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Base Stingray to Grand Sport - Initial impressions
I just upgraded my 2017 Base Stingray M7 1LT Coupe to a 2019 Grand Sport M7 1LT Convertible and thought I would share my impressions while they are still fresh in my mind. Some that may be considering a GS may find this feedback useful.
So, my 2017 Stingray Coupe was a black car with M7 trans. I really enjoyed the car but I was missing the convertible driving experience so I thought if I was going to spring for a vert then I might as well upgrade to the GS while I was at it and I am happy I did. For reference, on my Stingray I added the Z51 front and rear sway bars and swapped the standard non-NPP cat back exhaust for a BBE PRT cat back exhaust. I felt the Z51 sway bars really tighten up the suspension especially the rear end "wallow" found on the base since it comes with no rear sway bar at all from the factory. As for the exhaust, well, the standard exhaust barely makes any noise and was uninspiring for a car like this so it had to go.
I have been driving the GS Vert for a few days now and here is what I have noticed so far.
Suspension - Right away the car feels more planted. The Grand Sport FE6 suspension in Tour mode with mag ride doesn't feel any stiffer than my base Stingray suspension. I am not sure what it felt like before the latest MRC calibration update but it soaks up the bumps really nice and I would not want it any softer. Sport mode starts to get me jiggling up and down in the seat as you hit bumps and track mode of course take it up another notch. I see no need for more than Sport mode on the street. I wish there was a way to configure Sport mode throttle progression with Tour Mode suspension but I don't see a way to decouple it from the drive mode. Also, I am still in break in mode but you can also feel the additional traction with the extra width of the GS tires and wheels. I felt like my base Stingray was always fighting for traction.
Braking - The brakes on this car are awesome and these are the standard brakes I can only imagine what the Z07 package with carbon ceramic brakes feels like. The initial brake bite you get is ridiculous compared to the base Stingray calipers and pads. The negative is all the extra brake dust but I wash my car once a week so it doesn't really bother me too much.
Exhaust - I am enjoying the NPP exhaust. I have it set to Track mode and it is still a bit quieter than my BBE PRT. I may pull the fuse but it is fine for now. It is nice to have the option to tone it down for the neighbors.
M7 Performance Gear Ratios - One of the things that annoyed me a little bit in the base Stingray were the tall M7 gear ratios. The Z51 and GS get the "performance ratios". They are only about 10% shorter than the base ratios but you can really feel the difference when you drive the cars back to back. The shorter gears make the car feel a bit peppier and enable you to wind out the gear faster and you get to listen to the glorious exhaust note . All good to me.
Styling - when you see the GS or Z06 in person it just has a lot more presence than a standard Stingray. Don't get me wrong I love the look of both but the wider body with the larger wheels, tires and aero bits creates a more aggressive look for sure. The car is indeed wider but I have no problem fitting it through the single car garage bay.
Visibility - top up visibility is definitely compromised a bit over the coupe as it is harder to see out the little rear window of the convertible top. That said, I have owned a 2013 Camaro SS 1LE and 2016 Camaro 2SS and they still have the worst visibility of any car ever produced. You just need to set your side mirrors correctly and it is fine.
Convertible - One of the main reasons I upgraded was for the convertible driving experience and it is excellent. First, when folks stated that their convertible was quieter than the coupe I had a hard time believing it. The first thing I noticed when I drove it off the lot was, wow it is noticeably quieter in here vs. the coupe. When you look at the construction of the top you can see why, it is heavily lined on the inside plus you have the rear bulkhead section that helps to reduce the road noise from the massive rear tires. Now top down it where its at. The power top makes a lot of noises as it goes through the motions (I hope it never breaks) but once it is complete you get to experience the full open top, which is very different than the coupe in targa mode. There is very little wind buffeting, even at 75mph. Top down, rowing through the gears and listening to the exhaust sing is what it is all about for me. It is a form of therapy for me.
Misc Observations - the seat belts on the convertible seem to tug a bit harder at my shoulder, not sure if they need to break in or if it is just the design. My 2017 did not have HD radio so it is a welcome upgrade on the new car as the Bose sound system can use all the help it can get. With the side skirts I need to be careful not to accidentally kick them. The 3/4 skirts makes it easier not sure how much harder it would be with full length skirts.
I need to get some better pics with the top down but here it is. I was on the fence deciding between pearl nickel and black wheels. Having owned black wheels in the past I wanted to switch it up and I am happy with the pearl nickel, they are not too shiny but not too dark either so they allow you see the detail of the wheel and contrast with the tire. I think they go well with arctic white. So far I installed the wider mudflaps and plan to get the 2LT visor for the Homelink to operate the garage door. Maybe I will get some GS floor mats as well.
I had a 2014 Z51 M7 before ordering my GS (due here in maybe 4 to 6 weeks!).
Curious if you talk about revs at 55, 65, 75 in 7th?
Congrats. I think we had the same build week since we were both posting in the Chevy customer service forum. :-) My car showed up quick once it was built. The whole thing was quick actually. Ordered on 8/23 and I picked it up at the dealer 10/19, less than 8 weeks.
As for the revs, they should be the same as your Z51. I ran it through a gear calculator and I got 1150 rpm at 55, 1350 rpm at 65, 1550 rpm at 75. it definitely revs a little higher with the Z51/GS ratios but not bad. On the base I felt 7th gear is almost unusable unless you are going like 80 mph, otherwise it just feels like it is lugging. You can see why if you look at the ratios. 6th in the base is almost geared like 7th in the Z51/GS.
Last edited by falcon5619; 10-22-2018 at 08:52 PM.
I've owned two Stingrays (base and Z51), and now a GS. I agree with your points 100%, very will stated!
Literally swapped out the pads last night to Z26's because of the dust (only 200 miles on the car LOL). These pads work great on the street and ZERO dust. Just change them back for track use.
Nice write up - good luck with your new beauty - hard to tell if you have the front gm extended mud flaps if not get them asap or you will be repainting your rear quarter panels - I know first hand since installing them no chips anymore
I did all of them but fronts are mandatory - promise
Nice write up - good luck with your new beauty - hard to tell if you have the front gm extended mud flaps if not get them asap or you will be repainting your rear quarter panels - I know first hand since installing them no chips anymore
I did all of them but fronts are mandatory - promise
Literally takes longer to take off and clean the wheels! Looking forward to your GS coming in too bud, CONGRATS
Danke!
I've been pre-stocking items I'll need - already got my extended mud flaps in, now to order pads. Also looking around for the best price on PS3+ A/S....
Yes you are spot on - what PIA - paint was perfect and stone chips hosed my 1/4 panels - not happy with blend so after winter its going back and no blend this time will have both sides done perfect again - when it was repaired it was 90% humidity and 95 degrees out - painter rushed it, looks fine for most but not for me having done plenty of body work on the side for many years
Great write-up, thanks for sharing. Your points offer first hand confirmation of what's been stated here many times.
Originally Posted by rsvette12
Nice write up - good luck with your new beauty - hard to tell if you have the front gm extended mud flaps if not get them asap or you will be repainting your rear quarter panels - I know first hand since installing them no chips anymore
I did all of them but fronts are mandatory - promise https://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-2019-C...6:pf:0&vxp=mtr
Also looking around for the best price on PS3+ A/S....
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Nice write up - good luck with your new beauty - hard to tell if you have the front gm extended mud flaps if not get them asap or you will be repainting your rear quarter panels - I know first hand since installing them no chips anymore
I did all of them but fronts are mandatory - promise
yep, I had them waiting in a box for when I got home. Popped them on in about 10 min. I actually like the way they look with the little extra lip on them. I definitely hear the pebbles being thrown about n the wheel wells, rockers, etc.
Can you amplify what the "rear end wallow" is, and what are the driving conditions when you noticed/experienced it on your base C7? I'm trying to understand what the addition of Z51 sway bars, front/rear do for a Stingray.
I had a 2014 Z51 M7 before ordering my GS (due here in maybe 4 to 6 weeks!).
Curious if you talk about revs at 55, 65, 75 in 7th?
I went from a 14 Z51 M7 to the 18 Grand Sport M7. They run the same RPM, as both have the performance ratio. So at 1300 RPM in the Z51 you will be doing the same speed at 1300 in the grand sport if both are M7 cars.
Under hard acceleration, the GS does have much more traction. Hitting third on the on ramp in my Z51 I could break the rear free and get a little sideways. Grand Sport just chirps them on the same on ramp.
The wider tires do give a little more road noise. But the extra traction in the curves and acceleration is worth it.
10-22-2018, 08:03 PM
Base Stingray to Grand Sport - Initial impressions
You just need to set your side mirrors correctly and it is fine.
Congrats on your NEW GS.A great fun car,Enjoy 
