Lately I have been thinking about getting another car for HPDE's,

A C5 Z06 Corvette

I just want something faster; I feel if I want to make my S2000 faster it needs to be stripped. I also worry about the long term effects of a supercharged S2000 on the drivetrain.

The driver needs improvement too, but I am a speed junkie also.

Doing some research on Z06's they need at least brakes tires and possibly a trans and engine oil coolers.

Now I am not a GM fan, I have never driven a modern Vette, so I don

 

I've got 50K miles on my stripped/supercharged S2000. It's a ferocious car on the track and regularly shows its taillights to Z06s. It's not all that hard (or expensive) to weigh in around 2550 (no S/C) or 2600 S/C'd. The latter will give you hp/lb ratios of a 911 Turbo (if you can manage to keep the S at or near redline) .

I wouldn't worry about the drivetrain unless you launch a lot or don't heel/toe. (I run the reinforced diff from Comptech, though).

If you are going to purchase a second car for the track, get one that's already been modded for duty.

 

Have you taken a ride in a Z06 on a track yet? Here at Mid Ohio a Z06 will carry about 20mph more into the braking zones than an S2000. Safety factor is something to consider when trading up to a car like this.

The drivetrain is pretty much bulletproof even with some mods from what I've seen. As you mentioned, the brakes are really the only thing that needs to be addressed. You can run the car without coolers in HPDE but for racing you need them.

Once you drive one you'll want one... trust me.

When I was looking for mine, I took jlucas with me and he ended up buying one as well. I have the faster color though.

 

i did a HPDE at nashville speedway last monty.. wow.. the z06's were the bomb.. "i have one" but i rode with my instructor.. and WOW i didn't know the cars would do that much.
we were pushing porsche's , mini's and a couple s2k's into submission.

i love my z ..
great car..

 

The Z06's I known that track require a lot of maintenance. Expect a lot more downtime (plan to store it at the shop between events). The Z06 is a lot heavier so you will gain speed and lose "fun factor". You'll want to drive one if you can before you get to hot. You may really like it.

There is nothing wrong with stripping the car. A stripped supercharged S2K is stupid fast.

 

The Z06 is pretty amazing for the money, even my 911 lust couldn't deny the performance/$$ ratio and I picked up an '02 with 14k on it just a couple of months ago.

I talked to a bunch of HPDE & racers before I bought mine. They will take some serious use/abuse. For piece of mind about buying a GM product, I got one that already had a 5yr/100k warranty on it.

At the track the S2k & Z06 are different animals, both fun. Loved my E36M3 too. Funny thing is the guy that bought my M3, had a Z06 previously. I'm a pretty stuck in rut, like what I like, kinda guy but when it comes to cars the extra 3rd car in the household is always going to be a temporary one. I want to experience lots of nice cars, not just one.

Current garage: 95 Si HB (daily & winter), 04 S2000 (daily & winter), 02 Z06

 

Well if I strip my car for the track, then it becomes useless for the street. I still like having a nice for for Sunday drives.

At HPDE's I am usually one of the fastest cars and rarely have to wave other cars by. I personally feel in order to get faster lap times now (I am about 4 seconds slower than a stripped race S2000 with Hoosiers) I will have to drive the car harder than I want to.

 

I think I will be able to find a 02-03 ZO6 for the mid to high 20's next season. There seems to be enough available around here right now, when the new car is out that number will increase.

I guess I really need to drive one to get a good feel of the balance, I drove a 95 once (slowly) it felt huge and heavy.

It was just a thought, I was also thinking about buying a SPEC Miata and getting a race license instead

 

You already answered this one... get a race car.

 

i would have to disagree with a few things above..

the z06 is a factory built "race car" . it is much lighter than all C5 vettes..
lighter materials.. hell. even the windsheild is thinner and lighter..

and for maintenence.. ?

i have done a few events.. lots of autox's.. i drive this car.. i spend more time cleaning and polishing..
but.. NEVER... has this car failed.. or been in the shop.. i did have the column lock issue.. warrenty.. most c5's have the problem..
they replaced the BCM computer. and works great now.

probably the most reliable chevy i have ever owned.. hey.. its no honda..
but..
the car is made to "beat up on"
it is very tough.!
thx