C8 Z06 Second Impressions
#21
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1. From your other thread… who mounted your new tires?
2.Who aligned the car?
3. The OEM hoses are very good, SS really aren’t needed. Minimal change in pedal feel often from smaller orifice.
4. Is the burnish process something you can do on a back road?
5. The factory fluid is DOT4. It is high temp. It’s not race fluid, but it’s suitable for the average trackday. They recommend race fluid because lawyers.
2.Who aligned the car?
3. The OEM hoses are very good, SS really aren’t needed. Minimal change in pedal feel often from smaller orifice.
4. Is the burnish process something you can do on a back road?
5. The factory fluid is DOT4. It is high temp. It’s not race fluid, but it’s suitable for the average trackday. They recommend race fluid because lawyers.
2. I had my tech at the local GM dealer align the car when I took it in for the initial service. I could have had it done at elsewhere (Discount Tire would have been my next choice), but this is a new model and I worried about getting it right. As it turned out, even the tech at the GM dealer had to have someone set up their alignment machine for this car. Secondly, I am fundamentally lazy and figured I would get service and alignment done during one visit.
3. On my last two Corvettes, the brakes faded badly until I replaced the lines. I was good for 8 or 9 laps before I started losing feel. I guess I will keep the OEM hoses for the first few days on track just to see how they do, but if history is a guide I will be replacing them at some point. It might have to do with where I live. Ambient temperature on the West Coast can be pretty high in the summer. I saw 114 degrees at Button Willow one day.
4. The burnish process is something you can absolutely do on a back road, which is what I usually do. I think it would be pretty hard to do on track unless you have the track to yourself. This is my first car with carbon ceramic brakes so I did not know what to expect. They dissipate heat pretty fast, so getting them hot enough takes a little more time and patience.
5. I honestly have had no luck with factory brake fluid. I always switch to HP or RBF 600/660. As with the lines, it may have something to do with where I live or my lack of driving ability. After reference points, braking is what I work on most. All that said, all previous track experience is with C6 and C7 cars (aside from racing sport bikes). Also, I should emphasize I am really not a good driver. I am very hard on brakes and tires. I go through a LOT of pads and rotors, and have broken a rotor before (Thunder Hill, Turn 9), so it really could just be my lack of ability that is the problem. Most guys I see in the paddock struggle with heat build up in their brakes, so I don't think its all me (but likely mostly me!). Maybe the C8 Z06 comes track ready. Either way, I will soon find out and let you know what I learn.
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#22
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Thanks! As to how I got the car so soon, all I will say is I am a very, very lucky person, and was in the right place at the right time. Like everyone else lucky enough to place an order, I had to wait for the books to open.
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#25
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If you get a Ferrari it comes with about 50 to 70 miles on the clock. Part of it is -- getting the CCB's broken in. I found them "sketchy" until warmed up. The first couple of stops you need to apply more pressure than you would think or like to.
Excellent write up BTW. I got 1000 times more info than any stupid Youtuber.
Excellent write up BTW. I got 1000 times more info than any stupid Youtuber.
#26
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#27
1. I bought the tires and had them mounted at Discount Tires. I did not know this until I was in the shop, but Discount Tires acquired Tire Rack, so you can shop on Tire Rack and either buy there for shipping and mounting at a local Discount Tire store, or ship to your preferred tech. For what it's worth, the Discount Tire store near me is absolutely amazing. The shop is clean, the service is professional and courteous, they were fast (about 75 minutes) and did not scratch any wheels.
2. I had my tech at the local GM dealer align the car when I took it in for the initial service. I could have had it done at elsewhere (Discount Tire would have been my next choice), but this is a new model and I worried about getting it right. As it turned out, even the tech at the GM dealer had to have someone set up their alignment machine for this car. Secondly, I am fundamentally lazy and figured I would get service and alignment done during one visit.
3. On my last two Corvettes, the brakes faded badly until I replaced the lines. I was good for 8 or 9 laps before I started losing feel. I guess I will keep the OEM hoses for the first few days on track just to see how they do, but if history is a guide I will be replacing them at some point. It might have to do with where I live. Ambient temperature on the West Coast can be pretty high in the summer. I saw 114 degrees at Button Willow one day.
4. The burnish process is something you can absolutely do on a back road, which is what I usually do. I think it would be pretty hard to do on track unless you have the track to yourself. This is my first car with carbon ceramic brakes so I did not know what to expect. They dissipate heat pretty fast, so getting them hot enough takes a little more time and patience.
5. I honestly have had no luck with factory brake fluid. I always switch to HP or RBF 600/660. As with the lines, it may have something to do with where I live or my lack of driving ability. After reference points, braking is what I work on most. All that said, all previous track experience is with C6 and C7 cars (aside from racing sport bikes). Also, I should emphasize I am really not a good driver. I am very hard on brakes and tires. I go through a LOT of pads and rotors, and have broken a rotor before (Thunder Hill, Turn 9), so it really could just be my lack of ability that is the problem. Most guys I see in the paddock struggle with heat build up in their brakes, so I don't think its all me (but likely mostly me!). Maybe the C8 Z06 comes track ready. Either way, I will soon find out and let you know what I learn.
2. I had my tech at the local GM dealer align the car when I took it in for the initial service. I could have had it done at elsewhere (Discount Tire would have been my next choice), but this is a new model and I worried about getting it right. As it turned out, even the tech at the GM dealer had to have someone set up their alignment machine for this car. Secondly, I am fundamentally lazy and figured I would get service and alignment done during one visit.
3. On my last two Corvettes, the brakes faded badly until I replaced the lines. I was good for 8 or 9 laps before I started losing feel. I guess I will keep the OEM hoses for the first few days on track just to see how they do, but if history is a guide I will be replacing them at some point. It might have to do with where I live. Ambient temperature on the West Coast can be pretty high in the summer. I saw 114 degrees at Button Willow one day.
4. The burnish process is something you can absolutely do on a back road, which is what I usually do. I think it would be pretty hard to do on track unless you have the track to yourself. This is my first car with carbon ceramic brakes so I did not know what to expect. They dissipate heat pretty fast, so getting them hot enough takes a little more time and patience.
5. I honestly have had no luck with factory brake fluid. I always switch to HP or RBF 600/660. As with the lines, it may have something to do with where I live or my lack of driving ability. After reference points, braking is what I work on most. All that said, all previous track experience is with C6 and C7 cars (aside from racing sport bikes). Also, I should emphasize I am really not a good driver. I am very hard on brakes and tires. I go through a LOT of pads and rotors, and have broken a rotor before (Thunder Hill, Turn 9), so it really could just be my lack of ability that is the problem. Most guys I see in the paddock struggle with heat build up in their brakes, so I don't think its all me (but likely mostly me!). Maybe the C8 Z06 comes track ready. Either way, I will soon find out and let you know what I learn.
#28
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Thread Starter
As someone who tracks, I greatly enjoyed your write up and impressions of the car. I’d be a bit careful of dialing out all the understeer as well……you probably know the possibilities there with a mid engine. Mine are different on the 458, but I ended up with compromising between road and track alignment after it stepped out at Road Atlanta (you’ll also get more wear inside with the track setting).
Good move swapping out the Cups and saving them for a nice track day, I have two sets of rims for that purpose.
I also installed stainless steel lines to the calipers (Ferrari didn’t have them as stock either), and it’s better for fade but sets off the ABS under hard brake. And i run Castrol SRF exclusively. If you do a lot of tracking, you’ll appreciate it.
Beautiful car, enjoy to the fullest! Ain’t nothing like a mid engine car on track!
Good move swapping out the Cups and saving them for a nice track day, I have two sets of rims for that purpose.
I also installed stainless steel lines to the calipers (Ferrari didn’t have them as stock either), and it’s better for fade but sets off the ABS under hard brake. And i run Castrol SRF exclusively. If you do a lot of tracking, you’ll appreciate it.
Beautiful car, enjoy to the fullest! Ain’t nothing like a mid engine car on track!
As to understeer, I appreciate the advice. This is my first experience in a mid engine car, and I am taking it kind of slow, learning the car, what works and what doesn't. On past cars I have not driven enough on my street tires to show noticeable where from camber. As to the track tires, well they just do not last that long. As to Castrol SRF I will add that to my list. I have also tried Wilwood EXP and Brembo LCF on other cars but never really felt a difference. I'll try the Castrol though - thanks for the tip.
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wthensler (12-01-2022)
#29
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I also appreciated the write-up. And your car looks gorgeous in the pic. How is the ride and noise (wind, road, tire) when you're just cruising around in "mild" mode? What's your honest opinion of whether the car is worth the money and the cost increase over a C8 Stingray (or C7, in your case)? Does $150-160K+ for a coupe or convertible spec like yours feel appropriate? I can somewhat surmise your response based on your write-up. I figured it's a helpful thing to know since many of the folks on here are upgrading from a C7 or C7 Z06--I'd be upgrading from my C7 Z07.
Tire/road noise: At first, it was awful. Like, really, really loud. Even with the engine in mild setting, it was hard to hear music or phone calls. As noted earlier, I swapped the Cup tires for 4S ZPs and I don't know if that made a difference or I am just getting used to the car, but it seems much quieter now. It could also be the roads I was on. Honestly, I am not sure but my initial impression on tire/road noise was not positive. Coming home from the track last night (Spring Mountain) it seemed fine.
Engine Noise: I do not believe this car will pass sound at Laguna Seca, at least not in beast mode. I don't even want to try. I got black flagged in my C6 Z06 with stock exhaust. This car is significantly louder. I suppose, you could hit Z Mode going into 5 and short shift up the hill, then before 6 hit Z Mode again (the sound booth is between 5 & 6). But man is that painful. Everyone else is pulling you up the hill while you are cruising in 5th gear trying to not trip sound. On the plus side, if your passenger starts singing to your favorite song all you need to do is hit Z Mode and drop a couple of gears and trust me, you will not hear a thing. Problem solved!
Wind: I have he CHT, and I have to say the wind noise is much less than it was on my C7. I rarely drove the C7 with the top off because of wind noise. I drive this car with the top down pretty regularly. Big difference. I think in part because the rear window lowers and allows the wind to flow through as opposed to churning inside the car. Or not.
Cost: This is one of the hardest questions to answer because (I think) each of us has our own circumstances. For me, this is like a once in a life time thing (I have actually said that twice before, but this time I mean it!). I believe driving a car should be an experience, and we should engage and connect with our cars. Literally the only reason I did not get a C8 was I wanted a wide-body. That was it. If GM came out with a wide body in 2020, I would have gotten one. Its purely a cosmetic thing for me. When I got my C7 GM did not have have a wide body, and when I saw one a year later I was kind of sad. I will also say, I absolutely love push rod engines. I don't know why, but I just do. Maybe it's the low end torque, or the growl or both, but I have long loved those engines. Then again, I used to race 4 cylinder sport bikes (club level only) and I loved those engines. Back then my GSXRs really did not come alive until about 9,000 rpm and I just loved those high revving engines. So this car reminds me a bit of that. I guess when it comes down to it, do I like push rod engines or overhead cam engines? Yes. Do I like front engine or mid engine? Yes. Z51 or Z06? Yes.
For me (one of 8 billion people on this planet) it was not so much a cost based decision as one of what I want. I am getting along in years and I do not want to lie in my death bed regretting the things I did not do. So it is really hard for me to say if a Z06 is worth the extra cost over a Z51. I honestly don't have an answer. They are very, very different cars. But I will say, like every car I have ever owned, this car makes me smile and that is what it should do. I will also say if they made a wide body Z51 and I had garage space, I would probably own both.
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#30
Your car looks incredible. Question: is the paint quality really as good as it appears in these photos? That Red Mist looks so deep you could drown in it!
#31
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#32
Drifting
Beautiful car. Thanks for sharing your experience. Drive safe. It makes me nervous seeing snow in the background in a high performance car eventhough the snows is not on the road.
#33
Are you putting Expel over the ceramic?
I am curious about this as my ceramic shop recommended not to do this but I really would like to.
What are you being told?
Thanks
#34
Safety Car
The writeup was so good, I’ve been patient these 2+1/2 years til now I can’t wait. The way you’re sounding I hope it’s not too much car for me. The C8 I have is peppy. So I imagine with 670 hp I will need to hold on. I probably will keep it out of Z mode lol.
#36
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#38
Pro
I rented a C8 back in July of 2021 and drove up to Mt Charleston and proposed to my now fiance. Beautiful up in the mountains. I will be driving my C7Z M7 until my number gets called from Ciocca. Going to be a few years till that happens. Anyways, congrats on your amazing new C8Z! Great write up too!
#39
Melting Slicks
If you get a Ferrari it comes with about 50 to 70 miles on the clock. Part of it is -- getting the CCB's broken in. I found them "sketchy" until warmed up. The first couple of stops you need to apply more pressure than you would think or like to.
Excellent write up BTW. I got 1000 times more info than any stupid Youtuber.
Excellent write up BTW. I got 1000 times more info than any stupid Youtuber.
#40
Safety Car
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