[Z06] Tracking my Z06
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 6
From: Corvette Owner since 1971 - 2004 Z06 Florida
Tracking my Z06
Got my Z06 on the racetrack this past weekend and had the time of my life. I gave it a little more negative camber (-2), added the extra quart of oil they recommend, and put my helmet on and had the time of my life. It turned laps a full 11 seconds faster than my old track prepared //M5. My question is: Do you just leave that extra quart of Mobil 1 in the engine or drain it after you race it? Is the optional transmission cooler still available from GM? My parts guy didn't know what I was talking about.
This car is a pleasure to drive on the streets and a true race car on the track-absoluely love it.
This car is a pleasure to drive on the streets and a true race car on the track-absoluely love it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I've been tracking since 04 and have always left the extra qt in. In the past I've had oil temps of 305 (Now I have an oil cooler) and have never seen the trans temp warning. Good to see an 04 comm tracking, have fun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
I've seen the trans temp warning on 2 occasions. Both times from heat and rowing 3-4 and 4-3 a lot. If it's a busy track and you're hauling the mail and it gets hot. It'll happen sooner or later. Just have to change the tranny fluid more often.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,203
Likes: 0
Leave the oil in their and if it burns off it burns off. If not just make sure its topped off before your next event if you don't do an oil change before hand.
And I would not worry about the cooler unless you are seeing high 200 temps. These car were made to rock and roll off the show room floor and as long as you're still stock for the most part skip the heavy cooling mods for down the road. Just keep the fluids fresh and you will be golden.
And I would not worry about the cooler unless you are seeing high 200 temps. These car were made to rock and roll off the show room floor and as long as you're still stock for the most part skip the heavy cooling mods for down the road. Just keep the fluids fresh and you will be golden.
Last edited by thechosenone; Jul 4, 2012 at 01:58 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Leave the extra quart in, no problems in a DD situation. I do not think that GM still offers the tranny and diff cooling kits. DRM - Doug Rippie Motorsports offers both engine and tranny cooler kits that are well thought out and relatively inexpensive. I use the DRM engine oil cooler and it is very effective. As I have gotten faster, I am seeing the tranny over heat message frequently. That cooler is next on the must - do list.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
My question is: Do you just leave that extra quart of Mobil 1 in the engine or drain it after you race it?
Is the optional transmission cooler still available from GM? My parts guy didn't know what I was talking about.
This car is a pleasure to drive on the streets and a true race car on the track-absoluely love it.
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T1 shocks – $739.28 + $38.50 shipping
T1 trans cooler – $1108.49 + $28.50 shipping
T1 sway bar pkg with insulators and end links – $866.59 + $35.00 shipping
T1 complete suspension package – $3223.40 + $75.00 shipping
T1 suspension springs $916.78 each + $28.50 shipping each
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/partslis...parts-list.php
For all T1 related items please call us for availability and to order.
as others have said plenty of aftermarket tran and oil cooler kits.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
I talked to John Heinricy about this at the NCM event. He suggested a tranny cooler to cool both diff& trans. Said my header wrap on the adjacent pipes won't help much as most of the trans/diff heat is internally generated.
I think a tranny cooler is needed if you are going to track this car on hot (80+) days. I'm not sure how long it will last if you just track in Spring/Fall with 60 deg(high) ambients.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Many DE groups run 20 minute sessions. The 30 minute sessions do add more abuse. That last 10 minutes, in higher temps, does take its toll. I run with CMS mostly and they are almost always 30 minute sessions.
I had the drivers side seal leak a bit. I dumped the factory fill from the diff and put in RP MaxGear with no slip modifier. Since then no leaks. You can smell the stuff after a session though since it airs out the vent hole. For the tranny I went to RP Synchromax. It takes more abuse then the Mobil 1 ATF but it will still burn up.
A tranny cooler I'm seriously considering. A simple one buried in the rear end near the license plate bracket with a fan on it. Since the car won't be streetable soon it's a good place to stash it. You have the option of doing the side vents for the rear brake ducts. A diff cooler requires a pump and a lot more $$$ to set up.
Either way regardless of what brand fluid you like. It's all disposable and needs to be changed a lot from track abuse. You spin the motor and drive train to 6k+, stuff is gonna get hot
I live in the south so only going out when it is 60 degrees out won't work. I have to deal with 80-90 if I want to run year round.
Now I'm adding a cool shirt and cooler before any other coolers. The driver needs a break too
I had the drivers side seal leak a bit. I dumped the factory fill from the diff and put in RP MaxGear with no slip modifier. Since then no leaks. You can smell the stuff after a session though since it airs out the vent hole. For the tranny I went to RP Synchromax. It takes more abuse then the Mobil 1 ATF but it will still burn up.
A tranny cooler I'm seriously considering. A simple one buried in the rear end near the license plate bracket with a fan on it. Since the car won't be streetable soon it's a good place to stash it. You have the option of doing the side vents for the rear brake ducts. A diff cooler requires a pump and a lot more $$$ to set up.
Either way regardless of what brand fluid you like. It's all disposable and needs to be changed a lot from track abuse. You spin the motor and drive train to 6k+, stuff is gonna get hot
I live in the south so only going out when it is 60 degrees out won't work. I have to deal with 80-90 if I want to run year round.
Now I'm adding a cool shirt and cooler before any other coolers. The driver needs a break too
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 3
From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
Visit LG Motorsports website, and Doug Rippie Motorsports on the left of the page. Lots of stuff for tracking there. And visit the roadracing fourm on here... Thats were the tracks dogs hang.
have fun
have fun
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Most likely that extra qt of oil is gone by the time you are done if you are running the engine hard enough. It is an LS thing.....
I've seen oil temps at 305* before my 30min session ended.
It'll be the brakes that give you the most grief if the track is big enough.
I've seen oil temps at 305* before my 30min session ended.
It'll be the brakes that give you the most grief if the track is big enough.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Got my Z06 on the racetrack this past weekend and had the time of my life. I gave it a little more negative camber (-2), added the extra quart of oil they recommend, and put my helmet on and had the time of my life. It turned laps a full 11 seconds faster than my old track prepared //M5. My question is: Do you just leave that extra quart of Mobil 1 in the engine or drain it after you race it? Is the optional transmission cooler still available from GM? My parts guy didn't know what I was talking about.
This car is a pleasure to drive on the streets and a true race car on the track-absoluely love it.
This car is a pleasure to drive on the streets and a true race car on the track-absoluely love it.
Congrats on making it to the road course!
Focus on cooling and reliability first before going real far on the car.
Typically the cars will burn a little bit of oil so check it at the end of each day. May not have to drain anything, but you might have to add some.
Upgrade the cooling on the car. Radiator with an engine oil cooler will do wonders.
Also keep an eye on wheel bearings. That has always been an issue on the cars.
Personally I don't like the GM cooler kits, it uses electric pumps so you have to plumb it as well as wire it into the car. Then you have to remember to turn them on. We built a mechanical style so as soon as the car is rolling, it is pumping. You can get them in a dual stage for trans and diff both or single stage for just diff or trans.
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/LG-Moto...Fabricator-Kit