X25

I do currently own a C8 Z51, but I might get a chance to order a Z06 from my local dealer. This got me thinking about what would be the best setup for heavy track use. The first 'obvious' answer is getting a 1LZ Z07, but more I think about it, more I wonder if it is indeed the right choice. In some ways, 1LZ Z06 with no options might be a better choice... or perhaps, there's a third option coming up?

'24 1LZ Z06 (https://www.chevrolet.com/byo-vc/tiny/UViek48TeH0L) $113,985

• This is the exact config I had on the C8 Z51. The only options are competition seats and microsuede steering wheel.
• I already have AP brakes front/rear that would allow me to run 18" wheels front and back, as well as MCS suspension, and can easily carry those over to this car, instantly turning this car track ready.
• This car doesn't come with aero, but to be honest, it would be more fun to do my best lap times without aero, and can later on consider adding aero to spice things up as I stop finding time at the track. This would potentially prolong the fun of ownership as well.
• One big caveat is that it will come with ABS, PTM, etc. calibrated for low traction tires (and aero). Even if you change the suspension, these are hard to change, but to be honest, high traction tires are less likely to run into ICE mode, etc. anyway. Magna ride calibration does not matter, since I'd be replacing it.

'24 1LZ Z06 Z07 (https://www.chevrolet.com/byo-vc/tiny/fhifFtOfKmL0) $131,875

• Same config, but with Z07 option added.
• The biggest PRO of this config is that it is the proven config, having been tested by the professionals, racers, etc., and this is the config that likely represents the car's official lap times. This config is already dialed in, and the odds are you should not need coilovers, etc.; it'd likely perform excellent as is.
• GM's aero kits are not the most efficient, but it is definitely very convenient to get a car with aero from factory, with reliable and well-balanced design.
• CON: I'd be paying for CCBs, which I'd not want to use for heavy track duty. I'd then have to either sell them, or put them away until the time of trade-in; a big bummer.

Future 1ZR ZR1

• We all heard from GM itself that they switched to this (mid-engine) platform to push the chassis' potential beyond ~650 HP range. My C7 Z06/Z07 was a beast at the track, and I had no trouble putting down the power with appropriate setup and tires. From this point of view, it makes one wonder if C8 Z06 makes sense in the first place.
• This chassis should easily handle 800+ HP RWD when the weight distribution is concerned, and unlike in C6 and C7's case, perhaps ZR1 is the real sweet spot of this chassis.
• In other words, GM spent billions of dollars to increase the potential power efficiency window of the Corvette platform, and we'll likely not hit point of diminishing returns until we start hitting 800-1000 HP range. With this in mind, perhaps ZR1 is the one to wait. I'm serious : )

Anyway, these are just some pointers; what do you guys think?

z28lt1

For 2024 year to can get aero without CCB, so maybe your first choice plus aero is the best bet for a Z06.

That said, the ZR1 will be faster and if they fix gearing and/or go to active aero would be great…(or maybe with enough power we forget over the gearing and drag issues). Unless you want a pure natural aspirated car, hard to imagine you won’t want a ZR1 but how long do you want to wait?

23/C8Z

They keep saying ZR will not be the track oriented model. Maybe it be awd?

1LZ w/aero for your needs

416vette

^+1
Heavy track use you should get a stripper spec with no Radio, no AC (can you delete on vettes?).

MattMD

PDR for $1300 should be a good pick

ZRacerLE

Minimal option Z06 non Z07 and transfer over your superior aftermarket racing coilovers and brakes. Put big aero on down the road if you're looking to go even faster.

X25

I'm also thinking stripper Z06 or something like ZR1 that takes advantage of platform would be the best, and looks like folks mostly agree; I was not expecting this much consensus : ))

ZRacerLE

I just see how lethal the LG Motorsports C8 Z51 car is with big aero, wide tire, and racing suspension and I can't fathom how fast a Z06 would be in that same configuration. They did a 2:15 in their Z51 at COTA from turn 9 to turn 9. Forget about a ZR1. Build a hardcore track Z06.

fatsport

Get a Z07. Why not get the stiffest proven setup rather than modify and guess?
I'd skip the competition seats. Can drop 60-70 lbs with Sparco or OMP. Any mods you can do that drop weight (while still under warranty) will drop lap times.

Zjoe6

Can your dealer actually get a Z07 allocation? Seems they are hard to get. You may want to factor that in as well.

ZRacerLE

Z06 is 35% stiffer than the Z51. Z07 is 43% stiffer than the Z51. So the Z07 is 1.43/1.35 = 1.059 = 5.9% stiffer than the Z06. Your MCS coilovers are what? 300% to 500% stiffer than the Z51's?

64drvr

Best value is a basic 1LZ. Highest performance out of the box is 1LZ Z07. there is no prize money or championship associated with DE so the fastest spec is only useful for if you want the fastest possible car with no regard to price. If you really are committed to maximum speed, you’re going to be modding past anything the Z07 offers anyway.

X25

Yep, MCS spec (200 N/mm front, 220 N/mm rear) are ~4.5x stiffer than stock Z51; it's a completely different setup. GM relies on magna ride to beef it up when necessary with active suspension (and dampening, etc), but you can only do so much with that, and it's a big compromise, even in Z07 trim. No wonder, GM's most track ready cars always came with coilovers (e.g. 2014 Z/28, and ZL1 1LE that came with DSSV suspension).

That's right. If you would leave everything stock, Z07 package is great! If you're going to be touching it anyway, then you start wondering why you're paying for the upgrades, most of which you'll remove and put away.

-----


I wish we could know how ZR1 will come with. It's always been the 'brute' in Corvette line up, and it appealed more to consumers' heart than senses, but this time it might make more sense, too. Even though people love the noise of LT6, and I agree it sounds great, I also fear the longevity of that engine. This is not a pun to GM, but to the nature of these engines. I don't know of any brand that has a reliable high revving engine, except perhaps tiny Honda engines and possibly Porsche's GT3 engines. IT's good if you'll own the car for a year and then sell it, but could be worrisome in the long run. In comparison, if you think about it, LT4 with its low rev range and beefed up bottom-end has been proven to be very reliable.

ZRacerLE

^^^ tons of heat generated trying to actively emulate stiff springs via dampers.

Will Kwok

Best hard core track build?

Just get a bare essential car. I'd add in PDR and front axle lift (just for convenience) but that's about it.

I have a full z07 package and honestly it's a huge waste. Only got it because I thought it looked cool and this isn't going to be my main track car.

-ZEEOHSIX-

Considering how far you went with your C7Z, I'd say that a 1LZ base model Z06 is where you'd want to be. That way, you're not spending money on brakes, wheels, tires, aero, and suspension setup that you more than likely aren't going to use for real track work.

fatsport

I admire your honesty. Of course people got it because it looks awesome.

It's also an engineered package, designed to work with some very sticky Cup 2Rs. Adding parts to a non-Z07, although superior parts to the Z07, aren't going to be an engineered package. So you're going to introduce a bunch of variables.
How different are the wheel rates?
Are the sway bars and bushings the same?
Will the ELSD and ABS calibrations hold it back?
Will you get ice mode earlier?
Does your aftermarket aero match these changes?

X25

Yep, with factory Z07, it is tried and true, and you have zero doubt in what it can do.

With aftermarket setup, many things can go the wrong direction, and one needs to be careful in picking parts. There's likely more potential, despite some of the components' calbration likely being different, though..

ZRacerLE

If you go aftermarket, go with packages that have been tuned and tested for your car with available video and lap times.

descartesfool

You can always add a bunch of go-fast parts from the aftermarket or even OEM, but one place I would not compromise is aero. The only place to properly test aero for both lift and drag is in a wind tunnel, and no one is going to do that except the factory or a factory backed race team. While you can add a big wing that actually makes downforce, you have no clue how much drag it adds or how well the rear downforce is balanced with the front downforce, where the center of pressure is, etc, etc. Brakes are easy, calipers, rotors and pads. Wheels and tires are easy, as are better seats, roll bars or cage if you want those. Coil-overs in terms of dampers and springs are a bit trickier as balance is affected, but a good tuning shop can provide a great setup if they take the time to test and tune it and show measured lap time improvements.

So buy a base car with the best OEM aero you can get for track use, and then decide which other parts you want to add from the aftermarket. Nothing wrong with a Z07 package.