C8 aerodynamics / downforce / CD
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1,514
C8 aerodynamics / downforce / CD
I hadn't seen this being discussed yet.
I found some interesting data
I’m not sure how much downforce the base model has but the Z51 has 400 pound additional downforce than base car.
Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Viper ACR : 1700 lbs of downforce at 177 mph / Cd of 0.54.
C7 Z07 : 500-600 lbs of downforce at top speed (185) / Cd of 0.50 !!! WOW like SUV Cd
C7 ZR1 (high wing)
has 30% increase in downforce compared to Z07 but barely less Cd ?? .48-.49
GT3 RS : 770 lbs at 186 mph / Cd of 0.33
GT2 RS : 992lbs of downforce at top speed (211 mph ) / Cd of 0.35. ( phenomenal job )
GTR R35 nismo : ~559 lbs of downforce at 186 mph / Cd 0.26!!! Impressive
C8 Z06 ??????
I found some interesting data
I’m not sure how much downforce the base model has but the Z51 has 400 pound additional downforce than base car.
Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Viper ACR : 1700 lbs of downforce at 177 mph / Cd of 0.54.
C7 Z07 : 500-600 lbs of downforce at top speed (185) / Cd of 0.50 !!! WOW like SUV Cd
C7 ZR1 (high wing)
has 30% increase in downforce compared to Z07 but barely less Cd ?? .48-.49
GT3 RS : 770 lbs at 186 mph / Cd of 0.33
GT2 RS : 992lbs of downforce at top speed (211 mph ) / Cd of 0.35. ( phenomenal job )
GTR R35 nismo : ~559 lbs of downforce at 186 mph / Cd 0.26!!! Impressive
C8 Z06 ??????
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 1,264
From: Houston
C7 (non Z51):
Drag Coefficient: 0.30
C7 Z51:
Drag Coefficient: 0.35
Z06 (Stage 1 Aero):
Drag Coefficient: 0.35
Z06 (Stage 2 Aero):
Drag Coefficient: 0.40
Z06 (Stage 3 Aero):
Drag Coefficient: 0.50
Yet like 90% of youtuber drag race videos have the C7 on stage 2 or 3.
I think the most impressive thing is the GTR is shaped like a brick and has such a low cd.
They just need to give the C8 active aero so it can please everyone.
Drag Coefficient: 0.30
C7 Z51:
Drag Coefficient: 0.35
Z06 (Stage 1 Aero):
Drag Coefficient: 0.35
Z06 (Stage 2 Aero):
Drag Coefficient: 0.40
Z06 (Stage 3 Aero):
Drag Coefficient: 0.50
Yet like 90% of youtuber drag race videos have the C7 on stage 2 or 3.
I think the most impressive thing is the GTR is shaped like a brick and has such a low cd.
They just need to give the C8 active aero so it can please everyone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 1,199
From: Ft. Myers FL
The bottom line is the Z51 as it increases in speed the spoiler acts to add down force on the rear of the car. This is great on a road course track to keep the *** end planted during cornering, but, in a 1/4 mile sprint this acts like an invisible person piling bricks in your trunk the faster you go. 
This is why the non-Z51's are faster in the quarter while the Z51's have a higher trap speed. Think about in just a quarter mile your 250 lb. fat aunt Lizzie jumps on your car whipping down the strip!!
Shudder the thought! 
This is why the non-Z51's are faster in the quarter while the Z51's have a higher trap speed. Think about in just a quarter mile your 250 lb. fat aunt Lizzie jumps on your car whipping down the strip!! Shudder the thought! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 649
From: Chattanooga TN
I hadn't seen this being discussed yet.
I found some interesting data
I’m not sure how much downforce the base model has but the Z51 has 400 pound additional downforce than base car.
Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Viper ACR : 1700 lbs of downforce at 177 mph / Cd of 0.54.
C7 Z07 : 500-600 lbs of downforce at top speed (185) / Cd of 0.50 !!! WOW like SUV Cd
C7 ZR1 (high wing)
has 30% increase in downforce compared to Z07 but barely less Cd ?? .48-.49
GT3 RS : 770 lbs at 186 mph / Cd of 0.33
GT2 RS : 992lbs of downforce at top speed (211 mph ) / Cd of 0.35. ( phenomenal job )
GTR R35 nismo : ~559 lbs of downforce at 186 mph / Cd 0.26!!! Impressive
C8 Z06 ??????
I found some interesting data
I’m not sure how much downforce the base model has but the Z51 has 400 pound additional downforce than base car.
Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Viper ACR : 1700 lbs of downforce at 177 mph / Cd of 0.54.
C7 Z07 : 500-600 lbs of downforce at top speed (185) / Cd of 0.50 !!! WOW like SUV Cd
C7 ZR1 (high wing)
has 30% increase in downforce compared to Z07 but barely less Cd ?? .48-.49
GT3 RS : 770 lbs at 186 mph / Cd of 0.33
GT2 RS : 992lbs of downforce at top speed (211 mph ) / Cd of 0.35. ( phenomenal job )
GTR R35 nismo : ~559 lbs of downforce at 186 mph / Cd 0.26!!! Impressive
C8 Z06 ??????
To move weight, to Speed, you need TQ. That's why Trucks use Gearing to get load moving. If you've ever Driven a Tractor/Trailer loaded, it's easy principle to understand, TQ does the work. Example, Tesla's Electrical Tractor/Trailer. Electrical motors or TQ RATED. Look at the huge difference in 0-60 time with Max Load it can pull, compared to Standard Diesel Engine!
Horsepower is how Fast your going when you hit the Wall.
Torque is how Far you take the Wall when you hit it.
Also it's not just the Rear SPOILER, that adds more downforce, the Front Splitter/Spoiler, does also. Remember Tadge, saying "Not to add the Z51 Front Splitter, without Wing, or rear Z51 Spoiler, it upsets Aero of Base C8!
But of course we're Smarter than the Designer's so some will, for LOOKS.
Corvette is suppose to be a Sports Car, 1st. The fun part of driving them, is how they Handle curves, and how Fast you can go into them, and how Fast you can come out of them, and survive. That's what I want out of a sports car.
I don't know about what others want.
QUESTION: Can the Base Model match the Z51 at that, with it's Higher Speed?
Last edited by Poorhousenext; Apr 27, 2020 at 10:35 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 649
From: Chattanooga TN
I hadn't seen this being discussed yet.
I found some interesting data
I’m not sure how much downforce the base model has but the Z51 has 400 pound additional downforce than base car.
Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Viper ACR : 1700 lbs of downforce at 177 mph / Cd of 0.54.
C7 Z07 : 500-600 lbs of downforce at top speed (185) / Cd of 0.50 !!! WOW like SUV Cd
C7 ZR1 (high wing)
has 30% increase in downforce compared to Z07 but barely less Cd ?? .48-.49
GT3 RS : 770 lbs at 186 mph / Cd of 0.33
GT2 RS : 992lbs of downforce at top speed (211 mph ) / Cd of 0.35. ( phenomenal job )
GTR R35 nismo : ~559 lbs of downforce at 186 mph / Cd 0.26!!! Impressive
C8 Z06 ??????
I found some interesting data
I’m not sure how much downforce the base model has but the Z51 has 400 pound additional downforce than base car.
Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Viper ACR : 1700 lbs of downforce at 177 mph / Cd of 0.54.
C7 Z07 : 500-600 lbs of downforce at top speed (185) / Cd of 0.50 !!! WOW like SUV Cd
C7 ZR1 (high wing)
has 30% increase in downforce compared to Z07 but barely less Cd ?? .48-.49
GT3 RS : 770 lbs at 186 mph / Cd of 0.33
GT2 RS : 992lbs of downforce at top speed (211 mph ) / Cd of 0.35. ( phenomenal job )
GTR R35 nismo : ~559 lbs of downforce at 186 mph / Cd 0.26!!! Impressive
C8 Z06 ??????
Juechter acknowledges that the wider fenders and rear tires are responsible for a frontal area that’s slightly greater in C8 (2.075 m2/22.3 ft2) than in C7 (2.023 m2/21.78 ft2). Because aerodynamic downforce is notably greater with the Z51 performance package, a C8 so configured has an 0.322 drag coefficient versus C7’s 0.313 Cd.
Quoted above: Non Z51 Cd 0.32
Z51, 0.39 (which explain high 1/4 trap speed and 10 mph increase in top speed) Non Z51 will be much faster in 3 digit acceleration
Which is right? I have no idea of who's right, about C8's Z51 Cd.
