C7 with Z51 or Grand Sport - pick one
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911Hunter (07-22-2018)
07-22-2018, 07:15 AM
#62
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
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For those are concerned about the look of the front spats as I was, have what I think is a solution! Currently my order plan.
The base GS has a "poverty splitter" and 3/4 size side skirts. I know how much side skirts were needed on my 2014 to stop debris from marking up the rockers so no question was planning to add larger aftermarket side skirts.
Might as well add a better looking splitter and from posts see the GM Splash Guards are not as much help in the rear brake duct area as the somewhat wider and deeper ones from ACS. The combo of wider, longer Side Skirts an the deeper somewhat wider Splash Guards should provide the protection I desire.
Also unless you get the Heritage package option the spoiler is all painted black carbon flash. Even with that option the back of the spoiler is carbon flash.
Appearance Solution: Carbon Flash ACS Side Skirts, Splitter, with end deflectors to help blend in with the spates. ACS painted Carbon Flash Spates and Splash Guards.
IMO better looking than the GM more expensive $2995 Carbon Flash or $3995 Carbon Fiber aero options. The OEM $100 Carbon Flash painted mirror option would add to the look.
The base GS has a "poverty splitter" and 3/4 size side skirts. I know how much side skirts were needed on my 2014 to stop debris from marking up the rockers so no question was planning to add larger aftermarket side skirts.
Might as well add a better looking splitter and from posts see the GM Splash Guards are not as much help in the rear brake duct area as the somewhat wider and deeper ones from ACS. The combo of wider, longer Side Skirts an the deeper somewhat wider Splash Guards should provide the protection I desire.
Also unless you get the Heritage package option the spoiler is all painted black carbon flash. Even with that option the back of the spoiler is carbon flash.
Appearance Solution: Carbon Flash ACS Side Skirts, Splitter, with end deflectors to help blend in with the spates. ACS painted Carbon Flash Spates and Splash Guards.
IMO better looking than the GM more expensive $2995 Carbon Flash or $3995 Carbon Fiber aero options. The OEM $100 Carbon Flash painted mirror option would add to the look.
Looked at all the aftermarket options for full length side skirts and a better looking splitter than the “poverty splitter” that comes with the Grand Sport. By the time I either ordered or had them painted carbon flash, the cost for carbon fiber construction was getting close enough to pay the extra and get the GM Stage 2 aero option that included a special rear spoiler! As I stated, bought the ACS front Splash Guards because of Forum advice. . Still was not “happy” with the look of the front Spates so added Stage 3 Winglets to the front splitter that help integrate the look, IMO.
Been one year+ and not a mark on my rocker panels or rear fender lower brake duct opening! Ready to remove the small amount of thick GM protective plastic that has already discolored on the edges!
Last edited by JerryU; 07-22-2018 at 07:19 AM.
07-22-2018, 07:43 AM
#63
Race Director
Both great choices yet for me id choose the grand sport everytime.
good luck deciding,
good luck deciding,
07-22-2018, 08:37 AM
#64
Burning Brakes
I have a Z51, good for spirited DD and also for some track time. The Grand Sport is the best option on track performance and a good daily driver. Rear wider body look is awesome. But for each steep up your maintenance cost would increase (bigger tires, bigger brakes, etc.) If you are looking for a good looking Stingray and not planning to track it, then the base model would be a great choice. It would depend on your preference and in your pocket.
07-22-2018, 08:46 AM
#65
Burning Brakes
07-22-2018, 08:51 AM
#66
Burning Brakes
For me a GS w/o. the Z07 package would be sufficient plus the benefit of longer lasting street performance tires. Cup tires are great for lap timing but not great for the street and probably would be kind of scary for bad weather.
Last edited by 911Hunter; 07-22-2018 at 08:52 AM.
07-22-2018, 09:09 AM
#67
Race Director
If money were no object....and IF the ZR1 didn't exist.... I would do a GS in Collector Edition - vert - Comp seats, Z07 - with full Callaway conversion.. to me? that would be close to if NOT absolutely one of a kind (in a great way)...
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911Hunter (07-22-2018)
07-22-2018, 02:13 PM
#69
Burning Brakes
Grand Sport w. Z07 package 1:36.02
Stingray Z51: 1:38.28
From C/D Lightning laps at VIR:
Grand Sport: 2:47.1
Stingray Z51: 2:53.8
07-30-2018, 11:39 AM
#71
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
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St. Jude Donor '13
Last night we had dinner with a friend and his wife. Like us, they use their Corvette as a combination daily driver/road tripper/occasional autocrosser. Like us, they bought a 2017 2LT A8. But they bought a GS because he liked the appearance, and we bought a Z51.
After dinner and without any prompting, he suddenly blurted out that I had made the better choice- lower price, A/S tires available for cold or even snow, tires cost less and last longer, no worries about splitter damage, etc.
I told him he should start using his car for track weekends where the GS works better. But he's not really interested in that and additionally risking trashing the car with no collision or liability insurance unless he pays big bucks for track insurance.
Everyone should pick the best car for their usage.
After dinner and without any prompting, he suddenly blurted out that I had made the better choice- lower price, A/S tires available for cold or even snow, tires cost less and last longer, no worries about splitter damage, etc.
I told him he should start using his car for track weekends where the GS works better. But he's not really interested in that and additionally risking trashing the car with no collision or liability insurance unless he pays big bucks for track insurance.
Everyone should pick the best car for their usage.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; 07-30-2018 at 06:28 PM.
07-30-2018, 10:19 PM
#72
07-30-2018, 10:20 PM
#73
07-30-2018, 10:22 PM
#74
Oh what a huge advantage that will confer on the Interstate exit ramp. Try to remember you'll be trying to drop some idiot I'm a Golf GTI, not a Pro GTE Lemans car.
Last edited by patentcad; 07-30-2018 at 10:55 PM.
08-14-2019, 03:20 PM
#75
Instructor
I'm having exactly the same deliberation. It'll be the most expensive car I've ever bought, chopping in a C5 for it. I can afford either the Z51 or the GS, but not without careful budgeting and consideration, and getting loving approval from SWMBO. At the end of the day it's a toy car, and this is a lot for something I can only use for ~8months a year at most.
Much prefer the wide body look. What is really giving me cause for concern are the wheels made of chocolate. They are seriously expensive to replace, and living in a third-world state where roads are concerned (Michigan) means a bend or crack is more likely than not. The other thing that is a concern is the price of the tires. You should check that out. You'll see maybe 10,000 miles from a set, and you'll not see much change from $2,000. The Z51 is far less expensive to shod.
But then these cars are not always purchased by the brain...
Much prefer the wide body look. What is really giving me cause for concern are the wheels made of chocolate. They are seriously expensive to replace, and living in a third-world state where roads are concerned (Michigan) means a bend or crack is more likely than not. The other thing that is a concern is the price of the tires. You should check that out. You'll see maybe 10,000 miles from a set, and you'll not see much change from $2,000. The Z51 is far less expensive to shod.
But then these cars are not always purchased by the brain...
