Car and Driver C6 Z06 aritcle

[vetteboy86]

It seems that this new Z06 is very popular. Car and driver had nothing but good things to say about the car. I really enjoyed the article, it was well written. It was a little short. Anybody who wants to read about the car, this article would provide very good reading. Actually the magazine also covers the new SRT 10 and for a base price estimated at 86k, the Z06 is looking better and better.

Craig

 

[Edmond]

Is it the Car & Driver with the Mustang GT and GTO on the cover?

 

[vetteboy86]

It is the Feb. 05 issue. It has chrysler's corvette fighter on the cover,or the Firepower. It also has the new viper coupe and the Z06 on the cover.


Craig

 

[Edmond]

I just got it in the mail today. Some highlights:

500 bhp@6200 rpm.

475 lb-ft@4800 rpm with 385 available at 1600 rpm.

2.2 titanium intakes valves and 1.61 exhaust valves with sodium filled stems.

Valves positioned at 12 degrees from the cylinder bores. This angle provides better breathing and a more compact combustion chamber than the 15 degree LS2.

.591 valve lift.

1.8:1 rocker arm ratio.

11.0:1 compression ratio.

Forged steel crankshaft, forged steel main bearing caps, titanium connecting rods, and forged pistons.

Steel mufflers instead of titanium due to costs.

Hydroformed headers feeding into rear mounted mufflers via giant 3 inch diameter exhaust pipes.

At low revs, all the exhaust goes through a single well muffled tailpipe in each muffler. When you stomp on the throttle and exceed 3500 rpm, however, vacuum powered bypasses open up a second, virtually straight through tailpipe in each muffler.

14 inch front rotors. 13.4 inch rear rotors. Fronts have 6 pistons and 6 individual brake pads; rears have 4 pistons with 4 brake pads. The individual pad design reduces taper wear during severe track usage.

Aluminum frame that weighs 287 pounds. The Z06 will weigh 3130 according to the engineers.

Chevrolet won't talk about pricing for now but the new car will certainly be dearer than the old one, which started at $52,985. With so many upgrades, some observers expect a price of $75,000 to $80,000, but we think Chevrolet is too smart to repeat the ZR-1 overpricing mistake. Our prediction: between 60 and 65 large.

0-60: 3.8 seconds
0-100: 7.7 seconds
standing 1/4 mile: 11.7@127mph

16 mpg city
22 mpg highway

 

[taracatac]

Are the 0-60 and 1/4 times actual or estimated? Can you scan and post the article and pics?


Thanks

 

[vetteboy86]

I think they were estimated

 

[OLDGOAT]

We're finally back to 11.0:1 compression. The last car I had with that compression was an original 1969 Camaro Z-28. I finally sold it after getting so so tired of messing with octane boosters and timing. The engine rattled itself to pieces on the only available pump gas in my area which is supposedly 92 octane. ( I suspect lower. )

Of course, the new Z06 engine has computer controlled adaptive knock sensing and control....right? My problem with this is that I remember what pump gas causes in an engine with 11.0 compression. It's not pretty. Therefore, it's clear to me that these engines will be in almost continuous adjustment mode without special gas.

I am curious if the engine controls will be able to eliminate knock ( curious on the LS2 as well ) . What will happen to hp levels when the engine adjusts itself to run on junk gasoline? What gasoline will be used to arrive at the published hp and torque levels? In other words: 500hp on what? Pump gas? hmmmmmmmmm

 

[vetteboy86]

Not to mention if some of the drivers choose to put regular in their cars. I saw it all the time, C4's and C5's both. If they pull that with a Z06 they will be sorry.

 

[MoeJr]

OLDGOAT those hp and torque figures will be on premium pump gas. Todays electronic controls and fuel injection are what allow these cars to run that high of a C/R. Volvo even sells Turbo cars that run on Regular. Just 10 years ago that was impossible.

 

[WhalePirot]

We're finally back to 11.0:1 compression. I remember what pump gas causes in an engine with 11.0 compression.

OG, I am running the 'lousy' CA pump gas w/ 11:1 just fine. Running, real, real well is NOT a problem. If i am only geting 500 hp, I am disappointed. My experienced pal thinks this is a sub-1 second car (on 92 octane pump gas). I'd love to make that OG grin in this 'Old 84'.

BTW, I've read your threads, and it stops as well as it goes.

 

[Rob]

Road and Track also has an article on it.

I love the C6, but not since I first saw the ZR-1 come out, have I felt this much excitement for a new Corvette like I do for the Z06. I cannot wait to see one in the flesh. I'm not sure I'm too crazy about the rear brake ducts, but other than that, the three extra inches in front and rear with those fender flares, accentuates the already awesome lines of the base C6.

 

[Edmond]

Unfortunately, the rear brake ducts aren't as obvious as they are on the C5 Z06. But I'm sure they function well because the C6 Z06 has some serious braking power!

 

[74bigblock]

The Monkey says he temporarily has a little less room in his pants :naughty:

Bad Monkey Bad

 

[wx briefer]

The intent of the knock sensors on modern cars is not in the interest of protecting the engine if one simply forgets to put premium in the tank, it is MANDATED that all vehicles certified in the USA will be demonstrated to operate on 87 octane. Thus, manufacturers have to use knock sensors to pass certification. Of course, the operating manuals subsequently advise premium grade to realize the full potential of power (more ignition timing).


As far as octane, the LT4, in 1996, had 10.8 to 1 compression from GM. Don't sweat the octane requirements. It AIN'T an issue!

 

[vetteboy86]

Hopefully the first time I will see one in the flesh will be at this years cruise fest. What do you think Rob? I am getting excited as we speak.

 

[AUSSIEVETTEMAN]

Don't want to hijack your thread, but...

There was also an article in a Mag in Australia. Good write up!

www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61314


Cheers

Tony

 

[stuckatcuse]

We're finally back to 11.0:1 compression. The last car I had with that compression was an original 1969 Camaro Z-28. I finally sold it after getting so so tired of messing with octane boosters and timing. The engine rattled itself to pieces on the only available pump gas in my area which is supposedly 92 octane. ( I suspect lower. )

Of course, the new Z06 engine has computer controlled adaptive knock sensing and control....right? My problem with this is that I remember what pump gas causes in an engine with 11.0 compression. It's not pretty. Therefore, it's clear to me that these engines will be in almost continuous adjustment mode without special gas.

I am curious if the engine controls will be able to eliminate knock ( curious on the LS2 as well ) . What will happen to hp levels when the engine adjusts itself to run on junk gasoline? What gasoline will be used to arrive at the published hp and torque levels? In other words: 500hp on what? Pump gas? hmmmmmmmmm

There are plenty of ways to control detonation. The computer will either hold back timing or close the throttle if it detects detonation (a guess on the throttle, but drive-by-wire leads me to believe it would be an alternative).

You can't compare your 1969 iron engine to a 2006 computer-designed aluminum engine. Did your 1969 z-28 have an all aluminum engine, with completely flat-top pistons (i.e., not even valve reliefs), cnc-cut and polished combustion chambers, valve guides designed for unleaded gas, sodium-filled and titanium valves? Has anyone seen the waterjackets in the new heads? Check out the turbo buick sites if you want to learn about detonation control. They build engines with massive boost on pump gas, with no detonation.

GM builds these cars to live thru the warranty period. They wouldn't allow a car to leave the factory that will detonate. Your older car was clearly designed to run on high-octane leaded gasoline. This car was designed to run on pump gas. That's enough of a difference right there.

 

[OLDGOAT]

hey stuck,
You are right that the past engine technology was very low compared to today's. My old 302 needed 100 octane leaded minimum. It was just a dumb nonadaptive analog device. No smarter than a wind up wristwatch.

I know about all the things you mentioned. I also know that I have driven or been passenger in many different kinds of new/almost new cars. I know that most of them "won't ever have detonation" due to all the adaptive controls. I also know that I hear knock from many of them anyway.

I get groceries in a 2001 explorer V8. It's supposed to run on regular unleaded. 87 octane. It's also in perfect tune etc. It knocks like crazy on 89 octane. 92 octane usually stops it unless I get some bad gas ( common now a days it seems ). Yah, I know it's a ford. But it's a small V8 with a compression ratio much less than a base C6's lugging a lot more weight. It ain't supposed to knock but does.

I will believe that an the 11:1 zo6 engine will not knock when someone who has one tells us so. And.....retarding the timing and/or controlling the throttle? What does this do except reduce available power? If you stand on it in your new Z06 and the computer retards the timing and closes the throttle where does this leave you on power output? At 500 hp? Or something less.

Yes, I am skeptical.

 

[Terry Holtz]

What size wheels do the new zo6 run?

 

[Rob]

What size wheels do the new zo6 run?

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c6/2006/z06/2006z06press.html