A little background. I've been running a CTS-V coupe now for nearly 3 years and 15 track days at VIR. After getting the diff cooling issues sorted with a dedicated cooler she's a very capable track weapon. Except for one thing....it weighs over 4,400lbs. with me and fuel.

So I'm looking for advice from performance car driver/owners that participate in HPDE's at advance level. Reading through the track woe threads on here it seems that the auto has issues in every variant (base, Z51, Z06) and the Z06 in some cars overheats on track pulling timing and power and in extreme cases goes into limp mode. Not good. So here's my questions:

1) Will the Grand Sport address any of the auto's issues or is the basic drivetrain a carryover?
2) Has anyone resolved the trans issues in any of the models with a simple add-on trans cooler? **I did read the LG thread but specifically looking for transmission solutions**
3) Now here's an oddball question. Anyone run HPDE's with a centri-S/C unit (procharger or other) and not have cooling issues?

From what I know now, I'm thinking the GS may be the best route for me and probably the 7 speed, although I'd really like the auto for everyday driving.

Very interested in hearing some thoughts here.

 

You're probably not going to get a lot of replies as most track guys/gals have manuals.

I have an auto Z51 because I thought I would never track it and it would be my daily driver. However once I did track it, I was hooked. As I improved as a driver, my car receded. It got to the point that I could not finish a single session without the car overheating and going into limp mode. I tried short shifting, even keeping it in less aggressive settings (e.g., Sport, even Touring) and it wouldn't last more than 15 minutes without limping off.

I took the car to LG, and they added a secondary trans cooler, a better radiator, and a bigger pan and that did the trick. I can still get the temperature up to 275, but no over heating and no warning signs anymore.

In answer to #1, I would think that the GS has the updated Z06 trans cooler, so that will help. Will it be enough for your driving style? Who knows (probably not).

#3 I'm running NA, so I can't answer that question. But when I got the LG cooling package upgrade, they said that if I did supercharge it, I'd probably need another cooler. As I said with NA I can get the temps up there, so I believe it.
It's a simple question for you: do you want to run natural aspirated or supercharged? If NA get a GS and plan on one day needing more cooling. If supercharged get a Z06 and plan on one day needing more cooling (why add an aftermarket charger when Chevy offers one with a great warranty?)

These are amazing cars, but they aren't turn key racecars. As your driving improves you will need/want to make more modifications. Brakes, tires, suspension, HP, it never ends.

I'd recommend going with your gut: get the GS 7speed manual. I predict the annoyance in shifting during traffic will pale in comparison to overheating on the track. I also predict that if you really track it, then you'll find that it'll still overheat (with no modifications), you'll get brake fade, and you'll want dedicated slicks. It'll never end. If tracking is a hobby, the GS 7speed is "good enough." If it becomes an obsession, nothing you buy stock will be good enough. The GS 7speed will be darn close though and it will be quite serviceable for the 5 track days/year that you do.

 

You can track an auto without overheating if you drive it correctly.

 

Thanks for the response Torch. I run Blue/White solo so I'm not slowing anyone down, but as you know there are always better drivers out there. The V needed a diff cooler, braided brake lines, DTC 60/70's and Castrol SRF to be nearly bullet proof. The problem is the weight.

I drove the Z51 Auto and immediately (within 2 corners) felt the car was much more capable in the corners than I was use to driving the V. You definitely feel when nearly 1,000 lbs. are missing. The question around S/C was just the power. The V definitely feels more torquey than the Vette, but I already know I'd be picking up time in the corners, so besting my V's 2:15's @ VIR full course should not be a problem. As with any car, after a couple of track seasons you want more tire, more brake and more power. Just wondering what the options were there, but also know cam/heads are always better for track duty.

So given what I've read, I'm looking at the 2017 GS, 2LT, 7spd manual with competition seats and magnetic selective ride. Skipping the carbon brakes based on replacement costs and given this car will see some heavy track use.

 

Can you add more detail? I've heard about paddle shifting versus full auto is this what you're referring to?

 

Not trying to talk you into an auto since I have a manual. It's just that if you use paddle shift with the correct shift points it won't overheat. The autos that they run at spring mountain in the desert heat don't overheat.

 

Complete nonsense, especially on the 2015's.

 

What is complete nonsense?

 

The auto overheats, in manual mode, even at spring mountain, even when its not that hot.

That is with the 2015's. I haven't been able to test out a 2016 to see how much of a difference it makes (it should make a significant difference, I just don't know if its "enough").

 

First, what are your objectives? Are you doing 3-4 HPDE at advanced student level, or racing?

The reason I ask is that if you are driving a high performance car at 10/10ths speeds, you should really have full professional racing safety equipment... which essentially makes it a "track-only" car.

As a 'weekend HPDE" car driven at 8/10ths, a box-stock Z51 C7 is fine. I have a 2016 with Mag shocks, and in Track mode with traction control in Race mode the car is great.

I have A8 and shift in Manual with the paddles exactly as I would shift a manual. I have had no over-heating issues.

 

JCP you nailed it. 4 to 5 HPDE's, 10 to 12 days. I'm already hitting 150mph on the back straight at VIR in the CTS-V so in reality a cage wouldn't be a bad idea. I'd say that the car is at 8/10ths and the driver is at 10/10ths. I have no desire to meet the tire wall in the uphill essess.

 

Ok you must be right and all the instructors are lying.

 

I agree with everything you said. I don't know what track you're at. At my track, there's not a lot of straightaways, so thus far I haven't had the itch to SC, my lost time is in the corners. I would think that GS would give you the downforce and aerobits to let you take those corners aggressively, without the heat generated by the SC.

 

I did the two day Spring Mountain (a great experience) in an auto (since that's the car that I own), and paddle shifted. I didn't overheat once. With that said, I only drove the car at probably 5-6/10ths of what it was capable of, never passed anyone (as it was a lead and follow and you had to stay in line, even if the guy ahead of you was slower), and certainly never passed the instructor driving a camaro. I also hardly ever drove the same car twice. If I recall, there hardly was ever open lapping over and over again, usually they'd have you do something else (wet figure 8's etc) in between lapping, with long didactic sessions in between.

My point being that driving Spring Mountain isn't the same as going on the local track by myself.

I'd bet that if you asked any of the instructors that if they took an automatic and ran a session at the car's full capability, could they get it to overheat? I'm sure they could.

 

You (and I) took the very basic Corvette Owners' Course. They also offer Level 1, 2, and 3 courses. Levels 2 and 3 have extensive open-lapping. They don't overheat there either.

 

Z51 = No overheating + 7M = No overheating



350Z SC with FMIC, WaterWetter, Koyorad + lots of aero = No overheating either

 

QUOTE=Woodson;1592320467]You can track an auto without overheating if you drive it correctly.[/QUOTE]

Woodson: the OP is not talking about driving lessons/ spring mountain.
He runs 2:15's at VIR full course and 150MPH on the straights in a 4,450lbs car. Way past the spring mountain level, If you push the C7 Z51 to its capability's you will overheat on a warm day. Heck why do you think GM offers additional cooling now????

OP: I believe the GS will need additional cooling capacities with your driving level. I just completed a full day VIR full coarse and also hit 150MPH on the back straight with very high trans temps (M7 Z51) an a cool day. Now last July was a different story first session overheating trans and high but not critical oil temps. Not fun doing cool down laps during paid session!! I have upgraded from carboteck xp10 to Hawk DTC 70/60, and the stock Z51 brakes preformed much better with less fade but are at the limits. I will upgrade calipers with AP racing and larger Z06 fan cooler for trans.

I would suggest GS or Z06 for the track. The larger tires and brakes with additional cooling will make the GS a better track decision for you, but you will want extra HP for the added down force and larger tires/brakes. The good news tuners are making reliable NA power in the Z06 range!!!

I hope someone will chime in that added the new GM additional cooling and give us an update.

 

I'll take your word for it that the OP is running faster than the cars in the Level 3 course at Spring Mountain. However, the instructors (guaranteed faster than the OP) claim that when they run open laps without students, they don't overheat. In the desert.

Anyway, I am out of this argument, especially since I have an M7.

 

Wow OP, you're the the Cadillac version of me. I had a '13 ZL1 that I tracked for a couple of years, and like you I was a little tired of the heft. The ZL1 had simple bolt ons making ~575rwhp, plus suspension & aero & track pads. I was also running on a 305/35/19 Nitto NT01 square set up. The car was quick but you definitely felt the weight in the corners. About a year ago I drove a family members '15 C7 Z51 A8, the car felt at home on the track, however I overheated the A8 in ~15 minutes in manual mode in mid/high 80* temps.

I ended up pulling the trigger on a '16 C7 Z51 M7 back in February and haven't looked back since. Only mods so far are track pads and wider NT01 tires (275 fronts, 305 rears). The car is a joy to drive, much more fun through the turns and corner entry. It of course is lacking on the top end and when I get on the straight aways I miss the power of my ZL1. I opted for non mag ride so I can eventually do coilovers and other suspension tweaks. I would highly suggest the C7, my ZL1 was also an automatic and the C7 is my first manual track toy, but it is very easy to get used to especially with the rev match.

If you're interested here a link to my build thread, has a pic of my old ZL1 too.:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...track-car.html

 

Again. Nonsense.

In level one I over-heated it once during day 2 and a few times day 3. Then again, I was running in the fastest group and it was about 95 degrees.

In level 2 I also over-heated it a couple of times and the temp was only about 75 degrees.

I'm also not the only person to have the problem there.

The thing is, the Spring Mountain course is pretty easy on the transmission. At my local track the thing will over-heat in under 15 minutes when its only 60 degrees out.

So stop giving people bad information.