[CirrusSR22]

As great as the GT-R is, it still isn't a real track car. As we saw in the comparos last summer vs. the C7, the GT-R's computers started cutting the power because it can't take the heat of track driving. The Z/28 will go all day. Engine, brakes, trans and diff are all track/race appropriate.

[paradoxical3]

Originally Posted by ToothDoc

For years, GM was screwing up by putting crappy Goodyear F1s while everybody else was using PS2. Finally, GM figured out that magazine bench racing and #s sell car and now they're putting the STICKIEST tires on their Corvettes and now this car.

It's pretty obvious that the 305 width tires around all 4 corners is the secret here. Mechanical grip is what allows you to turn quicker and since turns are the slowest most time consuming part of the track, it makes the most difference. Stick those Trofeos on the GT3 and I guarantee that instead of 1/2 second, it would've been more like 1 1/2 or even 2 seconds of difference. You can't have two well sorted out cars with one weighing about 700 pounds more be that similar given that they have about the same HP (well, slight difference - but being offset by quicker shifts of the PDK) be only 1/2 second apart on a 2.4 mile track.

I'm not surprised by the results.

Bingo, everyone loves to ignore tires when looking at comparisons. Sad, considering it's probably the largest variable of all.

[CirrusSR22]

The real question is why doesn't Nissan or Porsche put better tires on their "track" cars then? Props to GM for making a true track car and not using it as a marketing term.

[paradoxical3]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

The real question is why doesn't Nissan or Porsche put better tires on their "track" cars then? Props to GM for making a true track car and not using it as a marketing term.

Why does the GT3 come with air conditioner standard and the Z/28 doesn't?

A lot of people DD GT3's. Nobody DD's a Z/28. The owner has the ability to put stickier tires on for a small expense - and those that track absolutely do. Magazine comparo's should keep this in mind and compensate accordingly, but none do.

[-Wingman-]

To answer the tire question, I think that there is a regulation limiting the type of tire you can put on cars coming from Europe. Not sure about the accuracy of that information though.

[-Wingman-]

Honestly, as much as I don't like P cars, I'd take the gt3 over a z28 in a heartbeat. It's the more refined, well-rounded car, and even if I was looking for a dedicated track car, I'd take the gt3 over the z28 despite the value the z28 offers. Actually, the value the z28, I think, is a questionable one. You have an exceptional motor in an overweight chassis, great brakes, good suspension, but a lack of basic creature comforts. I've driven an SS before and the visibility from inside is HORRIBLE. That's obviously something not addressable with revisions. For 75k, I'd buy another GM car which would be the Z06., and if I really wanted a Camaro, I'd just get the ZL1. But with the older z06, you can buy them for around 40k and you start with the same motor in a lighter chassis.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires aren't exactly chump change. I wouldn't be too surprised if the delta between the two tires is actually smaller than some think. Would be interesting to put a set on the Z28 and see what it can do.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires aren't exactly chump change.

Exactly my thoughts.

I was thinking, did I miss something? Surely the Porsche wasn't running Bridgestone RFTs circa-2007?

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

The GT3 was 0.53-second(s) quicker than the Z/28.

The lighter weight helped the GT3 in the straights (of all places).

I think I'm more impressed that a heavier car can achieve those type of results. And my point was that technology today is coming close to cheating physics.

You just wouldn't believe me if I told you a 3,851-lb car gave a GT3 all it wanted around a circuit.

So does the turbo, and it's 3600 lbs

Again, the z28 has a lot of cool tech like the magnetic dampers and also has a lot of race tech like a ton of camber (Ill suited for the street) and huge racing tires.

Take that tech, put it in the vette or a lighter car and it would smoke the z28. Or drop weihjt from the z28 and it would be much quicker.

[StealYourFace]

I love the z28 and I hate it.

I love it for what it is, it's a great PR move for Chevy. Driving a Camaro is not a great experience though for me with the door sills next to my shoulders and the narrow windows. You can't see out of them.

I'd take a C6 Z06 for that kind of dough- there's a few brand new ones deeply discounted. Same great motor, 600-700 pounds lighter ect ect.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

So does the turbo, and it's 3600 lbs

Again, the z28 has a lot of cool tech like the magnetic dampers and also has a lot of race tech like a ton of camber (Ill suited for the street) and huge racing tires.

Take that tech, put it in the vette or a lighter car and it would smoke the z28. Or drop weihjt from the z28 and it would be much quicker.

The Z/28 does not have the magnetic ride control suspension.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by pgviper

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2014...NEWS/140329817

"The Porsche is quick down the straights, but the Z/28 sticks better in the corners and feels more like a race car."

Half the price, only .5 second slower. Chevy FTW

LOL...

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by quagmire

The Z/28 does not have the magnetic ride control suspension.

Correct, it has Spool Valve shocks which iirc is the first time ever seen on a street car.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by quagmire

The Z/28 does not have the magnetic ride control suspension.

Thanks for the correction. I was off about exactly which next gen shock tech was in this car.

Point remains the same, great tech, just a curious platform to build a street legal track car from. Vette makes infinitely more sense as a base platform.

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

Thanks for the correction. I was off about exactly which next gen shock tech was in this car.

Point remains the same, great tech, just a curious platform to build a street legal track car from. Vette makes infinitely more sense as a base platform.

Hence the Z06 coming out next year.

The Z06 will have the same tires as the Porsche. It's going to be interesting with over 100hp more and less weight in the Z06. Most experts are saying the Z06 will weigh around 3500lbs due to the added weigh of the standard Stingray as the base chassis. Still, it's going to pulverize the GT3 on the track.6

[Soorena]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Exactly my thoughts.

I was thinking, did I miss something? Surely the Porsche wasn't running Bridgestone RFTs circa-2007?

Compared to the Trofeo R's, Sport Cups do look more like the tires you mentioned. Trofeo Rs are race tires. And even though they are supposed to last longer than the regular Trofeo, you will be lucky if they stay with for few track days.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

Point remains the same, great tech, just a curious platform to build a street legal track car from. Vette makes infinitely more sense as a base platform.

This is basically a limited edition, end-of-production "fun project" for GM and the current Camaro chassis. The C7 Z06 is the real track car. That'll probably be a sub 7:10 Nurburgring car.

As much as I've never cared for muscle cars in general, I am looking forward to the next generation Camaro. It'll have the "Alpha" chassis from the ATS and new CTS which is spectacular - and light. Be pretty cool to have this engine (or a better one) and brakes in a much better chassis. All while being hundreds of pounds lighter.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by Soorena

Compared to the Trofeo R's, Sport Cups do look more like the tires you mentioned. Trofeo Rs are race tires. And even though they are supposed to last longer than the regular Trofeo, you will be lucky if they stay with for few track days.

Isn't the Trofeo 'R' a DOT R rated road tyre just like the Michelin PS Cups, with comparable longevity, grip, etc?
Bish

[Ezio]

still would rather have a GT3 sitting in my garage.

the days of the top brands being fastest around a track are clearly over. it comes down to style ( engine wise, look wise, brand wise)

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by thebishman

Isn't the Trofeo 'R' a DOT R rated road tyre just like the Michelin PS Cups, with comparable longevity, grip, etc?
Bish

Yes, the new Michelin Pilot Spor Cup 2 tire is a track/street tire. Many guys on the Porsche forum use them as a track tire.

The MPSC 2 is a factory tire also for the 458 Speciale, 918 Spyder.

[paradoxical3]

You will probably get killed driving the Trofeo R on the street in the rain. Supposedly they are near-Hoosier fast around the track, faster than the MPSC for sure.

[DieGrüneHölle]

^
I have seen some people on diffferent forums DD the Trofeo R. Someone in the 1M section was running them. He said he had no problems in wet conditions. Pirelli does recommend to avoid very wet conditions.