Dystrophy

I looked around the forum but could not find the answer. If you have seen this and its a re post please let me know.

Question is for a weekend track car which would you buy?

Is the Z chassis that much better?

ls7 vs ls3 long term tracking?

These are just a few questions I had in mind. Let me know what you would do and why.

Thanks

trackboss

Go for the GS.

Dystrophy

Why's that?

Thanks

trackboss

From what I understand you get the best of everything. Steel chassis, widebody with the big tire/wheel package, ls3 with dry sump oiling like the Z06, and the price is less than z06. I think doing the regular c6 and converting to the z06 quarters for the wide body, which many do, may end up costing more than the gs which also has the other upgrades mentioned above. I've never driven an ls3, but the power numbers are really strong and with some simple upgrades its up near ls7 power.

longdaddy

you can buy C6 Z06 for less than GrandSport. You know they've been making C6Z for 5 years now

Unless you are comparing new prices. Buying new car to track is just madness unless you are drowning in money.

Dystrophy

That's good info thank you. Is there a reason why you prefer the steel chassis?

Thanks

Dystrophy

Its going to be used that's for sure..

longdaddy

it is significantly cheaper to attach roll bar/roll cage tubing to steel chassis. arguably, steel frame is more repairable in case of frame damage as well

bobmoore2

The GS also has the Z51 suspension, which is almost as good as the Z06. It also has an engine oil cooler, a power steering cooler, and bigger brakes without the problematic Z06 6-piston calipers. The LS3 is a very strong engine (436 HP) which is more than you can use in the corners and still a lot of power for the straights.

The bottom line is - The GS is almost as good as a Z06 for $15 K to $25 K less. Unfortunately, if you're looking for the best USED C6, the GS is only available as of 2010.

longdaddy

GS uses same PBR calipers as Z06 so they are just as "problematic".

Dystrophy

So far what I'm getting is get a used ls3 and upgrade brakes, suspension rather then GS or Z?

bobmoore2

If you're looking for the best USED C6, then your choices should be between a C6 with the optional Z51 performance package, or a C6 Z06. If you can afford a used Z06 (again about $15K to $20K more than a Z51), then that is your best choice. If not, then be sure you get a C6 with the Z51. A used C6 Z51 will cost about $5K more than a C6 without Z51, but you will end up spending more than $5K (on suspension, brakes & coolers) to bring the non-Z51 up to what you need in a good track car.

I've got a 2006 with Z51, and I am very happy with it. I have spent about $4000 in upgrades (wider wheels, race tires, brake ducts, an accusump, and better rotors & pads), and now my car is faster than any stock C6 Z06.

longdaddy

Reality does not work that way, but whatever

Dystrophy

More good info, thank you bob.

longdaddy

Depends on your budget. if you can spring for a Z06 and have enough left for safety/reliability mods it will give you a faster car. I would budget at least 10-12k for this upfront - it will add up fast.


If you want to do it on the budget, I would go with C5/earlier C6 and money to spend on mods rather than stretching to get into a C6 and ending up on the track with stock seats, brakes, and no roll protection.

bobmoore2

Race tires make a large difference in lap times. My C6 Z51 with V710 race tires regularly beats C6 Z06s with street tires.

davidfarmer

I think the Z06 is much better out of the box, than a regular car. It is quite a bit stiffer, and has a slight aero advantage not being a bottom feeder (breather). However, if you are into modding anyway, a base C6 with T1 springs/bars or a similar coil-over package can get pretty much identical handling with little effort.

The Z06 brakes are also much better, BUT they suffer from the thin padlet design, and painful service procedures. If a brake kit is also in the budget, modding a base C6 makes sense in the braking area as well.

LS7's and LS3's have their share of failures, and my buddy just had a random failure in in LS2 (harmonic balancer just fell off at the track). I think durability is good on all of them, but expect the unexpected.

The bargain continues to be the C5 Z06, 2002-2004!

longdaddy

You paid $4000 for a new set of wheels, set of tires, set of rotors, 16 pads, accusump, and accusump install (unless you did that yourself)? I am going to keep calling BS.

Dystrophy

davidfarmer, thanks for all the info. Sucks about your buddy's vette.. lol crazy it just fell off...

I looked at the C5's but I'm in love with the C6 look

gmccreary

Hope the 01 C5 Z06 is a bargain too. I just picked up one for track use. I also have an 09 Z06 and have taken it to the track. It is a true monster but consumables are outrageously expensive and I don't want to put it into a wall.