2020 GT350R vs C8 Track

[svttim]

To me 1 second is eating its lunch because that adds up lap after lap. I know it doesn't sound like much but its amazing how that one second becomes 1 minute which is an eternity on the track. I love the 350 and 350R which is why I have a 350. They are great cars but they are a dying breed. It won't be long before the standard transmission becomes obsolete and no one has one anymore. I wish they would have put some Cup2 tires on the C8 in that test with the GT500. It would have been interesting to see how well it would have performed on a equal playing field as far as tires. I think it acquitted itself quite well with the 4S tires and down 255 HP. Again I'm not too concerned about it because the cars don't really belong in the same match up. It is fun to see all the tears being spilled on the Corvette site because their flagship car can't outrun a Ford Mustang. We need to enjoy this little victory while we can.

I agree that 1 second is eating lunch. I would love to see a test between the two although, Its not relevant because you know people with your experience will be passing the C8. The Base GT500 ate the C8's lunch at over 1 second and the Track version was in another zip code. Different versions of the C8 will change that You are correct that the days are numbered for the manual.

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[svttim]

Just did some checking, The C8 in the configuration shown in the test had 7.2 lbs per HP

MT listed the GT350R at 6.9 lbs per HP​

This could be a tighter fight then you think

 

[PP0001]

Just did some checking, The C8 in the configuration shown in the test had 7.2 lbs per HP

MT listed the GT350R at 6.9 lbs per HP​

This could be a tighter fight then you think

Agreed and with my 2018 Base R model coming in at 3620# from the FRAP I suggest that the fight would even tighter even yet.

 

[proeagles]

I didn't think the 350R was lighter than the C8. That differential might make the difference with a 31 HP advantage. It would be cool to see that comparison. My real curiosity is what would have happened had they put Cup2 tires on the C8 against the Cup2 tired GT500. Would it kept the margin at approximately 1 second? Who knows but if it did then that chassis in the C8 is really an advantage down that much horsepower.

 

[WesS]

I would love to see my stock 2020 R in a race against a stock C8 with an experienced track driver in each car (not me). It would be super close.

 

[PP0001]

I didn't think the 350R was lighter than the C8. That differential might make the difference with a 31 HP advantage. It would be cool to see that comparison. My real curiosity is what would have happened had they put Cup2 tires on the C8 against the Cup2 tired GT500. Would it kept the margin at approximately 1 second? Who knows but if it did then that chassis in the C8 is really an advantage down that much horsepower.

I would suggest that the new C8 and a 2018 Base R model are very comparable from a weight standpoint.

If you are comparing an Electronics Package equipped R model then you are correct with your assumption.

With the 15 delete items on my 2018 Base R model and with a half tank of fuel I scaled it twice at exactly the same weight of 3620#.

My understanding is that a new C8 has a curb weight of ~3650# therefore both of these cars are within a few pounds of each other.

 

[WesS]

I would suggest that the new C8 and a 2018 Base R model are very comparable from a weight standpoint.

If you are comparing an Electronics Package equipped R model then you are correct with your assumption.

With the 15 delete items on my 2018 Base R model and with a half tank of fuel I scaled it twice at exactly the same weight of 3620#.

My understanding is that a new C8 has a curb weight of ~3650# therefore both of these cars are within a few pounds of each other.

What’s the 2020 R weight? I thought there was a change to air flow in the 19 and suspension in the 20. Would that help it at all?

 

[PP0001]

What’s the 2020 R weight? I thought there was a change to air flow in the 19 and suspension in the 20. Would that help it at all?

Not sure on the weight of the 2020 R but will weigh mine shortly after it comes in.

Suggest a weight of ~3740# for these cars but could be off a little but not by much.

If I recall correctly the 2019 R's had some positive suspension changes which carried over to the 2020 MY with the most significant improvement on the 2020 R being the new steering rack which the 2020 R model inherited from the launch of the new GT500.

The 2020 R models will be the overall best performing/handling R model over the last 6 MY's without question.

 

[proeagles]

I thought the steering geometry change for 2020 was more for the trammeling than anything else. I'm sure it handles better, just don't know really how much of a difference. My 2019 handles better than any car I've ever driven including my BMW race cars. Ford did an amazing job with the Shelby, completely in a league of its own.

 

[svttim]

I thought the steering geometry change for 2020 was more for the trammeling than anything else. I'm sure it handles better, just don't know really how much of a difference. My 2019 handles better than any car I've ever driven including my BMW race cars. Ford did an amazing job with the Shelby, completely in a league of its own.

Yes, probably more about street driving then tracking.

 

[Caballus]

Not sure on the weight of the 2020 R but will weigh mine shortly after it comes in.

Suggest a weight of ~3740# for these cars but could be off a little but not by much.

If I recall correctly the 2019 R's had some positive suspension changes which carried over to the 2020 MY with the most significant improvement on the 2020 R being the new steering rack which the 2020 R model inherited from the launch of the new GT500.

The 2020 R models will be the overall best performing/handling R model over the last 6 MY's without question.

No suspension changes on the 2019 R's; only non-R's received suspension changes, bringing them closer in line to the R's.

Significant changes on 2020 R's, bringing them in line with the GT500 suspensions, per your remark above. As you also noted, this will likely increase weight, albeit minor.

 

[svttim]

No suspension changes on the 2019 R's; only non-R's received suspension changes, bringing them closer in line to the R's.

Significant changes on 2020 R's, bringing them in line with the GT500 suspensions, per your remark above. As you also noted, this will likely increase weight, albeit minor.

ABS is considered a suspension change and the 19R received that

2020's got the GT500 steering rack,

 

[Caballus]

ABS is considered a suspension change and the 19R received that

2020's got the GT500 steering rack,

Not sure that's the case. Everything that I've seen mentions ABS upgrades on the GT350 in 2019, but not the GT350R. The upgrades brought the GT350 more in line with the GT350R as I understand it. Attached order guide reinforces that. Admittedly, I may have missed it. Have you seen something else that mentions the R, by chance?

 

[svttim]

Not sure that's the case. Everything that I've seen mentions ABS upgrades on the GT350 in 2019, but not the GT350R. The upgrades brought the GT350 more in line with the GT350R as I understand it. Attached order guide reinforces that. Admittedly, I may have missed it. Have you seen something else that mentions the R, by chance?

Well known and documented in other places and confirmed by Ford personnel

 

[Caballus]

Well known and documented in other places and confirmed by Ford personnel

If you get a chance, appreciate if you can provide a link or ref. Interested in learning more about it. Thanks.

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