Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06
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The Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 is a high-performance version of the C5 Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette C5
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1997 through 2004 model years.- Overview :...
sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
. Introduced by Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
as their corporate and performance flagship, production began in 2001 and ended with the 2004 model year.
General
The successor to the ZR-1 made its debut in 2001 as the Z06, giving a nod to the high-performance Z06 version of the C2 CorvetteChevrolet Corvette C2
The Chevrolet Corvette , also known as the Corvette Sting Ray, is a sports car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1963 through 1967 model years.-Origin and development:...
of the 1960s (See the history below). Instead of a heavy, double-overhead cam
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
engine like in the ZR-1, the Z06 used a high-output, tuned version of the standard LS1 Corvette engine (designated LS6), which initially produced 385 hp. Although its total power output was less than that of the last ZR-1, the Z06 was much lighter, out-performing the ZR-1 in every category except top speed. It also cost substantially less than the ZR-1.
Like with the ZR-1, Starting with the most structurally rigid body style offered, the hardtop
Hardtop
A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
or "fixed roof coupé" (FRC), an uprated FE4 suspension, larger wheel rims and tires, revised gearing ratios, and functional brake cooling ducts became part of the total package. The Z06 is 38 pounds lighter than a standard C5 hardtop thanks to weight-saving measures such as a titanium exhaust, thinner glass, lighter wheel rims, non-EMT tires, reduced sound proofing, fixed rear radio aerial, and a lighter battery.
Starting with the 2002 model year, the LS6 engine was uprated to 405 hp by means of a larger volume air intake, stiffer valve springs, lighter sodium filled valves, more aggressive cam phasing and lift, revised pistons, and revised block. While Chevrolet officially claimed that the ultimate power output of the LS6 was 405 hp, many dynamometer
Dynamometer
A dynamometer or "dyno" for short, is a device for measuring force, moment of force , or power. For example, the power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover can be calculated by simultaneously measuring torque and rotational speed .A dynamometer can also be used to determine...
tests have shown that Chevrolet underrated the engine by 20 hp, giving it an actual total of 425 hp.
The Numbers
In 2001, 5,773 Z06s were manufactured in five different colors: Quicksilver, Speedway White, Black, Torch Red, and Millennium Yellow. The most popular color in 2001 was Black while Speedway White was optioned in the fewest Z06s. Z06 sales increased by over 40 percent in 2002. Millennium Yellow, Torch Red, Quicksilver, and Black were held over from 2001. Electron Blue replaced Speedway White. Black was still the most popular color with Millennium Yellow being the least favorite. Color offerings remained the same in 2003; however, while Black was still the most popular selection, Quicksilver became the least popular in a model year that saw 8,635 Z06s produced. With expectations of the C6 generation, the final year of the C5 Z06 produced only 5,683 vehicles. Torch Red, Millennium Yellow, and Black were held over for the end of the fifth generation. Le Mans blue replaced Electron Blue and Machine Silver replaced Quicksilver. Le Mans Blue was the most popular color by almost two to one over the next most popular color - black.In all, 28,388 Z06s had been produced during the C5 generation representing approximately one out of every five corvettes manufactured during the 2001 - 2004 model years.
Performance
Factory performance figures for the 405 hp version of the Z06 give an acceleration time from 0-60 mph as 3.9 seconds. While highly debatable, owner-drivers have recorded quarter-mile times in the 11.7 - 11.9 seconds. The lowest elapsed time reported in a 405 hp Z06 of 11.783 seconds at 116.90 mph seconds was recorded by Jarrod Cunningham at Houston Raceway Park on January 10, 2004. GM High Tech and Performance Magazine recorded 1/4 mile times of 11.97 seconds at 118.80 mph in their October 2004 issues for a 2004 Z06. Car and DriverCar and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
recorded 1/4 mile times of 12.4 seconds for the 405 hp Z06 and 12.7 seconds for the 385 hp Z06 In their December 2002 issue.
| Event | Performance |
|---|---|
| 0-60 0 to 60 mph The time it takes to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph is a commonly used performance measure for automotive acceleration in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the rest of the world 0 to 100 km/h is used... mph |
3.9 sec |
| 0-100 mph | 9.2 sec |
| 0-100-0 mph | 13.56 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 12.4 sec |
| Skid Pad | 1.03 G |
| Top Speed | 171 mph (76.4 m/s) |
| Nürburgring Nordschleife Lap Time * | 7:56 |
(Source:)
(Source:)
(Source:)
Z06 refinements
The Z06 received several other refinements in addition to its unique engine, suspension, wheels, and tires that either enhance functionality, differentiate its appearance from the base-model C5, or do both:- Screened air inlets in the center of the front fasciaFascia (car)Confusingly, fascia is used for several different things in the automotive world. Many of these meanings are related to the appearance of the car....
that deliver additional cool air to the intake system. - Air scoop inlets on the sides of the front fasciaFascia (car)Confusingly, fascia is used for several different things in the automotive world. Many of these meanings are related to the appearance of the car....
that funnel air to the front brakes for better cooling. These inlets replaced the fog lamp housings and/or associated trim panels of the base-model C5. - Air scoops on the rear rocker panels that funnel air to the rear brakes for better cooling. Z06 rear brake temperatures are reduced by as much as 10% under competition conditions; brake fade and wear are also greatly reduced.
- Interior details: Z06 embroidered on each seat's headrest and a tachometer with Z06 imprinted on the gauge's face and a 6500 redline.
- Flat underside body panels that provide superior aerodynamicsAutomotive aerodynamicsAutomotive aerodynamics is the study of the aerodynamics of road vehicles. The main concerns of automotive aerodynamics are reducing drag , reducing wind noise, minimizing noise emission, and preventing undesired lift forces and other causes of aerodynamic instability at high speeds...
and help in achieving a 0.29 drag coefficient. ' - Z06 badges on the front fenders (see the Z06 Emblem below).
- Different front and rear brake pads than a normal C5 with distinctive red painted calipers (compared to black or bare calipers on the base-model C5).
LS6 engine
engine. The name was changed to LS6 after substantial modifications. The new engine powerplant produces about 12% more power than the LS1 and looks identical in external appearance save for the red engine covers. The LS6 produces 405 hp at 6000 rpm, and 400 lbft at 4800 rpm. The engine redline
Redline
Redline refers to the maximum engine speed at which an internal combustion engine or traction motor and its components are designed to operate without causing damage to the components themselves or other parts of the engine...
s at 6500 rpm (versus the LS1's 6000 rpm redline).
The LS6 utilizes an aluminum block which has been modified to allow greater bay-to-bay breathing. Typically the LS1 engine allows too much air in its crankcase developing into parasitic loss of power. The LS6 relieves this unwanted pressure translating into a removal of parasitic loss thus gaining more power.
- New Pistons
The LS6 utilizes modified versions of the LS1 pistons. The new pistons are made from M142 aluminum alloy which has proved to be stronger and more durable than the material used in the LS1. The pistons have been reshaped to have a slight barrel shape difficult to see for the normal onlooker. The new design also reduces internal mechanical noise because of its increased efficiency.
- Increased Compression
The LS6 cylinder heads have been cast with pent-roof combustion chamber
Combustion chamber
A combustion chamber is the part of an engine in which fuel is burned.-Internal combustion engine:The hot gases produced by the combustion occupy a far greater volume than the original fuel, thus creating an increase in pressure within the limited volume of the chamber...
s. This modification of the LS1 has decreased the cylinder size thus promoting a greater Compression ratio
Compression ratio
The 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
; from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1. The LS6 ports have been cast using tighter tolerances which has resulted in increased power, thermal efficiency
Thermal efficiency
In thermodynamics, the thermal efficiency is a dimensionless performance measure of a device that uses thermal energy, such as an internal combustion engine, a boiler, a furnace, or a refrigerator for example.-Overview:...
, and increased volumetric efficiency
Volumetric efficiency
Volumetric efficiency in internal combustion engine design refers to the efficiency with which the engine can move the charge into and out of the cylinders. More specifically, volumetric efficiency is a ratio of what quantity of fuel and air actually enters the cylinder during induction to the...
.
- High-Profile Camshaft
The LS6 utilizes a camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
constructed from steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
billet
Billet (manufacturing)
Semi-finished casting products are intermediate castings produced in a foundry that need further processing before being a finished good. There are four types: ingots, billets, blooms, and slabs.-Ingot:...
materials. The timing of the camshaft has been altered by increasing the lift from those of the LS1 to provide quicker opening times. To accommodate higher lift and longer duration of the camshaft the valve springs have been manufactured to become stiffer. The springs are wound tighter than those in the LS1 which results in stronger springs able to handle the increased strain from the camshaft. These modifications result in more efficient air-flow into the combustion chambers and thus an increase in power.
- Fuel Injectors
The LS6 utilizes new and larger fuel injectors. The new injectors deliver 3.6 grams of fuel per second an increase of 10% above the LS1. The injectors were designed to deliver more fuel as a result of the increase in air flow from the increased compression and camshaft opening duration modifications. The fuel to air mixture ratio needs to remain proportional to achieve operational status.
- Internal PCV System
The LS6 utilizes a newly designed Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve
PCV valve
A crankcase ventilation system is a way for gases to escape in a controlled manner from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine. A common type of such system is a positive crankcase ventilation system, the heart of which is a PCV valve—a variable-restriction valve that can react to changing...
. The new PCV valve now
rests in the "V" of the engine. The "V" aluminum cover contains composite oil separating baffles with unique
tubing. This results in less overall oil tubing thus reducing the potentiality of oil leak sources. The presence
of the oil baffles also reduces oil consumption and increases the performance capabilities of the ventilation system during high-performance maneuvers (greater than 0.55 lateral G
G-force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...
) which the Z06 is capable of.
- Exhaust Manifolds
The LS6 utilizes newly designed exhaust manifolds. These manifolds are constructed of cast-iron material and
have been designed to reduce weight by utilizing thin walls.
Active Handling
In 1998 General MotorsGeneral Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
developed a system called "Active Handling" which has a stability control feature that uses on-board sensors to measure the vehicle's lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and steering wheel position. These sensors work in conjunction with the vehicle's Anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
and traction control system
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
which automatically assist a vehicle's driver in understeer
Understeer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Simply put, oversteer is what occurs when a car turns by more than the amount commanded by the driver...
ing and oversteering situations. The Z06 came standard with the second generation "Active Handling" system. The second generation system added the following substantial improvements to the original system:
- New Pressure Modulator
The second-generation Active Handling system utilizes the Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
version 5.3 hydraulic pressure modulator. Bosch improved this version to become smaller, quieter and more efficient at lower temperatures. The new modulator can operate at -4 °F (-20 °C) resulting in accelerated functioning capacity after cold startups. The pressure sensor originally located in the master cylinder was also integrated into the new pressure modulator.
- Dynamic Rear Proportioning
The second-generation Active Handling system utilizes a newly designed dynamic rear brake proportioning system.
The new enhancement is a software driven improvement which balances the rear brake pressure electronically
thus preventing rear brake bias also known as "Brake Lockup". The new system replaces the physically standard
brake proportioning valve and its tubing components thus reducing weight and overall complexity.
- Sideslip Angle Rate Control
The second-generation Active Handling system received a major addition in the form of a sideslip angle rate control. This addition is software based and senses a driver's response time to changing vehicle movements
during handling maneuvers. The system compensates for driver errors by utilizing the vehicles braking and traction
control systems to maintain the stability of the vehicle based upon the parameters programmed by General Motors.
- Coefficient of Friction Estimation
The second-generation Active Handling system received another software upgrade in the form of improved
calibration algorithms that estimate the friction coefficient of road surfaces.
As traction on roads decreases (such as slippery road surfaces), a vehicle is biased towards slipping sideways.
The new coefficient estimation takes this traction problem into account and factors it in with the rest of the
Active Handling system inputs.
- Rear Brake Stability Control
The second-generation Active Handling system also added another software enhancement in the form of
a rear brake stability control. This addition releases brake pressure on the inside rear wheel during high
lateral acceleration maneuvers. This system assists drivers who do not estimate radius turns correctly during
high speed and light braking. The system compensates for driver errors by utilizing the vehicle's braking system
thus allowing for a more predictable maneuver while keeping the vehicle on its initial vector.
- Better Coordination
As has already been stated the Active Handling system works in conjunction with the Traction Control System. The second generation system continues this relationship but has been modified and refined to target specific rear brake pressures and control engine torque based upon the parameters programmed by General Motors. This modification results in improved acceleration and fewer engine sags.
- Competitive Mode
The second-generation Active Handling system incorporated into the Z06 has a unique featured labeled "Competitive Mode". When activated this feature turns the vehicle's Traction Control system off while still employing all the other components of the "Active Handling" system. To enable this feature a driver merely presses down on the Active Handling button for five seconds. This can be done even while the vehicle is in motion.
Sensors
- Steering Angle Sensor: This digital sensor actively monitors the driver's steering inputs and communicates the applied steering wheel angle back to the system. It is accurate to within one degree of steering wheel angle change, and is located inside the steering wheel column.
- Yaw-Rate Sensor: This solid-state device utilizes a tiny pair of ceramic tuning forkTuning forkA tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the prongs formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal . It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone after waiting a...
s to measure the actual rate at which the vehicle is pivoting (or yawing) about its center-of-gravityCenter of massIn physics, the center of mass or barycenter of a system is the average location of all of its mass. In the case of a rigid body, the position of the center of mass is fixed in relation to the body...
. This data is continuously fed into the Corvette's computer where the yaw rate is compared to the steering angle. Any variation beyond a pre-programmed set of values will result in activation of the appropriate assist feature(s) of the Active Handling System. The yaw-rate sensor on the Corvette is located inside the center console.
- Lateral Acceleration Sensor: The lateral accelerometerAccelerometerAn accelerometer is a device that measures proper acceleration, also called the four-acceleration. This is not necessarily the same as the coordinate acceleration , but is rather the type of acceleration associated with the phenomenon of weight experienced by a test mass that resides in the frame...
measures the centrifugal forceCentrifugal forceCentrifugal force can generally be any force directed outward relative to some origin. More particularly, in classical mechanics, the centrifugal force is an outward force which arises when describing the motion of objects in a rotating reference frame...
created during a turn, and is located beneath the passenger seat. The data it provides is weighed against all of the other inputs and is used to calculate whether or not the performance limits of the vehicle are being exceeded under the current speed and traction conditions.
The Second-Generation Active Handling System provides better performance with less perceived intrusion, and is more adept than the original system in controlling the vehicle whenever necessary. The improved agility of the vehicle allows average drivers to perform better during spirited driving, and provides a greater safety margin in emergency situations.
Summary of Active Handling System Modes
Three different modes are provided in the Active Handling System:- ON — Active Handling is automatically enabled when the vehicle is started. This is also true of the ABS and Traction Control systems.
- OFF — Like Traction Control, the Active Handling System may be manually disabled if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS, which is always enabled.
- COMPETITIVE DRIVING — In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but Traction Control is disabled.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car, as skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events. The Corvette's system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate, although Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use.
Transmission
The Z06 utilizes the specially built M12 6-speed manual transmission. While outwardly similar to the base-model MM6 manual transmission, the M12 transmission is unique to the Z06, and not available on other Corvettes, i.e., coupés and convertibles. The M12 has more aggressive gearing to increase torque multiplication in most forward gears, allowing for more rapid acceleration and more usable torque at higher speeds. A transmission temperature sensor was added to protect the M12 from higher thermal stresses. The sensor warns the driver, via the Driver Information Center, with a "TRANS OVER TEMP" message if transmission temperatures approach their operating limits, and which could lead to damage if the transmission were not allowed to cool down. As with all C5 Corvettes, the transmission is located toward the rear of the vehicle, as a rear-mounted transaxleTransaxle
In the automotive field, a transaxle is a major mechanical component that combines the functionality of the transmission, the differential, and associated components of the driven axle into one integrated assembly....
assembly. This allows a better overall weight distribution for the vehicle, as the weight of the transmission offsets some of the weight of the forward-sitting engine.
The M12 6-speed causes the Z06 model of C5 Corvette to have a lower top speed than a normal C5 despite having a higher RPM limit and more power, this is due to its gearing.
Gear ratio comparisons of MM6 (base-model C5) vs. M12 (Z06):
| Gear | LS1/MM6 | LS6/M12 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Gear | 2.66:1 | 2.97:1 |
| 2nd Gear | 1.78:1 | 2.07:1 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.30:1 | 1.43:1 |
| 4th Gear | 1.00:1 | 1.00:1 |
| 5th Gear | 0.74:1 | 0.84:1 |
| 6th Gear | 0.50:1 | 0.56:1 |
| Reverse | 2.90:1 | 3.28:1 |
| Axle Ratio | varies | 3.42:1 |
| Final Drive Ratio | varies | 1.91:1 |
Suspension
A special suspension (the FE4) was developed exclusively for the Z06, and is not available on other Corvette models. It features unique shock calibrations, a larger front stabilizer bar, a stiffer rear leaf spring, and revised camberCamber angle
thumb|100px|From the front of the car, a right wheel with a negative camber angleCamber angle is the angle made by the wheels of a vehicle; specifically, it is the angle between the vertical axis of the wheels used for steering and the vertical axis of the vehicle when viewed from the front or...
settings — all calibrated with a bias toward maximum control during high-speed operation.
Specifications
- Front stabilizer bar diameter (hollow): 30 mm with 4.5 mm thick walls
- Rear transverse composite spring leaf: 125 N/mm (versus 113 N/mm in the base-model's optional FE3 Sport Suspension)
- Camber, front and rear: -0.75° (compared to -0.25° on the base-model C5)
The greater negative wheel camber used on the Z06 helps to keep the tire flatter in relation to the road, and increases the tire contact patch
Contact patch
Contact patch is the portion of a vehicle's tire that is in actual contact with the road surface. It is most commonly used in the discussion of pneumatic tires, , where the term is strictly used to describe the portion of the tire’s tread that touches the road surface...
for greater grip while cornering. When coupled with other special Z06 components, the combination provides exceptional racetrack performance.
Nürburgring Circuit
These suspension refinements came as a result of extensive testing and development including several high-speed test sessions at Germany's famed NürburgringNürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
circuit. The 2004 Corvette C5 Z06 is one of only a few cars to have broken the 8-minute barrier for lap times at the Nürburgring circuit (see Nordschleife fastest lap times
Nordschleife fastest lap times
This is a list of lap times achieved by various vehicles on the Nürburgring . The list itself is broken down into categories.-The Nordschleife:...
for complete list). However, the Corvette testing at Nürburgring wasn't just about raw speed: engineers learned important lessons about tuning the chassis to enhance the poise, confidence, and "smoothness of response;" attributes that become increasingly important when subjected to the severe demands of a 14 miles (22.5 km) course that has approximately 170 turns, and virtually constant elevation changes. "Nürburgring, at the extreme edge of the envelope, provides conditions that can't be easily duplicated anywhere else," said David Hill, vehicle line executive and Corvette chief engineer. "But, even for the Z06, we spend considerable time ensuring we don't make adjustments that compromise the normal daily driving character of the car." (Source:)
Wheels
Also unique to the C5 Z06 are wider wheel rims and tires, which increase contact with the road and are essential to providing better grip. The design aesthetics of the new wheel rims are also one of the visual identifiers for the Z06, and are the most mass-efficient aluminum wheels ever produced for Corvette. They are painted a light gray metallic, and serve to show off the red brake calipers used on the Z06, especially when the car is in motion. The center cap of each rim also displays the red Corvette "crossed-flags" emblem for added identification at rest.Wheel Size Comparison
| Base-model C5 | Z06 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front Wheels | 17 in x 8.5 in | 17 in x 9.5 in |
| Rear Wheels | 18 in x 9.5 in | 18 in x 10.5 in |
Tires
GoodyearGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery....
specifically designed new wider, "grippier" tires for the Z06. Called Goodyear Eagle F1 SC (Supercar) tires, they allowed the Z06 to handle, brake, and perform better than any production Corvette yet tested. These same tires can be found on other super-high-performance vehicles such as the Ford GT
Ford GT
The Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater sports car. Ford Motor Company produced the Ford GT for the 2005 to 2006 model years. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's GT40 race cars of the 1960s.- Development :...
, and differ from the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS EMT tires provided as factory equipment on C5 coupés and convertibles as follows:
Tire Size Comparison
| 2001 C5 Eagle F1 GS |
2001 Z06 Eagle F1 SC |
|
|---|---|---|
| Front | P245/45ZR-17 | P265/40ZR-17 |
| Rear | P275/40ZR-18 | P295/35ZR-18 |
Titanium exhaust
The 26-pound titanium muffler and tailpipe assembly of the Z06 replaced the 44-pound stainless steelStainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
system used in the base-model C5. Titanium has a natural oxide layer that provides immunity to external corrosion from road salts, as well as to internal corrosion from sulfur-rich engine exhaust. Although common in 2010, titanium exhausts were very rare when the Corvette Z06 was developed in 2001. At that time the manufacturing technology to produce titanium mufflers in mass-market quantities didn't exist. Working with TIMET to optimize an exhaust grade of titanium, ArvinMeritor, the manufacturer of the GM system, adapted its stainless steel stamping, bending, cold forming and welding methods to accommodate the structural differences between stainless steel and titanium.
24 Hours of Le Mans Commemorative Edition
For the 2004 model year, a 24 Hours of Le Mans Commemorative Edition of the Z06 (dubbed the Z16 after its RPORegular Production Option
A Regular Production Option is a General Motors standard coding for vehicle configuration options. These codes are a combination of 3 alphanumeric characters and refer to a specific option or modification to the vehicle...
code) was offered in celebration of the C5-R "1-2" in-class finishes at Le Mans. The option package consisted of a special paint color ("Le Mans Blue Metallic"); wide, silver-and-red stripes optionally applied down the center of the car; a carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
hood (saving an additional 10 pounds of weight); special commemorative badging and headrest embroidery; and brightly polished wheel rims (a first on the Z06) with unique centercaps. Though not as outwardly apparent, the Z16 also received shock damping tuning for improved handling. The Z16 was the most produced Z06 in 2004 totaling 2025 units; of that number, 325 went overseas, leaving North America with approximately 1700.
Z06
Zora Arkus-Duntov
Zora Arkus-Duntov was a Belgian-born American engineer. His work on the Chevrolet Corvette earned him the nickname "Father of the Corvette."- Early life :Zora was born Zachary Arkus in Belgium on Christmas Day, 1909...
Chief engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
at General Motors (GM)
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
first brought forth the concept of the Z06 following a ban on factory-sponsored racing by the SCCA
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
. Duntov knew customers would continue to race Corvettes even though the ban, which initially had full support from GM management, was in effect. During the planning of the Sting Ray project, Duntov suggested that it would be a good idea to continue with parts development in order to benefit racers, and as a way of surreptitiously circumventing the racing ban. Eventually, when GM management relented from their support of the ban, Duntov and his colleagues created "RPO
Regular Production Option
A Regular Production Option is a General Motors standard coding for vehicle configuration options. These codes are a combination of 3 alphanumeric characters and refer to a specific option or modification to the vehicle...
Z06" as a special performance equipment package for the Corvette. The Regular Production Option (RPO) was a GM internal ordering code designation. The package was specifically designed for competition-minded buyers, so they could order a race-ready Corvette straight from the factory with just one check of an option box. Previously, the optional racing parts were literally hidden in the order form so that only the most knowledgeable and perceptive customers could find them. The RPO Z06 package was first offered on 1963 Corvette, and included:
- Front antiroll bar with a 20% larger diameter
- Vacuum brake booster
- Dual master cylinder
- Sintered-metallic brake linings
- Power-assisted Al-Fin drums cooled by front air scoops and vented backing plates
- Larger diameter shocks and springs — nearly twice as stiff as those on the standard Corvette
These Corvettes came to be known as "Big Tanks" because the package initially included a 36.5-gallon gas tank (versus the standard 20-gallon) for races such as Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
and Daytona
24 Hours of Daytona
The 24 Hours of Daytona, currently known as the Rolex 24 Daytona for sponsorship reasons, is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is run on a combined road course, utilizing portions of the NASCAR tri-oval and an infield...
. Initially, the package was available only on coupés, as the oversized tank would not fit in the convertible, although the rest of the Z06 option package was later made available on convertibles as well.
Thus, the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette was technically the first Corvette that could be designated as "Z06." The only engine option on the Z06 was the L84 327 cu in (5.4 l) engine using Rochester fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
. With factory exhaust manifolds, required to run the cars in the SCCA production classes, Chevrolet rated the engine at 360 hp. The Z06 option cost an additional $1,818.45 over the base coupé price of $4,252. Chevrolet later lowered the package price and eliminated the larger gas tank from the Z06 package, though it remained available as an add-on option for any coupé. All told, Chevrolet produced 199 of these "original" Z06s.
LS6
In 1971, Zora Duntov's team created a special 425 bhp big-blockChevrolet Big-Block engine
The Chevrolet big block is a series of large displacement V8 engines that were developed in the USA during the 1950s and 1960s. As American automobiles grew in size and weight following the Second World War the engines powering them had to keep pace...
V8 for the Corvette, again with racing in mind. GM offered this as the "LS6" engine RPO for just one year: a 454 cu in (7.4 l), cast-iron engine with aluminum heads. In terms of both power and legend, these original LS6 engine were second only to the L88 full-blown racing engine offered from 1967 through 1969. The LS6 produced 425 bhp and was the most powerful engine offered in 1971. Only 188 cars were produced with this powerplant — less than 1% of Corvette's production run of 21,801 vehicles for the model year. The LS6 option price was $1,221.00, or 22% of the $5,496.00 sticker price for the 1971 Corvette C3 coupé
Chevrolet Corvette C3
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1968 through 1982 model years. Corvette chief Zora Arkus-Duntov wanted a striking new Corvette; although engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous generation, its...
. When tested by a leading automotive magazine, an LS6-equipped C3 with a four-speed manual and a 3.36:1 limited-slip differential produced the following numbers:
- 0 to 60 mi/h: 5.3 seconds
- Quarter-mile: 13.8 seconds @ 105 mi/h
- Fuel economy: 9-14 mpg
Also during that model year, a ZR2 RPO package was offered, priced at $1,747.00. The ZR2 package included the LS6 engine; a heavy-duty, close-ratio four-speed manual transmission; heavy-duty power brakes; transistorized ignition; lightweight aluminum radiator; special springs, shocks, and front and rear stabilizer bars. Twelve ZR2-equipped C3 Corvettes were produced, making them far more rare than the Z06-equipped C2 Corvettes.
Resurgence
See also
- Chevrolet CorvetteChevrolet CorvetteThe Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
- Chevrolet Corvette (C5)
- GM LS engineGM LS engineThe GM LS engine family is an engine design intended as the only V-8 engine used in General Motors' line of rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. The LS series was a "clean sheet" design with little in common with the classic Chevrolet small block V8...
- List of fastest production cars by acceleration
- List of Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times