I believe it is untrue that the hardtop Z06 is slower than the Coupe. I just did a top speed projection (believed to be accurate) on 2001 vs. 2002 Z06s. The results suggest to me that both model years of the Z06 have higher top speed than generally assumed.
I used a rather conservative approach to the projection and still the full speed #s were better than most people might think.
A bone stock 2001 "should" (under normalized test conditions) achieve 174+ and stock 2002 at least 176. Again, these projections are rather conservative, not exaggeration.
When the 1990 ZR-1 first came out the mags said it could do "173". That # eventually went up to 180 over the years, but fact is the majority of ZR-1s (stock), including the 405hp cars, are not up to that mark without modifications to the engine for more high end HP and/or other than stock gearing.
Interesting counterpoint, I've had mine up to an honest 180 "exactly" but my 1990 ZR-1 is no longer stock nor geared as it came from the factory. It took a considerably long, straight stretch of road to get up to that speed.
Now here's a shock. I managed to do the same thing in my LT4 C4. It had factory gearing, but an uncorked exhaust.
I've always felt the LT4 Corvette is what I call a "sleeper". It's engine power was under rated and so is it's top speed.
Testing of Z06s at top speed have been few and far between in the mags. In fact, there may not have been any tests with that sole intent over the past year.
I believe the 2002 Z06 is now not only the quickest Corvette ever produced, but also the "fastest". It's only a matter of time before this will be confirmed and I do feel it will happen.
Just remember you heard it from me first, right here on the Z06vette.com forum.
I used a rather conservative approach to the projection and still the full speed #s were better than most people might think.
A bone stock 2001 "should" (under normalized test conditions) achieve 174+ and stock 2002 at least 176. Again, these projections are rather conservative, not exaggeration.
When the 1990 ZR-1 first came out the mags said it could do "173". That # eventually went up to 180 over the years, but fact is the majority of ZR-1s (stock), including the 405hp cars, are not up to that mark without modifications to the engine for more high end HP and/or other than stock gearing.
Interesting counterpoint, I've had mine up to an honest 180 "exactly" but my 1990 ZR-1 is no longer stock nor geared as it came from the factory. It took a considerably long, straight stretch of road to get up to that speed.
Now here's a shock. I managed to do the same thing in my LT4 C4. It had factory gearing, but an uncorked exhaust.
I've always felt the LT4 Corvette is what I call a "sleeper". It's engine power was under rated and so is it's top speed.
Testing of Z06s at top speed have been few and far between in the mags. In fact, there may not have been any tests with that sole intent over the past year.
I believe the 2002 Z06 is now not only the quickest Corvette ever produced, but also the "fastest". It's only a matter of time before this will be confirmed and I do feel it will happen.
Just remember you heard it from me first, right here on the Z06vette.com forum.
