grandsport corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Was at the track this past weekend with some GS vettes. Very impressed....With a good driver, they are a very well rounded track car and a lot easier to drive harder than a Z06, which ultimately inspires confidence and faster laps.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 393
Likes: 7
From: Fuquay Varina NC
I own a GS and have driven both on a track. They were both within a thousand or two apart in mileage and both the same year so tire life, shocks, rubber bushings etc were on par with each other. I found the Z to be a better track car from my experience. Seems a bit more nimble outside of the stronger acceleration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
Agree with both LFZ and cegusa.
Having also driven both on the track, the Z06 is without question a better track car. The GS is a very capable track car and more forgiving than the Z06, but it is no match for the Z06 on the track in the right hands.
Having also driven both on the track, the Z06 is without question a better track car. The GS is a very capable track car and more forgiving than the Z06, but it is no match for the Z06 on the track in the right hands.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 251
From: Baltimore Maryland
Even though the looks, brakes, dry sump oiling and other things are the same the Z06 is also upgraded with aluminum / carbon fiber construction vs the steel of the GS. So the Z06 is not just a 75 hp more powerful motor but also lighter . . . so its feels alot faster. Its a true track car.
But only the GS has a removable targa roof and is no slouch on the track itself . . . very capable with a good driver And some Z06 motors have had serious valve problems. So I went with the Grand Sport and have no regrets.
Good luck
But only the GS has a removable targa roof and is no slouch on the track itself . . . very capable with a good driver And some Z06 motors have had serious valve problems. So I went with the Grand Sport and have no regrets.
Good luck
Last edited by csf; Aug 4, 2014 at 08:30 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 51
From: Largo FL
Having driven both, I find the GS to be a more street friendly version of the Z06. You get the wide body looks, brakes, and suspension of the Z with the base LS engine and the option of a convertible and automatic. If you track the car, the Z06 would get my vote. As a fun street car, I find my GS 'vert to be more than capable. I think a GS would be a great track car for many as well.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 23
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
I've had both. Both are fun but the Z06 is better on the track. If you plan on any type of damage, the GS will be cheaper to fix, and/or cage later.
I ultimately sold my C6z and bought a dedicated C5z for the track and GS for the street. Living with a dual purpose car was it easy for me.
I ultimately sold my C6z and bought a dedicated C5z for the track and GS for the street. Living with a dual purpose car was it easy for me.
Life Starts at 120 mph
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 190
From: Upstate New York
NCM Lifetime Member
NCM Sinkhole Donor
For the money, the GS is great. Unless you are a very skilled driver, the GS is the way to go. A Z06 might turn out to be to much and bang there goes the wallet.
Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 9,785
Likes: 1,532
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2018 C7 of Year Winner
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '22
Life Starts at 120 mph
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 190
From: Upstate New York
NCM Lifetime Member
NCM Sinkhole Donor
and thanks...back at you. But that is an old picture and there has been a few mods.Don't want to sideline the OP's question....
But, I will offer the OP this, I track my car as much as I can afford too
The Zed06 is an awesome car, but there are known issues with the LS7 motor as my track friends will attest to. The LS3 is solid, and in most cases bullet proof. Again, unless your a very skilled driver who can take advanatge of the Zed06, the GS will perform to any good novice driver and leave them witha ear to ear grin.
To US Icon: How did you get that picture in your Avatar, what was going on? Was NASCAR practicing/testing while you guys were on track? If so, how do I get it on that?
Last edited by Boxcar; Aug 5, 2014 at 08:39 AM.
Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 9,785
Likes: 1,532
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2018 C7 of Year Winner
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '22
Box,
The pic in my avatar was taken at Daytona speedway this past April durring the Ferrari chalenge event put on by celebration of exotic cars and flat out motorsports. It is your standard high performance driving event, run likely as the ones you've driven. This event had 4 run groups with every type of car from your typical Miada, Vettes, Euro exotics, and former NASCAR rides. This picture was taken by sideline photagraphy, the same people who take pictures at the olympics.
5 seconds after this pic was taken, the Miller lite car blew my doors off LOL
I bought two poster size pics of my Vette from sideline. They are both 20x30 aluminum prints and these two cost me $425. Not cheap but the best quality money can by as far as I know.
Here is another 20x30 from the same event (displayed at a local car show)
In the spirit of trying to stay on topic, here is a vid of my Grand Sport vs a NASCAR Cup car for comparison. I out pull him leaving the chicane, but he blows my doors off in the high bank once he gets it wound up. I have no clue if this was one of Penskes road course cup cars, a restricter plate car, or some variation of both.
The pic in my avatar was taken at Daytona speedway this past April durring the Ferrari chalenge event put on by celebration of exotic cars and flat out motorsports. It is your standard high performance driving event, run likely as the ones you've driven. This event had 4 run groups with every type of car from your typical Miada, Vettes, Euro exotics, and former NASCAR rides. This picture was taken by sideline photagraphy, the same people who take pictures at the olympics.
5 seconds after this pic was taken, the Miller lite car blew my doors off LOL
I bought two poster size pics of my Vette from sideline. They are both 20x30 aluminum prints and these two cost me $425. Not cheap but the best quality money can by as far as I know.
Here is another 20x30 from the same event (displayed at a local car show)
In the spirit of trying to stay on topic, here is a vid of my Grand Sport vs a NASCAR Cup car for comparison. I out pull him leaving the chicane, but he blows my doors off in the high bank once he gets it wound up. I have no clue if this was one of Penskes road course cup cars, a restricter plate car, or some variation of both.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 118
From: Lakemont, GA
As far as a track car goes the manual coupes are better than the verts and autos. Addition of dry sump and coolers make it pretty bullet proof. The Z06 is a faster car but it is only as fast as the driver. I chose to purchase a GS because I like to take the top off and wanted something capable and reliable on the track.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 429
Likes: 42
From: Chicago Il
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
It's perfectly capable on a track:
Road America - Dry
Road America - Wet
Mods on the car at that time were B&B PRT Oval axle back, Red Line Diff oil, RBF 600 brake fluid and Carbotech pads. Otherwise, the car was stock. This is an auto '12 GS 4LT targa as well.
Road America - Dry
Road America - Wet
Mods on the car at that time were B&B PRT Oval axle back, Red Line Diff oil, RBF 600 brake fluid and Carbotech pads. Otherwise, the car was stock. This is an auto '12 GS 4LT targa as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
In the spirit of trying to stay on topic, here is a vid of my Grand Sport vs a NASCAR Cup car for comparison. I out pull him leaving the chicane, but he blows my doors off in the high bank once he gets it wound up. I have no clue if this was one of Penskes road course cup cars, a restricter plate car, or some variation of both.
Mods on the car at that time were B&B PRT Oval axle back, Red Line Diff oil, RBF 600 brake fluid and Carbotech pads. Otherwise, the car was stock. This is an auto '12 GS 4LT targa as well.
Last edited by not08crmanymore; Aug 5, 2014 at 11:29 AM.