ZR1, Z06, 997 GT2 Handling, Traction, Tranny noises?

[fromWS6toZ06]

After driving the C6 Z06 in new condition (new tires), I loved the handling, the braking. Everything seemed perfect (except for the annoying tranny noises that I can hear thru the shifter).

Once the tires started wearing out after only 10K miles of use, traction started to bother me. I couldnt use 1st gear as much as I liked, and I got upset no drag radials were available for my 19" wheels. Downgrading to 18" wheels would suck IMO.

At 15k miles, I encountered a 997 TURBO (not the GT2). We had a quick run from a 1st gear roll to mid 3rd gear on a road that slightly turns to the left by the end of 2nd gear. I knew I could beat the turbo easily (powerwise - as I burned a lot of rubber in 1st gear and was still ahead) but I did feel If I were to push the car to the limit in 3rd gear, it might spin/slide a little as the speed increased and the road turned more. I had to left off and the turbo kept going showing excellent stability (giving driver confidence) which brings me to think of this.

1) How would the ZR1 handle? Would it handle any better than the C6 Z06 and why?

2) If the above encounter were to happen with a ZR1 vs 997 GT2, will the GT2 be more stable and provide more driver confidence when it comes to a slightly turning road situation and high speeds?

3) Will the GT2 handle more 'civil-y' than the ZR1? By this I mean, should we expect the GT2 to go fast on a turn being in the center of the lane, and the ZR1 to be faster on the same turn but burning rubber and slightly being all over the place, moving slightly out of its lane with lots of throttle feathering?

4) How good are the tires on the ZR1? Pics would be fantastic. How bad would traction be with the 20" wheels now? I hear the 997 GT2 are equipped with a great set of tires from the factory. Would ZR1 owners have to downgrade from 20" tires to 18" tires now just to get great traction (as good as Nitto 555RII road racing tires) to truely unleash the ZR1s performance.

Oh, and are the annoying tranny noises thru the shifter gone in the ZR1? Any pics or clues on whether GM fixed this?

[AtomicZ06]

Wow........you need to get some sleep.

IMHO - Good tires (stock with tread - not bald) and a good driver and the Z06 or the ZR1 are going to be able to match the GT2 in the corners. The GT2 is a rear-wheel drive car just like the Corvette.

As far as the shifter/tranny noise goes. I don't notice it past idle.

[ZO6 AL-X]

We don't really have much info on the zr1 yet - not until they start going out to the press for test driving. Only until then will we have some numbers and be able to see what it can do.

You should dump the stock GYs (I don't like GY at all) and get Michelin PS2s. Good luck.