All,

This is more of a plea to folks that are experienced with the C7Z A8 ownership and consistently track it.

I can respect GM for providing both the MT & A8 options to the masses as their sales records reflect the success and ensures the Z06 marque continues.

That being said, for those of us A8 owners that intend to track these cars. Are we out of luck (unless we choose the $8k LG cooling solution)?

What I am hearing from successive reports is that short shifting manually as opposed to full auto on track lends to just a few more minutes of track time before limp mode.

Granted, there are a number of variables at hand (Ambient Temps/Driver skill etc)

Is there a point to have an A8 for HPDE sessions? Looking for a solid case.

 

 

My car is an M7, but I have instructed in several A8's, and I've talked with a number of A8 owners in the paddock at track events, and every one of them has has limp mode issues.

The guys I've instructed were inexperienced track drivers. At the beginning of an event I've tried to get them to go into manual mode and use the paddles to short shift, but each of them has been reluctant to initially do that - they have wanted to run in auto with car shifting at redline. However, after a few laps when we get the limp mode and limp into pit row to cool down for a few minutes I'm usuall able to talk them into trying manual and paddle shifting at lower RPM. The 3 or 4 students I've had that experience with have all never used the paddles much, and they've been very poor at paddle-shifting the A8. I've had better luck just leaving it in 4th or 5th, but it still only adds a couple laps before the limp mode pops up again.

Bottom line - unfortunately I just don't see any case at all for getting an A8 for the track.

Just MHO,YMMV!!

.

 

Are you saying the 2017 cooling upgrade didn't do much?

 

No. There is no case, let alone a solid one.

 

My first recommendation for my friends that own A8's and track their cars often is to sell the A8 and get a 2017 M7 that is on clearance and also take advantage of Corvette loyalty program. Should be 15% to 20% off MSRP. Cooling solutions are very expensive, impact the looks of the car, and/ or don't benefit A8 as much as M7's.

 

I am a pretty highly experienced HPDE driver who’s been doing it for over 20 years. I ordered a 2015 Z06(7) A8 based purely on GM’s exertion that it was going to be the “most capable Corvette ever” on track, and that the A8 would be faster than the M7. At NO TIME during the lead up to or initial run out of the car did GM state ‘buy the M7 if you’re a serious track rat’.

That being said I have never placed the car into limp mode even when it’s been 96dF when I’ve been tracking the car, and I obviously run in the Advanced run groups. You have to drive it in ‘M’ mode only, and you have to short shift, preferably before 5500 rpm. Further you need to understand that even at 2500 rpm the car has tremendous torque, and in many (most?) corners you’ll be just as fast in the next higher gear versus allowing the car to rev up close to redline in a lower one.

Am I frustrated having to drive it this way; (meaning having to short shift)?, yes I am, and I definitely feel that I was lied to by GM. Further, the fact that after 2 1/2 years after I bought the car GM has done nothing for A8 owners to mitigate this overheating issue, even though the chief engineer said that it would, is disgusting.

Regardless I am generally the fastest in my run group and the car is a joy to drive as the handling is sublime, and my car has essentially been bulletproof apart from leaking brake bleeders on track which again, GM dismisses. If I was going to keep it, or if I was buying a new A8 version, I would invest in the LG kit immediately. I sincerely doubt that a decent driver who doesn’t simply run the car on a road course at 6500 rpm all the time can overheat the newer M7 models.

I have however had the PS electric motor overheat a few times in really hot weather, so now I have the GM ‘cooling kit’ installed.

Bish

 

We offer a 5500$ solution, that doesnt require the bumper to be modified in any way, and will allow you to run full sessions with no limp mode, and minimal derating. Its pretty killer. Please call us to order, we are not pushing this system on the website yet.


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-0-tested.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-solution.html

 

The cooling package is set up for you to configure based on needs. If you're doing events up north you should be able to get away with just the twin intercooler set up and a secondary trans cooler. If issue persists you can other items such as the oil cooler pkg, supercool radiator and/or larger capacity trans pan.

 

I was told that the issue was resolved with my 17 version. I sold my 2015 and went to a GT350 but came back to the C7Z when they told me they had solved the problem. I wish I could just trade mine in for the manual but I don't think even the M7's are free from overheating. I am going to go with the LG Motorsports setup. It is basically invisible unless you look for it through the gills, and it completely solves the issue. Best of luck to all.
Randy

 

Does this work with the secondary radiator?

 

Yes it will.

 

No it doesn't. OEM Secondary radiator gets removed. The cooler under driver side headlight is the new secondary radiator for manual car and for A8 it becomes the transmission secondary cooler.

 

If you're a drag racer, the A8 is the hot setup, but for road course use, I haven't talked to even 1 A8 owner that hasn't experienced limp mode after a few laps, but only a couple M7 owners that have, and both were '15 or '16 models that haven't had the '17-'18 blower upgrade. That's why my '18 is an M7. Not to say the A8 is bad, I know the majority of buyers opt for the A8, but for road course use, the M7 has proven to be the better choice.

 

Hi checkmate, I have been fighting the overheating problem in my 2015 zo7 since new. It simply will not run on the track at temps over 80degrees IMO in stock form. That said, with the LG base kit and keeping the stock radiator I have been successful running the car at HPR in colorado up to 92 degrees ambient for long sessions. I believe it was about $4000 for the kit including a new GM nose with all the cut outs and bezels installed that I had to paint $500), but it was not a bad install. Now getting the air out of the super charger circuit was a tough job, but I finally completed it with the bumper off. I do max track prep and paddle shift which I love.
Depending on conditions I can run to redline at certain times, but mostly shift at 5500. According to GM's dyno chart, you are still getting all the torque and about 550 HP. I am going to do a post on my mods soon. I love the car on the track. I have driven m7 and A8 and I prefer the A8 for road course. If GM would have done this to begin with, I think people would have been happy. Looking at economics, the hit on my 2015 to go to a new or low mileage M7 that way I wanted it was about 20-30K. I figured it was worth taking a risk to see if the LG set up worked in its simplest form because it made so much sense and they tested it. Now that I know it does work, its a good investment to add the kit and enjoy the car. I am like you, the info from Gm said the A8 was the track car, so even though I have never owned an auto on a performance car, I thought, it was time to try an auto.
If I need more cooling, then I can add the LG or De witts radiator. If I need more, they have a package. No trans temp warnings yet.
I also added Mad Dog 24's oil cooler fins with the duct work. My oil temp have been around 265 on long sessions. I think its a good combination, no warrantee issues and simple. As for temps over 92, I have not had the opportunity to test but I think I have a little room to run in hotter temps. I will post more about what I did and the results.
For the money, the upgrade is definitley worth it unless you can swap for a m7 you like for a small amount ie less than $5000 .

 

Makes a lot of sense to go that route. Show us some pics! I've got an m7 and I just put the secondary radiator and power steering cooling kit on this weekend. Hopefully that and short shifting will keep my temps in line.
I wonder what issues the zr1 will have?

 

FWIW, unless you are 10/10 hot shoe driver, the M7 with the GMPP aux radiator should be enough. IF not, yes you will be one cool running SOB with the LG or other kits. I have met very few M7's drivers that have overheating problems even running to high RPM.s

 

I think the secondary kit will do all I need. If not I'll look further into it. I won't be at 10/10ths If something happens and I am I'll deal with it then. My last track day I had oil and water temps higher than I liked them and thought this would be good insurance.

 

This thread does not seem to bode well for us A8 owners who want to track their cars.

Just hoping for a fix that would not cost so much money out of pocket. Needless to say, GM royally screwed us A8 owners who had to cough up close to $2,000 for this 'fast shifting automatic'.

I just don't get how a company like GM can get away (in this day and age) without providing a solution. You just don't win new customers by just sweeping things under the rug.

 

After you add the gas guzzler tax and mandatory remote start, it's a about a $3100 upcharge for the A8.