Top 10 Favorite New Features of the 2023 Corvette Z06 (So Far)...
Top 10 Favorite New Features of the 2023 Corvette Z06 (So Far) https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2021/10/26/our-10-favorite-new-features-of-the-2023-corvette-z06-so-far/ >>> Are there going to be any Z06 only colors? was this mentioned? .
It definitely sounds good! I just hope you can hear it well enough inside the car. So many modern cars are so well insulated that there's a huge difference between what the car sounds like on the inside versus the outside, or even just with the windows down. When I first saw the weight of 3434 for the Z07 with the carbon wheels I was really impressed, but the fact that it's a dry weight makes a lot more sense. Figure about 200 lbs for fluids and add back the 40 lbs from the carbon wheels and the base Z06 will probably land near 3700 lbs curb weight. Still, 670 hp from a naturally aspirated engine is great!
Not if you use it on the track. You'll kill rotors and pads in 15 track days, like I said. Look at the GT3 guys with carbon rotors and pads, they take them off for the same reason. Street only use, sure they will last the life of the car, but not on the track.
I was happy that the Z06 did not come with standard CC Brakes. I'm not going to track it. Steel is OK with me. I am told from others you can still order it with a front lift kit. That means you can't lower the car but I don't care. I need to get in and out of driveways. The interior hasn't changed one bit. I wished the paddle shifters were in CF and closer to the back of the steering wheel. To me, its the same but maybe mechanism is improved for better feel. The CF steering wheel comes with the 3LT trim, which also includes more CF on the interior. My guess is that interior option might be close to 10 grand now. Also I like that you can get a complete RED interior. I really liked the new wheels. The rear tires are just plain huge so I imagine they cost a fortune. I've lost 2 rear tires already in just 4500 miles. I'm also glad the Z06 didn't come with all the add on do -dad aero stuff. It actually looks cleaner than the Stingray. I have to say... well done Chevy. If Ferrari made this everyone on Fchat would be over the moon.
Cars z06 now makes obsolete to me - Nsx s type Mc20 Gt3, 3rs, 4rs Any McLaren F8, 496 Sto, performante Just wow
The paddle shifters do come in carbon, they have a pic of them in carbon on the gallery page. I'm guessing it's part of the Carbon Level 2 interior spec. Agree a 3LT and Carbon Level 2 pack is gonna be in the $10k neighborhood. But hey, it's better value than a painted on Stripe. That full red interior really is supercar special. I wish I could do it, but I'm gonna have to put a race seat in which will be black and also full adreneline red interior is gonna clash with red mist exterior. That red on the silver or white or black car though, wow! As for brakes, like I said I wish you could spec steel (well iron) with the z07 b/c of my above comments regarding carbon brakes cost and lifetime use on a track is too expensive. If a light set of Raybestos ST43 (vs 45 or 47) can pull my eyeballs out of my head in a heavier GT350R with standard ($225 each rotors), there is zero need for any extra performance carbon might offer in braking ability. They literally will trigger ABS and outbrake my Cup 2 tires with 50% brake pressure, there is no need for more unless you are going slicks. The Cup 2 R might be able to take a little more braking g's, but I'm not sure my eyeballs can. The advantage of the carbon rotors is more weight savings and lower dust. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I would have to agree with you. Its a pity the car isn't a bit prettier (I think its as good as Macs) but its just amazing mechanically. That's a hand assembled engine in the rear (well, as hand assembled as GM can do anyway). Titanium exhaust valves and rods. Never needs valve adjustments. Chain drive overhead twin cam. Give me a break. I think the 496 is beautiful but that turbo hybrid scares the hell out of me, along with the price. If they are in the shop all the time look for resale values to drop fast. People will want to get out to keep as much warranty on the car for the next guy as possible. The MC20 is 50 HP less, less usable everyday, has far less tech stuff, won't come as a convertible in its first year -- and over twice as expensive. Not to mention getting dealers to work on them. The Z06 is faster 0-60 by maybe 3/4 sec. I think the MC20 is really pretty and far more exotic but the Z06 really blows it away. The Americans have raised the bar. And they are going to make them at prices in mass production that no one else would even try.
Anyone know what the longest Chevy extended warranty you can do on a vette is? I know with Ford you can shop different dealers online and some (Flood Ford, Anderson Ford) offer extended warranties at like 50% off what most dealers ask. For my GT350R I got a 8yr/36k Ford warranty for like $2600 with a $50 deductible (which is the easiest no brainer for a full duty track car you could ask for) and also a 5yr carbon wheel and tire warranty for $1100 (which has covered a $6.5k carbon wheel that cracked and about 4 Cup 2s, but I will say not without getting an attorney involved and some fighting about the tire tread exclusion boilerplate clause and they stopped offering it after 2017). Anyway, I want as long as extended Chevy (not third party) warranty as they will sell me and would be great for a carbon wheel warranty too if the price is reasonable.
c8 looks better in pictures than live imo but i think might be reverse with z06. all the subtle changes could add up to a substantial improvement in looks when in person. will never be a 458 but it could approach f8 in design quality. lotus emira is another car i feel sorry for. its beautiful with similar pricing but no where near performance. i place high priority on style but z06 might be such an emotional experience i can overlook its less than michaelanglo design.
The Z06 is better looking than the Stingray. The front spoiler is cleaner, the hips almost 4 inches wider, the side profile more aggressive with bigger intakes, and the rear wing 100 times better integrated.
Im struggling to figure out what the z07 really offers over the z06. According to Mt the regular z06 can be ordered with the z07 aero ie 735 lbs downforce. Seems like the z07 has the carbon brakes and 8% stiffer springs?
Larger rear wing, carbon splitter and rear diffuser, carbon ceramic brakes, and optional carbon fiber wheels that are 40lbs lighter than stock. (If I remember correctly)
And you have to get the carbon brakes on the z07. Mt indicated you could get the high downforce on the z06. Well see soon enough when all the tests come out. Only downside I see is 3700lbs wet, ie 500 more than a Gt3. No biggie on road, but could be an issue on track. We'll see. Finally we have the 100k ferrari beater.
I’ll be doing carbon wheels and brakes, if I get into tracking the car I’ll buy a separate pair of wheels for it. I’m thinking I’ll basically tick every single option but I don’t think I want the big wings of the Z07 pack. Car looks more clean without to me. Need to see more pics.
Suspension is also re-calibrated with the ZO7 package, much different spring rates (rebound/dampening...etc.) due to the dramatically increased downforce. If you spec the carbon wheels the steering is also re-calibrated to compensate for the dramatic decrease in un-sprung weight.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-chevrolet-corvette-z06-lt6-v8-flat-plane-crankshaft-tech/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%20Manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1C4652dJKvGiAZpDOlvh--pU9NDxDg6B7mj_i8X2mYkCnIse-30p9Kq6s From Motor Trend Flat-Plane Crank DOHC LT6 to Power the 2023 Corvette Z06! Details and Specs It revs to 8,600 rpm, churns out 670 hp, and will power the new Corvette C8 Z06 supercar! Who will be the first to swap one into a classic hot rod? Steven RuppWriter Oct 26, 2021 The LT6 engine that will power the new 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 is as game changing as the LS1 was when it was introduced in 1997. Bold statement? Yep, but once you delve into the guts of the LT6, and look at its specifications, that opening claim may end up being somewhat of an understatement. "The new Corvette Z06 defines the American supercar," said General Motors President Mark Reuss. "It builds on the distinctive design and groundbreaking dynamics introduced with the mid-engine Corvette and elevates them to deliver refined but uncompromising track capability with world-class performance." The Z06 is set apart by its beating heart: The all-new 5.5L DOHC LT6, the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car—ever. As hot rodders, we're thinking in terms of salvaged swaps and crate engines, so let's take a deeper dive into this very cool bleeding-edge V-8. Image Unavailable, Please Login The 2023 Z06 is a supercar for those without supercar-sized wallets. Yeah, at around a $85k for the base model, it isn't cheap, but considering that it's on par with Lambos, Ferraris, and the like, it certainly falls on the more affordable side of the ledger. There are tons of stories out there about what an amazing hunk of engineering the C8 Z06 is, but we're here to talk about what motivates it down the highway and around your favorite road course: the revolutionary LT6 engine. As you all know, the C8's mill resides behind the driver, a huge change for Corvette, but one that provides a ton of performance and handling benefits. Chevrolet decided to pull out all the stops on the Z06's engine. What's so cool about the LT6? Well, tops of that list would be the LT6's flat-plane crank (as opposed to the LS and previous LT's cross-plane crank). While the crank gets lots of attention there's far more to this LT6 than just a unique (for an American V-8) crank. Things like an all-new aluminum block that still has the small-block family's signature 4.4-inch bore spacing. Or the new dual-overhead cam layout with fully CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports. There's also the mechanical "finger follower" valvetrain and dual-coil valve springs with titanium intake and sodium filled exhaust valves. If that sounds familiar, then you most likely remember those valves from the LS7 engine. Well, they borrowed from the near perfection of that engine with forged pistons and titanium connecting rods as well. How Much Power Does The 2023 Z06'S LT6 Engine Put Out? Add this all up and you end up with the most powerful naturally aspirated factory engine ever stuffed into a Corvette: 670 hp at 8,400 rpm (with an 8,600-rpm redline) and 460 lb-ft of twist at 6,300 rpm should be enough to get anyone's attention. And, no, the 8,600-rpm part wasn't a typo, thanks to the super-lightweight rotating guts, short stroke, and oversquare cylinders. While this LS6 seems "all new" and fresh on the scene the truth is that a version of this engine has been powering the Corvette C8.R race cars since 2019. All that on track testing helped engineers refine the LT6's performance and durability. When we first heard the C8.R and figured out it was running a flat plane crank we speculated, over a year and a half ago, that due to the rules governing Chevrolet Racing that GM would have to field this engine in a production car and our bets were on the Z06. We were right, and you can read that prediction here. If you have a keen eye, and look around the engine bay of the Z06, you'll find little rocket ships cast or molded into various parts. Was this an inside joke about how the new 2023 Corvette Z06 will be a rocket? Well, that would be a good guess, but really it was the design team giving the LT6 engine family the nickname Gemini. This is due to its use of twin 87mm throttle bodies, twin cams, twin high-pressure fuel pumps, and other pairs of cool parts. Nice to see they are still having fun over at GM. How Does The 2023 Corvette Z06 LT6 Engine Active Intake Manifold Work? The new 11-liter active split intake manifold is another engineering wonder. Active? Yeah, you see due to the firing order of the new crank there were performance benefits from a physics deal called resonance supercharging. This volumetric efficiency is leveraged by a series of three valves that connect the two intake plenums. These open in different combinations to vary the effect the pressure waves within the plenum or between the two plenums. When one of the 32 valves closes it generates a pressure wave that travels back up the intake runner. If you time it "just right" that wave reflects back down while the intake valve is open. This returning wave rams a bit more air into the party, which makes a bit more power. If you want to learn more then Google "Helmholtz Resonance Effect," which is the same principal. How Unique Is The 2023 Z06'S Exhaust? A cool new engine necessitated a cool new exhaust. The hard part with a flat-plane crank is that is can sound like two angry four-cylinder engines next to each other; it's a problem that can't be solved with a simple X-pipe or other crossover tube. To get the sound right, a process that took two years, they started with the unique four-into-two-into-one stainless steel exhaust headers. Equal-length pipes feed into a unique and highly tuned system which winds through mufflers, stuffed in the corners of the car, and exits out the middle through parabolic reflectors which sends the LT6 engine music toward the Z06's cabin. Like other GM offerings the Z06 has an active exhaust which can be anything from crazy loud to stealthy quiet. The result a Ferrari-like scream, but with a somewhat deeper tone. The tuning wizards at Chevrolet set a delay for the direct fuel injectors to encourage a few extra burps and pops on overrun, but only while your foot is moving the throttle. After all, too much of good think is sometimes still too much. Fun fact: When the pandemic shut GM down all the work stopped, but the computers kept rehashing the exhaust system designs until they determined the center-exit solution. The sound was loved by all but redesigning the rear fascia to house the centrally mounted reverse-megaphone tips cost millions, to us it was worth every penny. How big of a departure from the "norm" or previous LS and LT engines? Well, aside from what we've already mentioned how about how the starter being mounted in the rear of the LT6's valley beneath the intake while the alternator lives in the same valley but to the front of the mill. The valley is pretty crowded since it also houses the twin high-pressure cam-driven (optimized for 9,000-rpm operation) fuel pumps. Another oddity compared to previous engines are the injectors which side mounted under the exhaust valves. This not only made room for the huge active intake, but it also mixes the fuel better. The LT6 engine is hand-assembled by master engine builders at the Performance Build Center within the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Builders use precision tooling and hand fit pieces of the engine to meet Chevrolet's exact specifications. Each engine features a plaque on the intake manifold with the signature of the technician who crafted it from start to finish. A visit to this plant is high on our list of things to do. Oil is life and to an engine designed for hard road course life a robust oiling system is of upmost importance. In this area, the LT6 engine learned a lot from it's C8.R race-bred cousin. Each piston pair is hermetically sealed off from the other pistons so that the air under the pistons simply back and forth with minimal losses from pumping. The six-bay oil pump, that runs the length of the LT6, scavenges each bay, along with the cylinder heads, and takes 14 hp to operate. The system uses 10 quarts of 5W50 and the rather large cooler is housed in the driver side rear intake. According to Chevrolet track day temps should stay around 250 to 265 degrees. What Is A Flat-Plane Crank? There are two crank designs available when picking one for your next V8 project: cross- and flat-plane. For the most part cross-plane cranks dominate, especially in American V-8 engines, while flat-plane cranks typically show up in high-end Euro exotics and full-on race cars. Cross-plane cranks give American muscle its distinctive rumble while flat-plane cranks have a tell tail high-rpm whine. But, there's more to these cranks than just their exhaust notes. Flat-plane cranks, in V-8 and V-12 engines, used to be fairly rare and only seen in uber-expensive super- and hypercars. They're the reason you can always tell a Ferrari is ready to crest the hill at a track day. Just like the name states a flat-plane crank has all its crank pins in a single, flat plane. This is much like an inline 4-cylinder crank, but with more space for more rods. Do Flat-Plane Cranks Have Vibration Issues? Flat-plane cranks, no matter what firing order they have, will always alternate from bank to bank. This yields optimum exhaust scavenging and thus doesn't require the more complex header primaries that have to cross over from one bank to the other. Due to their design they don't need huge counterweights, which is why they weigh less and rev up so quickly. The downside is that they suffer from secondary vibrations. Chevy solved the vibration issue with LT6 engine by minimizing piston speeds, by opting for a large 4.11-inch bore and short 3.15-inch stroke. The result is a 103-mph peak piston speed at redline (for example a the 5.2L in the Shelby Mustang has 114 mph piston speed). Vibration was also helped by the use of titanium piston rods from Austria-based Pankl Racing Systems. Even the aluminum harmonic balancer helps in the battle to solve flat-plane crank vibrations. There are still some vibrations, but nothing detrimental to the car, the LT6, or the Corvette Z06's mission to be baddest Corvette ever built. Z06 LT6 Engine Fast Facts And Features: All-new aluminum cylinder block casting with the small-block engine family's signature 4.4-inch (111.76 mm) bore spacing All-new dual-overhead-camshaft cylinder head design with fully CNC-machined Combustion chambers and intake ports, supporting a mechanical "finger follower" valvetrain Dual-coil valve springs to support titanium intake and sodium filled exhaust valves Forged aluminum pistons and forged titanium connecting rods for low mass and high strength All-new active split intake manifold with twin 87mm throttle bodies All-new six-stage 10-quart dry-sump oiling system with individual crank bay scavenging Four-into-two-into-one stainless steel exhaust headers 670 hp at 8,400 rpm (GM tested per SAE J1349) 460 lb-ft of torque at 6,300 rpm (GM tested per SAE J1349) 2023 Corvette C8 Z06 Features And Options: The standard Z06 features a front splitter and a unique rear spoiler, which includes an installable fixed wickerbill: A small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce, providing 365 pounds more at 186 mph The available carbon-fiber aero package adds a larger front splitter, front-corner canards (dive planes), a pedestal-mounted rear wing and underbody aero strakes for the maximum track-capable downforce and maneuverability Launch control: Available in Track mode for maximum off-the-line acceleration Active handling (StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control) Performance traction management standard Traction control: Weather mode tailors traction control and engine torque for driving in inclement conditions Performance Traction Management: Available in Track mode and offers five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention for track driving Electronic Limited Slip Differential: Adjusts the rate at which the limited slip engages to balance between steering response and stability in different driving conditions Z07 Performance Package Additional Features Include: Carbon-fiber aero package with larger front splitter, front-corner dive planes, a rear wing and underbody strakes that enhance downforce Unique FE7 suspension with specific Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 calibrations Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires developed specifically for the Z06 Available carbon-fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound reduction in unsprung mass Brembo carbon ceramic brake system featuring larger, 15.7-inch-diameter front rotors and 15.4-inch-diameter rear rotors Fun Fact: When equipped with the Z07 performance package in the track prepared configuration on a 300-foot diameter circle, the car is capable of 1.22 g of road-hugging grip. Flat Plane Crankshafts Properties Low primary vibrations Lower weight which means less inertia Faster and higher reving compared to cross-plane cranks Better exhaust scavenging compared to cross-plane crank engines Loss of "muscle car" exhaust note typical of American V8s Higher secondary vibrations compared to cross-plane cranks Typically found in exotic cars from Ferrari, Lotus, and now the 2023 Z06 Corvette Also used in the Mustang GT350 and new C8.R Corvette racecar Photos By Jason Lanham and Shawn Mangenje - Astro Creative and courtesy of General Motors
True. or its fortunate that Chevy has picked up the mantle. Maybe that will spur Ferrari back to its core but I doubt it, they will sell all the overpriced mens handbags they want with massive markups on options. The risk Gm took in going ME and up on quality has paid off for the chevy team. With the sucess of the regular C8 they finally have the budget/resources and platform to develop some excellent cars that go beyond the mere bang for the buck vette excuse. That there was the paid for caddy blackwing motor waiting in the wings to become the flat plane v8 is also icing on the cake. All an example of if youre going to do a job do it properly. I can say the same for the new Harley sportster S. the only downsides I see is weight, and that is unfortunate. When the zR1 comes out with its 800hp as a road car Ill bet many a z06 order will convert to that, cause its "faster" even the erey may be "faster" as a road car metric 0-60 and 1/4 mile. That could free up the z06 to become more focussed, we're at ver 1.0 and it already looks great. Its a pity that to get the better aero of the z07 you have to get the carbon brakes. Imo they still dont have the more optimal formula for those who track, nuless you can get the z07 downforce with a regular z06 which maybe one can.. But hey its ver 1.0. I can still see a version with Cf body panels and real lightweight seats plus lighter glass and a few other bits removed lossing 200lbs. At what this car weights, a z28 with this motor would more or less do the same job on track, but thats not going to get built. im glad I have my order in, other than a hurricane evo (for 150% more money) cant think of another car that so appeals, and the Hurricane is not really a track weapon either. The Chev apart from being "affordable" to buy is also going to be reasonable to maintain. Those other exotics have rarity going for them at this point, and maybe MC20 F8 and Hurricane have design, for a huge upcharge and excess maintainance cost. There is no doubt that the vette is an "exotic' and now wiht an exotic motor. The exotic has been democratized. I also like that the vette is "more common" its better not to be noticed/stick out all the time. Bottom line its great, and with further development will only get better. I can see 4 or 5 years from now as the aging boomers sell out a younger crew buying those barely used z06's and using the aftermarket to tuyrn them into real track weapons. It truly is the zenith of ICE were witnessing.
According to MT " 2023 Corvette C8 Z06 Features And Options: The standard Z06 features a front splitter and a unique rear spoiler, which includes an installable fixed wickerbill: A small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce, providing 365 pounds more at 186 mph The available carbon-fiber aero package adds a larger front splitter, front-corner canards (dive planes), a pedestal-mounted rear wing and underbody aero strakes for the maximum track-capable downforce and maneuverability" The implication is you can get the extra downforce on a standard z06, not sure they have that right. Or maybe its the same downforce as the z07 but looks different. CF wheels a nice idea but kinda pointless for track where one does multiple tire changes which are not kind to Cf. Plus the aftermarket will come up with nearly as light or lighter forged wheels for track use. I also like that the tires produce better lap times at lap 10 than lap 3, so many current R compounds are just 3 lap wonders for magazine tests not really the real thing. It tells me someone on the vette team was serious about building a real trackable car. Exciting stuff.
