I posted this a couple weeks ago on other forums, but recently joined this forum. Figured the write-up might be interesting to most of you, as well as the photos.

I was invited to a private track rental recently (thanks S.W.) and brought both of my cars. I also brought along the truck and trailer, just in case I busted either car. Luckily, both cars would survive this day of beating. Weather was nice, temps in the 60-62F range for the most part. Track conditions were fair, but my traction issues are mostly related to the radial tires on both cars. There were only 5 cars running, so I got more seat time than I've had in years. I probably made at least 10 passes in each vehicle.

Here is some info about the cars I brought:

2006 Viper SRT-10 coupe - 9,600 miles
Stock engine, stock exhaust manifolds with cats
Custom catback
Stock tuning with Split Second piggyback module
Paxton Supercharger with original pulley - 10 psi
Eibach lowering springs, OEM shocks
20" Nitto Invo street tires on the back
675 rwhp and 3,750 lbs raceweight

2009 Corvette Z06 - 1,150 miles
100% stock, as-delivered from the dealership.
19" stock Goodyear run-flat tires on the back
est 440 rwhp and 3,350 lbs raceweight

Both cars are completely different as far as the driving experience goes. The Viper is more brutal, and it has a stiffer clutch with a higher engagement point. Shifter in the Viper has slightly more travel, it takes a little more effort than the Z06. Steering at high speeds seem more stable in the Viper, as the steering feedback is stiffer. Shift points are only 6,000 in this car, which is the factory redline. You cross the finish line about midway through 4th gear, just before it starts to pull very hard. It could use a 3.55 gear for drag racing, instead of the factory 3.08 gearing. This Paxton needs rpm to see real boost, which doesn't really become evident until midway through 3rd gear. It really takes off and you can feel the acceleration jump around 4500 rpm thru 6000. With the 20-inch wheel combo I have on the car, traction is a huge challenge to maintain. I made a couple passes where the traction would disappear going into 3rd gear. Best results came from holding the rpm at ~2300 rpm off the line and slipping the clutch out and rolling into the throttle enough to avoid wheel hop. Once those wheels begin hopping, there is no recovery from it and you must abort the pass. If you manage to get the car off the line smoothly, a short-shift at 5,000 rpm into 2nd keeps the tires from wheel hopping in 2nd gear. No powershifts, or guaranteed wheelhop results. Basically, baby the car until mid-2nd gear and then just keep it straight while the tires haze a bit. Hold on for 3rd and 4th, you can powershift those two.

Best passes for the Viper:
1/4 mile 11.22 @ 135.2 mph (2.15 60')
1/8 mile 7.56 @ 105.1 mph (2.07 60')

The 2009 Z06 was a much easier car to drive, whether that was due to it having less power or maybe just better tires. The first few passes, I eased into the throttle coming off the line, in order to avoid dreaded wheel hop. The car never unloaded or had any wheel hop, so I get a little more aggressive coming off the line. The TR6060 transmission feels very precise, but it needs to be warmed up a bit before it shifts notch-free. I've found it useful to always do the 1-2-1 shift just before entering the staging beams, this gets rid of the 1-2 notchy feel during the run about to happen. Suspension on the Z06 feels softer than the Viper, you can definitely feel the weight transfer off the line, which makes it easier to gauge your throttle vs traction. I was able to shift the car at redline (7000 rpm) on the 1-2 without much fuss from the tires. Just a simple chirp and they gripped well. The 3rd and 4th gears were easy to powershift. These cars really feel impressive in 3rd-4th for a stock car, you can tell they are moving pretty good. They aren't geared very well at all for drag racing however, you can either tap the rev limiter in 3rd at the finish line, or shift into 4th as you enter the trap. I saw a little better mph staying in 3rd, but better ET going into 4th. These cars would rock with a 3.73 gear to utilize 4th.

Best passes for the Z06
1/4 mile = 11.55 @ 124.9 mph (2.07 60 ft)
1/8 mile = 7.60 @ 97.5 mph (1.94 60 ft)

Other cars that were running today included a new orange 2009 ACR Viper that had ported heads, cam, and exhaust, putting down 650 rwhp. It was also traction limited, those Michelin tires seemed to spin pretty badly. With a couple lifts due to traction, it eventually went 11.7 @ 129 mph. The black Toyota Supra belongs to S.W. and he was trying to get the car into the 7-second zone for the first time. The car has gone 8.04 @ 185 mph previously, so they removed some raceweight and installed an electric fan for today's track rental. Unfortunately, the car could never hook very well today, so no new records were achieved. That car looks very violent going down the track, it is still a 6-speed manual! Nice driving S.W., bet it is a monster to keep pointed in the right direction. The black Ford GT didn't make any passes, but I couldn't resist taking some photos of it.

Tony





















More pics...

 

 

that turbo on the Supra is HUGE

nice cars, I like the color of the Z

 

lol, the ACR still has the window sticker

 

Makes me proud to have a Z. American Muscle is still alive and getting stronger. That ACR is the baddest M F'r on the road hands down (for the money) -- nothing can touch it. I hope that I can someday.

 

Good write up. Love the cyber-Z (and who doesn't love Vipers and FGT's?)

SW's Supra is pure evil.

 

I just noticed that your orange and red side markers on the Z are smoked black. did you buy them like that or have the stock ones smoked/tinted?

 

gt 55-91

 

WOW That turbos big on the supra.

 

Some vendor on Corvetteforum sells plastic overlays for the side markers. They are held on by transparent double-sided tape. I'm not too pleased with the fit, they stick out a bit. Might just have the stockers painted to keep it smoother.

 

The shot of SW launching is bad as hell.

 

oh yes I see what you mean, it's hard to tell from the pictures. I'm debating whether I should leave the orange/red markers alone for the stock look, or paint them black (my Z is black).

 

Nine Ball- You don't happen to know Chris Novak from SA do you? If so he spoke to me about your viper before I bought one last week. If not no prob. Great read for me as I just pick up both a 06 Z and 04 Viper. Interesting to hear you say the viper feels better at higher speeds. Mine might need an allignment b/c I have not felt comfy taking it past 80mph. Both cars look great! Nice runs.

 

That name sounds familiar, do you know his screen name?

 

Stock Z06's are aweseome cars. Good to see someone actually tracking theirs.

I have to admit that ACR is bad ***. The Z set the bar but that thing is the best bang for the buck track car in the market and it looks amazing.

The all black FGT looks evil.

I have seen SW run in person. Violent just violent.

Thanks for the sharing - nice write up.