Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - 2nd at a Divisional solo2

VettesRule · 06-26-2002, 06:01 PM

I competed at a divisional solo 2 event this last weekend and finished second overall.

The first place car is a 2002 Z06, driven by a good driver, with Hoosiers on stock wheels, an alignment, lowered, and a K&N filter.

How much faster is a 2002 over a 2001?

I have a 2001 Z06 with a K&N filter, an alignment (-2° camber, 6.5 caster and 0° toe in front and -1.5° camber and 7/16 toe in at the rear), I've lowered all four corners to the maximum limit of the adjusters and put Edelbrock shocks on the car.

The compression and rebound on the Edelbrock shocks are similiar to the factory 2002 Z06 shocks.

I am worried about going to Nationals and getting demoralized. Other than driver, what makes a 2001 Z06 competitive in SS? I need .3 second a day to compete with my friend here locally.

Silver Bullet · 06-26-2002, 06:34 PM

What do you run for tires??
Hoosiers could help.

VettesRule · 06-27-2002, 09:29 AM

Sorry should have mentioned that. I run Hoosier A3S03s on 2002 Z06 wheels.

Jose Gonzalez · 06-27-2002, 10:21 AM

VettesRule

I do not know if you have ever been to Nationals but it can be a very "demoralizing" experience if you let it. SS has to be up there with the best drivers in a class. When the Z06 came out, a bunch of great guys went with the Z06. All the dominating RX7 disappeared. So, just go and do your best against the best.

To me it looks like you have all you need to win with the exception of the shocks. I do not think that anything resembling stock shock will get it. The top two guys last year had the single adjustable Penske ( about 2K for the set of four ). As far as I know, everyone else at the top had single and double adjustable Penske or Koni. I had the stock shock on mine and I was one place out of trophies. With the proper shocks,I think I would have been well into the trophies. And, I have still a lot to learn. So, you can go and have a shot at doing well.

I do not think that the 02 will have much on the 01. In bone stock it might but not with the proper shocks.

I will predict that the top 4 out of 5 will be 01's

I guess we will see

VettesRule · 06-27-2002, 05:04 PM

Jose,

Thanks for the advice. It is true that I should go, compete and have fun. But I would like to have a shot at being competitive.

What is it about the Penske and Koni shocks that make the car better?

How much time are the shocks worth?

Do you adjust them every run?

Jose Gonzalez · 06-28-2002, 09:10 AM

I am not an expert on suspension but I can tell you what I have heard. The big deal with the Penske and Koni shock is the control of compression and rebound. The singles just allow you to control rebound. So, what you are basically looking for is for the car to compress in the turn and rebound slower then stock street shocks. That way the car is more stable and flat in the transitions in an autoX. Then you can ask why did the Z06 come with these shocks for the street. Well they feel good on the street as long as there is some time between bumps. On the first bump, the shocks compress real nice but they take time to rebound. So if you hit a second bump real soon after, the shock are still compressed so the next bump will not be so comfortable. Not an issue on a flat autoX course.

Time gained is questionable. I have heard for 1 sec on a 60 sec course to .3 sec. The best explanation I got was from Guy A. ( the guy that sold me mine ). A great driver will gain .3 but will be able to be consistant most every run. A pretty good driver will get .5 or more also more consistantly. And at Nationals, .5 can move you up 5 to 10 spots in your position.

I have not been making much in the form of adjustments. I tend to play more with tire pressure.

If anyone has a correction on my info, please go ahead as we are all learning.

luderchris · 06-28-2002, 12:49 PM

What tire pressures do you guys run for the Hoosiers? Do you change it between asphalt and concrete? I have -2.5 degrees camber up front and -1.5 in the rear. I have been running 39 Front and 36 Rear for Hoosier pressures at autox (asphalt). Any ideas/suggestions?

pmontelo · 06-28-2002, 01:06 PM

I was running 41 front and 36 back last weekend on asphalt (my first time on Hoosiers). But it seems like I'm under utilizing the contact patch area of the tires so I may drop the pressures a bit more (especially in the rear).

I did notice that 3 out of 4 of my tires slipped a half inch to an inch on the rim even though I waited more than a week to run them after mounting the tires (I marked the tires near the valve stem).

VettesRule · 06-28-2002, 01:24 PM

I run 42 front / 36 rear and we run on asphalt. I change one or two pounds here or there based on the track conditions.

How did you do Pat? Were you at the top of the heap?

pmontelo · 06-28-2002, 01:46 PM

Danny,

I'm comfortably last in my class.

I was 2 seconds behind the fastest Z06 in SS last weekend. But I was running 0 toe in the rear though, so I still have at least one excuse left

.

In my area we have a group of very experienced autocrossers that are running Z06s in SS. These guys have between 6 - 20 years experience autocrossing each. I have a total of 6 events under my belt. All these guys seem to be running the Penske shocks where I am stock. (see I've still got a few excuses

)

When I was running in the street tire class, I was able to trophy due to the larger size of the class, but on race tires I don't see that happening anytime soon! These guys are just too good; I've got no delusions about going to the nationals.

FYI for those thinking about getting Hoosiers. I switched back to my street tires for two fun runs after the event and I was about 2 seconds slower on the street tires.

VettesRule · 06-28-2002, 04:30 PM

Pat,

You are in the game! Most people are too afraid of hurting their ego to even go out there and lay it on the line.

Keep at it and you will improve quickly. Getting a Z06 on race rubber to the limit takes some serious time in the seat, but, it is sure fun getting there.

The addition of some rear toe in will tighten up the rear end on corner exit and let you get on the power earlier. I too would love to see the effect of Penske or Koni shocks. I'll keep dreaming.

VettesRule · 07-01-2002, 02:58 PM

I wonder what the Corsa Z is worth in a 60 second autocross course?

It sure is making some noise (pardon the pun) in the drag race posts!

magnetic1 · 07-02-2002, 07:30 AM

VettesRule,

Aside from the driving... takeing a closer line, etc... what size Hoosiers are you running? I have mine at 30 in the rear and 32 front for air pressure. We hooked up a pyrometer and found the temperature to be consistent from the outer to the inner portions of the tire...

Also.. lowering your car to the limit might not necessarilty be a good thing either when you have stock shocks in there.....

On the other hand.. I shouldnt be talking... I got 3rd in SM2.. which I usually place first.. but I broke a swaybar endlink and the car was oversteering like CRAZY!!!!

Jose Gonzalez · 07-02-2002, 08:44 AM

VettesRule,

I do not think that Corsa Z is worth much in a typical autoX setting. I am sure it will give you a little more help in the 1/4 mile. It does help in the intimidation factor.

VettesRule · 07-02-2002, 01:19 PM

Magnetic,

The Hoosiers I am running are 275 / 17s up front and 305 / 18s in the back.

What would you recommend for chassis height?

Jose,

I think you are probably right.