simple question?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
simple question?
guys, as i age as a new vette member and an owner, questions rise. why are not all vettes produced on a lightweight frame (as like the z06/zr1)? i have a wonderful c6 loaded convertible, but it would have been GREAT to have a lighter body frame. do you think it is a marketing ploy to promote the z6's and zr1's? they should have least give folks an option for extra $$$$$'s. i wonder if there is a huge weight difference though? hummmmmm......maybe next time.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
suspect using the aluminum frame on the C6 would destroy the cost advantage it currently has over most performance cars with which it competes and such a design would likely be lost on 95% of the non-racing enthusiasts purchasing the C6 but the cost increase sure wouldn't be! jmho
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
suspect using the aluminum frame on the C6 would destroy the cost advantage it currently has over most performance cars with which it competes and such a design would likely be lost on 95% of the non-racing enthusiasts purchasing the C6 but the cost increase sure wouldn't be! jmho
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
suspect using the aluminum frame on the C6 would destroy the cost advantage it currently has over most performance cars with which it competes and such a design would likely be lost on 95% of the non-racing enthusiasts purchasing the C6 but the cost increase sure wouldn't be! jmho
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,893
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The lightweight frame on the Z06 requires the FRC to make it work. Without it, the frame would buckle. Those that have made a Z06 into a vert have done so at the sacrifice of the overall quality of the car.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
Likes: 1,912
From: Missouri City, TX
The aluminum frames are outsourced to Dana Corp due to the expertise required in welding aluminum. Steel frames are fabricated at BG. I am fairly certain that the number of frames available from Dana are limited relative to the total number that would be required if all vettes got aluminum frames. Even with vette production now below 20,000, that exceeds Dana's production capacity. JMHO.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 174
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thanks guys for your input. yes, i agree, no matter what, steel or aluminum frames, our vettes ARE the best buy for the buck! no matter what you may have, a zr1, z06, c06, 0-60mph is GREAT compared to others in the same speed class and less $$$$$$!!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
The Z06 frame is 136# lighter. Throw out your passenger seat, windshield washer bottle and get a lightweight battery. You'll have the same weight savings (and still have a removable top).
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
guys, as i age as a new vette member and an owner, questions rise. why are not all vettes produced on a lightweight frame (as like the z06/zr1)? i have a wonderful c6 loaded convertible, but it would have been GREAT to have a lighter body frame. do you think it is a marketing ploy to promote the z6's and zr1's? they should have least give folks an option for extra $$$$$'s. i wonder if there is a huge weight difference though? hummmmmm......maybe next time.
Last edited by CMY SIX; Sep 8, 2009 at 12:04 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,008
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Some people have speculated that the aluminum frame may, after many miles, be more prone to fatigue cracking than the steel frame. Similar to what high time airplanes experience.
When we start having C6 Z06's with over 100k-200k miles, then we'll find out.
When we start having C6 Z06's with over 100k-200k miles, then we'll find out.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
you got a vert! they have to weigh more! have to "stiffen" the frame to make up for the lack of the "halo" believe it or not! the Z06 does'nt have the "targa" option to further stiffen/lighten the frame, and if you don't believe me, find a cpe with the same options and weigh them, and NO there is'nt a big difference between a cpe and a Z06 but... a 100 pounds is = to 10 HP thats the formula for power to weight 10 hp per 100 pounds of car weight 3200 lbs= 320hp
The Vert has no frame reinforcement compared with a coupe. The car was designed from scratch as a Vert...and the halo was added to produce the coupe.
Last edited by cclive; Sep 8, 2009 at 01:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 0
From: Some where in Amerika, sadly watching how is turned into a Socialist Republic.
guys, as i age as a new vette member and an owner, questions rise. why are not all vettes produced on a lightweight frame (as like the z06/zr1)? i have a wonderful c6 loaded convertible, but it would have been GREAT to have a lighter body frame. do you think it is a marketing ploy to promote the z6's and zr1's? they should have least give folks an option for extra $$$$$'s. i wonder if there is a huge weight difference though? hummmmmm......maybe next time.
Now for the guy the only buy the Z06 for vanity, and don't have the sacs to take it to the track but intead do blasts in traffic on I75 in Broward county, the weight savings is nothing.
Get the C6, best bangs for your money, and a great daily driver, in the end the Z06 doesn't have the confort of the C6, and ZR1 at 115K is like a collectors car.
Last edited by RogerC6; Sep 8, 2009 at 02:42 PM.
