Which vette is easiest to launch?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 193
Likes: 5
Which vette is easiest to launch?
Which car is easier to launch with all things being equal, the C5z06 or a C6/M6? I have heard that both cars are prone to wheel hop upon hard launches but nothing like my GTO. I do plan on taking the car to the drag strip and smashing an occasional 5.0 in the meantime
, but I want the car that is easiest to launch…this GTO is a pain to launch its always a tossup depending on the surface of the road.
, but I want the car that is easiest to launch…this GTO is a pain to launch its always a tossup depending on the surface of the road.
Will work for HPDE time.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 7
From: Orlando FL
My GTO had no wheelhop. It also had a great deal of suspension work. It had a lot with the factory stuff.
My C6 has very little. It has non-runflats and different shocks/sways. It had a lot with the factory stuff.
My C5 had a lot with stock tires and suspension. Same with the C4. Guess what...improved with aftermarket tires and suspension.
Takeaway: all IRS cars are difficult to launch. If you want to get them to go consistently out of the hole, you need to have either A) Ranger's gift, or B) Better equipment than OE.
My C6 has very little. It has non-runflats and different shocks/sways. It had a lot with the factory stuff.
My C5 had a lot with stock tires and suspension. Same with the C4. Guess what...improved with aftermarket tires and suspension.
Takeaway: all IRS cars are difficult to launch. If you want to get them to go consistently out of the hole, you need to have either A) Ranger's gift, or B) Better equipment than OE.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 193
Likes: 5
Easy with all things being equal which car is easier to launch the C5z06 or a C6/M6? Maybe I should have added each in stock trim.
It would be good to hear different experiences from corvette owners who have driven both; however it would also be good to hear launch experiences from the C6 vette owners.
TNTC4VETTE helped a little by giving some of his experience and helping a future vette owner know that these things can be a handful to launch like my GTO in stock trim.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Easy with all things being equal which car is easier to launch the C5z06 or a C6/M6? Maybe I should have added each in stock trim.
It would be good to hear different experiences from corvette owners who have driven both; however it would also be good to hear launch experiences from the C6 vette owners.
TNTC4VETTE helped a little by giving some of his experience and helping a future vette owner know that these things can be a handful to launch like my GTO in stock trim.
It would be good to hear different experiences from corvette owners who have driven both; however it would also be good to hear launch experiences from the C6 vette owners.
TNTC4VETTE helped a little by giving some of his experience and helping a future vette owner know that these things can be a handful to launch like my GTO in stock trim.
They launch equally well with virtually no wheel hop....the key being drag radials. With drag radials at 17 psi they launch and go.
I never launched either very hard with street tires, spinning tires is no fun.
Practicing launching helps a lot too.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I had a 2002 Z06 and I now have a 2006 C6 Z51 M6. I took my C5 Z06 down the track about 40 times all on street tires. It would wheel hop in first and second gear no matter the air pressure. I have taken my C6 down the track maybe 15 times with the same result.
I have to believe Joe is right on the Drag Radials and I would bet TNTC4Vette is correct with regard to suspension upgrades as my 05 GTO had bad wheel hop until I put Hotchkis sway bars on which is all it too to eliminate the issue for me on that car.
So either way you go you are going to have to have to either get DR's or suspension upgrades with non run flat tires.
I have to believe Joe is right on the Drag Radials and I would bet TNTC4Vette is correct with regard to suspension upgrades as my 05 GTO had bad wheel hop until I put Hotchkis sway bars on which is all it too to eliminate the issue for me on that car.
So either way you go you are going to have to have to either get DR's or suspension upgrades with non run flat tires.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Which car is easier to launch with all things being equal, the C5z06 or a C6/M6? I have heard that both cars are prone to wheel hop upon hard launches but nothing like my GTO. I do plan on taking the car to the drag strip and smashing an occasional 5.0 in the meantime, but I want the car that is easiest to launch…this GTO is a pain to launch its always a tossup depending on the surface of the road.
, but I want the car that is easiest to launch…this GTO is a pain to launch its always a tossup depending on the surface of the road.
Will work for HPDE time.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 7
From: Orlando FL
I had a 2002 Z06 and I now have a 2006 C6 Z51 M6. I took my C5 Z06 down the track about 40 times all on street tires. It would wheel hop in first and second gear no matter the air pressure. I have taken my C6 down the track maybe 15 times with the same result.
I have to believe Joe is right on the Drag Radials and I would bet TNTC4Vette is correct with regard to suspension upgrades as my 05 GTO had bad wheel hop until I put Hotchkis sway bars on which is all it too to eliminate the issue for me on that car.
So either way you go you are going to have to have to either get DR's or suspension upgrades with non run flat tires.
I have to believe Joe is right on the Drag Radials and I would bet TNTC4Vette is correct with regard to suspension upgrades as my 05 GTO had bad wheel hop until I put Hotchkis sway bars on which is all it too to eliminate the issue for me on that car.
So either way you go you are going to have to have to either get DR's or suspension upgrades with non run flat tires.
Joe is a great driver. He figures out what HE did wrong and improves.
I am a human excuse generator. I figure out what part is "causing" my problem and replace it.
GTO had big bore shocks, aftermarket springs, sways, drag radials, and drag bags. It still never matched a decent ET to the traps it ran. Barely in the 10s at 139mph...and most of the mph was from 660' on.
The C6 was abysmal on the MPS2s in stock sizes. It was much better after the JOC suspension and NT05s.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
You didn't say manual or auto; that makes a difference too. And if you want to get rid of your GTO just for that issue, it'd be infinitely cheaper to upgrade your bushings (at the very least) with Pedders, and Hotchkiss sways. And that alone would transform your car. Finally, I personally don't plan to ever launch my new GS because I don't plan to upgrade anything either, but newer cars ('11+, I believe) have 'launch control'. How much that helps I don't know. I'd also imagine the GS should be able to launch better due to better grip (wider tires, and/or stickier, at least with the manual versions). A LOT depends on the driver as well, so forget about getting a clear-cut answer on a forum. Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Launch control, in my observations at the drag strip, is completely useless. 2.3 60 foots, and a couple were wheel hopping! I think Kerrdogg has it, see what he says. I know for a fact he doesn't use it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
My next track event will have many surprises for me, I am going to make my first run with 100 more rwhp and on new tires ( RE-11's ) my dilemma is: do I install new tranny mounts first? Won't matter as I do not get to practice enough to worry about the poor times I am going to put down lol
Now if Joe would ever come back home while Gateway is still open, I might get him to teach me a thing or two?
Now if Joe would ever come back home while Gateway is still open, I might get him to teach me a thing or two?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
^^^should be there in July...be happy to tell you what I know. My advice is don't spend any money on mounts, get some drag radials....otherwise you won't be happy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Oxford Pa
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,022
Likes: 18
From: Tampa FL (formerly Justinjor)
Tech Contributor
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,474
Likes: 297
From: Orange Park FL
Joe is a great driver. He figures out what HE did wrong and improves.
I am a human excuse generator. I figure out what part is "causing" my problem and replace it.
GTO had big bore shocks, aftermarket springs, sways, drag radials, and drag bags. It still never matched a decent ET to the traps it ran. Barely in the 10s at 139mph...and most of the mph was from 660' on.
The C6 was abysmal on the MPS2s in stock sizes. It was much better after the JOC suspension and NT05s.
I am a human excuse generator. I figure out what part is "causing" my problem and replace it.
GTO had big bore shocks, aftermarket springs, sways, drag radials, and drag bags. It still never matched a decent ET to the traps it ran. Barely in the 10s at 139mph...and most of the mph was from 660' on.
The C6 was abysmal on the MPS2s in stock sizes. It was much better after the JOC suspension and NT05s.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I won't be able to pull the trigger on rear wheels and DR's, replacing my Invo's that have 20,000 miles on them with the RE 11's is the only upgrade in the budget in that price range.
I appreciate all the feedback on the mounts as I'm sure others do that are following this thread.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Flying or driving? Beers are on me Joe if you can spare a couple hours while in town.
I won't be able to pull the trigger on rear wheels and DR's, replacing my Invo's that have 20,000 miles on them with the RE 11's is the only upgrade in the budget in that price range.
I appreciate all the feedback on the mounts as I'm sure others do that are following this thread.
I won't be able to pull the trigger on rear wheels and DR's, replacing my Invo's that have 20,000 miles on them with the RE 11's is the only upgrade in the budget in that price range.
I appreciate all the feedback on the mounts as I'm sure others do that are following this thread.
Sure wish you could borrow some drag radials...I have to think if I know anyone with some...it's like night and day.
Wagon wheels are cheap - I gave my set away or I'd give them to you. Heck I'd tote my DR's up and lend them to you but mine won't fit on your car, 315's rub on a standard c6.
Seriously, work on a set of drag radials.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
My experience is that a lower geared transmission is easier to launch then a high geared one. The C5Z06 has the lower gearing that the C6 Z51 has and the C6 GS has. The base C6 has higher gearing.