Just got back from Spring Mountain - this was my third visit to this fine facility and the expert staff of the Ron Fellows School. I had taken the ZR1 school, Level 2 school (in a C6 - both Z06 and Z51 C6 varients) and now, the Level 1 school again, but this time in C7 Z51 Stingrays. Three days of very aggressive driving in rock-stock Z51s... the only prep the cars get is 1,500 of 'on the road' driving before they are exposed to the track, and then they get the full GM specified 'track preparation' treatment (fluids, cooling rings and alignment). Stock run flats are used, all beauty covers stay on the engine and no 'catch cans' or other aftermarket pieces are added. The only 'problem' the Spring Mountain staff admitted to with the Stingray in track duty was if the dry sump oil level was overfilled resulting in oil getting into the air box and air filter. Keep the oil between the hash marking on the stick, and no oil pucking problem arise. The staff says they run the cars in track duty for about 10,000 miles, with only tires, brake pads, rotors and fluids requiring attention.
Day thee of the level one course is 'open lapping'. Drive a fast as you feel capable (Performance Drive Mode in Track level 1) in 20 to 30 minute sessions, passing allowed on back and front streights... in the desert heat, with AC 'on', and the car never overheated, brakes never faded, oil and trans temps stayed at 'aceptable levels' and tire temp indicators showed 'Hot'... never on my street C7 did my tire temp ever show anyting more than 'warm' - - even in extend summer highway cruising.
We pushed these cars hard--- not a single failure. In my opinion, the Z51, with GM Track Spec Prep, on OEM Run Flats, is 'track ready'. Even the few A6 autos (2015 cars were present, but did not yet have 1,500 street miles on them so no A8s were avaialable) ran all day without over temperature issues (I was in a 7 speed, but would have liked to try one of the A8s if it were available). Don't know if it was the drivers or the transmission, but the 7 speed manuals were noticably faster around the track than the A6s.
If you haven't been - the best 'enhancement' you can make to your C7 is learning how to dirve it!

Save the wave! Al

 

 

I've driven on a track before and I understand "the line" around a track but I'd love to learn a lot more and go to one of these things!

One of these days! Sounds like you had fun. Any photos of the drive?

 

Yep, I too was shocked at how capable the car is STOCK.

My wife and I Did the level one this Oct, the 15's were just coming in, but not in use. Day three was great.

We will be going back. Make me love this car even more.

 

I spent Saturday Nov 8 at Eagles Canyon Raceway in North Texas. I have been there many times before. My 2015 A8 Z51 had just crossed 1500 miles and was completely stock. The air temperature was about 60 F and it was overcast.

ECR is a 2.5 mile track with straightaways and challenging curves. Driving requires lots of accelerating and braking. The transmission was shifting frequently. I was taking it easy. With the stock brake pads I was hesitant to go very deep into the turns.

The car's performance was spectacular. I used track mode with full traction control. I have run a C5 and C6 on this track. The C7 was that much better.

However, track ready? No. The brakes were fading after a few minutes. This is the same as my previous cars. I think it was all brake pad heating. I don't believe the fluid boiled.

The biggest concern was the transmission temperature. I was on the track for about 30 minutes per heat. By 20 minutes into a run, the transmission temperature was at 275+ F. This is much harder to read on the C7 compared to the digital DIC on the C6. I slowed down and held it there for the rest of the heat. The other fluid temperatures seemed OK but I really didn't have much opportunity to watch them.

This weekend I am installing CaboTech AP10's and AP8's brake pads. I am changing to a DOT4 brake fluid and adding speed bleeders. I will probably try the wheel rings on the next track day.

The transmission over heat still has me bothered. On the C5 and C6 I added third party transmission coolers (both automatics). The temperature still went up but I was well under the limits at the track even on a 95 degree Texas day. I don't see any way to add a cooler to the C7. I looked at adding an air scoop to divert more cooling air down the duct, but I can't model a situation that shows that will do much good. Right now it looks like my track days are going to be on cool days only and probably limited to 20 minutes per heat.

When I came home, the seat belts came out, stuff went back in the trunk and it turned back into the most spectacular street car I have ever owned. Wife loves it and loves to drive it. But not near a track.

However it is not a track ready car.

 

Your issues with trans temps are not unlike what those of us with A6's experienced.
Talk to LG Motorsports. They have a package that includes a redesigned/bigger pan and cooler for the C7. Lou has tested their A6 on-track with trans temps well under control.
S.

 

 

That's about the extent of what you have to contribute to any tech-related thread on this entire forum.
Go ahead now...tell us about all the used Mercedes Benzes you've owned over the last 40 years.
S.

 

It seems that the main issue for tracking an automatic C7 is transmission overheating whether an A6 or A8. I have ordered an A8 and I am planning few track days. Not sure why GM is not providing a transmission cooler kit or a bolt on upgrade to overcome this issue. I don't mind buying it.

 

You 'may' be able to retrofit the upgraded cooling of the Z06 onto an A8 Stingray.
Just food for thought.
S.

 

Good point!

 

It would appear that a M7 using the advised cooling rings is indeed track ready. The cooling rings are used to prevent the brake fade you experienced. Why didn't you use them?