GT350 vs. Z/28

[Momentum]

At the request of some of the members on another thread, I was asked to give my impressions of my Z28. First some background.

I've been involved in owning/managing race cars in Grand Am (now CTSC) and World Challenge for over 5 years now. Currently co-own a Boss 302 R (modded to run in WC) managed by MDG and driven by Alec Udell. My personal track cars have included a 2001 S2000, 2010 SS Camaro heavily modded to be a track monster (ERL Superdeck 500 cu in NA, Pfadt racing suspension, StopTech BBK, Daily dry sump, etc) and A 2014 Z28 acquired 6/2014.

The Z28 corners and grips as described by others. Very confidence inspiring. The brakes take getting used to. You apply the brakes at your normal points and realize you braked too soon. Its scary how far into corners you can go. Your pucker factor gets tested. The LS7 delivers enough torque to exit corners easily but could use more power. You sense this after just a couple of laps. Thats why it always runs lower max straight speeds in comparison testing. The chassis and brakes can use more power. The clutch pedal pressure is too light for my tastes. I prefer the MGW shifter in my other Camaro. I've spent more money on the SS making 200 more hp and the Z28 produces faster lap times. I've had a set of Finspeed wheels made which I run either the Trofeos or Hoosiers and have put Michelin PSS' s on the OEM wheels. It's fast on all 3 with the Hoosiers being fastest. But the Michelins provide some feedback (tire squeel) which would help the beginning driver learn how to find the limits of the car. Spend a little money on a cam, headers and a tune and the car will eliminate that top speed problem. As a dd, it's not at it's best. Crap radio and its a stiff ride for sure.

Hoping Ford delivers a GT350 that runs with the Z28. My wife doesn't.

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[Tim Hilliard]

This is commitment, no bitch lifting. Those rocks bounced off my Wife's head.
:lol: It was awesome, had to be there.

 

[Tim Hilliard]

At the request of some of the members on another thread, I was asked to give my impressions of my Z28. First some background.

I've been involved in owning/managing race cars in Grand Am (now CTSC) and World Challenge for over 5 years now. Currently co-own a Boss 302 R (modded to run in WC) managed by MDG and driven by Alec Udell. My personal track cars have included a 2001 S2000, 2010 SS Camaro heavily modded to be a track monster (ERL Superdeck 500 cu in NA, Pfadt racing suspension, StopTech BBK, Daily dry sump, etc) and A 2014 Z28 acquired 6/2014.

The Z28 corners and grips as described by others. Very confidence inspiring. The brakes take getting used to. You apply the brakes at your normal points and realize you braked too soon. Its scary how far into corners you can go. Your pucker factor gets tested. The LS7 delivers enough torque to exit corners easily but could use more power. You sense this after just a couple of laps. Thats why it always runs lower max straight speeds in comparison testing. The chassis and brakes can use more power. The clutch pedal pressure is too light for my tastes. I prefer the MGW shifter in my other Camaro. I've spent more money on the SS making 200 more hp and the Z28 produces faster lap times. I've had a set of Finspeed wheels made which I run either the Trofeos or Hoosiers and have put Michelin PSS' s on the OEM wheels. It's fast on all 3 with the Hoosiers being fastest. But the Michelins provide some feedback (tire squeel) which would help the beginning driver learn how to find the limits of the car. Spend a little money on a cam, headers and a tune and the car will eliminate that top speed problem. As a dd, it's not at it's best. Crap radio and its a stiff ride for sure.

Hoping Ford delivers a GT350 that runs with the Z28. My wife doesn't.

:hail: Can you adopt me?

 

[stilesg57]

No doubt...I've been passed like Im sitting still by a Miata when I've had 100hp on the miata....And I've done plenty of driving courses and track days. Most people have no concept of how fast professional drivers really are....

Haha, so true: getting passed -- handedly -- by a car with 100 fewer hp is about the most humbling experience ever. Especially when the driver of that car is still just a well-practiced amateur, not a pro...which may have happened to me in my old WRX a couple times ;)

 

[Trackaholic]

Haha, so true: getting passed -- handedly -- by a car with 100 fewer hp is about the most humbling experience ever. Especially when the driver of that car is still just a well-practiced amateur, not a pro...which may have happened to me in my old WRX a couple times ;)

Sometimes it works in your favor though. Like when I passed a McLaren 12c at Laguna Seca. Clearly the driver was relatively new, but let's pretend that I'm just that good!

-T

 

[tbonez3858]

Haha, so true: getting passed -- handedly -- by a car with 100 fewer hp is about the most humbling experience ever. Especially when the driver of that car is still just a well-practiced amateur, not a pro...which may have happened to me in my old WRX a couple times ;)

Humility is the start of all things good....

Nothing lights a fire like figuring out you arent nearly good as you think you are about something you care about...

 

[StangBANG]

2014 Z28 vs 2015 Mustang GT350:

 

[w3rkn]

2014 Z28 vs 2015 Mustang GT350:

Thanks for the vid clip... illustrates a lot.




Tim... moAr pics plz..!

 

[Pablo GT350]

At the request of some of the members on another thread, I was asked to give my impressions of my Z28. First some background.

I've been involved in owning/managing race cars in Grand Am (now CTSC) and World Challenge for over 5 years now. Currently co-own a Boss 302 R (modded to run in WC) managed by MDG and driven by Alec Udell. My personal track cars have included a 2001 S2000, 2010 SS Camaro heavily modded to be a track monster (ERL Superdeck 500 cu in NA, Pfadt racing suspension, StopTech BBK, Daily dry sump, etc) and A 2014 Z28 acquired 6/2014.

The Z28 corners and grips as described by others. Very confidence inspiring. The brakes take getting used to. You apply the brakes at your normal points and realize you braked too soon. Its scary how far into corners you can go. Your pucker factor gets tested. The LS7 delivers enough torque to exit corners easily but could use more power. You sense this after just a couple of laps. Thats why it always runs lower max straight speeds in comparison testing. The chassis and brakes can use more power. The clutch pedal pressure is too light for my tastes. I prefer the MGW shifter in my other Camaro. I've spent more money on the SS making 200 more hp and the Z28 produces faster lap times. I've had a set of Finspeed wheels made which I run either the Trofeos or Hoosiers and have put Michelin PSS' s on the OEM wheels. It's fast on all 3 with the Hoosiers being fastest. But the Michelins provide some feedback (tire squeel) which would help the beginning driver learn how to find the limits of the car. Spend a little money on a cam, headers and a tune and the car will eliminate that top speed problem. As a dd, it's not at it's best. Crap radio and its a stiff ride for sure.

Hoping Ford delivers a GT350 that runs with the Z28. My wife doesn't.

Thanks for posting. That's good news on the PSS's in my opinion. Interesting comments on the brakes too.

In what order would you rank the brakes, tires, and suspension in terms of being most responsible for the performance of this car.

 

[Trackaholic]

2014 Z28 vs 2015 Mustang GT350:

The Z28 wasn't even trying on that vid. It's a pretty cool idea for a comparison, but there's gotta be a better example of the z28 to use.

-T

 

[Momentum]

Good question as to how I would order the importance of the various pieces relative to the overall result. First, it was engineered to work as a unit, so it's hard to identify what works best, but I'll try. I would say the brakes and chassis/suspension are tied as to what defines the car. The car never seems unsettled no matter what you do to it. Multimatic did a great job on the dampers. The brakes are incredible. I don't particularly like their feel on the street, but at the track where you're either hard on them or completely off, they are excellent as you don't need a lot of feel. The tires are important too, but I was able to be within about 3% of my best time on the Pirellis. The 427 torque makes for great exits on cornering but at 505 hp is underpowered. But given GM's limited engine options unless you go FI, I'll take a NA car at the track any day, particularly here in hot Houston.

 

[Tim Hilliard]

Thanks for the vid clip... illustrates a lot.




Tim... moAr pics plz..!

I like to think I drive better than I use a camera, I have no idea what I'm doing.
GS Race: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...235.1073741831.1252453002&type=1&l=67f232688b
ST Race: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...567.1073741830.1252453002&type=1&l=d7a680b793
Historic's: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...086.1073741832.1252453002&type=1&l=ca588f538d

Seriously, I have a decent camera my wife got me, but have no idea how to use it. Any good picture is pure luck which explains the large amount of bad ones.

 

[Tim Hilliard]

Good question as to how I would order the importance of the various pieces relative to the overall result. First, it was engineered to work as a unit, so it's hard to identify what works best, but I'll try. I would say the brakes and chassis/suspension are tied as to what defines the car. The car never seems unsettled no matter what you do to it. Multimatic did a great job on the dampers. The brakes are incredible. I don't particularly like their feel on the street, but at the track where you're either hard on them or completely off, they are excellent as you don't need a lot of feel. The tires are important too, but I was able to be within about 3% of my best time on the Pirellis. The 427 torque makes for great exits on cornering but at 505 hp is underpowered. But given GM's limited engine options unless you go FI, I'll take a NA car at the track any day, particularly here in hot Houston.

Have you had any time in the Boss S? Have you priced out the brake job on the Z28 yet? 505HP not being enough just illustrates how good of a job GM did with the chassis :shrug:

 

[Momentum]

I've both driven and got a hot ride during sponsor days in the 302S. Without the restrictor required by WC. Wheres the oh shit handle. Brake jobs aren't too bad until you toast the rotors, but I'll have the team do the work. While the LS 7 works fine, if gm had another option available for 5k more adding 70 hp, man o man. But wishes are just that.

 

[Tim Hilliard]

I've both driven and got a hot ride during sponsor days in the 302S. Without the restrictor required by WC. Wheres the oh shit handle. Brake jobs aren't too bad until you toast the rotors, but I'll have the team do the work. While the LS 7 works fine, if gm had another option available for 5k more adding 70 hp, man o man. But wishes are just that.

And that's why I cant wait for TransAm to roll into Lime Rock with the 'less' restricted V8's ;) I kinda hope it rains...just a little.

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