I'm not sure anyone can do more than speculate, but it seems the owner's manual advises against tracking the base version C8. I plan to put mine on the track. I understand it may have limitations, but I'm looking to seek those out and see what it can do.

 

Base does not have as much cooling as Z51
Base does not have adjustable spring perches
Base does not have as much rear gear as Z51
Base does not come with track-worthy tires

Other than that.......Mrs Lincoln.....

 

I'm not concerned with the fact it will be slower around the track. All things you mentioned can be remedied if I'm worried about outperforming a stock Z51 (which I'm not). For the time being I would like to enjoy the car how it is. I'm most concerned about the cooling, due to cooling issues from previous Corvette's (which admittedly I'm not familiar with. Was it a Z51 only issue previously?).

I assume the transmission is unchanged except for the additional cooling. Does the extra cooling capacity result in allowing the 2 additional quarts of fluid (Z51), or can you add some fluid to the base DCT to keep the fluid temp down as well?

I read somewhere that GM will still do warranty work on a car that is raced on a track as long as it's not raced competitively. Does that only apply to the Z51, or is the base included as well?

 

The wording in all the dealer/tech training and in the prep guide strongly insinuates that the base car is not covered on track. However, it's not 100% clear so I posted a question in the "Ask Tadge" forum that @jvp may push along. I ordered a Z51 because I track my cars. Why would you order a base car if you intend to do some trackdays?

If your car overheats or the brakes fade then that of course won't be covered, but my question to Tadge is regarding to mechanical failure. Does a base car have zero warranty on track? What happens if a valve spring fails and takes out the engine and you happen to be on track?

1. You can't competitively race a car anywhere without a full cage. You can HPDE and timetrial, no wheel2wheel racing.

2. The Z51 has a 3rd radiator in series. It is validated on track by a pro driver to 100 degreees ambient. Tadge states you can run the AC the entire time. After 100 degrees you need to turn the AC off.

3. The 2 extra quarts trans fluid is for g loads to keep the sump wet. They didn't do it overfilled from the factory as it slightly reduces efficiency and "wastes" 2 quarts of fluid per car for most owners.

 

Thanks for the response Hoarder.

I have an issue with steep driveways and questionable roads. The Z51 package added the front lip which I understood to reduce ground clearance. I also thought I would require the front lift. This removes the ability to adjust the front covers on the Z51 as I understand it. This made the Z51 coilovers less desirable to me. I also don't like spoilers, especially the C8 ones that impede access to the trunk. I travel a lot and will be accessing the trunk quite frequently I imagine.

By looking at the brake system specs, to me, it looks like a marginal difference. Seeing as the models from the factory have zero-copper or close to zero compound pads, I figure a change the semi-metallic pads could help dramatically. I won't likely change the pads, but once the aftermarket develops it, it becomes an option.

My main concern is the extra cooling and how the base would behave on-track without it. If there are issues without the extra cooling, the GM parts to upgrade to the Z51 cooling should be available or aftermarket coolers could be added. I guess whether there are cooling issues or not will have to be tested on the base to find out. I would be disappointed if the warranty didn't include the base. It's a mid-engine sports car that I'd like to enjoy on track. If it's top speed has been tested by GM to 194mph, what are they trying to market that speed for if not for the track? Are they saying their base model stingray can go 194mph on the NHTSA regulated roadways? I hope that was not their intention.

 

Not to be rude, but your justifications for the base car are ill-informed:

1. The Z51 lip is flexible plastic. You don't need the ride height lift for nearly all use cases. I have owned 5 Corvettes and never felt that I needed a front end lift.

2. The Z51 is a comprehensive package of aero, suspension (spring rates, shock damping, bar rates), eDiff, tires, brakes, etc.

3. The Z51 has larger brakes (calipers and rotors) and the most aggressive but streetable pad they can currently come up with.

4. Upgrading the cooling will be labor intensive on the base car as you'll have to remove the blower fan from the passenger side inlet and get all the parts (radiator, fan, lines etc. etc.) to retrofit.

5. Regarding top speed... that has nothing to do with trackability. Most tracks VMax is in the 150s unless you're running a roval like Daytona. The base car goes 194 because it has less aero drag and that's just how fast it ended up going with the LT2.

6. The Z51 spoiler is a non-issue for loading things. If you can't reach over it you just load from the side.

By the time you do any of this you should have bought a Z51.

 

I take no offense to any of your comments. They all seem to be based on your opinion and facts.

You're right. If I was going to do any of those things, the Z51 would be a great package. I just prefer the aftermarket when it comes to performance. I will be driving the car on the highway primarily and wanted the most comfortable ride. I just want to be able to take it to the track once in a while and not have it overheat. I don't think that's too much to ask. I'm not asking for it to have the same performance as the Z51. I was just pointing out aftermarket remedies for the features the Z51 does have. I think if the car is paid off, the warranty has expired, and I'm feeling like I want to be faster on the track, I would look into modifying it at that point. Penske shocks, Z06/ZR1 brakes, aggressive aero, tires, and more power. I guess I should have left out my thoughts on potential upgrades to keep the discussion focused on whether the base C8 will have cooling or other issues on-track and whether warrantied on-track.

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-hpdes.html

 

You could run a higher water concentration in your coolant on the track to improve cooling, since water is better at transferring heat than ethylene glycol. This site does a good job of explaining the higher specific heat of higher H2O concentrations as well as the higher pumping requirements of 50/50 mix. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/e...col-d_146.html

 

But, if you decide to go to the Strip, and drag race your base car ,it's lighter and it doesn't have a spoiler applying a few hundred pounds as you get closer to the 1/4 stripe which has the same affect as an anchor dragging behind you! And, even though the Z51 gear ratio is lower than the base and it has a electric differential the weight advantage and top end clearly go to the base and especially if you have the 1LT package which is also lighter. In drag racing weight, traction and reaction time mean everything. My point is, you can have fun driving full throttle in a straight line and not worrying about your car going sideways around a corner!! Just saying, from my own experience, fun is fun!

 

I have a 3200 pound 400 HP mid-engined sports car that goes into T1 at TWS (when it still existed) at 162 MPH on street tires (not r-compound, or slicks).
So, if you raise your number to 165 I have no problem with your VMax statement.

 

I asked a GM engineer about running a non-Z51 at the track. He said the main concern will be thermal, keeping the cooling system and brakes cool.

 

Jesus, it's clear why there is the panic about COVID-19... just a glance through this thread alone and you get the impression if a non-Z51 car sees a racetrack it will explode or something.

 

No... but it’s very vague if GM will warranty the car on track. Stuff happens, valve springs fail, valves break, etc. if you’re in a base car at speed on track will GM cover it?

 

Tool Hoarder: No... but it’s very vague if GM will warranty the car on track. Stuff happens, valve springs fail, valves break, etc. if you’re in a base car at speed on track will GM cover it?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]

Let's use a little "Common Sense" here. If I buy a lawnmower to cut my grass and I perform all the required maintenance like changing the oil, clean fuel, etc, and it konks out one day while I'm cutting the grass will the manufacturer come back and say, "Oh even though we sold you a "lawnmower" we really didn't intend you to use it as one so we don't bear any responsibility for it"??? I don't think that company would last very long. Corvettes are "Sports Cars" and are sold and intended to be used as such. But, the Z51 package has items in it that give it an advantage to use on continued track use, but the Base can be used in the same venue but with some caution. They tell you that for your own good but also to inform the consumer to use their product responsibly just like there's warnings on medicine, beer cans , etc. I don't see any problem , but, when I look at people buying every shred of toilet paper and cleaning out all the shelves in the grocery store, ( like why are all the hot dogs gone but not the other meats next to them? ) just proves, "stupid is as stupid does."

 

Mike you may want to educate yourself and read the big bold letters at the top of the track prep guide.

 

Like I said, you need to use a little "COMMON SENSE" and that's why GM publishes a "Track Guide" because a lot of people don't have any.

 

Just imagine the messaging if GM denies a warranty over a failed engine when proper maintenance was done and there was no over-rev, etc. Shitty little Kias, Mazdas, Nissans, etc can all visit the racetrack for a HPDE and not face this problem, but Chevy's halo sports car can't?

Chevy would have to prove the owner did something to cause the failure versus just taking it to an autocross or HPDE or they would likely lose a court case.

 

Just run mid RPM half sessions until you learn how your car handles the stress. You don't have to be fast to have fun. Watch your temps and brakes. If it doesn't like it, don't go back.

 

It's not like the non Z51 sucks it's that the Z51 is just better suited for track duty. Lots of cars without the cooling upgrades that the new Z51 cars have and they survived. Same with the brakes. The Z51 are better but aftermarket is better yet.

You can track either but one has a clear advantage. For a person who never has tracked or is a novice I am doubting much of a difference would present itself. Tires though, that's an easy remedy. I don't buy a car just for the stock tires. lol