Gadget,

I would suggest you at least get the alignment checked so you know if there are any problems. As bad as your tires are corded on the inside, I suspect you have bad toe-in alignment. That can happen simply from hitting a curb or pot hole. It can also happen if the previous owner lowered the car by adjusting the ride height bolts but then did not do a full alignment afterwards. Do you know if the car is lowered? The rear looks lower than the front in your picture but it might just be the camera angle.

For the least amount of tire wear, I recommend zero toe front and rear. Even a small amount of toe will cause significantly faster tire edge wear. Racers use toe-in as a band-aid to add stability in the rear and toe-out to increase turn in on the front. I say band-aid because there are better ways to accomplish that goal without using toe adjustments. Since you are not racing the car anyway, keeping toe at zero will not have any downsides for you and will preserve the tire life. If you want to check toe alignment but do not feel like taking the car to a shop, we could check it at my house pretty easily.

Also, where do you plan to get your new tires installed? That is an important question because the low profile, wide tires on the Corvette are not easy to properly mount without doing damage to the wheels / tires. You need someone who has lots of experience with those type of tires. A Chevy dealer may or may not be able to do it well. Don't even think of taking it to the typical local tire shop!

 

Dang, glad to see a few locals in here. We are just up 61 from Wentzville. Purchased our 17 Z06 late last year from Poage. New tires will be coming soon as will having Dave at SOLO do the alignment. He has worked on our 1LE before a long with our son's autocross cars. Hoping to go see him in the spring to do a performance alignment. The Z will see a track day or two, but the rest of the time will just be enjoying it. The 1LE is the dedicated track car.

 

jlouie,
Are you coming to the Boeing Sports Car Club Autocross Sunday (Aug 17th)? We always have a great time out there! There are still openings available if you want to drive, or you can come and spectate and we could meet up. Our events are at the Family Arena in St. Charles. I am the course designer and driving coach.

 

Purchased the Z06 at Fast Lane. The tires are in back order until next week. So she’ll sit in the garage until then. They will mount the tires and I’ll go from there. Getting some input from David and Chris there too. I know Chris has a c6 ZR1 and or course David has everything, but races too. They has always treated me right there. I’ll reach out to solo and have them set up the alignment for a street setup. If I track or cross it, it won’t be until next year. I will have some miles on it and can decide how often I may want to change setups and/or tires/wheels. I’m coming from a cobra kit which had no nanny’s so this already feels so much more planted.

I really appreciate the input and advice.

 

Gadget,
You are welcome to come out to our autocross event this Sunday. There is no cost to spectate or even get a ride out on the course. If you come out, ask people to point you to RacerRik so we can meet up. You can take a ride in my slow C7 Stingray (compared to your Z06 at least)! Just show up at the Family Arena at about 11:00 when we start driving to check out the fun. Lots of cool cars there. Should be seven or more Corvettes running including two C8 Z06s which are just amazing to hear on course.

 

Appreciate the offer. Unfortunately out of town currently and will it be home until late that day. I haven't done an autocross since late 2019. The virus deal, change in my work role and other important things took over. We will be back at it at some point. Need to just set the time aside and do it. We will meet up for sure some time.

 

it’s been a couple of years since I’ve watched you guys cross at the arena. The first time I accidentally came across it while riding a bike on the Katy Trail there. I’ll try to make Sunday, but if not I’ll look for another. I really appreciate the info and offer to join you there.

-Lew