Reports of power loss following track use are unsettling for one (like me) who has a Z06 on order. One cannot use 650 hp on public roads; if the car won't make 650 hp where one can use it, what is the use of this car? One source says a GM rep suggested taking one's new Z06 to an aftermarket tuner to sidestep ECU reduction of power ... which would obviously void the warranty. Does anyone know of an authoritative response from GM to this issue of power loss following track use?
2015 Z06 loses power on track
- Thread starter wilyvet
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C7Jake
- Dec 20, 2009
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GM has said that the conservative ECU tuning is necessary to ensure emissions targets are met as well as the preservation of the powertrain over the life of the car (the warranty on the Z06 powertrain is five years or 100,000 miles).
Like you said an aftermarket tuner can take care of that power loss though
....But warranty will be void
Like you said an aftermarket tuner can take care of that power loss though
....But warranty will be void
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- Jan 27, 2009
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- Apr 30, 2012
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It would be false advertising if these cars won't put out at least the 650 hp that is being advertised. I can see them having the computer running interference against people foolish enough to beat the crap out of a new engine. Even when I had the Vararam intake installed, I was advised to drive the car easy for at least 200 miles to give the computer time to learn. These new computers may have a learning curve as well. Just a thought.
- Jun 8, 2012
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2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 Does Burnout, Then Runs The Quarter Mile: Video
120.5 mph is not that strong for a trap speed. The guy cut a good light and launch and seemed to know how to drive.
RPR is almost at sea level.
638 hp ZR1's trap 126-128 mph.
Brian
120.5 mph is not that strong for a trap speed. The guy cut a good light and launch and seemed to know how to drive.
RPR is almost at sea level.
638 hp ZR1's trap 126-128 mph.
Brian
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That guy is on the US Corvette Forum. He missed the shift to 3rd and grabbed 5th instead. Here's the post:
Z at the track last night? - Page 2 - Corvette Forum
His other runs were better. Best was [email protected]. He's no pro.
- Jan 11, 2009
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Welcome to the forum Wilyvet! I wouldn't stress out too much. Wait to see how the Z handles the power once the ecm determines the engine is broken in. The ZR1 didn't have these issues and it's only down 12hp. Once people get some miles on the Z's, I expect the power will pick up.
- Oct 22, 2014
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Dreaming. Tuners on the other forum have responded that there is nowhere in the software where the engine will become a monster once it is broken in. It is what it is. GM retards the timing to safeguard the warranty.
- Aug 20, 2014
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Same situation on my C7. After the Halltech was installed, I was told it may take a couple of hundred km for the computer to learn to the new intake.
- Apr 30, 2012
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Our '05 certainly isn't in the league of the new stuff power wise, but after installing the Vararam and driving prudently for a couple hundred miles, I drove it the way I normally do. The best highway mileage I got in stock form was 34.4, 34.7 and 34.9 mpg (Imperial) After a 200 mile round trip to Bracebridge, driving highway speeds without being aggressive, we got 35.1 mpg with the Vararam. I take the litres from the pump and mileage from the odometer to calculate.
Perhaps new buyers should be patient and drive their cars easy for the first five hundred miles. Let the computers learn what is going on, then see what happens. These cars had better be able to put down the numbers. If not, there will be a lot of guys running for cover and you can't hide forever. Talk is cheap, and only gets you so far.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/articles/combat-z06-ecu-let-car-break/
Perhaps new buyers should be patient and drive their cars easy for the first five hundred miles. Let the computers learn what is going on, then see what happens. These cars had better be able to put down the numbers. If not, there will be a lot of guys running for cover and you can't hide forever. Talk is cheap, and only gets you so far.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/articles/combat-z06-ecu-let-car-break/
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- Oct 22, 2014
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No car will make any significant power gains after it is broken in. That's just not the way it works.
- Jun 8, 2012
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yup, true.
this car will be a strong car but I am guessing the 650 hp numbers were a bit stretched for more chevy hype on the car.
I remember reading early numbers of 625 I think. this might be more in line.
With a bit extra weight to the ZR1.....if they run 125 mph... I am thinking the 625 hp is about right.
If good drivers can run 127-129 mph trap speeds then maybe then the 650 number might be correct.
I have run 126 mph ( 125.9 ) here at 2300 feet above so that might be a 128/9 mph trap at sea level.
I ran my 2006 Z06 at Fontana speedway 120.9 mph which is 1200 feet above sea level.. and 117.8 in Edmonton. 3.1 mph faster.
I have run my other car in Seattle and here... 3-4 mph was the difference.
This one c7 Z06 ran 124.xx mph at Purple which is 3.5 mph more then my Z06 did in Fontana.
Hardy any have raced just yet.... let the car break a bit more and see what owners run... the C7 Z06 is still a fast car for the American money you can buy it for.... not for the crazy pricing Sherwood Chev wants.
Brian
- Oct 22, 2014
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Please read again. I said SIGNIFICANT power gains. A few more HP does not matter squat with a car this heavy. You would get better gains with a lightweight driver.
- Oct 30, 2013
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Weird, I thought he agreed with you. Thought that is what the "Yup, true." meant?
- Jun 8, 2012
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Ya, I did agree with him.
Any car might see a 5-10 hp kinda improvement once the engine is broken in... but they don't tune/program computers to wake up after 5000 miles....
after that I just kinda said what I thought a C7 Z06 would run with 650 and what it would run with the 625 hp I myself think the car has.... just because chevy mentioned that 625 hp amount in early estimates.
And once Chevy has the auto in the order system... we can see if a good driver can pull off a 10.9 at sea level/good track
Time will tell.
Brian
- Jan 11, 2009
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Well, maybe I am the optimist in the group but a few stories of the Z06 not performing as well as expected isn't going to make me believe the car is less than it is or will be. I don't think there are enough Z06's on the road with enough miles to make absolute statements on it's performance. Give it a year, then there will be enough data to validate or disprove GM's claims. Every new Corvette that has come out, people are wondering about the numbers and each and every time over the course of the year, people have been able to obtain numbers in the quarter mile that exceed what GM has spec'd for the car.
As for the HP output. I can't really respond to anything except to say it's SAE certified so I believe it puts down what is listed.
Quick question Brian as to the mention of elevation for the 1/4. Does elevation matter with a boosted car? Whether at 2300 ft or 1200 ft, doesn't the car make 10.5 lb of boost? I ask as I've always wondered this.
As for the HP output. I can't really respond to anything except to say it's SAE certified so I believe it puts down what is listed.
Quick question Brian as to the mention of elevation for the 1/4. Does elevation matter with a boosted car? Whether at 2300 ft or 1200 ft, doesn't the car make 10.5 lb of boost? I ask as I've always wondered this.
- Oct 22, 2014
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Oops sorry. I read your reply again. I am getting used to rebuttal on this topic so I misread your comments. Finally somebody agrees.
- Jun 8, 2012
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I am not sure. trying to look at gauges with that much power is not easy... guessing the boost is the same... just better air/elevation.
My ZR1 felt way stronger along the coastal drive at sea level to Edmonton. Even when I got to Las Vegas ( 2000 ft ) it felt slower.
- Jan 11, 2009
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Interesting. Thanks for the insight Brian!