Thinking about getting something different
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Orthonormal,Aug 29 2005, 08:27 PM
I've autocrossed both, tracked neither.
The Z06 may benefit from fancier shocks -- I drove a 2002 model with 60,000 mile old shocks. I wonder how much more nimble it can feel.
The S2000 benefits from shocks, too, of course...
The Z06 may benefit from fancier shocks -- I drove a 2002 model with 60,000 mile old shocks. I wonder how much more nimble it can feel.
The S2000 benefits from shocks, too, of course...
the shox were upgraded to a magnetic type in 04..i bought the gm upgrade shock and lowered the car. also put hawk performance pads on her. made quite a difference.. also the HP computer tune.
it is near perfection now. i know my stock s2k wont hang with it.. but the top down nimble difference makes it just as fun to drive..
i can't stay out of the little thing.. the vette is getting some rest .
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,337
Likes: 1
From: Gods Speed #57 Lemons #77
Originally Posted by ellisnc,Aug 29 2005, 08:29 PM
I'm confused... did you actually drive one and not like the feedback or just ride in one and not like the feedback? 
Don't know how the latter is possible but whatever.
In my experience, the first time you get in the car it feels HUGE if you're coming from an S2000... after driving one for a while it tends to not be so large any more for whatever reason.
The steering has more feedback and weights-up nicer than the S2000. The seats are really the main thing that makes the car feel like poop when you first get in it. Too bad I like running my car in Super Stock otherwise I'd have at least one Recaro Speed in the car.
Don't know how the latter is possible but whatever.In my experience, the first time you get in the car it feels HUGE if you're coming from an S2000... after driving one for a while it tends to not be so large any more for whatever reason.
The steering has more feedback and weights-up nicer than the S2000. The seats are really the main thing that makes the car feel like poop when you first get in it. Too bad I like running my car in Super Stock otherwise I'd have at least one Recaro Speed in the car.
Very fast and sticky but feels large. Not something that someone used to motocycle racing and a SC S2000 would probably prefer over say a track preped FD3 (~2300 lbs.).
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 473
Likes: 3
From: Charlottesville
I've never driven a vette, but...
I agree with those who say you should get a track car. So should it be a z06 or another s2k?
If those who have posted before are to be believed, with either the s/c'd s2000 or z06, if you prep it properly, and you drive it well, you'll be passing lots of other s2000's and z06's.
So, the question becomes, as you are passing a z06, would you rather be in a z06
or an s2000 
?
I'd rather be in the s because you'll be spending less money, it will be more fun to drive, and you'll get to give the z06 drivers a whole lotta crap.
Just my immature .02.
I agree with those who say you should get a track car. So should it be a z06 or another s2k?
If those who have posted before are to be believed, with either the s/c'd s2000 or z06, if you prep it properly, and you drive it well, you'll be passing lots of other s2000's and z06's.
So, the question becomes, as you are passing a z06, would you rather be in a z06
or an s2000 ?I'd rather be in the s because you'll be spending less money, it will be more fun to drive, and you'll get to give the z06 drivers a whole lotta crap.
Just my immature .02.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I've spent a bit of time in a highly modded Z06 this year, haven't ever driven a stock one.
Compared to the S2000, the Z06 is much faster out of the box, and has much more potential to go even faster.
You can get one under 2900lbs. without trying too hard - A/C removed, light battery and seats. So it's only carrying around about 400 pounds more than an S2000, and can fit a ton more tire quite easily. An S2000 @2500lbs. with 245/275's vs. a Z06 @2875 with 315/335s compares pretty favorably for the Z06. Kumho V710's in those sizes actually aren't that expensive, and those autocrossing them have seen competitiveness (at least locally) for well over 100 runs.
The Z06 needs a tranny/diff cooler to go more than 2-3 laps all out on track though. The tranny is integrated with the diff in the rear like a Porsche 944, and all the heat from the motor and exhaust cooks it pretty good. So in that respect the S2000 is more "ready to go" out of the box than a Z06.
I guess in summary they're two totally different machines, so you ought to choose which one you think is more fun for you. No question the Z06 is faster though, and I think because of its extra potential, it's a little bit harder to extract 100% from.
The S2000 is less expensive to buy and maintain, probably just as much fun on most tracks, and because of its sharp nature, will make you a good driver if you can master it.
You could always just get a Radical and smoke 'em both...
Compared to the S2000, the Z06 is much faster out of the box, and has much more potential to go even faster.
You can get one under 2900lbs. without trying too hard - A/C removed, light battery and seats. So it's only carrying around about 400 pounds more than an S2000, and can fit a ton more tire quite easily. An S2000 @2500lbs. with 245/275's vs. a Z06 @2875 with 315/335s compares pretty favorably for the Z06. Kumho V710's in those sizes actually aren't that expensive, and those autocrossing them have seen competitiveness (at least locally) for well over 100 runs.
The Z06 needs a tranny/diff cooler to go more than 2-3 laps all out on track though. The tranny is integrated with the diff in the rear like a Porsche 944, and all the heat from the motor and exhaust cooks it pretty good. So in that respect the S2000 is more "ready to go" out of the box than a Z06.
I guess in summary they're two totally different machines, so you ought to choose which one you think is more fun for you. No question the Z06 is faster though, and I think because of its extra potential, it's a little bit harder to extract 100% from.
The S2000 is less expensive to buy and maintain, probably just as much fun on most tracks, and because of its sharp nature, will make you a good driver if you can master it.
You could always just get a Radical and smoke 'em both...
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Los Angeles
If you're fast in an even-remotely-stock Corvette, then you're definitely in the minority. I'm not sure if it's the pool of owners who tend to buy Corvettes or if it's just a car with magazine numbers that are out of step with its actual track capability, but outside of fully-race-prepped models, there just aren't many fast Corvettes out there.
Last year's Open Track Challenge:
The 3rd-place ZR1 was heavily prepped with a pro driver who campaigns it all year.
The 8th-place Z06 was supercharged, and had about 650 hp.
The 11th- and 14th-place Z06's were so slow they were even beat by Richard's car.
The 18th-place car came in, well 18th place.
We beat them all with S2000 power (247 hp, meager torque), from the next class down.
I've instructed students in Z06's, and am always impressed by the torque. But there just aren't many quick ones out there. I'm not sure why.
Last year's Open Track Challenge:
The 3rd-place ZR1 was heavily prepped with a pro driver who campaigns it all year.
The 8th-place Z06 was supercharged, and had about 650 hp.
The 11th- and 14th-place Z06's were so slow they were even beat by Richard's car.
The 18th-place car came in, well 18th place.
We beat them all with S2000 power (247 hp, meager torque), from the next class down.
I've instructed students in Z06's, and am always impressed by the torque. But there just aren't many quick ones out there. I'm not sure why.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 22,888
Likes: 3
From: Covington WA, USA
Originally Posted by jzr,Aug 30 2005, 12:03 PM
You could always just get a Radical and smoke 'em both...
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I certainly agree that for the most part, the greasy-haired, gold-chain-wearing, Zaino-toting stereotype for Corvette owners holds true. As a percentage, there are far far fewer Corvette drivers that are willing and able to extract 10/10ths from their machines.
There are few examples I've seen of good Corvette drivers running with the S2000s, but one I can think of is in the SpeedVentures Track Records page, check out Buttonwillow Config 1 clockwise:
http://www.speedventures.net/track_records_db.asp
James Gunn's time, within 1.5 of Hayashi's best in the NSX (set years later), was in a STOCK '01 (~20hp less than an '04) Z06 on used slicks. Thomason's time was in a regular 350hp C5 coupe on previous-generation DOT-R tires.
Thomason's car in current form is probably a low :27 car at Willow on current DOT-Rs, and that's with no aero help. As far as I know, there's only 1 S2000 that's ever gotten into the :27s at Willow...
There are few examples I've seen of good Corvette drivers running with the S2000s, but one I can think of is in the SpeedVentures Track Records page, check out Buttonwillow Config 1 clockwise:
http://www.speedventures.net/track_records_db.asp
James Gunn's time, within 1.5 of Hayashi's best in the NSX (set years later), was in a STOCK '01 (~20hp less than an '04) Z06 on used slicks. Thomason's time was in a regular 350hp C5 coupe on previous-generation DOT-R tires.
Thomason's car in current form is probably a low :27 car at Willow on current DOT-Rs, and that's with no aero help. As far as I know, there's only 1 S2000 that's ever gotten into the :27s at Willow...