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I expect some folks saw my thread about moving to a Camaro ZL1 and after much consideration I decided to just sell my 2015 C7 Z06 with 120 track hours on it and figure out what I wanted to do next.
Thanks to Mike Furman I took delivery today of a beautiful and way too well optioned to track Torch Red 2017 C7 Z06/Z07 also with an M7. I'm going to use this thread to update everyone on the steps I'm taking to get this car ready for the track and more importantly to compare the Z07 to my previous Z06 as well as my experience with the 2017 cooling enhancements compared to my previous car with the GMPP secondary radiator. I have lots of Aim data from the old car so we should be able to draw some pretty solid comparisons.
I likely won't be able to get the new car on track until early August as the first thing I have to do is get SunTek film applied to the entire front, doors, and rear quarter panels to keep the paint from getting trashed when I close up behind people on track. The following are the remaining steps I'm planning before the first track day:
1) Put 1500 miles on the car, changing the oil once at 500 miles to 5w30, and again at 1500 miles to 15W50 for track use.
2) Remove the CCB brakes and replace them with the AP Racing Radi-cal front and rear kit. I use Ferodo DS 1.11 pads for track and DS 2500 for street. I'll also flush the brake fluid with Castrol SRF as part of that process since I need to get the air out of the new brakes anyway.
3) Measure and document the as delivered alignment to include rear caster. I'll post that up for everyone as a data point.
4) Align the car to the DSC Sport recommended specs. I have a set of the AMT alignment blocks and studs so I'll install those at the same time.
5) Install stage 3 aero pieces (splitter end plates and spoiler center wicker)
6) Install the supplemental brake cooling ducts that came with the car.
After my first track event and I get some time to really evaluate the stock Z07 suspension for comparison I'm going to perform the following steps:
1) Change the diff and transmission fluid. I plan on using Mobil Delvac for the diff and probably Amsoil for the trans.
2) Install the DSC Sport controller but leave the stock shocks on. Zero the travel sensor with the driver's weight in the car.
Finally, after I have a couple of events to evaluate the performance with the stock shocks I'm going to reinstall my Tractive DDA RTx shocks. I'm really looking forward to the chance to go through this systematically and I hope that other C7Z track rats find it useful.
so glad u are doing this. I enjoy and look forward to your posts. I have tracked my car a few times now and love it. I don't push it too much yet as I'm still not near its limits.
very nice. after reading the other thread and listening to the rationale I was in favor of you purchasing the ZL so you could compare the two. but a moot point now lol
Congrats on the new car and awesome you take the time to help others out on here.
Most importantly, glad you purchased it from Mike Furman!!
All I have so far is this quick pic I snapped in the parking lot this afternoon. I'm hopeful that the color will help folks on track see me in their rear view mirror.
Sounds like a fun journey. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Thanks for the business - oh and you may want to consider some of our Granatelli toe links with locking plates for the alignment. I'm no C7 expert, but hearing from lots of folks that when you get aggressive with the rear alignment you run out of adjustment with the stock toe links in a hurry. There I've said my piece. Enjoy the new ride!
Glad you are back. Was hoping it wasn't for long. I will be honest that I was selfishly disappointed/bummed when I found out you were selling and maybe going to the Camaro. Love the approach (as always) and looking forward to the results. Fellow track rats rejoice!
Glad to see you stayed among us. Have you sold the 2015 yet, or will you be tracking it until the '17 is ready? I suspect that instead of seeing the red car in the rear view, it will more likely be seeing the red spot up ahead that they dream to catch! See you soon at VIR.
Glad to hear the move to a Vette and looking forward to your data of the difference in the suspensions of the two cars. I remember you doing a few Z07 mods years ago then going back, now there is no going back!
What's up with your old Z? If your selling it how much I'm really curious of how the value of a real track \ street car is compared to a wax on wax off queen is. Sorry if I missed the thread on it if you have already discussed as I have been side lined on vacation for a while.
I fully agree with Mark from AMT to add the Granatelli toe links. We wont do a true track alignment unless the owner agrees to install a set.
BTW I've been told of the years by a number of race car drivers that a red nose is a clean nose, good color choice.
I went from 2016 Z06 to 2017 Z07. Very happy with the car at the track. Body roll is for sure less.
I was killing wheel well liners on the Z06 but not the Z07. Obviously you had top of the line DSC suspension and its above any OEM suspension.
I'm not planning on the Granatelli toe links at this time. We managed to get -2.0 in the rear of my last car without them. If I have issues doing it on this car I'll order a set.
Enjoy the new ride, it looks like you have a very well thought out plan on getting the car ready for the track. I look forward to following your reports.
Congratulations on the new car. I for one appreciate all that you've done for the corvette forum, especially the Z06 community. Hopefully we'll bump into each other at Summit Point.
06-16-2017, 06:24 PM
Starting Over with a 2017 Z07
so glad u are doing this. I enjoy and look forward to your posts. I have tracked my car a few times now and love it. I don't push it too much yet as I'm still not near its limits.
