I have a 03Z i'm getting ready to PCS (or move) to Germany. I will be doing trips all throughout Europe while i am there and would like recommendations as to what to do before i go there, as i will be running higher speeds than normal, and any preventative maintenance or parts i may need to change beforehand as im sure there arent too many Corvette savy mechanics in Germany. I have ordered stainless steel brake lines, J O'Connell/Pfadt stage 1, I/E/H, and a dewitt's radiator/EOC. I plan on doing a tune up when i get back to the states, the car has 76,000 miles. Thanks in advance.

 

If I were going to be running those speeds I would want upgraded brake pads, fluid, and a good set of rotors.

 

any recommendations for pad/rotor combo's? i had powerslots and hawk's HP+ on my Subaru for auto-X and they didnt get along very well. I was looking at the DBA 4000's as far as rotors go, i always seem to pick the wrong combo's when it comes to brakes.

 

Welcome to Germany. By and large the C5z is great for the Autobahn stock, you'll have a blast over here. The car has plenty of power stock to leave most of the Euro stuff over here in the dust.

Your main issues are going to be cooling, tires and brakes. the DeWitts is really nice, that's a great choice. Have it put on and sorted out before you get over here. As for brakes- unless you are doing a big brake kit I would go with stock discs and Hawk EBC pads. They are made in the UK so are available here as well.

As far as tires, I really recommend the PS2 for extended high-speed running. They are sold over here so if you lose one you can find more locally. Some also like the Toyo R888 for track work. Depends on what you are planning to do with the car. PM me for more info on mechanics, etc.

 

Also might want to take it easy on mods until after you get it inspected over here. Again, more details via PM.

 

Make sure you report back to us. I was there last summer and spent a lot of time on the Autobahn. I had a nice BMW, but I wished I had my 2003Z with me.

 

I've got both. The BMW is nice, but the Z is WAY more fun

See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoJmA8lwL1I

 

Good info.....I concur

 

Tires, brakes are the most important, and if you really think you are going to run extended hi-speeds a trans/dif cooler. But the opertunity to do so now is diminishing due to traffic, and more speed control zones. Tickets are also expensive.

Mark

 

Never had a problem with the trans on mine running long and hard. But a previous owner lost 5th and 6th and put an RPM Stage IV in there so maybe the heat killed it? I'd worry about other stuff first.

This is why you need to get it while you can!

 

Never had a problem with the trans on mine running long and hard. But a previous owner lost 5th and 6th and put an RPM Stage IV in there so maybe the heat killed it? I'd worry about other stuff first.

This is why you need to get it while you can!

 

Carbotech and DBA work great together. I would look at using are AX6 compound.

The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1100°F + (10°C to 593°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. AX6™ offers high fade resistance, rotor friendliness at all temperatures and excellent cold stopping power. As a result, AX6™ is an excellent choice for Autocross and has gained tremendous popularity with SCCA Prosolo/Solo2 competitors for its outstanding all around performance. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn't recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as race compounds in most applications.

 

Though rare, be ready for some machines that are faster, flashing hi beams because you are in the left lane.

 

There's always something faster no matter how big you go.

Most cars, even sporty things like Porsches and BMWs, are no match.

Interesting encounters in the Z:

-Brand-new Audi RS5, met near Spa in Belgium: I was pure stock at this point. We pulled from about 40mph a few times. It was dead even up until about 70mph (AWD...) when the Z pulled away from him. This was a fun pull. After, we pulled over and checked out each other's rides. That RS5 has a beautiful interior, I must say.

-Ferrari 430 Scuderia on the way back to Germany from Prague: I had headers/intake/tune. He blew past me in the left lane, I punched it and caught him and stayed riveted to his back bumper. We ran like this up to about 280kph. This was in Czech where to limit is 130kph so I lifted off and stayed out of jail

-Porsche 996 Turbo S in Germany on the A62 near Trier: I had headers/intake/tune. I had a passenger, about 300lbs of salvaged furniture and two cases of wine in the car. The 996 was empty. I stayed with him until about 240kph when he just started edging away. I consider this a pretty good run for a moving van.

-Nothing: After the Procharger and 560whp, I never found anything even close. Had some M3's try. I felt pretty bad for them. About the only other competition would be another blown Z06 or something really insane like a Zonda or Veyron.

 

The best corvette site in Germany with loads of members, and 'JR' is the man to PM.

http://www.corvetteforum.de/

 

Thank you for that!

 

Thanks for all the info guys! I have a decent amount of money saved up so i can afford gas. Im in Afghanistan right now and its killing me knowing my Z is at home waiting for me. I may have to get two sets of wheels/tires. I enjoy the straightline speeds but i enjoy the twisties a lot more. Hopefully i'll be able to catch the 24 hours @ Nurburgring next year!

 

Europe gets a lot of rain so invest in a nice soft tire that's got good feedback and a Y speed rating but can still handle wet roads. Also for rotors i would go with wilwood 2-piece in the front, they have been nothing but great on my person car which i assure you i drive very "spirited-ly" (beat the **** out of). For pads a Hawk HPS is a good Street/track pad. To be honest im sort of jealous.. you really should be hitting the Nurburgring if you're out there. 7-8 minutes of green hell, mmmmmm heaven.

 

You're really going to have a blast out there with your current upgrades! If you happen to stop in at Adenau at the Nurburgring make sure to drop in at Pfadt Europe.

 

Damn, so you can't even come back to the US and enjoy some freedom? I would've really hated to get back from Afghanistan to go to Germany. No offense to Germany, I've never been there and I'm sure it's a great place but I love being in America too much!

When I was there, my plan was to buy a C6 Z06 but then found an appreciation for my C5 Z06 so I did a few things to the interior. Heads/cam will be done this year after I PCS for school.