Issues Using a Base C6 for Light Track Use?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
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From: NE Ohio
Issues Using a Base C6 for Light Track Use?
Hello,
First post here but I have been lurking for a while. I have searched for this but I have not found a concrete answer, most threads go off into Z51 specs etc. So I am about to buy a C6 6spd Corvette and I have narrowed it down to 2. One is 5 minutes from me in NE Ohio and is $23k without z51. The other is 5 hours away and is $25k with z51. I have asked myself repeatedly, "What will I use the car for?". The answer is about 9k miles of driving a year, about 4 AutoX a year and hopefully 2 HPDE events a year. I do not care about the ride difference between the 2 around town. My only question is:
Will the base C6 be able to handle HPDE events? Will the lack of cooling come into play? I am not concerned about lap times, but, I also don't want to waste precious expensive track time with having to do a cool down lap every 10 mins. Thank you guys for any experiences/answers.
First post here but I have been lurking for a while. I have searched for this but I have not found a concrete answer, most threads go off into Z51 specs etc. So I am about to buy a C6 6spd Corvette and I have narrowed it down to 2. One is 5 minutes from me in NE Ohio and is $23k without z51. The other is 5 hours away and is $25k with z51. I have asked myself repeatedly, "What will I use the car for?". The answer is about 9k miles of driving a year, about 4 AutoX a year and hopefully 2 HPDE events a year. I do not care about the ride difference between the 2 around town. My only question is:
Will the base C6 be able to handle HPDE events? Will the lack of cooling come into play? I am not concerned about lap times, but, I also don't want to waste precious expensive track time with having to do a cool down lap every 10 mins. Thank you guys for any experiences/answers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: 200 AGL
St. Jude Donor '15
Are you going to mod the car?
if not i say z51. If you are imo it is a moot point so no reason to pay a premium.
Also be advised you can probably find a higher mile z06 in the high 20's.
if not i say z51. If you are imo it is a moot point so no reason to pay a premium.
Also be advised you can probably find a higher mile z06 in the high 20's.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 11,003
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From: Why I oughtta....
St. Jude Donor '17-'18
Might there be any other aspects of the z that would make it worth an extra 2 grand and a 5 hour drive? I guess what I mean is, other than the z51 package, how do the two cars stack up against each other? Model year, mileage, condition, etc.? I don't participate in the type of events that you mentioned but, of the cars I drove before I settled on mine (a z51), I definitely liked the handling of the z better. But it was just one of the things that figured into my decision. Good luck with which ever car you decide on!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
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From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Put good oil in the car, bleed the brakes with good fluid and if you are a beginner that should be fine.
If you have some time under your belt I would upgrade the pads for track use...along with the above items too.
Get some time in at the track and see what you want to do...the car isn't going to fall apart on you unless you're Mario Andretti
The Z51 cars (depending on year) do have better shocks, springs, and bigger sway bars. Most will have some sort of engine/trans cooling. Shouldn't be much difference in price and honestly there is no downside to daily driving a Z51 car I did for years.
If you have some time under your belt I would upgrade the pads for track use...along with the above items too.
Get some time in at the track and see what you want to do...the car isn't going to fall apart on you unless you're Mario Andretti
The Z51 cars (depending on year) do have better shocks, springs, and bigger sway bars. Most will have some sort of engine/trans cooling. Shouldn't be much difference in price and honestly there is no downside to daily driving a Z51 car I did for years.
Last edited by Anthony @ LGMotorsports; Dec 9, 2016 at 02:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,766
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I say go with the Z51 as it was designed with just your type of driving in mind, and it will perform better on the track in the long run. Get rid of the runflats if it has them and put on some good summer tires and you'll be good to go.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
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From: San Marcos CA
If you never put competition compound tires on it, you will not likely encounter enough g-force to run the car out of oil, but it is possible if the turn is long enough. This is the main downside to the standard model. The widebody cars usually have the dry sump because of the corner g's the steam roller rubber will afford them.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
The Z51 cars are built for people who want to venture into the sport of Gymkhana, (autoX), and so equip better for that use. Not only better cooling but gearing in the transmission is tailored for those track events. On the street, the cars are not that harsh as a DD, as I have no problems driving mine as such.
I don't think that there are issues with either car in regards to the cooling efficiency. But for the track events that you may use the car with, I would go Z51.
FYI, the owners manual states (for my car z51) to add one extra quart of oil when you do track days. Less chance of oil starvation while performing high G turns.
I don't think that there are issues with either car in regards to the cooling efficiency. But for the track events that you may use the car with, I would go Z51.
FYI, the owners manual states (for my car z51) to add one extra quart of oil when you do track days. Less chance of oil starvation while performing high G turns.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Z51 also gets the "performance" axle ratio if you have the auto tranny, not needed nor available on the stick.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Dec 9, 2016 at 08:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
a base 'vette is fine for occasional track use. I've had mine at a track on two occasions. It didn't get hot. the brakes didn't warp.
Someone correct me, but I believe Corvette is in the only car that will not void the warranty by taking it on the track.
A base C6 might not get around the track like a Z51 but it's comfortable on the road and easy to live with day to day.
For sure do the maintenance, makes sure the brake fluid is fresh. Don't abuse it rather than drive it hard.
Someone correct me, but I believe Corvette is in the only car that will not void the warranty by taking it on the track.
A base C6 might not get around the track like a Z51 but it's comfortable on the road and easy to live with day to day.
For sure do the maintenance, makes sure the brake fluid is fresh. Don't abuse it rather than drive it hard.
Last edited by LowRyter; Dec 9, 2016 at 09:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
a base 'vette is fine for occasional track use. I've had mine at a track on two occasions. It didn't get hot. the brakes didn't warp.
Someone correct me, but I believe Corvette is in the only car that will not void the warranty by taking it on the track.
A base C6 might not get around the track like a Z51 but it's comfortable on the road and easy to live with day to day.
For sure do the maintenance, makes sure the brake fluid is fresh. Don't abuse it rather than drive it hard.
Someone correct me, but I believe Corvette is in the only car that will not void the warranty by taking it on the track.
A base C6 might not get around the track like a Z51 but it's comfortable on the road and easy to live with day to day.
For sure do the maintenance, makes sure the brake fluid is fresh. Don't abuse it rather than drive it hard.
Big bucks problems might be decided by GM, if your radio fails during HPDE I'm sure they will cover it. If the engine fails, probably not unless they find a clear manufacturing defect.
IIRC, the C7 warranty is good for real track use but you have to follow specific prep procedures.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
You can run a base model at the track , but the Z51 has more of the options for use on the track..If your serious about doing well at the track get the Z51 for sure..To me this would be a no brainer....WW
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Last edited by WW7; Dec 10, 2016 at 08:19 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,772
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From: SIOUX FALLS SD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
The car you buy today is the car you will sell tomorrow. I would say buy the Z-51 and plan on getting a little more money when you re-sell it. If you are questioning which one to get you will be happier with the Z-51. I have a Z-51 and the main reason I bought it was in case I ever resold it. Here I am 10 years later and still driving the same car! I am looking at C-7s but I really don't mind driving the 05 Z-51 they are awesome cars and really a good value now since the C-7 came out.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 165
Likes: 28
From: Franklin TN
I've run my base auto C6 6 times at the NCM track in Bowling Green, getting faster & more aggressive each time. In my opinion, the car is just fine. I'm held back from getting faster by driving on run flats and just being scared of pushing speed. But the car has worked just fine. I've had it inspected by the dealership before/after track sessions-no problem
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
Good choice, my first C-6 was a Z-51 optioned car. It will handle beginner to intermediate hpde without too much trouble. Don't be swayed by drilled rotors though. They are okay in the beginning, but you'll want to upgrade to plain or slotted as your abilities increase.