GS vs. Z06 performance
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
But Joe, I wasn't talking about acceleration and neither were you. It was in direct response to your statement where you said gears produce more HP at a steady speed. Only engines produce HP. The gears merely transfer that power to the wheels at a rate that takes advantage of the power range of the engine.
Let's assume it takes 60 HP to maintain a steady 40 MPH in your car. You can do that in any gear from 1st through 6th. The HP never changed because the difference was the RPM of the engine. The load (i.e. move the car 40 MPH) the engine had placed upon it was identical in each gear. The ability of the engine to produce 60 HP is far easier in the higher RPM of 1st gear than the low RPM of 6th.
Let's assume it takes 60 HP to maintain a steady 40 MPH in your car. You can do that in any gear from 1st through 6th. The HP never changed because the difference was the RPM of the engine. The load (i.e. move the car 40 MPH) the engine had placed upon it was identical in each gear. The ability of the engine to produce 60 HP is far easier in the higher RPM of 1st gear than the low RPM of 6th.
My point on a steep set of gears is when you step on the pedal, from 0 mph to highway speeds or beyond, the acceleration is greater with a set of gears because you are giving the engine a longer lever to work with from any given road speed & gear. You really notice it; that's why I say it feels like the car lost 500 lbs. And of course on the drag strip it has a very real tangible benefit to get you off the line much more quickly.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Greater Houston Area-Southeast Texas
Gs vs Z
I have a 2012 Grand Sport Convertible, and have been entertaining moving to a Z06. My gut feeling is that there is a substantial difference in performance between the cars, but I've not yet driven a Z06, so I don't have personal experience to go by. If anyone has driven and/or owned both models, I would greatly appreciate any comments you might have about the two, comparing performance, and also any ownership experience comments about the two.
Last edited by GrandSport2012; Feb 21, 2015 at 02:43 PM. Reason: Add request.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: DFW
I have a 2012 GS Conv. A6 and started lusting for the new 2015 Z06. After looking at the pros and cons I am going to stay with my GS and do a few mods. I am looking at the Magnuson Heartbeat SC, Calloway Honker Air Intake, Port and Polish Throttle body, 160 degree thermostat, and add boost and fuel pressure guages. I plan to keep the stock Performance dual tip exhaust. I live in the Houston Texas area and looking for very good install and tune.
I think of his car as more of a hard core track car. There is no doubting the 427 is a beast of a motor.
But I'm a ragtop man...so the GS Vert with mods was the right choice for me
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 35
From: Kalifornia
I have a 2012 GS Conv. A6 and started lusting for the new 2015 Z06. After looking at the pros and cons I am going to stay with my GS and do a few mods. I am looking at the Magnuson Heartbeat SC, Calloway Honker Air Intake, Port and Polish Throttle body, 160 degree thermostat, and add boost and fuel pressure guages. I plan to keep the stock Performance dual tip exhaust. I live in the Houston Texas area and looking for very good install and tune.
