New z06 1/4 mile times and vid

Posted in the lounge by Doug, but i thought i'd post it here since a lot here don't visit the lounge.

Website with times and some pics. Vid is just below the pics.
http://www.southfloridaracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23717

The track conditions and such were bad according to the poster, and i believe it. I think in better conditions, the z06 will be capable of mid 11's and 126-128mph traps given its power to weight ratio.

Some quick GM math:

Ford GT = Z06 + $70,000 :cool:

Some of the info posted by "94 silver". Note the mid-11 second potential, the cost of the crate motor? interesting. Also noted are the areas that can be improved on in the aftermarket (things like cam, exhaust, etc...). Regarding their not being a hp jump for 2007, was their one planned or something? Or were people just expecting it just because the C5's got a bumb from 385hp to 405 2nd year? sounds like the latter.

Here are a few items from Dave Hill's presentation on the C6 Z06 at the C5/6 Registry Birthday Bash in Bowling Green, Ky. Some old stuff, some new stuff....

The top speed will be substantially above 190 MPH.


The fender badge will show 505 HP.


Quarter mile on street tires in mid 11's.


The car has been tested on several race tracks with over 1,750 laps at top speed. Drivers included C6R team, and GM test people.


The car magazines will get a production built car for testing in July.


Next week they will air ship a production built car to Nurburing for testing.


93 octane is the recommended gasoline to use.


The car will have heavier duty half shafts, than the C5 Z06.


The rear axle ratio will be 3.42.


Car will be available with 6-speed manual only.


the aftermarket would be able to do better than this exhaust system.


the Zo6 could take a higher lift camshaft without any problems, saying the pistons have extra valve reliefs built in from the factory to accomodate a new higher duration cam with more lift.


they brought along a dyno sheet that appeared to be an engine dyno, 505hp and 470lb-ft, and 400ft. lbs all the way across the board from 2400 rpms on up.


Xm anttena aids in downforce


The crate motor LS7 would be around $15,000 (can you say c5 + ls7 ?)


The Z06 will use the same 6 spd as the base C6, not the optional Z51 gearing.


Front brake cooling improved over C5 Z06 by a multiple of 5 and rear improved by a multiple of 2.


Front fascia scoop operable and testing shows main benefit is to reduce air temperature entering engine...not so much to increase airflow due to bends in design necessary to eliminate possibility of water ingestion.


Downforce has been optimized and adding a rear wing or full width rear spoiler will negatively affect balance without changing size of front splitter, etc. A general principle but the engineers emphasized this issue when talking about raised height of the C6 Z06 rear CMSL, size of front splitter, etc.


Lowering the new Z06 to improve looks/stance will upset the balance achieved but if you do be very careful not to exceed the "magic number" of 3/4 inches or the performance loss outweighs aesthetic benefit. Also, be aware the C6 sits lower in front versus rear, unlike the C5.


They are working on a new "steel blue" color as shown on slides during presentation. Didn't say what model year it might appear.


Horsepower to weight ratio of the best (6.2lbs to 1hp) the exotic car makers have as only the Enzo and the mega dollar Porsche were superior.


No price release til June or July


There will not be a horse power bump in the 2007 Z06, there will not be a 525hp or 550hp 2007.


He explained the 2nd year Z06 got the bump to 405hp due to a break thru in better catalytic converters (I guess inferring they could meet the same emissions standards with a larger cam?)

That thing is a beast. I'll take mine in black!

The thing traps at 124 n/a with a factory warrenty.

It's almost hillarious.

The thing traps at 124 n/a with a factory warrenty.

It's almost hillarious.

I think it'll trap atleast 126mph given better conditions.

Not only with a factory warranty, but at a relatively bargain price when compared to other exotics that deliver this much or more performance.

The thing traps at 124 n/a with a factory warrenty.

It's almost hillarious.

My guess is that's a pretty low trap for what the car can really do based on the story there.

That being said, even a 124 trap is damned impressive.

I havent really ever lusted for a vette , I lust for this one ...especially in black . It still blows my mind that this car is gonna be a couple bolts ons away from a 10 sec timeslip without any real compromise how it left the showroom floor :bow:

12.06@123.9

Not bad for a bad day.

I'm sure it'll go ~11.5@126-127. So there you go. 90% of a Ford GT for 50% of the price.

12.06@123.9

Not bad for a bad day.

I'm sure it'll go ~11.5@126-127. So there you go. 90% of a Ford GT for 50% of the price.

Given the information seen so far, it's looking like 100% of the GT's performance for 50% of the price.

With a 127-128mph trap, somebody's pulling a 10 out of it.

I was in Bowling Green this past weekend and can attest to the less than favorable weather. Strong headwinds as well as a track that's never well prepped, in my experience. The drivers were not drag racers and were conscious of the lack of wisdom in beating a company car. The shifts were granny style. The track was Beech Bend which is close to the Plant and the Corvette Museum. It's not known for great times.

The Z06 is fast... really fast and will hit the trap in 3rd.

I was in Bowling Green this past weekend and can attest to the less than favorable weather. Strong headwinds as well as a track that's never well prepped, in my experience. The drivers were not drag racers and were conscious of the lack of wisdom in beating a company car. The shifts were granny style. The track was Beech Bend which is close to the Plant and the Corvette Museum. It's not known for great times.

The Z06 is fast... really fast and will hit the trap in 3rd.

Traps in 3rd??? :eek:

Methinks I see some 12-packs of Bowtie whoopass in somebody's future.

Traps in 3rd??? :eek:

Methinks I see some 12-packs of Bowtie whoopass in somebody's future.

Yep, though it's a bit tight. I think it's 125 @ 7000 in 3rd... twist to 7200 and it's about 128...

0-60 is all 1st gear.

Some quick GM math:

Ford GT = Z06 + $70,000 :cool:

Shoot have you seen what Ford GTs are actually selling for?

Try

Ford GT = Z06 + $150,000

All GTs Ive seen are going for over 200

Given the information seen so far, it's looking like 100% of the GT's performance for 50% of the price.

With a 127-128mph trap, somebody's pulling a 10 out of it.

I've heard of GT's trapping as fast as 133. Still not as fast as the GT, and forget about it if the GT owner ups the boost, which I have heard of one doing and running 140+ traps. Anyway, Chevy is trying to compete with the Viper, not the GT which is in a totally different market and price segment.

Ya know, some things about that LS7 motor are very cool to hear about and seem like a big step forward. Some things, however, are old-school, rough around the edges, and obviously effective in the realm of performance... but I guess just not as exciting tech-wise as I was hoping for (original rumors were for a camless infinitely variable valve timing setup)..

Well, you could strap in an amazingly "advanced" engine in the passenger seat and still trap in the 120's. The engine get's the job done, and beautifully. When are people going to realize that just because a pushrod engine has been around for a long time, it doesn't mean that there isn't a HUGE amount of engineering involved, especially for the engine in the new C6 Z06.

Look at the size, and weight of this engine. Look at it's fuel economy, and power/torque output and it bests MANY MANY of the so called "advanced" engines that are so often referred to.

Dan

Shoot have you seen what Ford GTs are actually selling for?

Try

Ford GT = Z06 + $150,000

All GTs Ive seen are going for over 200

They do seem to be going for 200k+. 50-60k over msrp seems to be the norm.

Threxx, the ls7 is no Ferrari F430 v8, but it is a fine piece of work. 7,200rpm redline, 7.0L, really compact and lightweight design, and power and tq everywhere. It's gets the job done in perfect fashion. Ford GT's engine isn't too fancy either, and neither is the Saleen S7 or Viper. Just the way America builds engines:D. Simple and effective.

By the way, I think the guys who took the new preproduction Z06 to the dragstrip are idiots. Let me tell you why. In the link, you will read that the guys were amatuers at the 1/4 mile, and granny shifted the Z06 because they were worried about anything happening to the car. The drag strip was very close to the GM facility, so it was convenient to drive the Z06 over there and give it a run. So now what. This video is going to get spread all over the internet with the new C6 at the drag strip not even hitting 11's, not to mention 10's. A lot of people out there have no clue how trap speed relates to possible e.t.'s, and all they see is C6 Z06=12.06 sec, when in reality that trap speed is good for a MUCH better e.t. with a decent driver and the ability to drive the car the way it's meant to be driven. I bet on other "Non GM friendly" forums, there will be posts such as "New Z06 only goes 12.06!"

Dan

You guys don't undestand what I'm getting at here. They made power using old-school methods. If it works then it works, that's fine, but almost nothing that they did in this motor is going to help the overall automotive community advance technologically speaking.

Kinda like the difference between just loading a luxury car up with a ton of sound deadening to make it to quietest car ever... or actually trying to engineer new ways to make the car quiet without adding significant weight or cost - such as active sound cancelation.

It's just a question of a 'new' way or making the same way better. I just get more excited by the new ways.

I'm not trying to say I'd expect or even think it wise for GM to try and use some sort of multivalve DOHC type motor for the Z06... nothing of the sort. Just keep everything as it is now... that's great, but remove the camshaft and get that badass electromagnetically actuated valve system in for infinitely variable valve timing; thus not only do you have that power, but even more power, plus the flattest looking power curve in the automotive industry. Now something like that would get me excited.

The only reason I'm even critisizing the Z06 for not doing this is because a couple years ago that's what all the rumor mills were saying the new Z06 was going to use. So it was just kind of a let down on my anxious expectations.:D

O.k. I get what you are saying. Here's an article about the new engine if you haven't seen it already. So great pictures and info.
http://www.superchevy-web.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/completebuilds_testing/0504sc_ls7/

Dan

OUY!

GM did the 4 cam 32 valve thing with the ZR1 in the 90's. Heavy, fuel hungry...cool stuff for the times, but if you can get the same job done using tried, true and proven methods (C5R race program) you'd be silly to do exotic for the sake of exotic. The car already costs quite enough with a pushrod 7.0L that spins over 7,000 RPMs making in excess of 500 HP. I just don't see what more you could want. It ain't a LEXUS Threxx. :rolleyes: ;)

Anyway, Chevy is trying to compete with the Viper, not the GT which is in a totally different market and price segment.

There is no TRYING to compete with the Viper. Methinks its more like owning the Viper ;)

OUY!

GM did the 4 cam 32 valve thing with the ZR1 in the 90's. Heavy, fuel hungry...cool stuff for the times, but if you can get the same job done using tried, true and proven methods (C5R race program) you'd be silly to do exotic for the sake of exotic. The car already costs quite enough with a pushrod 7.0L that spins over 7,000 RPMs making in excess of 500 HP. I just don't see what more you could want. It ain't a LEXUS Threxx. :rolleyes: ;)

Read my post. I think they've done an awesome job with that motor. It has once again proven that tried and true pushrod technology can still make a bunch of power with impressive fuel economy to boot.

As I said, I would never even think of suggesting that GM use a multivalve DOHC design in the Vette. I was simply saying infinitely variable valve timing was something GM was planning on doing with the new Z06... it would have still been a good ol' high displacement 2v/cyl pushrod motor and all... just a industry-leadingly flat power curve able to adapt dynamically to absolutely any RPM, throttle, and conditions, as well as allow inherent DOD capabilities. (no cam = no mechanical force to disable in order to drop down to 4-cyl on the highway)

Simple. New, high-tech, ultra-exotic stuff not only costs tons of money, but it adds a lot of complexity, and the reliability and such will be a huge question mark. Especially with this electromagnetically actuated valve system. How reliable do you think such a setup would be on a street car?

Stuff like that is cool, but the business case for it has to be sound. Doing it for the hell of just doing it isn't a sound business case.

Stuff like sound-deadning which you mentioned is cool and very doable. But this is a whole different ball-park.

If we're ever going to see it in a car, it'll probably something expensive like a Ferrari Enzo or something along those lines.

At the end of the day, z06 is just a humble 50-75k sportscar;).

As for the initial rumors, i remember them as well. And it is a letdown. But that hardly makes the Ls7 a dissapointment.

I was simply saying infinitely variable valve timing was something GM was planning on doing with the new Z06... it would have still been a good ol' high displacement 2v/cyl pushrod motor and all... just a industry-leadingly flat power curve able to adapt dynamically to absolutely any RPM, throttle, and conditions, as well as allow inherent DOD capabilities. (no cam = no mechanical force to disable in order to drop down to 4-cyl on the highway)

Well now, we know from some sources that GM Powertrain was/is messing around with camless engines and electrically actuated valves, but there was never any confirmation that it was a done deal for the new Z06. I'm sure in the end cost and reliability issues nixed that idea pretty quick. Perhaps technology for down the road.

Pushrod engines are cool. The Vette is an all American, stomp your techno-japo stuff into the ground, and match your Italian exotic at half the price, kind of car.

Read my post. I think they've done an awesome job with that motor. It has once again proven that tried and true pushrod technology can still make a bunch of power with impressive fuel economy to boot.

As I said, I would never even think of suggesting that GM use a multivalve DOHC design in the Vette. I was simply saying infinitely variable valve timing was something GM was planning on doing with the new Z06... it would have still been a good ol' high displacement 2v/cyl pushrod motor and all... just a industry-leadingly flat power curve able to adapt dynamically to absolutely any RPM, throttle, and conditions, as well as allow inherent DOD capabilities. (no cam = no mechanical force to disable in order to drop down to 4-cyl on the highway)


Isn't it obvious the technology is not here yet? Geez, you're acting as if they got an EM valve head just lying around and are too cheap to slap it on.

It's on the way, but there are significant problems to stopping a valve from slamming into the seat at 7000rpm.

The pushrod LS7 is HIGH TECH. It's cast from the highest tech process. It's heads are modeled for flow on the highest tech mainframes running the highest tech fluid dynamics software. It's tolerances are kept in spec by the highest tech CNC machines. It's run by the highest tech computer in the automotive world.

I've heard of GT's trapping as fast as 133. Still not as fast as the GT, and forget about it if the GT owner ups the boost, which I have heard of one doing and running 140+ traps. Anyway, Chevy is trying to compete with the Viper, not the GT which is in a totally different market and price segment.

I've heard about the moon being made of green cheese...

Typical Ford buttboy speak:

"Yeah, well so what if our $150,000 car is running neck and neck with a $70,000 Corvette??? We can always MOD the GT."

Yep... one $150,000 Ford plus an aftermarket pulley and tuning is PROBABLY enough to take down a $70,000 Chevrolet.

Now that's some gooooooood engineering right thar.




Note to Fbodfather: I'm thinking that's about a 9.2
Your feedback is appreciated.

Threxx, I don't think you are giving the LS7 enough credit. I totally understand what you are saying, but I wouldn't call the LS7 "rough around the edges" just because it doesn't have camless valve actuation. I'm trying to come up with a list of cars that are using that technology, and it's a short list so far...

It is one thing to "just" port heads and grab a big cam and make big power. It is quite another to be able to do that and still have good drivability, smooth idle, meet emissions standards (I think only a few people on this board realize how significant that little tidbit is - you don't meet standards, you don't sell the vehicle), achieve decent fuel economy numbers (look at the numbers for the 483 hp/380 lb-ft, $160k+ Ferrari F430 vs. the numbers for the 505 hp/470 lb-ft, ~$65-70k Z06), manufacture in decent volumes, design for 100,000+ mile life cycles, etc.

Again, I know what you mean, because I remember you talking about camless valves and stuff like that in a few threads last year (I tried to dispell some of the rumors in a thread or two, as well). It's cool that you were hoping for some wiz-bang new feature that no one else has, but I wouldn't shortchange the Z06 by calling the LS7 sort of "rough around the edges".

:)

Threxx, I don't think you are giving the LS7 enough credit. I totally understand what you are saying, but I wouldn't call the LS7 "rough around the edges" just because it doesn't have camless valve actuation. I'm trying to come up with a list of cars that are using that technology, and it's a short list so far...

It is one thing to "just" port heads and grab a big cam and make big power. It is quite another to be able to do that and still have good drivability, smooth idle, meet emissions standards (I think only a few people on this board realize how significant that little tidbit is - you don't meet standards, you don't sell the vehicle), achieve decent fuel economy numbers (look at the numbers for the 483 hp/380 lb-ft, $160k+ Ferrari F430 vs. the numbers for the 505 hp/470 lb-ft, ~$65-70k Z06), manufacture in decent volumes, design for 100,000+ mile life cycles, etc.

Again, I know what you mean, because I remember you talking about camless valves and stuff like that in a few threads last year (I tried to dispell some of the rumors in a thread or two, as well). It's cool that you were hoping for some wiz-bang new feature that no one else has, but I wouldn't shortchange the Z06 by calling the LS7 sort of "rough around the edges".

:)

STOP MAKING SENSE. IT'LL RUIN YOUR CHANCES AT SENIOR MANAGEMENT.

As an FYI....the track surface may have been junk that day (excuses are for those that run slower than they expect to run), but the air was not. The worst DA of the day was +219 ft in the late-morning. By mid-afternoon, the temperature dropped, and the day improved to -195 ft. That's pretty good air in anybody's book.

Source (http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KBWG/2005/4/23/DailyHistory.html)

They did have gusty winds, but they were mostly from the NW - a bit up the track, but mostly a crosswind.

Regardless, awesome car. Wonder how much they will be marked up?

I've heard about the moon being made of green cheese...

Typical Ford buttboy speak:

"Yeah, well so what if our $150,000 car is running neck and neck with a $70,000 Corvette??? We can always MOD the GT."

Yep... one $150,000 Ford plus an aftermarket pulley and tuning is PROBABLY enough to take down a $70,000 Chevrolet.

Now that's some gooooooood engineering right thar.

I wouldn't cast stones if I were you. Unless the Z06 picks up another 8-9 mph in trap speed when it goes into production it's still going to get handled handily by a Ford GT in a straight line not sure about around a track but I'm sure somebody will do a comparo with this the new Viper coupe and the Ford GT soon enough.
Take your victories where you find them. The Z06 is likey quicker and faster than the Viper and 10k cheaper. The Z06 is likely going to be just a shade behind the GT but for half the price. That's good enough. It's not faster or as fast at least not according to THIS info even comparing trap speeds and potential for improvement for better conditions. Take that and run with it. It's wonderful news. Just don't try to make it something more than it is and dig a hole for the car before it's even had a chance to prove itself.

I wouldn't cast stones if I were you. Unless the Z06 picks up another 8-9 mph in trap speed when it goes into production it's still going to get handled handily by a Ford GT in a straight line not sure about around a track but I'm sure somebody will do a comparo with this the new Viper coupe and the Ford GT soon enough.
Take your victories where you find them. The Z06 is likey quicker and faster than the Viper and 10k cheaper. The Z06 is likely going to be just a shade behind the GT but for half the price. That's good enough. It's not faster or as fast at least not according to THIS info even comparing trap speeds and potential for improvement for better conditions. Take that and run with it. It's wonderful news. Just don't try to make it something more than it is and dig a hole for the car before it's even had a chance to prove itself.

Oh, kind sir...

The victory is already won. The Ford boys are the best proof there is:

"Well ya know ya can spend some more money and MOD the $150,000 GT and mow down them Z06's like grass."

Heh.

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. If the knucklehead collection got a +120 trap on an ice rink while granny shifting the thing, it's about to get really ugly here in the very near future.

If we could turn Cosby away from the dark side he might get us a 10 out of the Z06.

We oughta see if Fbodfather could get him one to beat on for a day or two or give that Smith guy a call.

Track conditions in Michigan are going to be pretty well ideal here in the next few weeks if the April/May winds die down. Call up a track, get that Heinricy cat on the line or buy Smith or Darth Cosby a plane ticket and light off the afterburners.

130mph or bust... alternately... ride third the entire way and to hell with the rev limiter.

As an FYI....the track surface may have been junk that day (excuses are for those that run slower than they expect to run), but the air was not. The worst DA of the day was +219 ft in the late-morning. By mid-afternoon, the temperature dropped, and the day improved to -195 ft. That's pretty good air in anybody's book.

Source (http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KBWG/2005/4/23/DailyHistory.html)

They did have gusty winds, but they were mostly from the NW - a bit up the track, but mostly a crosswind.

Regardless, awesome car. Wonder how much they will be marked up?

No excuses on my part Bob, ya run what ya run. My additional info is to help put things in a better context regarding that track and the feedback I've gotten every year they have run drag racing in conjunction with a gathering at the Corvette Museum.

The weather was an interesting mix that weekend, from hot sun to tornado conditions and hail, rain, and on sunday it was 33 degrees when I left Bowling Green. When the wind was up it was very stiff.

The car is quicker and faster than it showed at Beech Bend. That will be apparent when a talented shoe is in the car on a good track in good air. I thought the temps were a bit low for Z rated street tire compound to hook well, even if the track had been VHT'ed and prepped well.

I didn't mean to specifically point a finger at you, and if it came off that way, I apologize.

I'm a meteorologist, and like to keep track of the weather, so had an idea of what was going on in that neck of the woods this past weekend (front came through us Sunday).

Beech Bend is certainly not the quickest track out there, but having raced there many, many times - its pretty decent. That said, I have little doubt the new Z06 will go substantially quicker, and somewhat faster too (11.4-ish @ 126-ish is my SWAG once someone really gets to know the car).

Maybe Pacer can get me that ticket so I can make a fool out of myself trying to drive something on real radial tires.... ;)

Maybe Pacer can get me that ticket so I can make a fool out of myself trying to drive something on real radial tires.... ;)

I don't know about that Bob. Might be too much car for ya. :D

LOL. Ya, too light too. My 600 HP Cobra weighs 3500 lbs....what would I do wiht something 400 lbs lighter? ;)

LOL. Ya, too light too. My 600 HP Cobra weighs 3500 lbs....what would I do wiht something 400 lbs lighter? ;)

I don't know...

Have a better timeslip? :D

In two weeks or so I'll let ya know what 750lbs. (including my fat ass) and 200hp will get ya.

Read my post. I think they've done an awesome job with that motor. It has once again proven that tried and true pushrod technology can still make a bunch of power with impressive fuel economy to boot.

As I said, I would never even think of suggesting that GM use a multivalve DOHC design in the Vette. I was simply saying infinitely variable valve timing was something GM was planning on doing with the new Z06... it would have still been a good ol' high displacement 2v/cyl pushrod motor and all... just a industry-leadingly flat power curve able to adapt dynamically to absolutely any RPM, throttle, and conditions, as well as allow inherent DOD capabilities. (no cam = no mechanical force to disable in order to drop down to 4-cyl on the highway)

Am I the only one that thinks DoD on a Corvette is...well....assinine? The car already gets awesome gas mileage for what it is. This is a Z06 Threxx, not a "run of the mill" Vette. Variable Valve Timing would have been cool, but I'm not let down by it. The numbers are there.

Does Porsche have DoD on their Carrera GT? What about Ferrari and the Enzo? Well? Why shouldn't they have DoD? Does the SLR have DoD? DB9? F430? Hell I'll even throw in the NSX.

If GM didn't iron out all the kinks with VVT on the "Hot New FAST" Z06 it'd would most likely be a "recall field day" for the media. Especially with GMs #1 Selling brand, top of the line sports car.

I'll be happy with them working with VVT behind the scenes until they have a quality product to put on the market.

Ya know, some things about that LS7 motor are very cool to hear about and seem like a big step forward. Some things, however, are old-school, rough around the edges, and obviously effective in the realm of performance... but I guess just not as exciting tech-wise as I was hoping for (original rumors were for a camless infinitely variable valve timing setup)..
I agree completely...I was hoping for some new tech too :(

so you would have been happier with a externally bigger, heavier, more complicated, and more probably more expensive engine with 500 hp?


I agree completely...I was hoping for some new tech too :(

so you would have been happier with a externally bigger, heavier, more complicated, and more probably more expensive engine with 500 hp?

ZING!

I think it is a technological marvel they can get 500 emission legal HP out of an engine as physically small and light as that. Everybody blusters about internal displacement but packaging is really the biggest element of a powertrain, and in this category the HP to weight of engine and HP to total external volume of engine the bar has just been raised through the roof!!!

GM's got problems, that is for sure, but they remain IMO the best mass produced powertrain company on the planet.

I think it is way to early to be making Z06 vs GT comparisions

I think it is way to early to be making Z06 vs GT comparisions


Here's a prediction.

GT outruns Z06 by at LEAST .5sec/5mph when they go head to head in the next magazine test.

GM's got problems, that is for sure, but they remain IMO the best mass produced powertrain company on the planet.
As it pertains to performance cars, I agree with you 100%.

I didn't mean to specifically point a finger at you, and if it came off that way, I apologize.

I'm a meteorologist, and like to keep track of the weather, so had an idea of what was going on in that neck of the woods this past weekend (front came through us Sunday).

Beech Bend is certainly not the quickest track out there, but having raced there many, many times - its pretty decent. That said, I have little doubt the new Z06 will go substantially quicker, and somewhat faster too (11.4-ish @ 126-ish is my SWAG once someone really gets to know the car).

Maybe Pacer can get me that ticket so I can make a fool out of myself trying to drive something on real radial tires.... ;)

No apology required, not in any way.

I think you are VERY accurate regarding the numbers the Z06 will turn with better surface and driver.

Am I the only one that thinks DoD on a Corvette is...well....assinine? The car already gets awesome gas mileage for what it is. This is a Z06 Threxx, not a "run of the mill" Vette. Variable Valve Timing would have been cool, but I'm not let down by it. The numbers are there.

Does Porsche have DoD on their Carrera GT? What about Ferrari and the Enzo? Well? Why shouldn't they have DoD? Does the SLR have DoD? DB9? F430? Hell I'll even throw in the NSX.

If GM didn't iron out all the kinks with VVT on the "Hot New FAST" Z06 it'd would most likely be a "recall field day" for the media. Especially with GMs #1 Selling brand, top of the line sports car.

I'll be happy with them working with VVT behind the scenes until they have a quality product to put on the market.

Electromagnetically actuated valves in a car like that would be for nothing but enhanced performance at all RPM, decreased reciprocating mass, and insanely flat power curves.

An added inherent benefit would be the ability to add DoD at virtually zero added cost and complication.

so you would have been happier with a externally bigger, heavier, more complicated, and more probably more expensive engine with 500 hp?

Externally bigger? Not really except for the actuators that may stick out a bit from the package. More complicated? Yeah it definitely will be, but that's what innovation is all about. I'd tend to guess it would also be more expensive.

But it would definitely allow for quite a bit more horsepower and torque. Think of the advantages of stuff like i-VTec where two cam profiles are available... one for lower RPM and one for higher RPM. You always see pretty significant power gains and drivability improvements when you compare the same engine; one without and one with.

So then just step up to the next best thing... completely fluid, instantly adaptable, infinitely programable valve timing. Like having a custom built cam profile in your car every tenth of a second based on your speed, RPM, throttle position, etc.

So yeah, I'd say definitely over 500 horsepower keeping all else equal, and a whole lot nicer looking power curve. Not to say the Z06's power curve is not daily drivable, but there's a lot of room for improvement in just about any cam-based engine made today.

GM's got problems, that is for sure, but they remain IMO the best mass produced powertrain company on the planet.

Nothing impressive about their 4's or 6's, but when it comes to v8's, that statement couldn't be truer :bow:. The LsX series of v8 are without a doubt, the best mass-produced family of v8's on the planet in the areas that matter most.

Threxx, you're still in dreamy land on the electromagnetically activated valves. They are not yet ready for prime time. The day may come, but it's going to be a while. 12v electrical systems are a major impediment.

Regardless, I think it is safe to say that the LS7 is the KING SHI* mass-produced performance motor on the planet and eats everyone else's +500hp motor for lunch.

Lighter, higher power density, simpler, smaller.

Best of all, from what I understand, it gets good enough fuel economy to avoid the gas guzzler tax in the Z06 - that's pretty damned impressive, fully the greatest powertrain achievement in recent memory.

Oh, kind sir...

The victory is already won. The Ford boys are the best proof there is:

"Well ya know ya can spend some more money and MOD the $150,000 GT and mow down them Z06's like grass."

Heh.

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. If the knucklehead collection got a +120 trap on an ice rink while granny shifting the thing, it's about to get really ugly here in the very near future.

If we could turn Cosby away from the dark side he might get us a 10 out of the Z06.

We oughta see if Fbodfather could get him one to beat on for a day or two or give that Smith guy a call.

Track conditions in Michigan are going to be pretty well ideal here in the next few weeks if the April/May winds die down. Call up a track, get that Heinricy cat on the line or buy Smith or Darth Cosby a plane ticket and light off the afterburners.

130mph or bust... alternately... ride third the entire way and to hell with the rev limiter.
Maybe so but just don't start digging a grave for the Ford GT just yet even if you think the opinion of a poster on a message board is better proof than what the cars have proven themselves capable of.
If for no other reason than to spare your own sanity if the Z06 CAN'T keep up to the GT. Message boards tend to have REALLY long memories when such bold statements are made. If you are confident that the Z06 will be "neck and neck " with the GT fine just sit on it a while long. If it's true you can crow like there is no tomorrow. If it's NOT true nobody will have heard you say other wise and will not have such things to forever rub in your face.

Frankly even if it was the "knucklehead" collection driving it I'm still not convinced it's going to have the mustard to pick up an awful lot of extra time and speed the GT has already displayed.

so you would have been happier with a externally bigger, heavier, more complicated, and more probably more expensive engine with 500 hp?
:rolleyes:Am I the only one that thinks DoD on a Corvette is...well....assinine? The car already gets awesome gas mileage for what it is. This is a Z06 Threxx, not a "run of the mill" Vette. Variable Valve Timing would have been cool, but I'm not let down by it. The numbers are there.

Does Porsche have DoD on their Carrera GT? What about Ferrari and the Enzo? Well? Why shouldn't they have DoD? Does the SLR have DoD? DB9? F430? Hell I'll even throw in the NSX.

If GM didn't iron out all the kinks with VVT on the "Hot New FAST" Z06 it'd would most likely be a "recall field day" for the media. Especially with GMs #1 Selling brand, top of the line sports car.

I'll be happy with them working with VVT behind the scenes until they have a quality product to put on the market.
Whats wrong with making something alreaddy great, even better? I think THATS assinine. Just because other cars aren't doing it doesn't mean another car in particular shouldn't. Something like DoD would make the Corvette even more of a spectacle.

Unbelievable. Great bang for the buck for a near supercar.

Unbelievable. Great bang for the buck for a near supercar.

NEAR? Other than having a supercar price, the Z06 is every bit the supercar IMO.

I think you meant to say "other than NOT having a supercar price..." :)

Track conditions in Michigan are going to be pretty well ideal here in the next few weeks if the April/May winds die down. Call up a track, get that Heinricy cat on the line or buy Smith or Darth Cosby a plane ticket and light off the afterburners.


Norwalk opens soon.

Norwalk was supposed to open 16 April - according to their schedule.

May 7th I believe is the most recent date I got in my email. The weather was beautiful early in April, but for about the past two weeks its been rain and snow every day up north :(

The fire has to build for two more weeks
Norwalk's Season Opener has been rescheduled for May 7th. But don't consider for one moment that the show has been squelched- just rescheduled. Norwalk will return the entire line up of explosions, speed demons and thrills- enough to fill a stadium with mind-boggling excitement.

Im not sure if that means just that even was rescheuled or what though..

Pushrod engines are cool. The Vette is an all American, stomp your techno-japo stuff into the ground, and match your Italian exotic at half the price, kind of car.
A-Friggin'-Men to that. :bow: The new Z06 is serious competition for all who dare. :bow: I also think a camless engine would be pretty cool and high tech., but I knew when I first heard of it, that it was far from production. GM more than any other company MUST absolutely test the hell out of stuff before they sell it to the public, or risk being crusified in the press. I do still think it is in the future for the GM.