TurtleRayZ51

I was thinking a lot about putting a charger on my Stingray and adding some ACS ground effects ect. Felt like something was missing to me. Anyways this weekend I was driving enjoying my stingray. Passed by a Chevy dealer and for the hell of it thought I would pull in just to kinda see what they had. Walked out with a 2017 Grand Sport LT1.

When I test drove the Grand Sport I was not expecting anything different at all. Both are 460 HP right...plus this one I was testing was an Auto. meh... ok why not? Well... I got in that sucker and I was absolutely elated upon driving it! Total night and day difference. The 460 hp on the Grand Sport Auto is way, way different 460 than on the Stingray. Seems way way faster too. Also the handling is way different. Bottom line is the Grand Sport feels like an actual race car and I would call the Stingray Z51 an amazing sports car.

My question is...what is making the Grand Sport feel so much more faster than the Z51? Also why is it feel more like a race car and why is the handling so much better? I have read articals that say that the GS is best one to get... even over the Z06 if you want a pure NA race car. But I am looking for technical detailed reasons why the GS feels the way to does over the Z51.

BrunoTheMellow

All in your head. Traction permitting, the z51 is faster due to reduced drag.

Garret

It feels faster cause it's a new toy

hangman

^^^^^. Yup, all in your head. Before I purchased my Stingray, I test drive both the GS and Stingray. Not much difference besides the looks department.

TurtleRayZ51

Or.... it might be because the auto. As in the power is instant when you hit it. Just throwing it out there as a suggestion.

PeteC7

The GS actually has slightly quicker acceleration due to the wider rubber. The handling is slightly better due to the wider rubber and wider width. I can't say I noticed the difference much on the street but it does feel much more planted on the track. Congrats on the new car.

stevebz06

Could be that your Z51 was not as fast due to manufacturering tolerances. I've seen big differences in cars that had the same specs.

Foosh

Yep, all in your head, due to the novelty of something new.

On a race track, the extra rubber and brake performance will make a difference for a very good driver, but on the street, you're talking 1/10 of one second difference in acceleration.

Always Red Dave

Yes all in your head I agree with FOOSH!

budgreen3564

I agree. Came from '13 Z06. '17 A8 GS. Feels much faster. Instant response. It makes no sense, but it's same for me. I prefer a manual, but this is faster than anything I've driven. Flame me!

Foosh

I suppose, but it depends upon how proficient one is with a manual. While modern automatics are .1-.2 seconds faster on average, they are a lot faster in the hands of an average driver in a straight line.

Although he doesn't specify his Stingray was a manual, I'm assuming the OP was comparing an M7 Stingray to an auto-GS, which is an entirely different comparison, not GS vs. Stingray.

fugly1

Heck, my car is noticeably faster after I wash it. More aerodynamic, I suppose.

dmhines

Was your Z51 manual ? I had opposite experience. My Auto 2014 felt faster than my M7 GS. The automatics do feel faster.

5821driver

Must have had a hell of a good salesman! !

BlueDevilZ51

Yes,it's just because it was an auto making it a few tens faster.
The auto is faster in the GS and the Stingray over the manual

dvilin

Wow that was some cup of coffee you started your day with.

SLOWRYDE

I agree with most, its all in your head. We tend to bias our opinions based on justifying our actions. Its a normal response in these circumstances. It reminds me of guys who swear their cars are sooo much faster when they add simple mods like a CAI, etc..

All that really matters is how YOU feel when driving it. If it brings a smile to your face then it was a successful switch.

Heidemarie

TurtleRayZ51
Feel the same as you (our 2015 8A Stingray Z51 without MSRC versus our 2017 8A GS), but attribute the difference to the MSRC and wider tires in the GS. Feels more steady and responsive with MSRC. Drive in Sport mode all the time.
Heidi
Save the Wave

thill444

Sounds like you need to drive your car harder with the manual

In terms of actual numbers/data there should be no noticeable difference on the street in terms of acceleration. I mean maybe a few 10ths, but in the big scheme of things this should not be a night and day difference like you seem to be experiencing.

If you granny shift all the time then I can see where it would feel quicker being in the auto in sport mode.

QKSLVRZ

No, it's not in your head. They use what would be called a high stall converter, and the use lockup to get a 1:1 coupling. But on launch (whether going 60mph down the highway or a stop), you get a lot of torque multiplication you do not get with a manual.