I assume many of you have seen the hoopla surrounding the new Z06. If not you can see why here:


thing has some crazy cornering speeds for a bone stock car. I know Road Atlanta quite well considering it's my home track, and those laps are well faster than any I've seen from a bone stock car.

This time got me thinking though to some times I ran a few years back. Attached is a picture of my car in 2007 at Road Atlanta. Car at the time was 3620 lbs with driver (didn't even have a roll bar yet), was 525 whp (K24's, tune, exhaust) on a dynojet, and running on stock size (225/295) MPSC 1. Also had JIC coilovers and H&R rear sway. That's it other than the replica GT2 add on wing to factory hydraulics.

I started DE in 2005 so at the time I had about 2 years of DE under my belt and in my car ran a 1:32.6. Photo also attached. Video wasn't as popular or easy to do back then.

Considering the Z06 dyno's at 560-585 whp, weighs about the same, has high DF, MPSC 2 on wider wheels (10 and 12) on wider tires (285/335), factory pro driver, PDK shifting transmission and magnetic suspension. Not to mention wheelbase and track width advantage. I'd say our old 90's technology with a few updates handle themselves pretty well.

I think I'm a better driver now, still not factory driver level, but would love to have a TT setup like my old car and have another go, maybe with some MPSC 2's on there. I'm certain I could close that gap down. MPSC2's are said to be worth a second, I'd bet more for similar width tires.

I know you can mod anything to be fast, but we are not talking a lot of stuff here. Just power updates, half decent shocks (which can be bought for $600) and one sway bar.

I remember the day when people thought it took 20-30k to run with a 996 GT3. I know for a fact non of the 997 GT3's (even up to the 4.0) with good DE drivers have run 1:32's on anything other than hoosiers, and with more mods than my car had.

I'm still amazed at the ability of the 996 TT platform.

 

That's moving pretty good heavy! WC pole time back in 2007 looks like about 1:26.xx so you where hauling the mail for a street car!

 

I couldn't buy a clean lap that day. Notice I had to move the S/F just to get a flying lap. I think I would have gone faster that same day.

WC back then was on R888's though, so different league.

 

What was your top speed at the end of the straight?

 

For that lap it was 157, but I was still learning and working on being smoother in the braking zone. So I lifted early and applied the brakes smoother and softer. Hence I know I could drive the same setup faster.

Same car, same setup did 165-167 mph regularly. Couldnt stop in time to make apex at 169-170.

 

Wow, great speed in the TT.
I am on the Z06 forum and there is a lot going on right now with the Z06 apparent lack of performance for a 650hp car. The many dyno runs of 585rwhp mean that this car should be faster than it is. In fact, it shows the car probably makes a lot more than 650hp as the ZR1 dyno around 535rwhp. The fact that the Z06 in the hand of pro drivers can't get much more than 150, in cool fall weather, just adds some more questions.

In fact, the 1/4 trap and an "infamous" street pull against a Viper TA seem to indicate that the car pulls lot of timing limiting performances. GM execs say that the ECU pulls timing to make sure EPA regulations and engine longevity targets are respected.

That being said, the new C7Z06 is about as quick as my C63AMG from 100mph and up, where my 996TT (x50/tune/exhaust) would completely leave my C63 in the dust from 100mph and up.

I think the 996TT with a few bolt ons, tires and suspension would be right there with the fastest current sports car. The 996TT is probably the most underated performance car there is.

 

That was exactly my point in this thread. If a guy with 6 or 7 events to his name can come within 3 seconds of a factory Corvette shoe in the new Z06 with as much weight, less power, lesser much smaller tires, and a few standard bolt ons, the car has lots of potential for being outdated.

I'm debating on getting another 996 TT set up just like that to terrorize the new hardware.

I think all I would need is a x50 or turbo s with a tune exhaust, jic (or maybe just springs), h&r rear and mpsc 2 and I could run 1:30 without a doubt.

Aside from that, the programming on the Z seems to be very conservative to preserve the warranty. I just wonder if we will see a bunch of limp mode reports come summer.

 

Pretty impressive for an old car!!

 

Sweet heavy!

 

Hi Dez,
I just bought a '02 X50 car. I agree completely. The 996turbo is the best bang for buck going right now. Like you said, some suspension mods and a flash and I think my car would hurt some feelings.