Hi all,
I had posted on the ZR1/Z06 side about "being scared of the LS7". I got a lot of great responses and I thank everyone for that. But I'm scared, that is a race motor for the street. Ok fair enough. So I have switched gears and am now looking at a Grand Sport (almost) the same car more friendly street motor.
Ok so here is my question besides the dry-sump oil system is there much if any real performance difference between the Auto cars and The Manual cars.

I want a manual, but it seems there are way more Auto cars to be had.

Thanks
Dave

 

Different gearing (ratios) in the transmission and rear differential between a manual and an automatic.

Can't go wrong with either choice, depending on what you really want/need.

 

Forum members times and speeds

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...challenge.html

Showroom Stock LS2 (2005 -2007)
12.215 @ 115.45 - LS1LT1 - 06 A6 - (1278)
12.235 @ 115.58 - 06C6FVR - 06 M6 Z51 - (333)
12.290 @ 114.29 - Proney - 07 M6 - (4500)
12.314 @ 114.82 - CYA Vett - 05 M6 F55 - (675)
12.422 @ 113.90 - DrRichie - 05 M6 Z51

Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - 2013)
11.718 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2586)
11.806 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3478)
11.974 @ 116.98 - Proney - 08 M6 Z51, NPP - (4652)
12.058 @ 122.05 - AndrewZPSU - 10 A6 NPP - (5051)
12.100 @ 115.19 - Odin - 09 A6 2.73 npp - (4325)

Showroom Stock LS3 Grand Sport (2010 - 2013)
12.319 @ 115.75 - Grand SportMan - 10 A6 - (5128)
12.374 @ 116.98 - Kuhnrod - 10 A6 - (6945)
12.461 @ 116.04 - SawBladz - 13 M6 - (6916)
12.499 @ 115.35 - Paristndude - 10 M6 - (6898)
12.559 @ 115.41 - Fastenuf - 11 A6 - (5269)

 

After I posted I did find the 'fast-list'. Ok fair, equal enough. Does the dry sump oil system make any difference?

Why is the Grand Sport a tick slower?

 

If you're going to use it on a track (nat a drag strip) it does.

 

Wide-body and upgraded brakes and suspension over a base car not equipped with the Z51 suspension package. GS has more weight to it.

 

Track......Oh perhaps every once in a while i might go ride around NOLA Motorsports park, with the Novice group. Drag racing naw i don't think so. I'm a older fella, just me and the little woman riding around at the lake front on weekends or taking it out to lunch or dinner on nice weekends, she says she is "tired of hanging around the house on Friday and Saturday nights".

I'm a Jet engine mechanic and Engineer by trade. So I have a bit of knowledge about mechanical things.
I have been lurking since 2014 and have thought about getting a Vette (a bunch of times) but never did...Now Dammit i'm serious.....

 

Ok thanks with the weight add-ons, did not realize that.

I still like the GS though

 

The Grand Sport M6 cars have hand built engines from the Performance Build Center (same as the Z06). Automatics don't. Dry sump cars use double the oil so more cost when changing.

 

If you want a stick then hold out otherwise youll regret it. Theres nothing scary about the LS7, its a big sbc with a baby cam its just way more powerful than the smaller ones youre used to.
Lots of nannies aboard to keep it easy to drive. You should drive one first before discounting them.....505hp sounds like a lot but it isnt.
Youll become addicted to low/midrange torque and wont ever want something smaller.

There are days I still want to build a big block for the old schooler.

 

Other than Jeff Gordon few people can out shift the auto trans. It is all about personal preference based on how you drive and what you are looking for in your Corvette.

 

 

The issue with the LS7 are the heads. Whether it is a guide issue or geometry design issue, just have them rebuilt correctly and you will be fine. Buy what you like and enjoy it. Life is too short.

 

It sounds like the GS is your cup of tea. The look you desire and powerful enough for fun, but reliable to drive anywhere at anytime. The only concern would be if you don't do your own oil changes with the dry sump system, even dealers screw it up and kill engines. Learn how it's done or buy an A6 and never worry. The relaxing drives around the lake and dinner out are easier with the A6 that you can let the little woman drive too.

 

Of course the added weight is for bigger brakes and wider tires which provide a performance increase in most conditions. People like to think themselves as professional race car drivers which chances are they are not so an auto is usually CONSISTENTLY quicker. I have owned a base and 2 Grand Sports over the years and the Grand Sports are more fun to drive when pushed. You will suffer about 3-5 mpg or so of gas mileage but if someone complains about getting 23mpg or so in a Sports car then they need to give up their man card and buy something else.

The times are great, but I doubt all those cars had the stock tires on them. I remember years ago a big topic was if they were actually 100% stock. And considering you have so many other variables such as driver, GM"s wide range of tolerances, payment condition, weather and location. I noticed some LS2 times are faster than the Grand Sport. Even with 100 lbs extra, the GS also has 36 more HP extra. And while the wide tires are heavier they do provide better grip on launch.

While the Z06 is powerful it is pretty tame with all the electronic gizmos helping you. Although your tranny options are limited and as mentioned the engine going boom is a major concern.

Just find the one that suits you best and enjoy the car. All Corvettes are great in the end, it is just a matter what you want and how much you are willing to spend. Remember that higher performance options sometimes has negatives. One is the carbon brakes found on the ZR1 and some Z06s. Very nice brakes that will make your eye ***** come out quicker but they are noisier when used in normal day to day driving.

 

If you drive in traffic get an auto...

If you want the absolute fastest and are going to generally keep it stock, get an auto

Manual is a thing of the past imo, the only issue is when it comes to cars people orgasm over manuals for some reason...

 

It used to be that automatics were for the family car and manuals were for the Hot Rods. Auto trans have come a long way since then. But until they do away with the torque converter, they will never be considered by some, as performance transmissions.

Tom

 

If at all possible drive both an auto and stick then decide. I was lucky enough to do so, and I choose the stick. I just did not like the way the auto was programmed to shift. Upshifts came way to quickly and downshifts were the same way. Some of this is because of the lag GM programs between the pedal and throttle, which can be fixed by the aftermarket, but some is just the trans itself. You could use the paddles to decrease this as well, but that kind of defeats the whole idea of an automatic.

 

The difference is control and smiles per mile. Get yourself a manual..... whether a Corvette or an Accord.

 

Jeff Gordon? What year is it?