This post is on our experience with Vettes and drag racing.

Neither one of us (Matt or I) came from the C6 Z06 world but in the past I have owned a C5 Hardtop (stock w/ exhaust) and an 8sec LS1 powered Camaro (4th or 5h LS based motor in the 8s). Matt (Swole Powell) had a C5 Hardtop as well with an LS2 based 427ci motor and a 300 shot. The LS motor is a very good motor no matter what way you look at it. The problem with the Vette's is the drivetrain, as Matt (and me... (ONE TIME!)) has more experience in destroying Vette drivetrain than anyone in this thread. On his car we went through multiple clutch setups (Mcleoud (sp?) dual disk with a special lining ended up being the good one), multiple rearends, transmissions, etc... The car never had a problem even on the stock motor, as we were using a "hidden" dry kit with a drilled out pill and big solenoid (+225rwhp on n2o). That motor was taking out running fine even with god knows how many bottles through it. During that period we crapped out multiple Spec clutches, a Ram and a few others. He snapped his first output shaft when it just had a cam. Granted Matt was not the easiest on the car (6k dump launches on ET-Streets). After the 427 was installed Matt had both output shafts and input shafts upgraded. The car went a 10.55 @ 128 (got out early), followed up by next weekends pass of a 10.6 @ 132. The next pass he launched and it wheel hopped once and the car just free rev'ed. We removed the carriage the next day and sure enough the rearend and part of the transmission were sitting in it (didn't even have to unbolt anything). We couldn't do anything but laugh because I mean it was BAD. It turned the "unbreakable" billet input shaft into a prison shank. We added the stabilizer bracket to the rearend. He never made any more hard launches because we were using the 300 shot at that point. Matt was afraid to leave hard on the N2O (best 60ft was a 1.50 on n2o and 1.55 on motor). The 1.50 60ft was going to be a clean pass until about 100ft out he followed an outlaw 10.5's rubber that went out of the groove so Matt got out and had to abort the pass. By the end of our play time with the Corvette we debated on going with a fully built ZR1 Transmission/Rearend (which means new cradle) because they were suppose to be capable of 1.30 or better 60fts. The plan was also to go with a big single turbo (91.5mm or so), but the car was bought and Matt got behind the wheel of a 997TT.

Now I have driven a few C6 Z06s over the last few years... Hell I drove one of the first C6's here in Houston that my buddy picked up (3hr trip to San Antonio to the original Pro Turbo Kits location). They are a lot more refined than the previous model (C5). The interior noise was so much better, I hated the road noise from the Hardtops. The only thing I am not used to after having the Porsche so long is the LS based cars have LONG gears... I drove my buddies C6 Z06 to get tuned about 2 months ago and I was driving normal and then floored it and it clicked instantly that 2nd gear at 30mph wasn't a good idea LOL. Should have been in 1st! I don't road race or even try to act like I did, so I cannot tell you from a track perspective how good it actually is going to be for that.

Regardless in the end a setup that makes 700rwhp is going to be easier to maintain on the 996TT. Build cost will be around the same (if you use "good" parts in the 996), but the maint. will be a lot cheaper on the 996TT and you won't have a loud blower and rocking car from the cam. Don't get me wrong I love the sound of a big cam in an LS motor (used to have a 262/266 .700/.715 on a 113 LSA (Solid Roller) in my old Camaro, omg sounded so sexy!). But if you want something that is easy to drive I would take the 996TT any day.

But if you could budget it in a year or two I'd go with a 997TT. The interior and ease of upgrades blows the 996TT out of the water. Matt went an 129mph with a EPL Tune and Exhaust. The car is silent on the interior even with a GMG Titanium Exhaust.

With the development of a DI Gen V motor though you will see some major changes in the LS industry. The PCM is going to be getting upgraded to a "more advanced" unit, probably Siemens based. You will see a lot of tuners disappear from the new motor industry. I don't know any tuner in Houston that has the knowledge to write their own software to do the tuning or want to spend $30k+ for a Byteshooter and all that cool hardware to get the PCM information flashed, etc...

Sorry about the long post, but nothing to do at work at the moment.

 

I'm not talking about rumors, I'm talking about racing.


FACT: GT2 racing requires the engine in the car be based on the street going version of the same motor. The Corvette Racing engine has been based on the LS9 or LS3 and it doesn't matter which one because they are related already. The LS9 is just a better built LS3 with lower compression for boost, so the Racing motor could still be based on the LS9.

That simple fact alone says what Corvette Racing has been running is based on one of the two motors.

Google homologation and read the ALMS GT2 rules, and then study the difference between NA and FI engines (they aren't all that different) and then come back when you know what you are talking about.

 

The part I find interesting is the lack of discussion of cost. The thread starts with how a modded 996 could take a stock Z06. That's a modded $150K car taking a stock $80K car. Well I would sure hope so.

Let's face it. The cars are completely different and, frankly, target a different audience. Some of us cross the barrier (in my case C5, C6, 996 and I'll add back a C6 someday). I love both cars for different reasons.

Could we all just agree both are amazing cars, especially for the money?

 

The comparison is relevant. You can purchase a nice 996TT car at this point for less than a late model Z06. Corvettes depreciate worse than any car on the planet.. Ask me how I know.. I think they are both bargains and do a lot of things well. I actually miss my old Z06, they are amazing cars.

 

 

+1 amazing both cars

 

Not trying to pick a fight, but the facts are... 2002 Z06 MSRP - $51,000. Market value for a nice one with 30k miles is $20,000. 2002 996 Turbo MSRP $125,000. Market value for a nice one with 30k miles $48,000? Percentage wise not much different.

I do agree that both are amazing cars!

Kirk

 

No you are 100% right. I think it just hurt extra bad because I was the person that bought a 2002 Z06 for $50K new. Painful! By the way, one just passed me on the road, I love those damn things.

Let's just end the thread with the fact that both are amazing cars with different abilities.