johnglenntwo

Don't get me started! The 427 reputation has been it was weak and better left alone.
GM didn't get its best ZO6 setup until the 2012 adding ironically enough a couple hundred pounds. They changed its weight distribution several times. They finally just went the way of the Viper on that.
The 2001 ZO6 was junk too! The rings were loose and blowing oil out the back!?
It's a good thing they have had a strong following and guys put together great cars.

Hopefully, they've learned something to start off the C8 truly strong, and light!

Can'tHave2MuchHP

Weight is still absolutely everything. I used to think it could be out done with power, but there's TONS of things that weight hurts. I've been saying it since the C7 came out. Why can't we put these damn things on a C6 Z diet? I know that's asking for more car at less weight but seriously. Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren among others are finding ways to build cars with 1) better build quality 2) better interiors and 3) plenty of reliability and still come in 2900-3300 pounds (Granted their cars are all north of $200k with most being over $300k). Once a car is over 3500, it's really getting into muscle car range. I buy the cars because there's nothing else in the price range, but damn these things would be SO much better if they could get the Camaro to weigh 3500-3700 and the Vette 3100-3300.

There's immense costs associated with weight savings. Carbon fiber, forged carbon, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and countless other weight saving materials are many times more expensive than your regular materials. A Carbon Fiber bodied Corvette could be north of $150k and be offered to consumers for nearly $200k. We'd end up right at the costs of Euro super cars, but the problem is the gray hair and denim shorts base and really anybody in general is never going to think a Corvette should cost that much or go after that level of performance. Chevy's hands are tied there. I'm guilty of thinking both ways, less weight and make it cost more. And less weight and make it cost more and many people will not be able to buy it or will dislike it for getting rid of the Corvette tradition (Personally I find nothing stupider than abstaining from something because of tradition).

Anyways, I'm not asking for a Carbon tub, all out vehicle like a McLaren that's going to be $220k+ but definitely some things here and there should be able to get that weight back to what it should be.

And FFS, how about putting these things on a slightly smaller foot print? Have you ever seen a C6Z/C7Z next to a Huracan or 458??? The Corvette looks like a tank. Put them on a smaller foot print, engineer the aero dynamics and the aero path better. Let us compete with McLaren's and the like on the highway.

I'm going to be looking seriously at 720S's when the LT version comes out and the depreciation has run it's course.

johnglenntwo

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/corvette/2012/2012-chevrolet-corvette-z06-centennial-edition-test/

The C6 and all its new weight was translated into the C7 Z51, add the eLSD. 49%51%...that too!

If the big aero was allowed added to be the 2006 things would have been way better, for Jan Mag too! So the tuners had to do it...and here we are GM playing catch up.

Mcrider

Mercedes has learned how to make 4000lb cars run as fast as Porsches weighing far less. Its called brute horsepower!!!

Racingswh

I thought I saw that. That's flying. Very nice.

I would have to think that the new ZR1 will be close. Gary Wimble in his stock power ACR-E went 1:55 and change on stock wheels shod with R7's. I am confident that the ZR1 will be faster than the ACR-E.

SBC_and_a_stick

The GT3s are way quick at the track. There is one AMG GT running about Cayman GT4 pace... I'm sure the GT R can be as fast as a GT3...for one lap. Catch the naturally aspirated 500lbs lighter GT3 in anything but your ideal lap for your Cup 2s and the GT3 will own it.

AMG has learned how to make a car go as fast as a GT3 for one lap. It takes a different kind of car to hang with the Porsche for 20 minutes. Let's not even get into GT2 talks here, which is still a light car compared to AMGs/C7 ZR1s.

juanvaldez

Only thing that counts is aerodynamic drag, weight only affects acceleration.

Mcrider

The later years Mercedes SL55's were 4400 lbs and chipped to limit top speed to about 180 because the street tires didnt exist to let them run the 200mph+ they could run when the motor was uncorked. To my knowledge, they were the first supercar you could buy at a local dealer. They were 10 years plus ahead of the vettes!

Mr. Gizmo

Questar

So here’s my take on this subject...

On the street the weight doesn’t matter much to me. The power offsets the extra weight and the car handles more than capably for anything I can do with the car on street or highway... besides, I want all the creature comforts and extras that come with the car so as a performance street beast I’m happy as is.

On track I like the extras but I’d love to have the car lighter... 3,000 lbs would be superb... easier to brake, easier on consumables, faster to accelerate, higher cornering speeds. Truly super car performance. BUT... I spend one or two days a month enjoying track days... I’m not racing... it’s not a job. I spend 10 to 20 times as much time each month driving on the street, so I’ll take the extra weight and everything that comes with it.

If I really want less weight I can simply strip away some of that extra stuff... less fun on the street but more of a race car... but that’s not my goal.

3 Z06ZR1

How many of those have you owned beside MAYBE the one you said had bad rings? All my Z06's have been great! M7 2002 was great car and never an issue! I supercharged my 2008 Z06 to near 600 RWHP. Not sure what happened in 2012?

3 Z06ZR1

Pretty sure those are 1lt -1lz
The 3lt or 3lz adds a pile of leather, head liner and gadgets and glue has to be at least 40-50 pounds (I'm guessing) on top of those numbers.

Poor-sha

I suspect that is a fully gutted C6Z with as much aero as he could get on it too. Oh, and I'm certain he's a better driver. Jim Mero did a 1:55.95 on VIR Full in a C7 Z06 with the new MR update and that was on Cup 2 tires.

I don't think it's unrealistic to think the ZR1 will shave 2 seconds off that time given they shaved 2.5s off the grand time without really trying.

range96

Acceleration, turning, braking, fuel efficiency, brake, tire longevity. Should I continue?

juanvaldez

You are talking quick, I talking fast. The Hellcat will do 202, how much does it weigh? When it comes to fast, aerodynamic drag is all that counts.

johnglenntwo

An '01 and an '02. You're right the '02 was fixed.
Yeah, Tom Wong got 900rwhp out of his SC Z06. He redid a lot though. Amazing how loud that thing was.
Anyway, I hung around several tuners back then. They told me things!
Everything I said is gospel, like it always is!

The C7 Z51's 49%/51% WD....tech transfer! And MR keeping the car flat translates to that weight adding friction and grip, but, wearing the tires faster, of course. Race cars don't have the same chassis dynamics, and constraints.

The ME narrow tires help drag and the weight should be less too!

Suns_PSD

A C7GS with a 427ci NA, manual seats, 18" forged wheels, and some Racing Brake rotors is the car I dream of. If the C8 doesn't come in a manual, I will build one and at only 47 currently it will likely be the last sports car for the rest of my driving years.

I'd put that car at 3200# which would be damn good for a car with 600 NA rwhp.

The Miata would be an amazing package with it's weight and price if it just had 275 hp.

juanvaldez

All pigs! Birkin is around 1,000 lbs/ no driver, 200 hp at the crank.

z06801

I would be very impressed if the new ZR1 runs at TT1/ST1 track records, mine will run Millers outerloop in 1:56.xx PWC GT3 cars are getting down to 1:48.xx Jan Magnuson ran a 2:03.xx in a C6 ZR1, would be cool to see what the new one could do, will be fast for sure! It would be faster if it weighed 400lbs for sure but were talking about a luxury GT car, very impressive. I'm hoping to a least have a student with one this session who wants me to drive him a couple of laps

meadowz06

I would hope so. I never said it wasn’t faster. Just stated that it is heavier than my LPE C5. That is why the McClaren 570s is faster. Weight! And my FRS would be competitive with a new ZR1 with some upgrades, on a road course. 2750 lbs! Weight is everything in racing.