99-01 911 Carrera on the track or 01-03 Z06

[eastcoastbumps]

The Z06 will be faster by a second or two at LRP. Tires and brake pads will be about the same price. Major components and aftermarket performance parts will be significantly less expensive for the Z06 if you decide to move to ST or if you have some sort of major failure.

But ones a Porsche and the other is a Chevy.

[tmak26b]

But can a stock 911 with just race tires and pads hit 1:01? I can hit 1:02 in my car now, no point to downgrade.

[lou m]

It depends on how much snow is on the track at our November event

[Subw00er]

Hi. I own the '04 z06 and will share some toughts..

I think the vette is a faster more reliable car and a better buy overall. One thing that you should consider (that I think only one person may have mentioned) is upkeep on the two cars.

The z06 is failry inexpensive to run. You should expect to paya measly $25-$30 per rotor at NAPA (they are great rotors and last 3 events for me) and change oil after each event. I do tranny and diff fluid every 2-3 events or if I when I think needs it. If I see high tranny temps, I automatically change tranny oil (BTW, so far thats only happened at WGI and Tremblant). If you stay out of low gears the car is much happier I've learned.

As mentioned you may want to get a tranny cooler if you run hard, as you can get the high tranny temps warning if you are really pushing the car. I never bothered because I drive at 7/10ths and I dont think the extra 3/10ths is worth the risk, money or wear and tear on my car (and me!). I'm just out there to have fun so when I see temps go high, I just take it easy for a few laps.

Avoid the pre-2002 z06's as they had all sorts of issues; one kind of major one with the engine block leaking. After 2002 they are great. I've only had one recall for a driver's side diff seal, which was replaced for free. You should be able to get into a nicely maintained car for high $20k's.

You will also need to cycle out the clutch fluid regularly (from the resevoir) as its hard to fully flush - have to take off the header and some other bits to get to the nipple. Its easy to do this though - just get a big syringe and have-at the resevoir. If you dont keep that clean your fluid will go black and the clutch will eventually stay to the floor on high rev shifts - kind of scary when it happened to me once!

The active handling feature is great, especially when you are learning the car. I dont know if the Porsche has this. You can leave it all on initially then graduate to competition mode which will let you slide the car a bit and spin the tires (turns traction control off), but eventually you will want to turn it all off if you are driving hard. I generally run with COMP mode on just in case I hit oil or something. It has saved me once from certain catastrophy at 120mph at WGI. BTW, WGI was MADE for this car. I love that track.

For brakes, go with Carbotech XP series. You can also spend $15 and retrofit 2007 OEM z06 cooling ducts and they make a big difference on front rotor life. The rear ducts are designed well.

For tires, I've only run OEM supercars (whicih are great actually) and Hoosiers which I hear are the best (fastest) for the car, but the ra1's may last longer. I may try them next - I only got three events out of the hoosiers (Fronts are corner-corded, rears have one more event left, or maybe two if I want to slide all over. A set of tires will cost you $1300 mounted! A second set of OEM or replica rims (Which are lighter than oem) are easy to find on ebay for $3-400.

I'd say my only complaint is the seats which are not very supportive for track use. However, they are UBER comfortable for long rides and very non-fatiguing. For $1200 you can get a great seat from Caravaggio that still retains the electric seat features and is comfortable and supportive.

Thats about it. Its a great car. I drive it to the track with a little Harbor Freight tire trailer behind me and its never hiuccuped or complained! I can barely tell its back there. Its also my daily driver and I drive it more often than my other cars. Its just as nice on the street as the track; It truly is a dual-purpose car. I love it and I dont know of any other car on the planet that I'd rather have and could actually afford to track so often.

If you have more questions, let me know. Also check out z06vette.com - its the best z06-specific site, and there is corvettecentral.com which has a larger audience for non-Z06 specific stuff.

[chaos4NH]

Hmmmm, so, you like the car? Is that the feeling I get? And, such modesty! 7/10? And you consistently beat the 500hp 2007 ZO6!
Great writeup. Waiting (not holding my breath) for a 911/996 response.

[tmak26b]

I had a chance to drive a C6, now i am thinking maybe i should get a regular C6 rather than a C5 Z06. I think the 911s are pricing themselves out of my price range, so it's either stick with my current car or the Vette.

[Subw00er]

Hmmmm, so, you like the car? Is that the feeling I get? And, such modesty! 7/10? And you consistently beat the 500hp 2007 ZO6!
Great writeup. Waiting (not holding my breath) for a 911/996 response.

LOL, yes I luuuvs it! Sorry about the modest bit, but honestly, yes 7/10ths, its just for fun! That safety barrier allows me to be a bit sloppy or avoid something on track with less repercussions. Thats why I'm so concerned for ya when you come back with grass up the side of your car. Slow that grocery getter down man!

The only reason I "beat" the new z06 is because he is on oem tires and I'm R-compound (plus track experience doesnt hurt). Thats going to change from now on - he just bought new rims & race tread. Either way, the guy in the new red c6 (base model) is way faster than both of us! Darn those miata drivers squeezing every last 1/4HP out of their cars. They're unstoppable in cars that actually go. Hehehe.

Maybe Laurie can chime in on the 911? Does he read this forum?

[SSNH]

mx-5 qualifiying times at lrp - http://www.mx-5cup.com/event/results.php?ID=230

[mossaidis]

wow! And i thought Andy Bettencourt was fast with his ITA Miata and a 1:02.9 at LRP. Makes sense considering the increasing HP.

[tmak26b]

I wonder how a base C6 will do vs the C5 Z06 given the same tires

[chaos4NH]

I wonder how a base C6 will do vs the C5 Z06 given the same tires

Well, if you are driving the base C6, my money goes on you!

[tmak26b]

that's probably not a good bet. i drove a c6 briefly last weekend, it's a lot better than i expected. i hope the c5 z06 is somewhere close to that.

[Subw00er]

that's probably not a good bet. i drove a c6 briefly last weekend, it's a lot better than i expected. i hope the c5 z06 is somewhere close to that.

I havent driven the base c6 on the track (only the c6z06!), but I have driven it for a couple hours on the street. The c6 does feel VERY different on the street. I dont know which would be more competitve.

I think the idea behind the base c6 was to make it as good as the c5 z06, so they must be close. IMO the c5z06 is a much more raw and driver-oriented car and the reason I didnt "upgrade." The base c6 feels soft, and sedated to me although I know its almost as fast. If I recall correctly, I thinke c5 z06 is just a hair faster to 60.

I think it really would come down to driver skills between the two cars, as evendince by John's better times at Tremblant! Congrats John!

[tmak26b]

i would be too scared to take another expensive car to the track. arggg.

[tju-vette]

I think the idea behind the base c6 was to make it as good as the c5 z06, so they must be close. IMO the c5z06 is a much more raw and driver-oriented car and the reason I didnt "upgrade." The base c6 feels soft, and sedated to me although I know its almost as fast. If I recall correctly, I thinke c5 z06 is just a hair faster to 60.

You may have to add the Z51 package to a base C6 to equal the C5Z06, can't say for sure however. I only wish those were the kinds of decisions I had to make.