Z51 with mods vs. Z06 for track use-need help
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Z51 with mods vs. Z06 for track use-need help
Ok,
So I have to figure out if the Z06 will make a better track car for the approx $30k more than a Z51 with mods. After mods the price difference would be close to $18k-$20k.
If I get the Z51 and add coilovers and a supercharger and maybe exhaust is that going to handle better than the Z06? If the coilovers are good enough then I wouldn't need to worry about getting the Magnetic Selective Ride Suspension, right? I'm really just trying to get the best bang for the buck. I don't plan on using it only for track use but the mods I do add will still keep it street-able.
Opinions of those who have driven both would be most helpful.
So I have to figure out if the Z06 will make a better track car for the approx $30k more than a Z51 with mods. After mods the price difference would be close to $18k-$20k.
If I get the Z51 and add coilovers and a supercharger and maybe exhaust is that going to handle better than the Z06? If the coilovers are good enough then I wouldn't need to worry about getting the Magnetic Selective Ride Suspension, right? I'm really just trying to get the best bang for the buck. I don't plan on using it only for track use but the mods I do add will still keep it street-able.
Opinions of those who have driven both would be most helpful.
Last edited by 2Laidback; 11-30-2015 at 01:36 AM.
#2
I'm Batman..
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Ok,
So I have to figure out if the Z06 will make a better track car for the approx $30k more than a Z51 with mods. After mods the price difference would be close to $18k-$20k.
If I get the Z51 and add coilovers and a supercharger and maybe exhaust is that going to handle better than the Z06? If the coilovers are good enough then I wouldn't need to worry about getting the Magnetic Selective Ride Suspension, right? I'm really just trying to get the best bang for the buck. I don't plan on using it only for track use but the mods I do add will still keep it street-able.
Opinions of those who have driven both would be most helpful.
So I have to figure out if the Z06 will make a better track car for the approx $30k more than a Z51 with mods. After mods the price difference would be close to $18k-$20k.
If I get the Z51 and add coilovers and a supercharger and maybe exhaust is that going to handle better than the Z06? If the coilovers are good enough then I wouldn't need to worry about getting the Magnetic Selective Ride Suspension, right? I'm really just trying to get the best bang for the buck. I don't plan on using it only for track use but the mods I do add will still keep it street-able.
Opinions of those who have driven both would be most helpful.
Ant
#3
Burning Brakes
I would not do a Supercharger on a track car, heat issues.. suspension mods and tires on the Z51. I passed a few Z06 cars at my last track event, and on the straights there is not much difference. Its all about the driver, a faster car may not be faster because of the driver.
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
I would not do a Supercharger on a track car, heat issues.. suspension mods and tires on the Z51. I passed a few Z06 cars at my last track event, and on the straights there is not much difference. Its all about the driver, a faster car may not be faster because of the driver.
#5
I bought an LT1 out the door for $53k and did about $10k worth of mods, including a cam, CAI, sway bars, radiator and BBK.
I wanted to stay NA for the track and have not been dissapointed, I knew I didn't want a roots blower for the track.
Spend less on options and more on go fast parts and you'll have a great track car.
I love mine
Also any supercharger is going to add tremendous heat to the car, you can overcome much of it, but I have seen many supercharged cars that can't make it through a 20 minutes session, and I would argue a CF supercharger is actually a better supercharger for the track than a roots charger, primarily because it is a giant heat sync sitting right on top of your motor. A CF sits in front of the motor and has a more linear feel like the motor itself.
I wanted to stay NA for the track and have not been dissapointed, I knew I didn't want a roots blower for the track.
Spend less on options and more on go fast parts and you'll have a great track car.
I love mine
Also any supercharger is going to add tremendous heat to the car, you can overcome much of it, but I have seen many supercharged cars that can't make it through a 20 minutes session, and I would argue a CF supercharger is actually a better supercharger for the track than a roots charger, primarily because it is a giant heat sync sitting right on top of your motor. A CF sits in front of the motor and has a more linear feel like the motor itself.
#6
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I bought an LT1 out the door for $53k and did about $10k worth of mods, including a cam, CAI, sway bars, radiator and BBK.
I wanted to stay NA for the track and have not been dissapointed, I knew I didn't want a roots blower for the track.
Spend less on options and more on go fast parts and you'll have a great track car.
I love mine
Also any supercharger is going to add tremendous heat to the car, you can overcome much of it, but I have seen many supercharged cars that can't make it through a 20 minutes session, and I would argue a CF supercharger is actually a better supercharger for the track than a roots charger, primarily because it is a giant heat sync sitting right on top of your motor. A CF sits in front of the motor and has a more linear feel like the motor itself.
I wanted to stay NA for the track and have not been dissapointed, I knew I didn't want a roots blower for the track.
Spend less on options and more on go fast parts and you'll have a great track car.
I love mine
Also any supercharger is going to add tremendous heat to the car, you can overcome much of it, but I have seen many supercharged cars that can't make it through a 20 minutes session, and I would argue a CF supercharger is actually a better supercharger for the track than a roots charger, primarily because it is a giant heat sync sitting right on top of your motor. A CF sits in front of the motor and has a more linear feel like the motor itself.
Last edited by FYREANT; 11-30-2015 at 11:10 AM.
#7
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All good points. I won't disagree. I just know I have read several people with CF blowers who also had heat issues on the track which is still in line with what you are saying that all of them will have heat issues. I think one thing is for sure though, if you are going to track the car, an upgraded radiator should be on your first list of mods to do lol
#9
Burning Brakes
Simple mods so far, 160 tstat, headers and CAI... next will be a dedicated set of track wheels and tires, then coilovers if I get serious, no mag ride for me since I knew I may eventually want coilovers. Still pull 1.48 g's in the corners on stock rubber.
#12
My two cents.
Get manual Z51 with PDR, competition seats, then add Z06 scoops, Z06 grille, AP big brake kit front from Essex, Ron Davis radiator, and coilovers. Keep powertrain stock. This would be a great track car. I just sold my car which had most of these options but with A8.
If you want more power, then get manual Z06 with PDR, competition seats, stage 2 aero, and add the new GMPP secondary radiator. I just ordered this car.
Try to keep powertrain stock.
Get manual Z51 with PDR, competition seats, then add Z06 scoops, Z06 grille, AP big brake kit front from Essex, Ron Davis radiator, and coilovers. Keep powertrain stock. This would be a great track car. I just sold my car which had most of these options but with A8.
If you want more power, then get manual Z06 with PDR, competition seats, stage 2 aero, and add the new GMPP secondary radiator. I just ordered this car.
Try to keep powertrain stock.
#13
My two cents.
Get manual Z51 with PDR, competition seats, then add Z06 scoops, Z06 grille, AP big brake kit front from Essex, Ron Davis radiator, and coilovers. Keep powertrain stock. This would be a great track car. I just sold my car which had most of these options but with A8.
If you want more power, then get manual Z06 with PDR, competition seats, stage 2 aero, and add the new GMPP secondary radiator. I just ordered this car.
Try to keep powertrain stock.
Get manual Z51 with PDR, competition seats, then add Z06 scoops, Z06 grille, AP big brake kit front from Essex, Ron Davis radiator, and coilovers. Keep powertrain stock. This would be a great track car. I just sold my car which had most of these options but with A8.
If you want more power, then get manual Z06 with PDR, competition seats, stage 2 aero, and add the new GMPP secondary radiator. I just ordered this car.
Try to keep powertrain stock.
My first mod would be the Essex AP Racing Kit (always love to have confidence in the brakes), and then the cooling stuff (adding as necessary depending on any issues that show up).
-T
Last edited by Trackaholic; 12-01-2015 at 03:43 AM.
#14
Burning Brakes
I haven't tracked my new Z51 yet. But I did track a 565 hp,factory supercharged '03 Mustang Cobra for 10 years
As others have mentioned, it is a constant battle with heat soak. I did all the usual mods over the years and about all it did was increase the time before I went into limp mode by a few minutes. Nothing really worked until I deleted the cats. Bassani had an x pipe with interchangable flow tubes, so i was able to remove the cats for track work and reinstall them before state inspection.I was never able to run hard for a full 20 minute session without going limp, until then.
Never even considered getting the new Z06 because of the supercharger.
If you do decide on supercharger, plan as much additional cooling as you possibly can. You will need every bit of it and more.
The engine builder who rebuilt my engine to race specs said two things that don't belong on a race track.... superchargers and catalylic converters. True dat!
As others have mentioned, it is a constant battle with heat soak. I did all the usual mods over the years and about all it did was increase the time before I went into limp mode by a few minutes. Nothing really worked until I deleted the cats. Bassani had an x pipe with interchangable flow tubes, so i was able to remove the cats for track work and reinstall them before state inspection.I was never able to run hard for a full 20 minute session without going limp, until then.
Never even considered getting the new Z06 because of the supercharger.
If you do decide on supercharger, plan as much additional cooling as you possibly can. You will need every bit of it and more.
The engine builder who rebuilt my engine to race specs said two things that don't belong on a race track.... superchargers and catalylic converters. True dat!
#15
Look at the michelin challenge corvettes. they are z51s with a bunch of track goodies. and the best part is GM is selling all of the parts that make those cars 4 seconds a lap faster at spring mountain than a stock z51.
#16
honestly i would do the c7 z51. add some race pads and run it. the c6z has major brake issues and really should need a BBK to get the operating costs down.
skip the power adders. you'll find out how scary 200hp is when your trying to take a turn flat. (turn 12 @ road atl) your going to have 455hp
skip the power adders. you'll find out how scary 200hp is when your trying to take a turn flat. (turn 12 @ road atl) your going to have 455hp
#17
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ttt
Get the z06 for the track like some others have said above. Then only go with LG aftermarket coolant package's for the car also to keep the temp down on the car..
#18
My only disagreement with above comments is that I feel a roots style blower is MORE susceptible to heat soak than a centri style blower. However, power band wise, the roots would be more desirable for the track for its more consistent torque curve and power at all levels. But like others have stated above, either do a z51 with cooling upgrades and internal motor mods and say forget the warranty...or just do a stock Z06 and worry about heat soak. I personally think a Z51 with cooling mods, camshaft kit, headers, intake, and tune will be a good starting place for you. That will put you at around 500+whp with a good reliable car...just no warranty. Granted, if you go with a good shop like Vengeance, the car will probably be MORE reliable after the upgrades than before!
Last edited by StingerBG; 12-02-2015 at 10:46 AM.
#19
My only disagreement with above comments is that I feel a roots style blower is MORE susceptible to heat soak than a centri style blower. However, power band wise, the roots would be more desirable for the track for its more consistent torque curve and power at all levels. But like others have stated above, either do a z51 with cooling upgrades and internal motor mods and say forget the warranty...or just do a stock Z06 and worry about heat soak. I personally think a Z51 with cooling mods, camshaft kit, headers, intake, and tune will be a good starting place for you. That will put you at around 500+whp with a good reliable car...just no warranty. Granted, if you go with a good shop like Vengeance, the car will probably be MORE reliable after the upgrades than before!
i think you guys are forgetting that superchargers add +100lbs in front of the front axles. the absolute worse spot to put weight on a car trying to turn. forget boost on a track car. you're only asking for trouble.
#20
which is why I said N/A would be a better route for track performance...