GS vs. Z06 performance
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson City MO
GS vs. Z06 performance
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 24
From: NJ
Dont take the trade in price hit on getting rid of yours... Take some money & do add ons to your GS... Honestly your not gana get a good opinion on the forum because all the Z06 guys are gana side with the Z's and the GS guys are gana side with the GS's honestly its up to you what u wana do..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 24
From: NJ
NP, speaking from experience... Was gana buy a Z but decided to buy a GS and put a blower on it which I jus got back and the second I hit the gas I knew I made the right move!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson City MO
That's kind of what I've been thinking. If you don't mind me asking, what did you put on? I've heard some good things about the Edelbrock, but have not heard much about the others. I want to keep the stock hood, so I like the low profile of the Edelbrock.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Forum members, showroom stock, quarter mile.
Showroom Stock LS3 Grand Sport (2010 - 2013)
12.319 @ 115.75 - Grand SportMan - 10 A6 - (5128)
12.559 @ 115.41 - Fastenuf - 11 A6 - (5269)
12.805 @ 113.33 - PhillyLS1 - 11 M6 NPP - (5085)
The C6 Z06 Fast List
Bone-Stock on Stock Tires
Rank~~ E.T.~~ Trap~ 60'~ Driver~~~~~ M.Yr. Details Thread Video
1~~~~ 10.981 128.90 1.77 Jamie Furman~ 2006 details~~ thread
2~~~~ 11.025 127.25 1.70 Ranger ~~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread video
3~~~~ 11.177 127.08 1.79 walterm32~~~ 2008 details~~ thread
4~~~~ 11.242 122.38 1.68 Dr.Ron ~~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread
5~~~~ 11.311 122.89 1.80 BLU-BY-U ~~~ 2006 details~~ thread
6~~~~ 11.349 124.97 1.75 zosix427 ~~~~ 2006 details~~
7~~~~ 11.392 124.84 1.92 C5 Frank ~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread
8~~~~ 11.429 124.88 1.86 dgdoc ~~~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread video
9~~~~ 11.443 125.93 1.95 O7zeeO6 ~~~~ 2007 details~~ thread A
10 ~~~ 11.458 124.13 1.80 layjzay~~~~~~ 2006 details~~
Showroom Stock LS3 Grand Sport (2010 - 2013)
12.319 @ 115.75 - Grand SportMan - 10 A6 - (5128)
12.559 @ 115.41 - Fastenuf - 11 A6 - (5269)
12.805 @ 113.33 - PhillyLS1 - 11 M6 NPP - (5085)
The C6 Z06 Fast List
Bone-Stock on Stock Tires
Rank~~ E.T.~~ Trap~ 60'~ Driver~~~~~ M.Yr. Details Thread Video
1~~~~ 10.981 128.90 1.77 Jamie Furman~ 2006 details~~ thread
2~~~~ 11.025 127.25 1.70 Ranger ~~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread video
3~~~~ 11.177 127.08 1.79 walterm32~~~ 2008 details~~ thread
4~~~~ 11.242 122.38 1.68 Dr.Ron ~~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread
5~~~~ 11.311 122.89 1.80 BLU-BY-U ~~~ 2006 details~~ thread
6~~~~ 11.349 124.97 1.75 zosix427 ~~~~ 2006 details~~
7~~~~ 11.392 124.84 1.92 C5 Frank ~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread
8~~~~ 11.429 124.88 1.86 dgdoc ~~~~~~ 2006 details~~ thread video
9~~~~ 11.443 125.93 1.95 O7zeeO6 ~~~~ 2007 details~~ thread A
10 ~~~ 11.458 124.13 1.80 layjzay~~~~~~ 2006 details~~
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
Having driven both on the track, there is no doubt the Z06 is a superior track car. Better balanced, quicker transitions and more power. That being said, it was definitely more challenging to drive - even at 8/10ths. It took a great deal of concentration and careful brake, throttle and steering modulation to turn quickest times.
On the other hand, the Grand Sport certainly doesn't have the same potential as the Z06, but it was easier to push beyond 8/10ths, and I found it as much or maybe even more fun to drive because it was easier to get into a rhythm on the track instead of focusing so hard to maintain control.
So - yes, there is a significant difference and the Z06 is a superior performing car, without question. But the fun of driving the GS really stuck in my mind, even though I know the lap times were not quite as quick. Tough call to pick a preference taking all variables into consideration, but if speed is your priority, I'd say you can't choose anything but the Z06.
On the other hand, the Grand Sport certainly doesn't have the same potential as the Z06, but it was easier to push beyond 8/10ths, and I found it as much or maybe even more fun to drive because it was easier to get into a rhythm on the track instead of focusing so hard to maintain control.
So - yes, there is a significant difference and the Z06 is a superior performing car, without question. But the fun of driving the GS really stuck in my mind, even though I know the lap times were not quite as quick. Tough call to pick a preference taking all variables into consideration, but if speed is your priority, I'd say you can't choose anything but the Z06.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: manchester NH
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,233
Likes: 5
Ive had 2 ZO6's
And now a 13 GS. I really like my GS in all ways but the 427 power is really what I miss. I know that I can add the power and loose the warranty, but I am waiting for a C7 similar to the Z. I have had enough C6 cars after this GS coupe it will be on to the new generation C7.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 42
From: Dallas / Ft. Worth The Republic of TEXAS
I want to do an A&A kit to get the car over 600rwhp, but it only has 1800 miles on it now since I just bought it in April. Cam and all the other mods were done at 600 miles and I am still breaking the engine in. But as the car sits now I think I could hang with a 427 car no problem, and from a dead stop the A6 launches like a cannonball shot out of a cannon
The LS3 is just a far more durable motor than the LS7 for modding - see the FI section it is the engine of choice for those guys. If you have the money the 427 vert is an awesome car my dad has one and it runs like my car does even though it is bone stock with a tune. But if you don't have money to burn I would just mod your car
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: manchester NH
oh please..you shouldn't have to worry about the drivetrain until you are putting out around 600 HP at the motor. the weak area would probably be the axle shafts and clutch. the torque tube and rear transaxle can handle a lot of power.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson City MO
Lots of great comments; thanks all. I wish I could say I have money to burn, but that's definitely not the case, so making mods to the LS3 in the GS is feeling preferable to taking a big hit by trading vehicles. Ours is not a daily driver, but I do want to keep it reasonable to road trip with. We've managed to put 7800 miles on it in the almost two years that we've had it, mostly day trips. We're in MO, and you can't beat the fun of a good-handling car on Missouri back roads. Thanks again for the good feedback.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
And how much would it cost you to beef all of those up?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 24
From: NJ
I decided to go w/ the ECS kit, very proven kit... & the power comes on very linear... Not jus raw unusable power like a lot of high hp cars!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: manchester NH
for what i have done to mine i am not worried about the tranmission at all. If i was supercharging I would need need to do more research first but don't forget you can also tweak the shifting points with the tune to help it out. unless you are really hard shifting at the track...if launching at 5,000 RPM's you might blow the rear end. there might be a stonger version of the A6. 4L60E or 4L80E???? for standards i think it's just changing out synchros and shift forks and that's it. The tranny itself is fine.