However, this track fiasco just got more entertaining just because the clueless Juechter decided to open his trap once again in a damage control attempt that is even worse than what took place at Willow Springs OVER A MONTH AGO. Yes, it took Juechter over a month to come up with this truly worthless but nevertheless most entertaining piece of PI and PR bullshit serving as an EXPLANATION.
To be perfectly honest, both Chevrolet and Motor Trend were surprised by the test results - both the lap times achieved and the subjective comments on handling which did not match their impressions from the first drive story at Road Atlanta. Obviously the GT-R Nismo is s supremely capable machine engineered for precisely this kind of track work, so nothing against them, but we thought we would do better.
After the story was published, we decided to examine that car closely and do a follow up test at Willow Springs.
We first discovered an alignment setting error in the rear. We knew something was wrong with their test car because of Randy's oversteer comments. In the words of our development engineer, Jim Mero, "The car is tuned for a small amount of understeer, but we found out the rear caster was inadvertently set to 2 degrees instead of 0 degrees. This causes ride and roll oversteer". We try to keep the Corvettes used for media tests in perfect condition, but didn't this time, and the alignment clearly had an effect on handling and driver confidence.
We also learned the Nissan was using octane booster, as it will cut power when running the 91 octane pump fuel available locally. Generally speaking, higher octane enables more aggressive spark calibration and higher power. While the Z06 is certified for 91 octane fuel, adding octane boost will offer greater resistance to spark retard and detonation under thermally challenging conditions (reduced likelihood of power reduction when intake temps go up). Racing fuel (100 octane) available at the track improves this robustness even further. We will be recommending that customers who track their car, especially at higher temps, use the highest octane fuel available.
Although we do track testing at quite a number of tracks around the country, we never tested at Willow Springs, so we decided to rent the track and check the performance of the Z06 ourselves. We looked at it as an opportunity to learn something. What Randy told us and we confirmed is that the track has an unusual combination of speed and roughness. We used exactly the same car Motor Trend tested, as well as a second car, an 8 speed automatic. With proper suspension alignment, we saw a marked improvement in handling. We also used the opportunity to tweak the calibration of the magnetic ride dampers in Track mode (Tour and Sport modes unchanged), and were able to improve the vehicle’s dynamic behavior. Since we think that calibration is uniquely suited to very rough tracks, our plan is to offer it through our Performance Parts department for customers who frequent those types of venues. So it was a good exercise for us.
We invited Motor Trend to test the car again with suspension alignments corrected and give us feedback on the new calibration. They are planning a follow up article based on Randy's experience, and since we don't want to "scoop" their story I won’t say specifically what the results were. However, I can say we were very satisfied. Look for it soon!
First of all, Tadge should learn to NEVER EVER start any clarification and explanation with TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST phrase. Any time someone begins a statement with this type of phrase, it automatically raises doubts about this person's honesty and credibility by implying that this person was considering lying initially or lies habitually, making an exception for this particular event. Yes Tadge, apparently +Corvette C7 Stingray and General Motors Exposed PR department does not include anyone capable of explaining this part to clueless Juechter.
Nevertheless, OVER A MONTH LATER, here is Juechter and his explanation.
The main points of his newest excuse for his creation taking it up the ass as usual is a good one:
Apparently GM technical support, responsible for maintaining the press cars "forgot" to check the alignment on the car that was competing against the GTR Nismo. First of all, how is this possible Tadge? We are talking about the REAR CASTER here.? The caster is not even adjustable, did you mean CAMBER by any chance? Did these shitty concentric bolts moved as they continue to move for all C5 and C6 owners, rendering a rear end alignment a wishful thinking unless someone spends the money on an aftermarket CAMBER KIT and finds a competent alignment technician to know how to align it afterwards? This is as embarrasing as it can get for someone who claims to be not only an ENGINEER but then the CORVETTE CHIEF ENGINEER as well. No wonder this new flagship is such a piece of shit if the chief engineer cannot distinguish betwee CASTER AND CAMBER while making up excuses. BIIIIGGG FAIL right here Juechter!!!
CORRECTION: apparently it is possible and indeed, there is a rear caster adjustment on C7 and as with everything else on the C7, this is just another thing that can go wrong while being difficult to correct.
I don't know what the eff possesed Juechter here but this indicate there must be a toe change problem with the rear of these cars and this change must be of dynamic variety (bump steer). If the change was static during the suspension cycle, caster should be set at zero as it really wont affect performance.
If there is toe change during cycling, caster could be used effectively to change camber according to the toe setting. Again, like with everything else on these cars, another idea good on paper but totally stupid in real life (last time dealing with this part was back in 1990's with 3k VR4 but that car had the four wheel steering unlike the latest Corvette...
A Corvette expert like you should be very well familiar with this issue and flaw, apparently now you get to personally experience the same thing? Funny the bolts gave, huh Tadge? Glad to see the same shitty set up is still on the newest Corvette.
Did you or any of the geniuses forget to follow your own user manual that has a section dedicated to the track preparations and specifically alignment settings? How about all other runs, especially on Milford track, was the alignment checked there?
Then there another bullshit excuse, lack of familiarity with Willow Springs track. Really Tadge? Road and Track decided in the last moment to use that track?
And here is the best bullshit excuse of them all: the matter of Nissan using higher octane fuel than Corvette. Really Tadge? There is a 100 octane fuell fill up station at the track, are you too cheap or too stupid to realize this part? The Nissan GTR Nismo manual specifically mentions minimum 93 octane fuel to be used, are you faulting Nissan for following its own owner manual directions when running their car? And numbnuts, why would it matter to you considering that the Z06 is CERTIFIED FOR 91 OCTANE FUEL and mentions no advantages of running higher octane fuel.
Oh and Tadge, remember those bogus claims regarding using E85 fuel to gain extra performance? What happened with that part? How about an explanation why none of the C7 cars can use the ethanol fuel? Someone should really sue GM and you personally for this part. Do you think Tadge that the Nissan would complain if Z06 ran on ethanol, as allegedly designed for?
Think about one thing here Tadge: if you indeed decide to run higher octane fuel in a rerun, YOU WILL BE THE ONE CHEATING HERE, not Nissan. Just take this cluster fuck in stride and after getting your shit together, start fixing all the problems with this piece of shit called C7 Z06. Certainly, the constant whining and bullshit excuses do not earn you any points in the manhood or engineering departments.
you know what this just shows how PATHETIC Garbage Motors is.so the everyday vette that a fool would buy,got its ass side kicked on the track by a gtr,now you guys are gonna use a RINGER car from now on to make sure that JUNKMOBILE vette beats the gtr.im not shocked,they use CRAPMARO ringer cars all of the time.i hope people wake up and stop buying from a Garbage Motor Company.
ReplyDeleteLOL, yeah. Tadge just openly stated GM will be making a ringer to compete with GTR which is beyond stupid. This guy should really let someone else do the talking.
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