How to make a ZR1 9seconds faster at the ring and would it be acceptable to you?

[bigearl]

Another thread got me thinking about this question, but I wanted it's own thread so it didn't get confused with the superfluous stuff.

http://www.fastestlaps.com/track2.html

This was posted and the ACR and Porsche GT2 were roughly 4 and 8 seconds up on the ZR1 in the 'ring. The ZR1 seems to be competitive weight-wise and a little up on power from the other 2.

These cars are clearly the cream of the crop and very dynamically balanced to get to this level of performance. As I look at these cars, it appears what the Corvette may lack is the downforce and aerodynamic aids that the other 2 cars employ.

So I guess my first question is: do you think I'm right? Would a rear wing, splitters, and a flat underside with a rear diffuser pick up 9-10 seconds? Do you think bumping the ZR1 to 700hp would be enough on it's own? My personal opinion is the HP alone wouldn't be enough at this level, but I'd like to hear what you think.

My second question is: would it be worth it to you? The ZR1 is very clean looking because it doesn't have big wings and splitters. Would bragging rights on a track in another country make it worth it to you for Chevy to add these things? Even if very well done, it would still be a significant change to the overall look of the car.

[Milk 1027]

Aerodynamics? maybe.

I think the ZR1's problem is that it has all that power but it's unable to put it to the ground correctly. All the reviews I've read about it state that it is very wild and untamed around corners. Maybe the answer is better tires and better suspension work.

but then again, I haven't driven one so I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly what it needs

[bigearl]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

Aerodynamics? maybe.

I think the ZR1's problem is that it has all that power but it's unable to put it to the ground correctly. All the reviews I've read about it state that it is very wild and untamed around corners. Maybe the answer is better tires and better suspension work.

but then again, I haven't driven one so I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly what it needs

You've heard the same things I have . That's why I was thinking downforce. I think all 3 may be running Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires.

[DGthe3]

More rear downforce may help it, though it does get a larger rear spoiler than the Z06 has. I've heard that there is an unverified time of 7:22.X for the ZR1, just a hair slower than the Viper ACR (while Dodge claims their car is capable of sub-7:20 times). Anyway, the ZR1 clearly doesn't have a power problem, or a weight problem, or a cornering grip problem. It probably lies in not being about to power out of a relatively slow corner. More downforce will help a bit here, however, if the problem is at slower speeds the gains will be minimal unless you go with a very oversized wing. It would be nicer if they could improve the weight distribution of the car so that it had 100 lbs more 'natural' weight over the rear axle but thats pretty hard to change on a car without simply adding more weight.

[The_Blur]

The ZR1 is one of those cars that GM did right. It put the best engineering and research together and developed a product on par with the best of the world. The goal was never to be the best but to be among the best. While that sounds a lot like a cop out, let me remind you that Chevrolet has never released a car as fast as the latest ZR1 as a factory product. In effect, we can expect that any future ZR1 will consist of even better aerodynamics and performance in order to maintain its place among the best. With the quality of engineering coming out of GM and the upcoming C7 Corvettes, GM is likely to replace the ZR1 with a new generation of beast that includes more power and more refined cornering. I wouldn't be surprised to find a future C7 ZR1 finishing the same lap in under 7:20, but I cannot imagine GM spending the money to enhance the current model with a new body style around the corner. In the end, we should be elated that a Chevrolet bowtie is on one of the world's most terrifying competitors.

[HeHasReturned]

Hmmmm, I wonder what thread that was

Anyways, this is going to sound incredibly biased, but w/e. The reason the 911 in particular can beat the zr1 around the 'ring is because of grip and handling. Porsche knows how to make the best handling cars. They aren't that used to high power output, and I'm pretty sure that was the first time they hit 600hp in a production car. So, it was only to be expected that once they could match the zr1's power, they could easily beat it around the 'ring, which did happen. Now, what Chevrolet needs to is not to get any more hp, but work on grip and handling. Like some of the mods already suggested, that could include aerodynamic body work, suspension work, better tires, etc, but I don't think that Chevrolet is going to revise this generation of zr1. If they make a next generation of zr1, they will probably aim for those things, along with maybe a more innovative engine, and you can bet they will be shooting for 7:18.

It's ok to not be the best for a while. We Porsche fanatics had to deal with it for the last two years as we saw the zr1, the gtr, and then the viper beat all Porsche 'ring times. Let us have our fill now

[MikeSVX]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

Aerodynamics? maybe.

I think the ZR1's problem is that it has all that power but it's unable to put it to the ground correctly. All the reviews I've read about it state that it is very wild and untamed around corners. Maybe the answer is better tires and better suspension work.

but then again, I haven't driven one so I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly what it needs

I believe the Viper has larger tires and the Porche is an AWD. There is, also Suspension to be considered in this equation. The suspension setup can make a huge difference in track times.

Basically what I'm saying is yes and no. To improve you need to look at:

Down force: spoilers, Front lip, side skirts (improve down force)
Larger tires on larger/light rims: Increase traction and cornering
fully adjustable suspension: Improved handling.

Any of these will improve track times. All mean spending more money.

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by MikeSVX

I believe the Viper has larger tires and the Porche is an AWD. There is, also Suspension to be considered in this equation. The suspension setup can make a huge difference in track times.

Basically what I'm saying is yes and no. To improve you need to look at:

Down force: spoilers, Front lip, side skirts (improve down force)
Larger tires on larger/light rims: Increase traction and cornering
fully adjustable suspension: Improved handling.

Any of these will improve track times. All mean spending more money.

The Porshe is RWD.

i think all the corvette needs is a driver mod and it will reach your goal.

[LOWDOWN]

Originally Posted by lil_chef

The Porshe is RWD.

i think all the corvette needs is a driver mod and it will reach your goal.

RWD in GT2 form.

Heinracy was the wheelman. Maybe they could have sent Fellows?!

Maybe a "GT"-style package, with more splitter/more wing (more total downforce front AND rear, aero-correct), c/f undertray, smaller grille opening (high-speed cooling not an issue), forged 19s (under 20#/wheel), and Sport Cup non-runflats...with the "freeflow option" of Fellows behind the wheel?

[Captain Awesome]

I think some of this all depends on how many attempts a car makes. If you're based in the same country as the 'ring then you can much more afford to bring car after car and driver after driver and keep trying and trying and trying until you get the perfect lap.

If you haul your cars and drivers across half a planet and have to rent housing and garage space and everything else, you only get so many tries before you run out of time. Harder to tweak to perfection with limited time.

[Rogue Leader]

I wouldn't spend one penny on ANYTHING until I ran the car again with a set of race rubber on it. That time was set with street tires on it, which yes summer tires can be good but the difference between them and a set of Hoosiers or whatever your brand/type of choice is, is phenomenal.

Guaranteed right there you could gain half that difference back at a minimum.

.,... that said you can do the same to the Porsche and be faster as well...

[Milk 1027]

Then again. the Viper ACR and the Porsche are all out race cars. Did you see the GT2's seats? I bet they aren't really comfortable.

Maybe GM is going for a street car with supercar performace.
Maybe they hit their target and there is really no reaason to go after the rest. Seeing as the others are fully built for racing. The ZR1 could still lose some weight in the interior.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I'd have to save up for 10 years to afford a ZR1 as-is. And that car will NEVER....EVER see its potential under my piloting. Worth spending more for 9 seconds around a track I'll likely never visit in real life? Not at ALL!!

The ring is unofficial, as there is no authoritative body overseeing a manufacturers runs, and the lap times are no more important that "mine is bigger than yours" arguments.

[HeHasReturned]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

I wouldn't spend one penny on ANYTHING until I ran the car again with a set of race rubber on it. That time was set with street tires on it, which yes summer tires can be good but the difference between them and a set of Hoosiers or whatever your brand/type of choice is, is phenomenal.

Guaranteed right there you could gain half that difference back at a minimum.

.,... that said you can do the same to the Porsche and be faster as well...

Good of you to add that in at the end