The Z06 itch
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 90
From: Kaiserslautern
The Z06 itch
So ive been a happy owner of my c7z51, but sometimes I get an itch for Z06. I live in Germany, and do a lot of autobahn driving (as well as some track days). After 15-20 min of cruising at or above 120mph, the transmission starts to overheat (M7 here). Two laps around nurburgring and the oil temp for both tranny and engine are close to red. Brakes after two laps are done too (I have carbotech pads). On the autobahn the C7 runs out of breath around 150-160mph, and starts crawling, though I am happy with the power until about 140mph.
Would the Z06 be an improvement or is it plagued with the same issues? I saw vids of Z06 on the autobahn, and compared to a zr1 it seems to lack in top end. Seen bunch of posts on overheating issues too... So is it just not worth the upgrade? I'd say i'll prob need to dump an extra $20k to upgrade to Z06...
Would the Z06 be an improvement or is it plagued with the same issues? I saw vids of Z06 on the autobahn, and compared to a zr1 it seems to lack in top end. Seen bunch of posts on overheating issues too... So is it just not worth the upgrade? I'd say i'll prob need to dump an extra $20k to upgrade to Z06...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 90
From: Kaiserslautern
I was considering that, but my heating issues would just become worse....
I forgot to mention, i also had my cat back heat wrapped, but it didn't help :/
I was thinking about a gs, but its aerodynamics would really mess up my top end even more so.
I love my car, but wish i could easily up my power (like in old ls motors). I got afe cai, but i think i lost power with it (based on my top speed decrease), and all else seems to be too much work/make it not inspection compliant.
I forgot to mention, i also had my cat back heat wrapped, but it didn't help :/
I was thinking about a gs, but its aerodynamics would really mess up my top end even more so.
I love my car, but wish i could easily up my power (like in old ls motors). I got afe cai, but i think i lost power with it (based on my top speed decrease), and all else seems to be too much work/make it not inspection compliant.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 1,451
Upgrade your transmission cooler, get z06 1/4 vents, and a dewitts radiator, then get one of the centrifugal kits. I believe Higgs (maybe someone else) made a nice thread on cooling. Search for it. Or just buy a stage 1 z06 (basically z51 aero with a bigger engine) but it will have similar heat issues.
The z06
The z06
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 219
Likes: 17
From: New Jersey
Your cooling issues wont be fixed with a Z06 since its also suffering similar issue that Z51 is
Z06's tranny cooler is upgraded but it also have to handle more power and torque, the
Trans Temp is stable around 240-250 on a average track day, BUT I would 100% upgrade
the tranny cooler, 250F tranny temp is unacceptable.
If you dont want to go with the Z06 just upgrade the OEM Z51 Tranny cooler to a Z06
version, that will keep it cool!
For the other issues it really depends on you
If you go with the Z06 with Z07 then it will start crawling around 170MPH ish or lower, because of the aero drag provided by the downforce! I dont remember the excat number when it starts to crawl`
BUT if you track the car the Base Z06 might not be the one for you since the suspension tuning is less aggressive, and you dont get the same downforce or CCB.
and if you actually get a Z06 you'll have overheating problems with the engine too so you'll have to 1. get a new Radiator, and 2. Get the GMPP Secondary Radiator. Two of those together is sufficient to keep the engine cool!
Your Choice~
Z06's tranny cooler is upgraded but it also have to handle more power and torque, the
Trans Temp is stable around 240-250 on a average track day, BUT I would 100% upgrade
the tranny cooler, 250F tranny temp is unacceptable.
If you dont want to go with the Z06 just upgrade the OEM Z51 Tranny cooler to a Z06
version, that will keep it cool!
For the other issues it really depends on you
If you go with the Z06 with Z07 then it will start crawling around 170MPH ish or lower, because of the aero drag provided by the downforce! I dont remember the excat number when it starts to crawl`
BUT if you track the car the Base Z06 might not be the one for you since the suspension tuning is less aggressive, and you dont get the same downforce or CCB.
and if you actually get a Z06 you'll have overheating problems with the engine too so you'll have to 1. get a new Radiator, and 2. Get the GMPP Secondary Radiator. Two of those together is sufficient to keep the engine cool!
Your Choice~
Last edited by KLdy; Jul 14, 2016 at 12:13 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 975
From: Overland Park KS
Transmission temps in the A8 C7 Z06 are completely under control on track; there's no issues there. You could have overheating issues with the engine water and oil temps, BUT this is extremely dependent on how you drive the car. Short shift around 5,000-5,500 rpm and you can normally keep the car from going into limp mode, or pulling timing to any great extent even in high ambient temps.
The M7 cars are less prone to engine overheating although transmission temps might get somewhat high; you'd have to check on that further.
Bish
The M7 cars are less prone to engine overheating although transmission temps might get somewhat high; you'd have to check on that further.
Bish
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 219
Likes: 17
From: New Jersey
Transmission temps in the A8 C7 Z06 are completely under control on track; there's no issues there. You could have overheating issues with the engine water and oil temps, BUT this is extremely dependent on how you drive the car. Short shift around 5,000-5,500 rpm and you can normally keep the car from going into limp mode, or pulling timing to any great extent even in high ambient temps.
The M7 cars are less prone to engine overheating although transmission temps might get somewhat high; you'd have to check on that further.
Bish
The M7 cars are less prone to engine overheating although transmission temps might get somewhat high; you'd have to check on that further.
Bish
The A8 had a problem but it was fixed in 2016 with the addtional tranny cooler in front of the radiator
thats why the GMPP Secondary Radiator is only for manual cars since
for A8s the place has already been taken by the tranny cooler
Then agian if you have an A8 might want to go with the aftermarket route, but its more expensive and complicated, might includes more warranty Issue if not done clean
short shifting and not using the cars potential is really sad IMO
A advertised "Track car" needs to short shift...haha
GM afterwards then claimed that only M7 is the only trackable car
Last edited by KLdy; Jul 14, 2016 at 01:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 975
From: Overland Park KS
The A8 C7 Z06 has always had the secondary transmission cooler; that's why it was delayed production versus the M7.
Agreed that not being able to run the car to red-line is a PITA, but that doesn't mean the car is slow; far from it as the torque curve is tremendous. It is still incredibly fun to drive at an HPDE.
Good luck with your choice of vehicle.
Bish
Agreed that not being able to run the car to red-line is a PITA, but that doesn't mean the car is slow; far from it as the torque curve is tremendous. It is still incredibly fun to drive at an HPDE.
Good luck with your choice of vehicle.
Bish