Getting close to order time, so I wonder if I could impose on you folks for thoughts (apologies if some of this is already covered elsewhere). Intending to use it for road course HPDE fun. Experienced driver, so very knowledgeable about the basic stuff like brake fluids and trackworthy pad compounds.

1. Skip axle lift if lowering is desired b/c you can't lower a Z51 delivered with this feature. What is the latest on ride-height? My common sense says lower is better but I've always heard and read about keeping factory ride-height for track work as otherwise OEM dampers are compressed full-time (i.e. not desired). Axle lift would be useful for my driveway and trailer so on the fence about the option as I usually do lower a little b/c I like the way it looks.
2. I hear that Comp Seats are tight (sounds good to me) and I'm used to race seats. I am 220lbs and 6' 4" tall. Any experiences with helmet wearing tall folks not fitting (wish I could try one out but no nearby samples for me to go sit in).
3. Wheels: I love my 19" Apex ET55's used on my current C7 Z06. Apparently I can't use these on a C8. Really don't want to carve into my rear control arms, which appears to be necessary with 18's. Sorry to ask on this topic covered quite a bit - but do you have a state of the art suggestion on a flow forged track wheel set up?
4. Tires: I love Hoosier and would prefer to stick (see what I did there) with them which will impact (3) above.
5. Order Specs: For sure Z51 and mag ride. I don't daily drive but will use it on the street with the wife so likely headed towards 3LT. What suggestions do you have on my order given mutti-use? For example, I assumed High **** but no idea if its actually useful (or detrimental ie @ 165 down VIRs back straight). Anything else really desired or to stay away from?

Thank you for your constructive thoughts. Again apologize for covering some stuff noted via various Searches (so much material - and I just created more).

 

Hey Brother,

Im more than happy to help answer your questions!

1. We make a lowering kit for cars equipped with front lift systems which will lower the car approximately one inch which is the max adjustability on the z51 suspension so the front will match the rear in terms of drop.
2. We have the ability to lower the factory seats if need be to help out tall guys using helmets on track. I like the comp seats for my body type (170lbs 6ft tall) but every body type is different of course.
3. The grinding on the control arms to fit 18's is very minimal but running a 19 all around requires no trimming anywhere. Apex just came out with some cool new wheel models but we have several options we can do for you!
4. Slicks are always fun but they do tend to overpower the factory suspension some in our opinion, we had really good results with Goodyear supercar 3r and Yokohama A052s which will stress the factory suspension less.
5. The factory aero is more aesthetic then anything. To get real downforce you would want to look at chassis mounted options for rear wing and front splitter.

One thing you didn't mention is brakes, the Z51 brakes aren't bad but do yourself the favor of going to a track pad and fluid before going out, unforunatly you will realize the factory rotors will get eaten up pretty quick but girodisc makes a two piece factory replacement that is much lighter and way more durable (Also looks better too if that matters haha). Stainless brake lines aren't the worst idea either.

We have done extensive track testing/development with the C8 so far so don't hesitate to reach out!

This is our track car










Thanks
Andrew

 

Could you talk more about this? I looked on your site and could not find any product of mention of this ability.

 

Hey Brother,

So it was a custom set of brackets we made here at the shop.

We might be able to use a car here as a model to make another set or if you are local to us we could just have you drop the car off?

Thanks
Andrew

 

Thank you Andrew

1) Can you point me to details on the lowering kit? Couldn't locate it on your website.
4) Can you clarify what you mean by overpowering the suspension? Do you mean its exceeding the spring rate and hitting bumpstops in the corners? This would be an issue.
5) How is that cool looking splitter mounted to the front clip? I've had problems with stock Z07 splitters pulling out mounting bolts & rivets, usually at VIR.

 

How much lower? And which seat? Comps?

 

Hey Brother,

Here is a link to the lowering kit

https://cicioperformance.com/product...-lowering-kit/

When it comes to overpowering the tire what I mean is that do to the tire gripping the track harder its going to cause the suspension to use more travel which will pull the tire further into the wheel well. This could cause rubbing issues depending on which tire sizes you went with.

The splitter uses several brackets that mount it to the subframe and underside of the car. We haven't had any issues yet with bolts pulling out or coming loose and this car has been tracked hard for a year with the front splitter mounted. This is a prototype version pictured so the production unit looks even better in terms of fit/finish

Thanks
Andrew

 

I'm in California otherwise I would drop off my car for measurements.

How much of a drop were you able to get?

If you make this available as a product I'm sure our taller members would be all over this.

 

1) Cicio Front Lift Lowering Collars

4) It's just that. The OEM setup depending on how much you lower and the size of you're wheels/ tires will hit the bumpstops and in my case rub the inner fender liner out of existence. Had to replace at a cool $350. The OEM springs are very soft and not great for track duty. I learned the hard way but played out perfect in the long run. I have a 19/ 20 setup with 265/35 and 325/30. I first went to KW V3 coilover (3/4'' drop) setup and it was nice at first with PS4 tires. The faster I got the more bottoming out and finder grinding I had in the fast turns and under braking. Switched to the R888R tires and all the tell tale signs really came out. 30 profile tires help but some sizes are hard to get from company to company. The KW are a euro spec and even though KW refused to tell me their spring ratings which I came to find out were only 40lbs more than OEM. Not much. I moved on to the the Cicio spec Motion Control Suspension Cicio MCS (they have several options based on your setup) Will sole all those issue. Eventually I'll be on a 18 or 19 all around setup.

5) It's Chassis mounted.

 

Thanks for that. You've got Z51 I presume? And was your car lowered when you destroyed your fender liners? Disappointed about that feedback and the helmet/headroom thing. Making me rethink my situation and perhaps wait a couple years for a by-then proven Z06.

 

Yes. Yes car was lowered no more than an 1”. Pretty sure it was 3/4”. I don’t have any helmet issues. Plenty of room I believe. I’m only 5’6” though.

 

When it comes to the height issue I don't foresee the Z06 allowing much more headroom since the interior is very similar.

If possible I would try sitting in a C8 with a helmet on to see if its even an issue before rethinking too much.

Thanks
Andrew

 

Going to be swapping wheels to either 18 or 19” for the track when I finally get mine. Is there any detailed info on the control arm grinding to fit 18” wheels? Thanks.

 

Disappointed about that feedback and the helmet/headroom thing. Making me rethink my situation and perhaps

I’m 6-2” and have no problem sitting in my C8 with a helmet on.

 

Thanks for that. I'm 6'4" but my height is in my legs - what about you?

 

You may be ok. I'm 6'2" with a 32" inseam so I'm a tight fit headroom wise with a helmet.

Still interested in lowering the stock seat. Will dive into this weekend.

 

What do we know about the fattest 19" tire that will fit up front and out back, and the offsets required?

 

I’ve seen 295/30. Anything over 265 needs to be a 30 profile. Wheel width well matter also. On the rear a 315 or 325 is about all you’d want. I have seen a 335/25 but just don’t. A lot comes down to what size wheel you have. The options for tires are limited. So I suggest cross reference tire and wheel size to get a good adjective of what you want along with availability. Not sure about the level of different offsets.

I run a 19x9 +38 265/35F and 20x11.5 +52 325/30R setup for I originally wanted to keep the stock height but went 1/2” wider wheel F&R. It could be better but I’m not ready to have that extra expense of some other wheels. I like the overall look and went with a balance of street/track setup leaning towards more track. With my rear brake setup I’d be pressed to find a 18” wheel that would fit. But I’ve been flirting with a 19” rear that I know for sure has just enough room to clear my setup. I truly need two sets of wheels and tires as a backup.

My 265/35 up front is definitely the max for a 19”and 35 profile being lowered about 3/4” I believe. R888R run a little bigger than others naturally. But I have shaved away the fender well in a couple spots due to lowering and the soft springs I was running. That’s a different subject but definitely something to consider when choosing.

 

I'm gonna have to wait until next season to get a set of 18's unless there's a decent set for under $3k but i haven't seen any. In the mean time, I've asked Andrew @Cicio Performance to quote me some Nankangs that I can run on the stock wheels. I'm thinking 255/35 or 265/30 and 315/30 should work well but i'm not sure about poke on the 265 using the stock wheel.

 

I ran the CR-1 in the 265/35-18 size for autocross last year on the front. Used the factory width but 7 mm additional offset (outboard). BC Forged. No issues with poke.