mikegr

I have found since starting to track my cars, I have no desire to drive fast on the street. Non Z isnt covered for mechanical failures on track but something to consider if looking for that thrill.

Andybump

Based on numerous statements in the Owners Manual and the Track Preparation guide, track prepped Z51 can be used for "racing or other competitive driving". But other features present on the non-Z car say they are "intended for use at a closed course race track and not on public roads" such as Rapid Exit and Launch Control," and these features are not in the "Track Event and Competitive Driving" section that is limited to Z51 or Z06. It has Track Driver mode that says "Use for closed race tracks. Use when maximum vehicle handling is desired." That also is not limited to Z51 or Z06. So - track events, racing and other competitive driving events would appear to be limited to Z51 and Z06, but using launch control or rapid exit or Track Mode on a closed course race track would not appear to be be limited to Z51 by the Owner's Manual.

gdb069

The Z51 package includes:

• Z51 performance Brembo® brakes
• Z51 performance suspension
• Performance exhaust
• Performance rear axle ratio
• Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD)
• Z51-specific front splitter and rear spoiler
• Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4S 245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 rear, high performance, run-flat, summer-only tires1
• Heavy-duty cooling system.
• Rear Spoiler

The non Z51 brakes, suspension, exhaust, LSD, are superior to almost every car except the very expensive supercars.
The Z51 has a few items I did not want including the rear spoiler, and the summer only tires.
Comparing both models same year cars on winding mountain highway and on autocross the difference is in the driver's competence.

DerbyCity

“My question: How do Non Z51 folks drive fast? You can only go about 80mph on most highways without getting a ticket. How do you tap into the C8s power in a non track environment? “
They have the same 1/4 mile time and non Z51 have a higher top speed. It is really are you going to track your SR?

MKC8

Simple. Toe poke the pedal on the right.

22c8z51

I opened this thread to say this.

Didier9

Totally agree, and you do not need the Z51 package to have a lot of fun on the street. As a daily driver, the non-Z51 is a very satisfying car at all levels.

But some people like thee extra grip of the summer tires, the feel of the stiffer suspension and the look of the wing, so it's good that they have that choice even though it won't make much difference on the street.

jthornton

How high does a C8 get when it hits a speed bump at 100 MPH in Mexico?

JT

EVL-C8

Or drive it under 80 without getting ran over? Not too many days ago I was cruising in highway traffic at 90mph.

EvanZR1

I did a non-Z51 2023 HTC (w/magride) before getting my Z06, and for street use it is an awesome car, honestly better for street use than the Z06. I put 8K miles on it in less than a year including a lot of hard driving on twisty back/mountain roads, and never once wanted more than what the car could provide. I found plenty of opportunities to enjoy the car, and honestly way more than my previous 700whp C6 ZR1 as the C8 puts the power down so well that it's fun to just hammer it from a stop up to 70-80.

C7Me

Is this a real question, or just a joke???

JToddH

And it’s not how fast you go, but how quickly you get there.

A YouTuber ( Throttle House ) during a review of the C8 said about the engine, “when you want it, it’s there for you. It’s just really there.”

Brilliant description.

AzDave47

Elapsed time usually is meaningless for 1/2 mile and 1 mile trap speed events.

GTS Bruce

Simple. Base for posing or going out for a hot dog and Ice cream. Z51 for aggressive driving.

Acpantera

Bull *****

Ed Cordes

High HP in a sports car is not about going fast in a straight line or on a 4 lane highway. The HP is used to accelerate out of corners for which you have dramatically slowed for. So if you are on safe back roads doing say 65 on a short straight and then brake to take a sharp turn, apex the corner and step on the throttle the HP will get you down the next straight faster. This next straight might only be a 55 mph stretch before you brake for the next corner. That's the way the Corvette is meant to be driven Z-51 or not. You should sign up for a driving school (Spring Mountain or similar) and learn about corners, balancing the car and how top speed reached is not the here all end all except in drag racing.

AzDave47

For me on my C6Z, since the heads needed to be fixed and I had done the 1.5 mile trap stock at 196.5, doing the extra HCI work was all about breaking 200 in the 1.5 mile, with success of 201.2 on two passes. I also put over 900 miles on it, both stock and HCI at 150 MPH+ and did about 2 dozen track days, all where it was "safe" and legal to do so. With the Corvette, one size definitely does not "fit all". Only ~85 miles at 150+ so far in the C8Z, but with many more miles to come.

RedC8Lover22

To address the other part of the question - Resale. Don't let the fact you will eat more depreciation dollars with a Z51 equipped car sway your decision. Get whatever you want. All iterations of the Stingray are fast.

Bald Guy

I just take it easy. No need to prove anything. Just keep it safe and smart. Enjoy the vehicle intelligently.

Korbek

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the car without vastly exceeding posted limits. Take those yellow signs that have a twisty curve sign with a suggested speed in turns, for instance.

Just got to know when and where. Right time right place. Scouting ahead first doesnt hurt either.