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I worded both the title and the OP of this thread poorly, or at least an a manner lacking clarity. MY BAD. Allow me to elaborate please on the OP which I shall leave as-is below. This thread is intended to compare the cost/benefit of a Callaway Mod vs the cost/benefit of choosing a Z06 to begin with. The thread is NOT intended to compare Callaway to mods available from other speed shops. Thanks.
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Forgive my confusion please. I have no desire to bash Callaway or their devotees. Perhaps someone can clarify the "why" part of the Callaway equation for me though? Here is my understanding of what one gets for 18k (as per the Callaway site):


627hp and 610ft/lb
Callaway GenThree Supercharger System (pat. pend.)
with Triple Element Intercooler System
Callaway High Flow Intake System


Plus

Callaway Embroidered Floor Mats
Callaway Door Sill Panels
Exterior and Interior Callaway Badging
Callaway Underhood Plaque with Vehicle Identification Number
Callaway Key Fobs
Callaway Corvette Authenticity Documentation Package
3 Year/36,000 Mile Limited Warranty

Soooo.... For 18k you will wind up with a narrow-bodied "Almost Z" in terms of performance, plus some dress-up stuff to advertise same. Why not just get the Z in the first place?

Please don't flame me, as I am honestly asking what I'm missing here. Thanks!

 

I'd say you're asking some very legitimate questions. It will be interesting to learn what those in the know have to say about this.

 

Callaway was the way to get SC'd with some style. If I had the money to choose Callaway or the C7 Z06, I'd go C7 Z06. But since I don't have the coin to toss around, I'll just be satisfied with what I have that I could afford.


Elmer

 

The MSRP difference between a Stingray and a Z06 is $24,000. With discounts readily available on the Stingrays and not much on the Z06, the cost difference is even greater. Some don't like the "tacked on" look of some of the Z06 components (like the front fender spats and winglets).

Callaway has the 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty - how many other shops have that? "Callaway offers the most comprehensive aftermarket warranty in the industry. Overlapping the factory GM warranty, Callaway covers all Callaway components and GM components that are affected by Callaway components. GM dealers do not block factory warranty on Callaway Corvettes; they perform maintenance and warranty repairs with support from Callaway Cars."

I'm not aware of any other aftermarket offering that matches that.

 

I wrestled with this decision in 2008 after closely comparing (and driving) the Callaway SC580 with the Z06. I went with the Callaway which I drove for almost 6 trouble free, fun filled years.

At the time, my decision was based on the superior ride quality and overall street manners of the C6 Z51 format vs. the Z06. Additionally, I thought that the Callaway, since there were far fewer (only 68 in 2008), would bring more $ at the time of re-sale...which turned out to be only slightly true. The Callaway certainly drew a lot more attention at shows and outings if that is important to anyone. The higher HP of the Callaway (580 vs 505 for the Z06) also made the decision easier for me.

Not sure how much of the above logic would apply today since the performance and HP ratings appear very close. Also, can't comment on the new Z ride quality and street manners since the car is very new and guess that remains to be seen. Interesting to note that one of the selling features of the Callaway, back in the C6 days, was that you could opt for a targa top, convertible, or auto. trans....features that are all now available on the Z car.

Callaway is an outstanding brand which is far more recognizable today than in 2008. Could well be that many decisions could be made solely on appearance....

 

I would say it's a tad pricey, but worth it at the same time. Here's why:
- You retain the GM warranty
- Triple Element Cooling System (3 intercoolers)
- Throttle response (I've heard it's absolutely insane)
- It's a good starting platform to keep modding and add more power if you wanted

 

Thanks but you're referring to non-Z51 pricing, which cheats your math here by at least 5k...unless you think someone's gonna Callaway a non-Z51. I guess they could, but why all the hp without the aero, sway bars etc?

Also, the question wasn't posed to compare one after market shop against another, which would be a different thread. Please don't obfuscate the original question.

 

Fair enough I guess to point out that there are 3 inter-coolers and the throttle response might be better than a Z (that's only a supposition though at this point?) Retaining the GM warranty and being a good platform for mods are qualities already existent in the Z though.

So effectively in this scenario there's a trade of a 3rd intercooler and potential throttle response in lieu of the wide body, tires, rims, and other bits which come with the Z.

Not taking sides here, just trying to keep visibility on the pros and cons.

 

Straight line type racers don't need the Z51 stuff, so just the HP from Callaway might be a consideration. Even if you insist on Z51, with the discount differences the Stingray/Callaway option is thousands cheaper.

The fact that Callaway comes with a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty is a significant factor and is, no doubt, part of the price you are paying. So, you can't just dismiss the fact that Callaway has the warranty.

Then we could go into the overheating issues with the Z06... plenty of discussion on that over in the Z06 sub-section.

 

How about the difference in insurance and property tax (if your state has one).

I would think that the Z06 would be much higher. This is a cost that would be paid every year.

 

Here is my take.

For what is basically 5-6 thousand more than a standard PD blower install your getting their triple intercooler, which sounds like it would solve the heat soak issues, or at least go a long way toward helping it.

So thats worth something. I assume your also getting a premier installation. They seem to be one of the last ones really pushing this fact. Before I did my SC install I called another shop which used to portray itself as a premier installer and was very disappointed in the phone call. If it had gone better I would have had my SC last year instead of this one.

What is a premier installer? Hand holding, OEM attention to detail during install, well sorted tuning, all inclusive included in the pricing and a more customer centric experience.

When you buy a kit and have someone install it you could get good, you could get bad, you could get good install, bad tune, or a so-so tune, or the canned tune which is not nearly as good as a custom one, assuming someone is doing a good custom tune.

The warranty thing probably will make a lot of customers feel good but if Calloway were to ever divulge their numbers on warranty I bet it is astronomically low, or fits into the normal failure rate of an NA engine. The GM LSx engines are very stout even with FI.

So they are offering 3 things over everyone else IMO. Triple core intercooler, warranty, and a premier installation. For the person who does know much about their car, or is so busy they don't care to know they are a perfect vendor.

You could get the same thing for a couple of grand less but it would be more of a crap shoot.

For their target customer I do not think the price is all that bad. Your getting headers, better IC, no hassle at the dealer, etc.

Really I think that is better than the warranty, the fact the dealer won't hassle you about the work done, thats probably more of a benefit than a warranty most will never use.

 

Warranty and reputation. That is it. You can get a lot more HP for a lot less money elsewhere but you toss your pt warranty out the window.

 

Yep.

 

I'd be interested to know from the Callaway customers if there has been any overheating issues. If not, that would be a big reason to go that way. But I haven't heard anything one way or the other, which is not all that surprising given that there are not that many Callaways.

 

1) Fair enough about point about purely "straight line" applications...assuming one turns a blind eye to the fatter meats on the back end of a Z and the body work to enclose them. Perhaps you meant to indicate "Rolling start straight line" applications. Either way I personally don't see customer who's performance oriented enough to go to this much trouble not also wanting the handling improvements, but I must concede that it's possible.

You also take for granted in your analysis that that non-Zs are being discounted from MSRP while Z's aren't. That's just false. I've read where folks are paying sticker for non-Zs and at least a few (myself included) have gotten pretty decent discounts off of MSRP for their Z. In fact, a discount of x% will be larger on a Z than a non-Z, which skews the discount factor in favor of the Z rather than the non-Z+Callaway.


2) We most certainly can dismiss the Callaway warranty being included in the price as a factor, as it's not an improvement over the Z's GM warranty. It's not as if the Z doesn't come with a warranty (Am I missing something there?)

3) Yes there are Z06 heat issues. On the track. Which is a venue/capability you choose to dismiss while attempting to compare the price of a Z06 to a NON Z51 Either way though it must be asked if you aren't making a supposition that the Callaway isn't - like the Z - overheating for some (not all) drivers on some (not all) tracks AND a supposition that the Z's issues are strictly SC related, while ignoring that the some A8 equipped Z51s are also reporting issues and they have no SC at all?

Again, I'm not here to bash Callaway.

Still, the only customer we've identified that might clearly benefit is a non-Z51 guy who only wants to go in a straight line from rolling starts. Even then, in exchange for that 6k "savings" he's coming up 23hp and 40ft/lbs short compared to a Z06. How much do folks spend around here for that much extra (in this case - missing) grunt? Some here will spend that just for an exhaust, never mind the wheels, tires, suspension, bodywork etc...

 

Excellent point. That's gonna vary widely by state. Speaking of insurance though, the Z's insurance will be higher because the value of the car is higher. If the Callaway-modded car is stolen or totaled, is the Callaway mod insured or does the owner just eat 100% of that when replacing the car, paying for the entire mod out of pocket again?

 

Our testing shows our 2014 Z51 to be 3 MPH faster at the end of our straight line test than the 2015 Z06 cars tested. It's also a delightful car to drive, and easy, too.

Our customers who own both - and there are a few, also report the Callaway SC627 feels quicker than the Z06, and has a much snappier throttle response.

Of course there are other benefits, too. Like the supercharger design, itself, which lends to repeatable performance

Of course, if over 750 horsepower is your thing, the new Callaway Z06 adds our stellar new Supercharger to the Z06 for the ultimate in power

I hope this helps

info@callawaycars.com

 

I believe the Callaway supercharger is a better setup than the Z06 system. It's a bigger unit where "repeatable" means less HP loss in high temps, a common Z06 complaint.

 

The funny thing about most people who are trying to justify the price tag of the Callaway is that I'd bet most would choose differently if actually given the option to get a brand new Callaway or Z06. I'm not downplaying the benefits of the Callway but I think the OP is trying to get people to speak openly (instead of politically), which I feel is a popular theme in forums nowadays.

Also, it would help this discussion if at least one or two Callway owners shared their experiences on the track. But I haven't heard or seen any posts regarding this.