Question about tracking a C8
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,767
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From: Rural NW Georgia. GO DAWGS!
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Question about tracking a C8
I saw a member post in another thread that he tracked his non-Z51 C8. I have a 2021 non-Z51 HTC and ordered it that way because I never tracked any of my previous Corvettes other than following a pace car at a club event.
That post made me curious so I looked at my owners manual. It specifically says that non-Z51 C8s should not be used for track events or competitive driving.
Thoughts?
That post made me curious so I looked at my owners manual. It specifically says that non-Z51 C8s should not be used for track events or competitive driving.
Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 5,812
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From: Dove Mountain, AZ
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,129
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From: East Coast, USA
I would mostly be concerned about cooling and down force. The Z51 adds a more robust cooling system. The Z51 also adds downforce to add additional traction at high speeds. Other features of the Z51 just add better performance like the lower geared rear axel ratio, high performance tires, e-diff, and performance exhaust. The brakes are also higher performance. I'm not sure if brake fade would be an issue with a non-Z51 but I believe you do have more mechanical grab with the Z51 calipers. Of course the performance suspension will help as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 5,812
Likes: 8,303
From: Dove Mountain, AZ
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
All this is replaced?
- 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
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 23
Really?
All this is replaced?
All this is replaced?
- 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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 5,812
Likes: 8,303
From: Dove Mountain, AZ
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Everything replaced that comes with a Z51??
You said everything ...I have yet to hear of anyone replace all of the following on a Z51...And why the hell would they!?
.
.
- Z51 performance suspension
- Performance rear axle ratio
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD)
- Heavy-duty cooling system
Last edited by tadda; Jul 8, 2024 at 06:45 PM.
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Safety Car
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
GM only warranties car for Track use at Z51 or above. I am sure you would be fine for Track days or autocross with a base Stingray, but if something fails due to Track use, you may have to back it yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,129
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From: East Coast, USA
I think the only thing that might fail on a non-Z51 is engine overheating on a track. Everything else with Z51 are performance toys that every boy or girl should have on the track or the street. Z51 is a no-brainer and should come stock; however, I guess it's better for some not to order it due to cost.
Melting Slicks
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From: Poplar Bluff MO
JT
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2023
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From: Ma
Everything replaced that comes with a Z51??
You said everything ...I have yet to hear of anyone replace all of the following on a Z51...And why the hell would they!?
.
You said everything ...I have yet to hear of anyone replace all of the following on a Z51...And why the hell would they!?
.
- Z51 performance suspension
- Performance rear axle ratio
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD)
- Heavy-duty cooling system
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jun 2024
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"Do not ever track a C8 without Z51". Good scare tactic to push buyers into coughing up another 5 grand for a bunch of stuff that 99% of us will never need nor take advantage of.
A C8 with the Z51 option is NOT a race car.
A C8 with the Z51 option is NOT a race car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
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From: Poplar Bluff MO
JT
Banned Scam/Spammer
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So a Stingray with Z51 is a "track car" while one with out that option is not.
Neither is a "race car" if I am understanding your correction clearly.
I'll be certain to calibrate my descriptive terms more judiciously with this knowledge going forward.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,767
Likes: 2,967
From: Rural NW Georgia. GO DAWGS!
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I think the only thing that might fail on a non-Z51 is engine overheating on a track. Everything else with Z51 are performance toys that every boy or girl should have on the track or the street. Z51 is a no-brainer and should come stock; however, I guess it's better for some not to order it due to cost.
Track use... Track days... or spirited driving. I did run my non Z51 on a track for 10 minutes or so per hour for a total of 5 times during the day. This was at a benefit event for autistic children. Our group had a pickup truck, a Tesla, a C6, a C8 Z51 and some cars I didn't recognize. So if the OP is talking about me this is what I did.
JT
JT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,129
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From: East Coast, USA
If money was not an issue, why on earth would you want to perform spirited street driving on purpose with less traction, less handling, less braking power, less spirited exhaust sound, less torque, etc. If you just like the looks of the Corvette C8 and not keen on performance attributes, then non-Z51 makes sense possibly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
The simple answer depends on track type, expectations, risk taking, driver skill etc.
I have done a couple autocross events in my non Z51 and with the summer tires my times compared to other Vettes there and really is only separated by driver skill. For autocross the non z51 is fine. Since its basically a time attack and not consecutive laps around a large track i have had no cooling issues. I think I hit like 205 which I can hit in stop and go traffic.
If you are doing a lead follow and just an "experience" drive on the track that is fine as well.
I would not do a full track day somewhere like VIR in any Stingray TBH but for sure not the non Z51. The cooling will be a problem even on a cool day and the brakes would not be able to hold up either. Even Z51 cars can have cooling issues when running a full open session with a skilled driver really pushing it. Check out the tech portion of this forum, the track rat guys are doing a lot of work to their C8's for full day sessions.
I have done a couple autocross events in my non Z51 and with the summer tires my times compared to other Vettes there and really is only separated by driver skill. For autocross the non z51 is fine. Since its basically a time attack and not consecutive laps around a large track i have had no cooling issues. I think I hit like 205 which I can hit in stop and go traffic.
If you are doing a lead follow and just an "experience" drive on the track that is fine as well.
I would not do a full track day somewhere like VIR in any Stingray TBH but for sure not the non Z51. The cooling will be a problem even on a cool day and the brakes would not be able to hold up either. Even Z51 cars can have cooling issues when running a full open session with a skilled driver really pushing it. Check out the tech portion of this forum, the track rat guys are doing a lot of work to their C8's for full day sessions.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,477
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From: Nashville TN
I definitely did not want the brake dust.
I did my build with no concern for money, but the factors above nixed Z51.
It's good to realize that not EVERYONE thinks exactly the same. I can't for the life of me understand why someone would order a dream car as a coupe when HTC is has no downside (other than not showing the molded engine cover), but not everyone thinks like me!!!
If we all thought the same, GM would sell one configuration in whatever they determine is the "best" color. Why would anyone want anything else?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 737
From: East Coast, USA
8th gear is so tall you would never notice. You would notice going 0-60 that the lower ratio is more snappy. It's not for you if you don't care about 0-60 times.
I'd prefer to have more stopping power if/when I have to emergency brake -- A no brainer.
Ok.
You will have brake dust regardless. If you have excessive brake dust, stop riding your brakes or using your brakes needlessly. Might even get less brake dust with Z51 due to more brake pad surface area needing lower brake pressure resulting in lower brake-pad to rotor friction leading to less breakdown of the pads. (Just a theory)
They sound more like non-sports car concerns.
I prefer to be in a climate controlled environment mostly -- especially in the summer. I haven't even taken off my roof yet in my C8. In fact, my 2008 Z06 didn't even have a removable roof. Also, the C8 is already a massive pig when it comes to weight so I definitely didn't want the extra ~100lbs for the HTC which I wasn't going to use anyway.
Everyone knows Invisible is the best color -- it's always perfectly clean.
Originally Posted by sshallen
Eh, most drivers would never notice in an A/B test driving legally on a road.
Originally Posted by sshallen
I specifically did not want summer only tires limiting four seasons usability.
Originally Posted by sshallen
I definitely did not want the brake dust.
Originally Posted by sshallen
I did my build with no concern for money, but the factors above nixed Z51.
Originally Posted by sshallen
It's good to realize that not EVERYONE thinks exactly the same. I can't for the life of me understand why someone would order a dream car as a coupe when HTC is has no downside (other than not showing the molded engine cover), but not everyone thinks like me!!!
Originally Posted by sshallen
If we all thought the same, GM would sell one configuration in whatever they determine is the "best" color. Why would anyone want anything else?
