Mike's LS3

This graph illustrates two driving patterns:

LT2 - if most of your driving is under 5800 rpm the Z51 is the better choice.
LT6 - if most of your driving will be between 5800 - 8600 rpm the Z06 is the better choice.

GM intended the C8 Z51 to be a street car that can be driven on the track.
GM intended the C8 Z06 to be a track car that can be driven on the street.

Choose what works best for you!

Chemdawg99

I am vadering this.
You nailed it.

prb

LT2 - if most of your driving is under 5800 rpm the Z51 is the better choice.
LT6 - if most of your driving will be between 5800 - 8600 rpm the Z06 is the better choice.

GM intended the C8 Z51 to be a street car that can be driven on the track.
GM intended the C8 Z06 to be a track car that can be driven on the street.

Choose what works best for you![/QUOTE]


Very well put..... I will stick with the Z51 as it makes more common sense (e.g. I get the emotional side too of the Z on the street)....

Vega$Vette

Haha. I went through this discussion with myself. I had a perfectly fine 2023 HTC Z51 3LT. The question was always is the ZO6 really worth my car and $50k? I don’t track my cars or really even drive them that hard.

I pulled the trigger. Sold my Z51 and bought a 2023 ZO6 70th Edition.

The ZO6 is a totally different car. I love it and yes for me it’s worth every penny.

Rocketmanwpb

The Z06 is in another league. If I had the extra cash I would be in one.

prb

Not really, it has another purpose and is track oriented,.. I have the wherewithal to purchase one but that is not the driver in this case...what works best for the street is IN MY CASE....each to his own.

e.g. Is a Barrett .50 cal. the rifle to have if you only have a 300 yard range? You may still enjoy it but.......that's my point.

z28lt1

I think the Stingray is the right choice for many people, particularly with a use case like your and I'm sure you'll be thrilled with. It's going to be exactly what you are looking for. That said, looking at an engine dyno graph without gearing (which makes a difference) and making a decision based on things that only happen below 17 MPH might not have been the reasoning I would hope convinced you -- even if it is the best choice.

Manners226

Good points, but 3,500 is where the cars are fairly close. So you are essentially just comparing the differences below 3,500 rpm. They utilitze different shift points. Z06 is a fine street car. Z51 is just a bit more cushy, but the Z06 with magride aint bad at all.

prb

Great input from all...thanks....good to have a discussion as it makes the decision easier...I will go with the Z51 for numerous reasons....makes more sense for my circumstances...

ChiefBoats

The Stingray, good choice.

Semifighter18

I have a Stingray, swapped with a buddy and drove his Z06. For regular, and even semi spirited driving there wasn't much difference. Open it up and obviously the Z06 has more. Like you I don't track my C8 (though I've tracked cars before). Loved the Z06 engine noise. The Stingray was much smoother. With unlimited funds I'd take a Z06, but I came away from that drive satisfied that my Stingray was perfect for me as a weekend canyon carver. Down the road I may still get a Z06, or Eray, but for now I'm really, really happy with what I have. The C8 is the best car I've ever owned.

bluekey28

Also a C7 Z06 owner. Loved the look & awesome power. Reluctantly traded up '23 70th Anniversary Stingray. Entirely different driving experience. Quieter, smoother. Tremendous traction & balance. No regrets.

Beast

Keep your stingrayZ51’s people. Send them off to LMR or Lingenfelter for a supercharger install, letter of authenticity, maybe even warranty’d by them. You will probably have more low end grunt then the Z06 after that.

switchlanez

I randomly rewatched this C8 review from a year ago and found this quote relevant. Note that this guy has test driven tons of Porsches and Lotuses, some Lamborghinis, the R8, NSX (new and old including his personal car), and 458:

"This car is making me speechless. It's so strange, the feeling of being in a mid-engine car but having an outrageous amount of low end torque. Something I don't think I've experienced before."

Garret

I can't bring myself to read all of this....If you can afford the Z, get it, PERIOD !

prb

I can't afford to take advice from a standpoint like that....period....lol

dironvictorious

Budgets aside, I also think this is a different conversation for the C8 than it was with the C7. Prior to my twin turbo C8, I had a C7 Zo6 which was only street driven. The C7Zo6 was a great street car, once the tires/brakes were warmed up. Being a positive displacement supercharged engine ("blower"), the LT4's extra power is felt at even part throttle in any gear or rpm, The net is some of us bought the C7 Zo6 as the modern equivalent of a factory "big block" option. If you want a street vette with big power, I don't know if the C8 Zo6 is as compelling vs aftermarket options as the C7 Zo6 was vs C7 Stingray. I think the C8 Zo6 vs Stingray decision is more akin to the C6 Zo6 decision, a street vs track car choice where the track car also happens to have more power. So, if you are debating Stingray vs Zo6 for a street car purely based on power - than you may be better off doing a Z51 and adding a street oriented warrantied supercharger kit. Without mark-ups, my C8 TT all in is right around Zo6 MSRP (2LT vs 2LZ coupe). Supercharger kits are bit a less. And there now some interesting heads/cams options. And considering budgets, these are things you can do later. So, get a Z51 now and if you ever feel the need for more speed add supercharger when have some extra cash. Now, if you have never had a car like the C8 Zo6 and have the cash, then its probably worth doing for the experience as can always flip it for a supercharged Stingray later. I curious to see the direction they go in for the C8 ZR1. Will it be an even more extreme track car, or will it be like a Porsche 911 Turbo where it's the ultimate high powered grand tourer. I know right know the Eray is positioned as that car in the C8 line-up.

jost6453

My quandary also. That’s why I’m getting the Eray. All the exterior goodies of the Z06 … but a much better GT cruiser.

Garret

yes you can, just do it….lol

DanC8

I would pick Z51 or non Z51 only for a daily drivers. For weekend warriors, racers, waxers, garage queeners, car and coffee goers....Z06 all the way!!!