Track Aero question

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Jul 13, 2025 | 09:16 AM

zsteven

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Track Aero question

Hi guys:

Anyone on here have experience with the Verus Engineering Ventus C8 Aero kit (front splitter, side skirts and rear wing)? If so, was wondering difference in lap times, and if the magnetic suspension on the Z51 car was fine with the added downforce. It looks like at 90 mph the additional downforce is roughly 2.5x stock.

Thanks.

https://www.paragonperf.com/verus-engineering-ventus-c8-aero-kit

Jul 13, 2025 | 05:20 PM

X25

Sr.Random input generator

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From: Sammamish, WA

My bet would be that to realize most of the gains, you'd have to complement it with a set of track coilovers as well.

Jul 14, 2025 | 09:44 AM

rjacobs

Melting Slicks

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From: Dallas TX

Yup when you run aero you need way more spring rate compared to non-aero...

Buddy of mine is learning this on both his C6 and Miata track cars that he has added aero to this past off season. Cars are severely under-sprung.

Jul 14, 2025 | 11:08 AM

TX_Chassis_Tuner

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zsteven

The full ventus kit delivers 1200lbs of downforce. Yes you will get better lap times. More grip= lower lap times.

You will need a higher spring rate, and when that changes your damping constant changes and you will need to revalve your shocks (buy something like Penske) Just as important is the rake or aero balance. There is a lot that you will need to pay attention to which depends on your goals and how you like a car to be setup.

Jul 14, 2025 | 02:27 PM

Bossman2024

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From: Charlotte, NC

Right, I was looking at this for my C8 Z51 instead of getting another Z06 (after I crashed mine and it was waiting for repairs), and quickly discovered that the stock Z51 springs are way too soft and the car would be dragging on the ground with full aero. You can get stiffer springs, but they are still not enough. As mentioned by others you need full coil over shocks as that is what the Paragon folks told me as I was pricing it all out. Full aero, full coil over shocks, probably stiffer sway bars and then at that point you are gonna want to replace the brakes with AP racing brakes as well probably.

Jul 19, 2025 | 05:44 AM

zsteven

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Thanks guys for all the responses. The Paragon guys basically confirmed the responses here. I am coming from a Camaro ZL1 1LE and love the C8 Z51, but have found it a bit more difficult to dial in on track. I don’t really want to go down the path of changing suspension, so will probably stick to finding the best tire combo for the stock platform or just end up buying a Z06 at some point.

Jul 19, 2025 | 02:03 PM

Bossman2024

Racer

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From: Charlotte, NC

Yeah that’s how I ended up with the Z06/7. You can make the C8 into a phenomenal track car, but it’s gonna cost almost as much as a 1LZ or 2LZ Z07 car but still won’t have the engine or wider body stance.

Jul 19, 2025 | 02:41 PM

zsteven

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossman2024

Agreed, plus I’m a bit of an old fart and my days of significant car modifications are probably behind me. With suspension and aero one really needs to stay on top of the work from an adjustment standpoint, and unfortunately don’t have the time. I have found even getting the tire combination right on the Z51 takes a bit of time. The PTM system basically shut down with Hoosier Track Attack Pros 295F and 325R when I mistakenly put the car in standard track mode.