LS3 vs Z06
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
Not so fast. Checkout the the Z06 fast list.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1794944
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1794944
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
My 1lt ls-3 car that has the weight advantage over the Z-06 @ 3115lbs track weight.with headers,gears,
425 rwhp stock Z makes 440 ave same dyno)390 gears. 11.98 2.01 60 ft .120mph never got a race a Z, Do I think I'd win. Maybe a poor driver, Good driver No. because numerus posts and video's show the gears pulling early then here comes the Z pulling. But everyone lets off and thinks
I have what it takes. I disagree. Even some of these 440plus (high dyno) rwhp header
ls-3 cars. Need the cam to have nuts. Thats why I added F/I instead completely stealthy no gauges. Same mpg. Carb legal. mild mannered
Z eater. ls-3 with the cam is toast too.
425 rwhp stock Z makes 440 ave same dyno)390 gears. 11.98 2.01 60 ft .120mph never got a race a Z, Do I think I'd win. Maybe a poor driver, Good driver No. because numerus posts and video's show the gears pulling early then here comes the Z pulling. But everyone lets off and thinks
I have what it takes. I disagree. Even some of these 440plus (high dyno) rwhp header
ls-3 cars. Need the cam to have nuts. Thats why I added F/I instead completely stealthy no gauges. Same mpg. Carb legal. mild mannered
Z eater. ls-3 with the cam is toast too.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 12
From: Alpharetta Georgia
The Z06 has the advantage of less weight and a much stronger power band than a cam'ed LS3. While a cam'ed LS3 will over power a stock Z for peak numbers, the reality is the C6Z has a stronger power band to around 5.5k rpms. My cam'ed LS3 makes 477whp/437wtq. I have raced by buddy in his stock C6Z at the track and while my car is definitely faster, its not the margin you would think. I was only trapping 1.5~2mph more than him. On top of the cars weight advantage, he is only 160lbs to my 210lbs...so I was at more of a weight penalty than usual. The C6Z is definitely one bad machine
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
One of the biggest factors people seem to forget it what heat will do to a stock tuned car. If a stock z06 and this modded LS3 vette are sitting in line waiting to make a pass at the dragstrip and getting hot while doing so, the stock z06 will start pulling timing MUCH more aggressively and reduce HP alot. If both cars are given the time to cool way down and pull right up to the starting line without heating up, the LS3 gets walked no matter what(unless the z06 driver can't drive worth a crap). The modded LS3 is a fast car but still not fast enough.
Eurorod said he saw an experienced z06 driver run 12.2 on DR's and then a LS3 run pretty much the same et in 20' hotter weather. Either you meant the z06 ran 11.20's or your "experienced" driver can't drive worth a crap. In 60' weather a z06 with DR's should be in the low to mid 11's.
Eurorod said he saw an experienced z06 driver run 12.2 on DR's and then a LS3 run pretty much the same et in 20' hotter weather. Either you meant the z06 ran 11.20's or your "experienced" driver can't drive worth a crap. In 60' weather a z06 with DR's should be in the low to mid 11's.
If there is a big enough discrepancy in driver ability, a bone stock LS3 based C6 will consistently outrun a Z06.A well driven stock LS3 based C6 will run 12.2s. I've seen video of poor Z06 drivers who struggle to break 12.3
But against a very good Z06 driver, it will take more than an LS3 with headers, cold air intake and tune, to run with a Z06. At the very least, in addition to those mods, you will probably need tires too.
There are several examples of "bolt ons only" Z06s running into the 10s. In addition to the 7 which you see on "The C6 Z06 Fast List", there is at least another known of on this particular forum.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1565013
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Oct 5, 2008 at 01:39 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
I have read several posts and it appears LS3s are responsive to mods.
Will a:
2008 LS3 6 speed coupe (NPP+Z51) with headers (Kook or LG pro longtubes), CAI and a tune keep up with a Z06? How much HP increase can I expect with headers, CAI, and a tune?
Will I need a cam? Which cam is recommended (would like to keep it as a daily driver) and how much more power with the 3 mods mentioned above? Trying to be in the Z06 territory with only bolt ons, if at all possible.
Seems like it's not worth touching the heads.
Thanks!!
Will a:
2008 LS3 6 speed coupe (NPP+Z51) with headers (Kook or LG pro longtubes), CAI and a tune keep up with a Z06? How much HP increase can I expect with headers, CAI, and a tune?
Will I need a cam? Which cam is recommended (would like to keep it as a daily driver) and how much more power with the 3 mods mentioned above? Trying to be in the Z06 territory with only bolt ons, if at all possible.
Seems like it's not worth touching the heads.
Thanks!!
While adding the three above mentioned mods and tuning on 91 octane will really wake up the LS3, I'd say that would not quite be enough to stay with a STOCK Z.
On the other hand, having done almost all possible bolt ons, and then getting dyno tuned by one of the best on a Torco/91 mix...
JB
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
From: Albany Oregon
I've owned both a 07 C6 Z06 and a 2008 LS3 with headers, CAI, tune and I will say the LS3 is an amazing engine with just a couple mods, but no way can it keep up with a stock Z06 with out adding a cam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,109
Likes: 334
From: Chicago IL
Drive a Bone stock Z06 and a Bone stock LS3, back to back, not even close, the LS3 feels very slow in comparison at all speeds and rpms's. When I heard all the Hype about the LS3 I had to go check it out, I regularly drive my brothers 07 Z06 so I know the car very well. Took it to the dealership, and hopped into an 08 6 speed, I was very disappointed, didn't feel much different than the LS2 IMO, which both feel slower than any C5 Z06. Its finally time for me to get back into a corvette, my Viper needs a stable mate again. I wont even test drive the standard vette anymore, I can get a brand new 08, for the same price as an 06 Z, its a no brain er for me. Z06 all the way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Drive a Bone stock Z06 and a Bone stock LS3, back to back, not even close, the LS3 feels very slow in comparison at all speeds and rpms's. When I heard all the Hype about the LS3 I had to go check it out, I regularly drive my brothers 07 Z06 so I know the car very well. Took it to the dealership, and hopped into an 08 6 speed, I was very disappointed, didn't feel much different than the LS2 IMO, which both feel slower than any C5 Z06. Its finally time for me to get back into a corvette, my Viper needs a stable mate again. I wont even test drive the standard vette anymore, I can get a brand new 08, for the same price as an 06 Z, its a no brain er for me. Z06 all the way.
That's obvious. Stock vs stock the Z06 should be faster from all speeds and rpms. The op is trying to figure out what mods it will take for an LS3 to beat a stock Z.
In general simply matching the hp numbers of a stock Z is usually not enough to beat one. 427ci power band FTMFW! Stalled and geared autos making similar power have a good chance though.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
Well we all know what i think and all i have to say is bring it on Zbabies come get some..dig,roll,whatever ..i'm sick of hearing the weight thing too,accualy a 1LT Ls3 weighs about the same as a Z the weight that gm used to compare was a fully load model c6 which weighs a 100 pounds more than a 1LT. What was it hmmm a Z is about a 100 pounds less than a 4lt OH YEA A 1lt IS A 100 POUNDS LESS THAN A 4LT TOO.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 16
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I wonder how much power I need to add to my car to beat a Stock ZR1. If i only had a cam, headers, intake, gears, tires, Etc. I can beat him if I do this & that. Do you see how stupid i sound. Why do we fight amongst are selfs. Maybe I'll just buy a Zr1 instead of trying to make my car beat one...................Joe
