village idiot

For a new one, I'd easily pay another couple grand.

rrsperry

I'd say the GS isn't really an upgrade. It's really a fatter Z51 with some cheap stripe decals. A Z06 would be an upgrade... Of course that's my opinion. I'm not stating that as a fact. If you have a GS, good for you... Hope you like it, (that's all that really matters anyway) it's a very nice car...

thill444

You are clueless. Maybe do some research before offering advice. And I say this as a Z51 owner.

Supersonic 427

The GS is indeed an upgrade! You have larger brakes from the Z06, wider wheels and tires (Z06 size) and the FE4 suspension, again from the Z06. It is just not the wider body. If you equip a Z51 with Mag Ride....the difference in retail price to a Grand Sport is only $3205. To me it is a no brainer to go for the GS.

mountainears

I came across this article recently that I thought was a pretty good run down on some of the differences....
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/02/2...potters-guide/

Foosh

The article is OK but not quite on target in some areas. For example, every C7 (base to Z06) shares the same AL frame, not just GS and Z06, as the article states.

Z06 brakes, tires and rear fender panels, on the GS are the obvious differences/advantages, but the article is also unclear with regard to shocks and sways. In other words, are they just "tweeners" between the Z51 and Z06, that I would guess are closer to the Z51 set-up? Given the GS's extra unsprung weight from brakes/tires/wheels, I suspect they are beefed up a bit.

sunsalem

Regarding the OP's original question, I recommend buying a GS rather than trying to mod a Z51.
No matter the extent of the mods, there isn't anyway the car will have the same value when it comes time to sell it.

rb185afm

Grandsport, as it's a better starting platform for track. Brakes, wide body, and ability to run 315/345 R7's slick combo out the box, make it a no brainer for heavy track use. Those upgrades will run way more than 11k. I've run a base and GS on the track. The difference in grip is instantly apparent! In another thread someone posted a big online dealer has a 1LT GS for 55k!

village idiot

Few things
1) Don't care about resale. Plan is to convert this to weekend/track car.
2) Called local dealer. What a pain in the dick. Guy kept trying to sell me an auto they had on the lot. ITS GOING TO BE A TRACK CAR. Trying a few other places.

village idiot

$5k Dsc mag ride
$3k wheels and tires (sell my old)
$1500 brakes (less if I sell my z51 brakes)

village idiot

So the price difference would be about $16.5K + TTL for a brand new one. It's optioned exactly as I want, except it has chrome wheels :barf:

SivaSuryaKshatriya

Spend the money.

Though, to play devil's advocate, you CAN widebody the Z51.

You'll need to acquire Grand Sport/Z06 rear quarter panels, which can be had for $400 ish. You'll also need to source a Grand Sport/Z06 rear bumper. Then you can buy the ACS brake ducts for $700 and stick those on, plus the front fender widebody trim pieces, and you'll have your widebody.

Not worth it, but possible.

village idiot

At that point, it might be cheaper to go grand sport.

$16.5k is right on the edge. I'd like to do $15k OTD difference but I'm not sure that can happen.
I have 10k miles on my car so I'd be getting -10k miles which has value. Plus new tires, new brakes, etc.

B&BVettes

Why not buy the GS and keep your Z51? Variety is the spice of life!

SivaSuryaKshatriya

If this is going to be a track car, how experienced are you at track driving?

The GS is gonna have much higher limits than the Z51, and these limits are going to be scarier to find. If you're still learning, you might be better off with the Z51. The smaller amount of grip will allow you to find the limits quicker, and at lower speeds than the GS. And while the big brakes of the GS are helpful, finding the latest possible braking points with those is gonna be scary as well, 'cause you can carry a lot more speed before you need to brake.

So, it may not be a bad idea to just keep the Z51 for a few years, get used to how it feels on the track, then buy some used GS wheels, brakes, and fenders and throw them on.

Foosh

Not that much higher. The GS is maybe 2 seconds faster per lap on most tracks, but only in the hands of a pro or very experienced amateur.

The Z51 has more than 98% can handle. If you want to "learn" you should be doing it in a Miata.

village idiot

Because I like having money in my bank account

I have a "track day" Miata. R-comps, coilovers, gutted, bolt ons, race seats/harness.

Almost all the difference between the GS and Z51 lap times is the wider tires. I can get the front tires wider and I doubt I'll need more than 305 rears with only 460hp.


Between cars and bikes, I've probably done 50 track days. I ran a 2:19 in my Miata. Pro driver on the same day ran 2:17.

Far from pro, but definitely competent. Obviously, I'd have a much bigger gap in faster cars, but it should give you an idea of my experience level.

village idiot

Oh, as an update- that grand sport got sold. The only other 1LT 7M GS they could find was $22k on top of my trade in because it didn't have the red tag or some ****. No way.

I think I'm going to sit for a few months and see what happens. Maybe big sale over the summer with loyalty cash. Maybe not and I'll just keep my car.
I also applied for a job that is a Grand Sport per year pay cut. I'll know about that by July as well.

Supersonic 427

$22k is absurd!!! I traded my '16 1LT 7M FE2 Stingray Convertible (785 miles) for a new '17 1LT 7M GS Coupe and paid $8200 difference with the $2000 corvette loyalty it was actually $6200.

village idiot

I have 10k miles vs your 785, but yeah, 22k is crazy. I had my check book on me to write a $15k check and walk out with a GS. $22k is crazy. The damn MSRP price difference is $6.

I guess my car depreciated $16k in 10k miles