HELP z06 vs Grandsport
#22
Drive a grand sport! Make it a low mile 2012 to 2013. You can find lower mile Grand Sport Vettes well within $35k depending on options. Of course you’ll always hear “Too bad it’s not a 427 cid.” And it’s an accurate statement.
The Ls3 needs longtubes, tune and sticky tires to hang with a stock ZO6. Comes down to driver at that point. I am well satisfied with my GS. Might roll 56k miles tomorrow morning on some north bound farm to market roads.
The Ls3 needs longtubes, tune and sticky tires to hang with a stock ZO6. Comes down to driver at that point. I am well satisfied with my GS. Might roll 56k miles tomorrow morning on some north bound farm to market roads.
#23
Team Owner
427 is less reliable
Do you want an auto? Do you want removable roof? That both rules out the z06. Are you going to race it? Are you going to modify it? Do you want to deal with the ls7 valve issues and tinker on the car?
Do you want an auto? Do you want removable roof? That both rules out the z06. Are you going to race it? Are you going to modify it? Do you want to deal with the ls7 valve issues and tinker on the car?
#24
“Too bad it’s not a 427 cid.” And it’s an accurate statement. -- So it won't be a competitor its just for me so I won't have to sweat the tires, tune, upgrades etc. I don't think the 427 is in my price range yet. I could be wrong. But, if I may ask, why the big difference? Just for bragging rights, special or is it more reliable?
The following users liked this post:
slow_zo6 (09-08-2018)
#26
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 13,256
Received 3,088 Likes
on
2,078 Posts
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
This will be close as far as HP between the LS3 and LS7 (both with manual transmissions)
LS3 = 436 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 384 RWHP . . . Headers and Tune +35 RWHP = 419 RWHP
LS7 = 505 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 444 RWHP
__________________________________
Add a very streetable medium sized aftermarket cam to the LS3, and it should get you an extra 25 RWHP, which would put you right at the stock LS7 RWHP of 444
.
LS3 = 436 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 384 RWHP . . . Headers and Tune +35 RWHP = 419 RWHP
LS7 = 505 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 444 RWHP
__________________________________
Add a very streetable medium sized aftermarket cam to the LS3, and it should get you an extra 25 RWHP, which would put you right at the stock LS7 RWHP of 444
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; 09-03-2018 at 03:42 PM.
#27
This will be close as far as HP between the LS3 and LS7 (both with manual transmissions)
LS3 = 436 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 384 RWHP . . . Headers and Tune +35 RWHP = 419 RWHP
LS7 = 505 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 444 RWHP
__________________________________
Add a very streetable medium sized aftermarket cam to the LS3, and it should get you an extra 25 RWHP, which would put you right at the stock LS7 RWHP of 444
.
LS3 = 436 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 384 RWHP . . . Headers and Tune +35 RWHP = 419 RWHP
LS7 = 505 Net HP . . . Bone Stock -12% Drivetrain Loss = 444 RWHP
__________________________________
Add a very streetable medium sized aftermarket cam to the LS3, and it should get you an extra 25 RWHP, which would put you right at the stock LS7 RWHP of 444
.
To the OP: Buy a base and you'll wish you had a GS, buy a GS and you'll wish you had a Z06, buy a Z06 and you'll wish you had a ZR1, buy a ZR1 and everyone will wish they had your car.
For your application, a GS would be a better fit. Cheaper repairs if crashed/bumped/etc. No head issues to worry about. Not an exotic engine, the LS3 is proven to last. The roof comes off, and you can get a newer car for less. (some just now coming out of factory powertrain warranty!)
Remember, opinions give varied results. Ask this in the Z06 section and they might say different. Ask here, and someone is bound to explain to you why a base is superior. Take it all with a grain of salt!
#28
I'm making 477whp with headers, exhaust, intake, and cam (BTR custom blower cam) dyno'd on an 87 degree day. plenty of other dynos support this as well. - 2010 GS
To the OP: Buy a base and you'll wish you had a GS, buy a GS and you'll wish you had a Z06, buy a Z06 and you'll wish you had a ZR1, buy a ZR1 and everyone will wish they had your car.
For your application, a GS would be a better fit. Cheaper repairs if crashed/bumped/etc. No head issues to worry about. Not an exotic engine, the LS3 is proven to last. The roof comes off, and you can get a newer car for less. (some just now coming out of factory powertrain warranty!)
Remember, opinions give varied results. Ask this in the Z06 section and they might say different. Ask here, and someone is bound to explain to you why a base is superior. Take it all with a grain of salt!
To the OP: Buy a base and you'll wish you had a GS, buy a GS and you'll wish you had a Z06, buy a Z06 and you'll wish you had a ZR1, buy a ZR1 and everyone will wish they had your car.
For your application, a GS would be a better fit. Cheaper repairs if crashed/bumped/etc. No head issues to worry about. Not an exotic engine, the LS3 is proven to last. The roof comes off, and you can get a newer car for less. (some just now coming out of factory powertrain warranty!)
Remember, opinions give varied results. Ask this in the Z06 section and they might say different. Ask here, and someone is bound to explain to you why a base is superior. Take it all with a grain of salt!
The following users liked this post:
Function Racer (09-05-2018)
#29
Melting Slicks
Easily a Z06. Mine is HCIE and I daily drove it for almost a year. No issues daily driving a Z06. You will easily get more biased responses here for the GS as this section is the base/GS discussion. Just the same, I doubt anyone would recommend the GS on the Z06 section.
I had a base before my Z06 and never once considered a GS. Sure, the LS7 has a major issue with the heads but it's an easy and not a super expensive fix. If you get one off the forums (like I did), chances are they will have already performed the fix.
Expanding on my last point, you will have to budget in the cost of getting the heads fixed if you don't buy one with it already done. Depending on if you're doing this yourself, this can range from $2000-$5000. This is something you must do and not something you want to take a gamble on. 2 grand for the fix is much better than $15k for a new LS7. See if you can fit this into your budget. 35k for a Z06 and having to fix the heads is going to push you closer to 40k.
I like all of the extra features that comes with a Z06 over the GS. 7K RPM redline, carbon fiber front fenders (prefer the design of the front fenders more on the Z06 too), aluminum frame, balsa wood floorboard, and of course the LS7.
The only thing the GS has over the Z06 is the removable roof. Have the roof off is definitely nice in the cooler days, but I had more troubles with my removable top in my last C6 than I would like. It would creak no matter what I did to fix it. It was embarrassing to have people in the car. Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. The LS3 in the GS is also more boost friendly. Go with the GS if you plan to supercharge it.
Dont get me wrong, the GS is a fantastic car and you can't go wrong with either one. The Z06 is just the superior car. I know I would regret not going with the Z06 if I got a GS. Best of luck in your decision!
I had a base before my Z06 and never once considered a GS. Sure, the LS7 has a major issue with the heads but it's an easy and not a super expensive fix. If you get one off the forums (like I did), chances are they will have already performed the fix.
Expanding on my last point, you will have to budget in the cost of getting the heads fixed if you don't buy one with it already done. Depending on if you're doing this yourself, this can range from $2000-$5000. This is something you must do and not something you want to take a gamble on. 2 grand for the fix is much better than $15k for a new LS7. See if you can fit this into your budget. 35k for a Z06 and having to fix the heads is going to push you closer to 40k.
I like all of the extra features that comes with a Z06 over the GS. 7K RPM redline, carbon fiber front fenders (prefer the design of the front fenders more on the Z06 too), aluminum frame, balsa wood floorboard, and of course the LS7.
The only thing the GS has over the Z06 is the removable roof. Have the roof off is definitely nice in the cooler days, but I had more troubles with my removable top in my last C6 than I would like. It would creak no matter what I did to fix it. It was embarrassing to have people in the car. Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. The LS3 in the GS is also more boost friendly. Go with the GS if you plan to supercharge it.
Dont get me wrong, the GS is a fantastic car and you can't go wrong with either one. The Z06 is just the superior car. I know I would regret not going with the Z06 if I got a GS. Best of luck in your decision!
#30
I'd take the GS over a Z06 for being a bit less harsh on suspension. It's quite noticeable on a back to back drive that the Z06 is a no nonsense track car. While I can appreciate the z06 and drive it everyday if I wanted to, each person has their own tolerance to ride stiffness and you'll have to choose to live with one if its a DD.
#31
#32
i'm running the kooks coated headers with the catted x pipe also with stock NPP exhaust. love the dual mode, quiet or loud when i want it
The following users liked this post:
Function Racer (09-06-2018)