Let us start with comparison of C7 Z06 vs. C7R:
1. Things in common are not too many, just a frame, direct injection and Z07 based ceramic brakes.
2. Things that are missing from C7R are as follows: supercharger, LT1 or LT4, leaf springs and AFM.
Why are these things missing from C7R? Very simple answer: they are not suitable for track oriented car and in fact, they impede performance. AFM has been tried in 2007, the vibrations in four cylinder mode were so severe that Pratt & Miller pulled the car from LeMans race that year and yanked it out, never to be seen again on their race cars.
Supercharger is a given MIA due to severe heat soak and resulting timing retardation. The other problem lies with the PARASITIC nature of supercharger, adding weight and robbing power is fine for poser street car like the new Z06 but it does not work in endurance racing, this is a fact.
Leaf springs? LOL at this part. There is no way to tune suspension using these ancient contraptions. At least Pratt and Miller know this part, unlike +Tadge Juechter .
The biggest irony? The new C7R still uses the "obsolete" LS7 motor, except the motor now LOSES 3HP courtesy of "fuel saving" direct injection. Can there be any more bullshit coming from Juechter?
So... apparently nothing has changed since the C6R times, worthless and obsolete technologies +General Motors dumps in Corvette while moron Juechter claim obsolescence of previous generation of Corvette do not translate at all into actual racing advancements.
They still use the LS7 because it still clears the restrictions set on the GT class cars in that series. This has nothing to do with new vs old. Why would they put in a supercharged V8 when they have to detune the thing to get it to stay within their class restrictions? The LS7 is a proven, winning platform. They will not be walking away from that until the GT class has a reform.
ReplyDeleteAs for why do the street cars get the new, higher horsepower tech? Because GM wants to compete with the Italians. And I might add, they did a damn fine job with it.
I suggest you re-read this blog entry and rules governing the engine restrictions. The fact that the engine developed by Katech for 5R is basically a carry over to C7R speaks volumes of the actual applicability of the current technologies employed in LT1 and LT4 engines. As a matter of fact, there is nothing in the regulations preventing GM from using both LT1 and LT4 engines IF GM really wanted to take this route but apparently durability is a serious concern.
DeleteI have not seen the new Z06 accomplishing anything meaningful yet but hopefully the latest Nurburgring fiasco will motivate GM to change this?