2006 C6 A6 Track Capable??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
2006 C6 A6 Track Capable??
I am considering tracking my 06 A6, but after reading some of the posts
regarding the A6 realibility, I am hesitant! The car is stock except for
a 170 deg thertmostat and a computer up-grade to bring the fan on at a lower temp and torque management removed. I have std. suspension
but will install a rear Z51 swaybar, Ace slick wheels(9.5x18,11x19) with
Mich. PS2 tires and Z06 brakes. Will the addition of a trans cooler keep
the trans operating okay using 2nd and 3rd gear(all I will need on the track)? Any thoughts will be appreciated.
regarding the A6 realibility, I am hesitant! The car is stock except for
a 170 deg thertmostat and a computer up-grade to bring the fan on at a lower temp and torque management removed. I have std. suspension
but will install a rear Z51 swaybar, Ace slick wheels(9.5x18,11x19) with
Mich. PS2 tires and Z06 brakes. Will the addition of a trans cooler keep
the trans operating okay using 2nd and 3rd gear(all I will need on the track)? Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Spring Mountain has a A6 car for there school. From what I have seen there are very few reliability problems from the A6. I would though add another cooler if you are going to track the car. As long as you can keep the tranny cool I see no problems.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Denham Springs Louisiana
First Experience
My first experience with a C6 was with an A6 at Rev-It-Up, and we beat the everloving junk out of those cars. They held up incredible considering the abuse. Not one malfunction all day in 100+ Dallas heat.
I later went to Houston for the Mazda ZoomZoomLive event and those cars had oodles of problems, some cosmetic (plastic interiors falling apart) and some mechanical, transmissions, clutches (driver error on the clutches i'm sure), and really bad rear-end thunking on the RX-8.
I figured if you could drive a vette like that all day in that heat, there wasn't anything I could do that would hurt one, so I bought one.
Enjoy your track-day.
I later went to Houston for the Mazda ZoomZoomLive event and those cars had oodles of problems, some cosmetic (plastic interiors falling apart) and some mechanical, transmissions, clutches (driver error on the clutches i'm sure), and really bad rear-end thunking on the RX-8.
I figured if you could drive a vette like that all day in that heat, there wasn't anything I could do that would hurt one, so I bought one.
Enjoy your track-day.
VIR
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 127
From: Palmyra Va
I have only read of a few mechanical failures. The very early units had some oriface blockage isssues but that was solved early. Several have posted that the shifts need to be stronger and I agree. That should be fixed with computor mods. I'm not worried. Race on (at the track)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Yes you will downshift at the end of the braking zone, before you turn into the corner and up shift as needed.
The transmission cooler will get a big work out. I have not heard about A6 transcooler problems, like I have with A4 trans coolers. In which case it was not larger enough to handle the heat. A larger trans radiator and stonger pump did the job.
Most likely you will use 3, and 4th gears, 2nd gear may be used for extreemly slow corners, and 5th gear for long fast straight above 150 mph, which most tracks dont have straights of that length.
Good Luck and have fun
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
i run my A6 pretty hard at roebling, vir, and cmp. i had heating problems with the trans at vir with all the pounding and red lining. car computer came on and reduced my speed to below 50mph - transmission over heating. i had to pull into the grass so i wouldn't get run over. thank goodness i was able to get to the pits.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
i run my A6 pretty hard at roebling, vir, and cmp. i had heating problems with the trans at vir with all the pounding and red lining. car computer came on and reduced my speed to below 50mph - transmission over heating. i had to pull into the grass so i wouldn't get run over. thank goodness i was able to get to the pits.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
with the C5 MN6 we run 3rd and 4th at VIR and CMP. the C5Z06 with the MN12 and the C6 with the MZ12, also 3rd and 4th. 2nd is too low or a gear.
The more anyone shifts the heat the transmission will get.
The less you shift the smoother and in most cases the faster you go.
That does not mean one gear for the whole course,
Heat is the death of corvettes. Oil coolers and trans coolers are needed for dedicated track ( road race) cars. the Z51 oil and trans cooler are OK if your not tracking between June and Sept.
Oil and trans temps need to stay below 255* for best use.
If your doing a few events a year, you will be fine. Just watch those temps. If the car is going to be a dedicated track car, 5-6+ a year, then getting larger coolers is a good idea.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
i run my A6 pretty hard at roebling, vir, and cmp. i had heating problems with the trans at vir with all the pounding and red lining. car computer came on and reduced my speed to below 50mph - transmission over heating. i had to pull into the grass so i wouldn't get run over. thank goodness i was able to get to the pits.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville MN
Heating? A6?
You did not mention whether your car was a Z51 or not. I understand the Z51s have a tranny cooler.
I run my 06 C6 A6 Z51 at the BIR late last summer (85+). It was an HPDE class, so the car was not driven no where near its limits. I was more concerned with driving the right line than anything else. I simly put the shifter in "S" and that is all. I tired the paddle shifting, but coud not properly concentrate on the driving part.
I know with proper paddle shifting and perhaps the use of both right and left feet (for Accl and Brake), you can get great results - perhaps even beat the MN6
What ever you do, if you want to run track - even for HPDE, make sure you have good oil in the tranny, have S-Steel brake lines, racing brake fluid and racing pads. If the tranny over heats, your car will slow down, if the brakes fade
I run my 06 C6 A6 Z51 at the BIR late last summer (85+). It was an HPDE class, so the car was not driven no where near its limits. I was more concerned with driving the right line than anything else. I simly put the shifter in "S" and that is all. I tired the paddle shifting, but coud not properly concentrate on the driving part.
I know with proper paddle shifting and perhaps the use of both right and left feet (for Accl and Brake), you can get great results - perhaps even beat the MN6
What ever you do, if you want to run track - even for HPDE, make sure you have good oil in the tranny, have S-Steel brake lines, racing brake fluid and racing pads. If the tranny over heats, your car will slow down, if the brakes fade
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
i run my A6 pretty hard at roebling, vir, and cmp. i had heating problems with the trans at vir with all the pounding and red lining. car computer came on and reduced my speed to below 50mph - transmission over heating. i had to pull into the grass so i wouldn't get run over. thank goodness i was able to get to the pits.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
the scenario above was using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
next session i cut out 2nd and only used 3rd and 4th. found that i was much smoother, probably faster, and didn't kill the car as bad.
all this being said, the a6 will over heat.
Transmission overheating is no joke. Did you change the fluid afterwards.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I use M1 synthtic trans fluid. I change it every 3 or 4 events. plus a seperate trans cooler. Plus M1 Synthtic gear oil for the diff.
the GM spec trans fluid is good for normal use, but not on the track, heats up too much.
Does this mean, everyone run out and get a bigger cooler and change to synthtic fluid?? No. If your doing a few events a year, just watch your temps. Keep the oil and trans temp below 260* and you will be fine.
Very common here in the sunny south. and this was not a hot day in the paddock/
pic of my thermometer on my trailer door, in the shade about 10 am in mid June.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Jan 2, 2007 at 10:12 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
If not that is fine, just watch the oil temp. Keep the Oil temp or the trans temp in the DIC and both temps under 260* and you will be fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,714
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
You did not mention whether your car was a Z51 or not. I understand the Z51s have a tranny cooler.
I run my 06 C6 A6 Z51 at the BIR late last summer (85+). It was an HPDE class, so the car was not driven no where near its limits. I was more concerned with driving the right line than anything else. I simly put the shifter in "S" and that is all. I tired the paddle shifting, but coud not properly concentrate on the driving part.
I know with proper paddle shifting and perhaps the use of both right and left feet (for Accl and Brake), you can get great results - perhaps even beat the MN6
What ever you do, if you want to run track - even for HPDE, make sure you have good oil in the tranny, have S-Steel brake lines, racing brake fluid and racing pads. If the tranny over heats, your car will slow down, if the brakes fade
I run my 06 C6 A6 Z51 at the BIR late last summer (85+). It was an HPDE class, so the car was not driven no where near its limits. I was more concerned with driving the right line than anything else. I simly put the shifter in "S" and that is all. I tired the paddle shifting, but coud not properly concentrate on the driving part.
I know with proper paddle shifting and perhaps the use of both right and left feet (for Accl and Brake), you can get great results - perhaps even beat the MN6
What ever you do, if you want to run track - even for HPDE, make sure you have good oil in the tranny, have S-Steel brake lines, racing brake fluid and racing pads. If the tranny over heats, your car will slow down, if the brakes fade
The A6 tranny uses only Dextron VI fluid, last time I checked there were no synthetics avaliable for that spec.
In the C5 I did several HPDE events with totally stock brakes, only precaution was to flush the fluid just a couple of days before the event, no problems except the pads can be worn out in one weekend.