What happens if you put a Z06 and the best handling big block Cobra in a track?

[Tom T.]

Neither one if I'm the driver! Cars can only do so much at my advanced state of "middle" age...no miracles for me!

TT

[TERRY M KRYSTOFIAK]

DON'T LET TOM T. MISLEAD YOU ABOUT HIS DRIVING ABILITY. MOST PEOPLE IN THIS FORM WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STAYING WITH HIM ON A TRACK...ESP. THUNDERHILL. SINCE A COUPLE OF ZO'6S WILL BE AT THUNDERHILL ALONG WITH "AFEW" BIG BLOCK COBRAS WEEK AFTER NEXT IT COULD ADD ALITTLE MORE LIGHT ON THE MATTER. WHEN I RAN MY ERA WITH A GROUP OF ZO6'S I COULD PULL THEM PRETTY GOOD ON THE STRIGHTS, IT WAS TURNS 1 TO 14 I HAD TROUBLE. MY COBRA WAS FAIRLY WELL SORTED OUT FOR THE TRACK....MUST BE NOT ENOUGH "BALLS OF STEAL". THIS LAST WEEKEND I DID TURN IN A FASTER TIME THAN A ZO6 AT THE VIRGINIA CITY HILLCLIMB, BUT WAS IN A GT350.

[Edley Rondinone]

Valpo: ANY Cobra, BB or SB, will get more models/women/chicks than a Z06 Corvette. To most people, a Z06 looks like any other Corvette, convertible notwithstanding. I agree that the Z06, or ANY Corvette, is one of, if not THE most, bang for the bucks today! I do hope that the C6 gets a smaller rear end, though! TURK, will the C6 Z06 get a convertible AND hatchback design? The hardtop, IMHO, is the ugliest version 'Vette.

[Cracker]

Good honest feedback regarding BB Cobra's but what about a purpose built unit like the JBL:

#1 Educated viewpoints pitting a JBL with 400-425 hp against a similiarily powered ZO6?

#2 Same comparison but with both having around 500-525 hp?

Anyone with some track experience / times to compare?

[valpodoc]

Tony, Speed on the track is all about weight and keeping it moving in the right direction. A purpose built cobra...JBL or otherwise at 2000 LBS will run the pants of a Z06 at 3000 lbs given similar Horsepower and drivers. The closer the scales become the advantage goes to the Z06. The fastest track cobras should be the 289-302 based on weight allowance. I understand ford makes an alluminum 302 block weighing less than a hundred lbs (?). Lightning in a box.
Roland

[coyled]

Roland, speed in a straight line is all about power to weight ratio's until aero comes into play. Most cobra's, especially big blocks are 2500 pounds or better not 2000 pounds. A jbl or shelby spec racer are probably the 2 best handling cobra's out of the box. A jbl well set up and driven by Richard Hudgins would probably beat a zo6 on most tracks. But, put a good driver in the zo6 and the cobra might win, but just barely. Scott

[Cracker]

Thanks Roland for your insight. Since I own a Replica/kit/counterfeit/whatever I can with all honesty say it makes an incredible street car - properly set up maybe track day car as well. However, from what I've seen of the JBL design, to me, an ignorant observer, it would be quite more capable than even a well prepared 289 of old. Simply based upon improved weight and traction improvements. I might be off here but I don't think so. Thanks again.

[valpodoc]

I agree most cobras with a big block run between 2500 and 3000LBs, witha Z06 clocking in at 3000+. The difference is mainly luxury items such as cup holders, AC/heat and roof. Aerodynamics aside, a purpose built small block cobra say a FFR spec racer with an alluminum 302 tuned for racing would weigh in at ~2000Lbs and without the luxury items would give the Z06 a run for the money. just 2 cents.

Roland

[rdorman]

I may not be real scientific but next weekend (oct.3) at Mid-Ohio looks like C5/Z06s and Cobras will be sharing the track. News to come!

Rick

[Tom T.]

Hey, you only get one cupholder with the Z06, and it's a crummy one at that!

TT

[anchor2]

In my opinion talent of the drivers will make all the difference. The handeling of newer cars is far superior but acceleration is another story.

I recently went through a high-performance driving course at Sears Point (Infinion) and had some first hand experience. The instructors were allowing us to go all out. I was tailing (with instructors in the cars) a 2002 Carrera S4 and a tricked out CLK 55 AMG and the handeling between my Cobra and these two cars was not even close. The Porsche and Benz were more of a "point and shoot" car. The Carrera especially had absolutely incredible handeling you could only see by tailing one at high speeds around a corner. I on the other hand......well you know the story.

I can say that during any points of acceleration my car really showed me how scary fast a Cobra is - the Benz (420HP) and Carrera (??HP) were not even close.

[Great Asp]

"Hell, at Bondurant the pros in the MINIVAN beat the students in the mustang cobras. Quite the education, that."

Yeah, well when Bob Bondurant passed me on a Segway, I gave up!

Eric

[valpodoc]

One last thought.... A lot has been said on this thread about how easy it is to get ~90% out of the Z06 but a cobra is hard work after 60%. Consider that in the Z06 you are enclosed have an airbag and even heads up display while in the cobra you feel somewhat naked. I know that on the track I get a false sense of security in an enclosed car that has resulted in me doing a little "aggricultural engineering" on occasion. Now I haven't had my cobra on the track yet but I suspect I'll have a bit more respect. Just wondering how this translates into track times at some of these events?

Roland

[aumoore]

Roland
I have the same observation when driving my Cobra. An Open car will give you little or no sense of security. I Got to drive a "03 Cobra Mustang and it was much more secure feeling. Not any faster just more secure feeling.

A good enclosed helmet helps you feel a little more secure than driving the Cobra sans helmet.

[CSX 4027]

Mr. ZO6 couldn't catch CSX 4027...

[Tom T.]

"Mr. Z06?"

[CSX 4027]

Just an affectionate name for a guy in a Z06 whose name I did not know..

[Don]

Have contacted Bob & Dennis Olthoff @ Olthoff Racing , the Editor of Sports Car International along with Car And Driver Editor , suggesting they consider a comparison of the Z06 and Cobra.

Will post any responses, might be interesting,

[Frank Calmes]

I think when you are talking Cobra and Z06 you are talking about two seperate animals. As a straight line car, a true 427 Cobra will beat the STOCK Z06 everytime. We're talking about a high HP engine in a 2400 lb car for the Cobra. 385-405 HP for a Z06 at 3100 lbs.

This interview may give you some insite on the direction which Corvette/Z06 is going.

http://crossedflags.com/media/Dave_Hill-20030830.wmv