Z06 vs Zr1

[LIRacer]

I am plannning to buy either, but I am really having trouble deciding. While the HP freak in me wants the most available in the ZR1, the inner race car driver (I race Mustangs in SCCA T-2) digs the balance and track manners of the Z06. What to do?

 

[JT ZR-Won]

If I were to choose, I would ask myself if I was going to keep either car stock. Stock for stock, I'd choose the ZR-1. I have heard that the LS7 in the Z06 is an incredibly responsive engine to a heads/cam/tune package. If I was going to modify, I'd choose the Z06. Have you considered the carbon edition Z06? You get some of the visual features (brakes, wheels, carbon fiber, etc) of the ZR-1 with the 427 in it.

Jay

 

[LIRacer]

I am considering the carbon edition or what ever it will be called in 2013. I am leaning in the direction of modifying a Z06. I modify everything. I'd leave it N/A though and do a tune, heads, headers, bigger throttle Body, etc.

 

[6 Shooter]

It's kind of like the beauty or the beast!

Give me the beast!

​

 

[Hib Halverson]

I am plannning to buy either, but I am really having trouble deciding. While the HP freak in me wants the most available in the ZR1, the inner race car driver (I race Mustangs in SCCA T-2) digs the balance and track manners of the Z06. What to do?

The Z06 w Z07 is an easier car to drive at the limit.

The ZR1 is a marginally quicker car on some kinds of courses. For example, during GM testing at the Nurburing in 2011, with both cars on PS Cup run-flats, the ZR1 was about 3-sec.@lap quicker than a Z06, but....the Nordschleife is a 14-mile course. Three seconds a lap when the lap time for cars of a ZR1's or Z06's performance is a little over seven minutes ain't much difference.

That's why I went with the Z06/Z07.

An added benefit...the mystique of the 427-cuin LS7 engine.

 

[LIRacer]

The Z06 w Z07 is an easier car to drive at the limit.

The ZR1 is a marginally quicker car on some kinds of courses. For example, during GM testing at the Nurburing in 2011, with both cars on PS Cup run-flats, the ZR1 was about 3-sec.@lap quicker than a Z06, but....the Nordschleife is a 14-mile course. Three seconds a lap when the lap time for cars of a ZR1's or Z06's performance is a little over seven minutes ain't much difference.

That's why I went with the Z06/Z07.

An added benefit...the mystique of the 427-cuin LS7 engine.

Yeah, the 427 CI has always been magical to me. When I bought my 65 it had a tired (NOM) 427 in it. I've since replaced it with a ZZ502, but it is dressed as a 427. In fact my plate is BADS427 (my initials spell he word bad). I am leaning towards the Z06/Z07 and plan to do some mods to close the delta in HP with the Zr1, but keep it N/A.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

The great news is that both cars are amazing! I hope I have this dilemma someday

Jay

 

[Hib Halverson]

Yeah, the 427 CI has always been magical to me. When I bought my 65 it had a tired (NOM) 427 in it. I've since replaced it with a ZZ502, but it is dressed as a 427. In fact my plate is BADS427 (my initials spell he word bad). I am leaning towards the Z06/Z07 and plan to do some mods to close the delta in HP with the Zr1, but keep it N/A.

You order Z07 and besides the carbon-ceramic brakes (which are freakin' huge) you also get trans and axle coolers which are great for track day stuff.

As for mods for the LS7, Katech is one of the best places to get parts for that engine because they have so much experience with it. You go a step up on the camshaft, use the lightweight valve lifters, add headers, add an intake kit (the Zip Mamba is a good one) and the appropriate calibration and you'll be at 575-600 hp.

The only thing to "watch" are valve guides and pistons.

There is some evidence that LS7s with higher lifts aftermarket camshafts have some trouble with valve guide durability. One solution is, obviously, aftermarket valve guides. Another solution might be better oil--rather than the factory fill 5W30 Mobil 1, going to a 10W30 ester-based oil such as Red Line.

There is some evidence that the stock LS7 piston gets a bit "iffy" when you get the power up to 600 or so. How much "abuse" the engine gets and how close to the lean limit the calibration is will also have an effect on piston durability.

Good luck.

 

[LIRacer]

Resale Value

How do the two compare in re-sale value?

 

[Hib Halverson]

How do the two compare in re-sale value?

I'm the wrong guy to ask on stuff like that but I'm sure other CAC members reading this forum will reply.

 

[TooFast]

I also went back and forth, but I wanted the 427 so in the end I purchased the Z06/Z07 with CFZ...awesome car...absolutely love it!