s on the rear and 4.10:1 gears. That's 30k + miles of driving. Once you try a 4.10 ring and pinion, you will never want to revert back to a standard ratio differential.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
I thought about 3.90's for the Z, but I have PS2's now and I can overpower them in first with the factory 3.42's. I was instead thinking about a lightweight flywheel to help with quicker revs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
I'm sure it's night and day. A long long time ago, I had a 5.0 mustang and I did a 3.55 swap for the factory 2.73's for about $400. They were good for about 4 tenths/4 mph in the quarter...best bang for the buck I ever did on that car.
I thought about 3.90's for the Z, but I have PS2's now and I can overpower them in first with the factory 3.42's. I was instead thinking about a lightweight flywheel to help with quicker revs.
I thought about 3.90's for the Z, but I have PS2's now and I can overpower them in first with the factory 3.42's. I was instead thinking about a lightweight flywheel to help with quicker revs.
Put in the 4.10 gears! Just use your head in 1st gear and enjoy the tremendous improvement in the rest of your driving range.
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Last edited by Pumba; Jul 25, 2011 at 08:37 AM.
