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Detailed Analysis of the C8 Z06 vs the C8 Stingray at Laguna Seca
I know you guys really don't like Youtube videos, trust me I get it, but I figured this would help in the discussions we're having here regarding the C8 Z06 transmission, so I try to answer these 4 questions:
Does it shift too slowly?
Are the gears too long
Is the Z06 that much faster than the Stingray?
Is it worth it.
I had to use two Speed Phenom clips, since I'll likely never be invited to a big time press event outside of auto shows, but I found it helpful for me to do this comparison, hope you guys do too.
Jesus you guys like to nitpick. The kid is out there showing what these C8's can do. He is one of the few out there showcasing the C8 on a track and you guys do nothing but berate him. Are you the old guys who sit out on the porch all day complaining about everything you can? God you must suck the fun out of everything.
I for one and stoked we have something so excited about the C8 and C8Z who is actually a knowledgeable track driver so we have content like this to watch. We would certainly have a lot less without him. He is certainly doing more for the Corvette community than you guys in here complaining about everything lol. Also, for those curious about his income, he is a software engineer in California. That's how he affords his cars. He's a smart kid. Also was the first person to run a 10.6 1/4 mile in the GT500 as well. You guys should be celebrating this kid for going out and tracking his cars that he spent his hard earned money on.
Thanks for pulling this together. The groaning about the transmission and sounds from Laguna has been bugging me all weekend so it's nice to get a balanced perspective. Cheers
I will say that my Stingray shifts noticeably faster in "auto" then with the paddles (both Austin and Ron are using the paddles)
Also, as pointed out in Speed Phenom's video, neither he nor Ron is driving 10/10ths. It is obvious they (Austin and Ron) are NOT using full throttle and are NOT getting close to redline so this notion that the Z06 is geared "too long" doesn't hold water. I can't believe anyone thinks GM got the gearing wrong on a BRAND new Z06.
If you listen to the launch in Flying Gato's video, his C8 Stingray is revving MUCH quicker than the Z06/Laguna video. There is NO way a 6.2L SBC is a faster revving engine than a 5.5L FPC engine.
PS I will bet MY Stingray that the Z06 is a LOT faster on ANY track than a Z51 Stingray. The C8 Z51 did a 2:49.00 at Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2 years ago. I think the C8 Z06/Z07 will do a 2:40
I will say that my Stingray shifts noticeably faster in "auto" then with the paddles (both Austin and Ron are using the paddles)
Also, as pointed out in Speed Phenom's video, neither he nor Ron is driving 10/10ths. It is obvious they (Austin and Ron) are NOT using full throttle and are NOT getting close to redline so this notion that the Z06 is geared "too long" doesn't hold water.
If you listen to the launch in Flying Gato's video, his C8 Stingray is revving MUCH quicker than the Z06/Laguna video. There is NO way a SBC is a faster revving engine than a FPC engine.
PS I will bet MY Stingray that the Z06 is a LOT faster on ANY track than a Z51 Stingray. The C8 Z51 did a 2:49.00 at Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2 years ago. I think the C8 Z06/Z07 will do a 2:40
Whew. That would certainly make it a nice improvement over the C7 Z06's time (2:44) on the same track and right on the heels of the C7 ZR1 (2:39). I hope that the drivers at C&D are able to muster every bit of the C8 Z06's performance to pull off numbers like that.
Tadge has said numerous times that the Z06 is sniffing all around C7 ZR1 lap times...And, FWIW, in C&D Lighning Lap, the C7 Z06/Z07 was 9 seconds a lap faster than the C7 Z51. Not apples to apples, just a data point to consider.
The C7 ZR1 has 85 more HP than the C8 Z06/Z07 and is a bit lighter...BUT... the C8 Z07 has better aero, better suspension, better traction, better tires, better transmission....I guess we'll see soon enough.
PS. I have complete faith in the C&D drivers...That they could turn a C7 ZR1 time only 2 seconds SLOWER than Jim Mero's RECORD time (2:37) tells me all I need to know
PPS: Mero's 2:37 WAS the record when he did it. It is not anymore.
I will say that my Stingray shifts noticeably faster in "auto" then with the paddles (both Austin and Ron are using the paddles)
Also, as pointed out in Speed Phenom's video, neither he nor Ron is driving 10/10ths. It is obvious they (Austin and Ron) are NOT using full throttle and are NOT getting close to redline so this notion that the Z06 is geared "too long" doesn't hold water. I can't believe anyone thinks GM got the gearing wrong on a BRAND new Z06.
If you listen to the launch in Flying Gato's video, his C8 Stingray is revving MUCH quicker than the Z06/Laguna video. There is NO way a 6.2L SBC is a faster revving engine than a 5.5L FPC engine.
PS I will bet MY Stingray that the Z06 is a LOT faster on ANY track than a Z51 Stingray. The C8 Z51 did a 2:49.00 at Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2 years ago. I think the C8 Z06/Z07 will do a 2:40
If you listen to the launch in Flying Gato's video, his C8 Stingray is revving MUCH quicker than the Z06/Laguna video. There is NO way a 6.2L SBC is a faster revving engine than a 5.5L FPC engine.
Are you trying to compare a launch and 1st gear pull to accelerating out of a turn in 3rd or 4th gear? Of course a Stingray ripps through 1st faster than the Z does through 3rd or 4th. That's apples to oranges.
Gearing is shorter on the Z because the trans gearing is the same but final drive is shorter. Time in Gear is longer because of 2100rpm redline difference.
Tadge has said numerous times that the Z06 is sniffing all around C7 ZR1 lap times...And, FWIW, in C&D Lighning Lap, the C7 Z06/Z07 was 9 seconds a lap faster than the C7 Z51. Not apples to apples, just a data point to consider.
The C7 ZR1 has 85 more HP than the C8 Z06/Z07 and is a bit lighter...BUT... the C8 Z07 has better aero, better suspension, better traction, better tires, better transmission....I guess we'll see soon enough.
PS. I have complete faith in the C&D drivers...That they could turn a C7 ZR1 time only 2 seconds SLOWER than Jim Mero's RECORD time (2:37) tells me all I need to know
PPS: Mero's 2:37 WAS the record when he did it. It is not anymore.
I raced against the C&D editors at Nelson Ledges 24 hour in 2008. We had a Gen 1 Miata that turned 37K miles (all track miles ) during the night when I was driving. They had a new Gen 3 Miata All 4 of our drivers saw the C&D car way off the track each driving session. After they went up on the tire walls for the 3rd time, they retired the car. We won the 24 hour overall and came within 2 laps of setting an all time distance record for that event.
I know you guys really don't like Youtube videos, trust me I get it, but I figured this would help in the discussions we're having here regarding the C8 Z06 transmission, so I try to answer these 4 questions:
Does it shift too slowly?
Are the gears too long
Is the Z06 that much faster than the Stingray?
Is it worth it.
I had to use two Speed Phenom clips, since I'll likely never be invited to a big time press event outside of auto shows, but I found it helpful for me to do this comparison, hope you guys do too.
Your video makes a common mistake that a car like the Z06 will be faster on a circuit track using auto. On a drag strip, yes, but a circuit track this is absolutely not true for a high level driver. No matter how "smart" the transmission is, it cannot see or anticipate what is next and will often up or downshift at an inappropriate time. If anything, it would be more appropriate to say the driver was not going for fastest lap if the car were in auto. These were of course parade laps, but a pro will choose manual to drive whether doing parade laps or qualifying times because of control.
Tommy Milner,(C8R factory driver) was faster at Road Atlanta using PDR nannies in the C7Z than with everything off. C7Z road course drivers with the auto tranny were encouraged to manually shift, not because they would be quicker, but to delay the time before the car overheated. I suspect the C8Z will have these problems solved.
Porsches with PDK are faster than without and the auto shifting programs on them are spot-on. I hope the C8Z is also. modern DCT transmissions are amazing.
PTM nannies, yes, the computer will maximize traction because it is real time. PDK will not be faster with a pro driver because it cannot see what is next, a pro driver can and will be able to be in a better gear before the pdk in most situations on a circuit. It is not all about how fast it shifts when on a road course. There may be a time where a short shift over a drop will settle the car and provide a faster acceleration than the car maxing revs and shifting not knowing what is next. Check with the pros at SM if you think this is wrong.
I know you guys really don't like Youtube videos, trust me I get it, but I figured this would help in the discussions we're having here regarding the C8 Z06 transmission, so I try to answer these 4 questions:
Does it shift too slowly?
Are the gears too long
Is the Z06 that much faster than the Stingray?
Is it worth it.
I had to use two Speed Phenom clips, since I'll likely never be invited to a big time press event outside of auto shows, but I found it helpful for me to do this comparison, hope you guys do too.
The kid who made this can't pronounce 'Phenom' correctly and said the Stingray has shorter gearing which it does not(he isn't grasping is has a rev range 30% wider)..... And I wonder why if I have a problem with my DirectTV I can't get **** accomplished on the phone🙄
Laguna Seca turn 5
C8Z06 deep into turn 5 vs (my) C7 Z06 (CCB brakes on Mich 4S tires)...the last time I was at Laguna Seca was about 15 years and I drove my C7Z06 from Dallas and back, no trailer
I stopped both videos as max speeds into turn 5.....I braked WAY earlier than Ron Fellows
08-22-2022, 10:51 AM
Detailed Analysis of the C8 Z06 vs the C8 Stingray at Laguna Seca
