CT4-V 4BW to C8, tempted

[dstewart51]

I looked at how much luggage I have packed in my ct4vbw over the last 2+ years, and nothing that would not fit in a C8. The ONLY thing is my road bike, I toss it in the back with the seats down now. I would need to set the frame in a bag and then into the passenger seat or just use the SeaSucker mount.

The LC500 just does not do it for me. Im 95% sure my next car will be a 25' z51 C8 3lt in Comp Yellow with magnaride + front lift.

Here is a build link;

Site Maintenance

As far as aftermarket items, I have it down to;
Halltech Hornet with TKO Attack Blue filter
Corsa Catback w/AFM and NPP valves
Maybe have the LT2 intake ported and add a 91mm Solar T-body

Thats all I would do, done. I know the gains are not additive once you hit the magic wall at about 440-450whp. The Corsa would give me mellow at curse but open it up when I wanted to hear it.

As far as the DCT maintenance, I would do my own DCT filters and fluid flushes when I hit the mileage markers, and document the crap out of it, maybe even video it so no DCT warranty issues should it be needed.

 

[dinkman]

It's a 2016 C7.R edition so basically fully loaded.

Corvette Racing Yellow Coupe manual 3LZ, Z07, exposed carbon fiber ground exposed, exposed carbon hood, comp seats, yellow calipers, yellow stitching etc. All part of the C7.R special edition package.

I had a '19 C7Z that I missed, was similar spec to this 2016 except it was red and didn't have Z07.

is z07 suspension really as stiff as they say it is around town? im torn as i'd love to get the ccb's but dont want my teeth chattering every time i drive either and finding one to drive around here is damn near impossible

 

[hawk02]

Dunno if you just mean the C8 SR, but the C8 Z06 is easily the best and most exciting performance car I’ve ever driven. I thankfully didn’t have any DCT issues, but I didn’t have it for that long. I loved it with the LT6. I’m most likely going to get another in the future. Hopefully have that and the 5V BW next to each other.

Yes, all my experience is with a C8 Stingray HTC. I admit I’ve never driven a C8 Z06.

On paper, my biggest concern with the C8Z is that you’ll rarely take advantage of the high revs of the LT6 in normal street driving. As a torque junky, the low torque numbers of the LT6 especially in the lower rpm range puts me off. This is why I considered upgrading to an ERay and why I adore the LT4. There was a thread over in the Corvette Forum where someone had actually gone from a C8 SR to C8Z and then back to a C8 SR because the C8Z required driving at jail time speeds to take advantage of the high revs.

I’m sure the high revs of LT6 shine on a track and when you get down to it the C8Z is the track focused version of the C8. But as someone who doesn’t track their cars and exclusively drives on the street, I’ll take a 5BW over a C8Z every time.

 

[quikag]

If you don't need the back seat, do it. I have a '24 Z51 C8 and my '22 CT5BW six-speed. If I never needed more room, I'd happily daily the C8. Just get mag ride (as you said you will do) and the performance exhaust and in tour mode, it is very comfortable and enjoyable to drive. As others have said, you do feel the less weight and it's more of an "event" driving the C8. It feels exotic with the engine behind you through the glass, the low sightlines out of the front windshield. You can't see crap behind you to the left or right, but nothing well-adjusted side mirrors, blind spot monitoring, and the rear-view camera mirror don't fix.

 

[hawk02]

I've been using a '24 Stingray Z51 HTC as my only vehicle for the last 7 months, it currently has winter tires on it.

If your BW is auto and you don't need the backseats a C8 is a perfectly fine vehicle to consider. Its a great daily sports car, however in stock form it is incredibly quiet. Like I feel like I'm driving Tesla quiet, the exhaust is only loud on start up and once you start puttering around you don't even know its there. I put a Borla ATAK on it and that woke it right up, made the vehicle much more enjoyable.

The DCT is also not very smooth. If you do a lot of driving in the city, traffic etc a torque converter automatic will be infinitely more comfortable.

Being able to see the engine becomes a novelty. My first C8 was a coupe and I avoided the convertible because I wanted to see the engine, after a month I didn't care anymore and told myself my next one would absolutely be a convertible.

The maintenance is higher, the transmission is a sour point for its maintenance costs and troubled reliability history but I wouldn't let that deter you.

Grocery runs are fine, everything I need fits in the frunk and if needed the trunk.

If you like it go buy one, great deals to be had now.

An LC500 would also be a great buy as a daily sports car, would most likely hold more value as well and you will be able to actually hear the exhaust. However it is missing features such as magride, HUD, front lift etc that the C8 has.

My C8 is being traded in tomorrow and I'm going back to a C7 Z06 but I've enjoyed my Stingray, just wish it was a manual and I probably would keep it.

Being able to see the engine is a bit over-hyped in my opinion. Lets face it, GM doesn’t put a lot of effort into making their engine bays look fancy.

I owned three 5th gen Camaro convertibles that required manually putting on the tonneau cover when the top went down. Getting caught in the rain and finding a place to stop so you could jump out of the car to remove the cover so the top can go up was a real PITA.

I saw the same issue with the targa top on the C8. Plus you lose most of the storage space in the trunk with the top off. The C8 hard top convertible gives you the best of both worlds. You have a hard-top coupe with the top up and with the flick of a switch it becomes a convertible with no loss of storage space in the trunk and frunk. And best of all no tonneau cover to manually install. Yes, you lose the ability to see the engine but as I tell people, I’ve seen enough small-block GM engines in my lifetime. No big deal if I don’t see this one.

On a side-note, the C8 makes a great food delivery vehicle. Want to keep that pizza or take-out warm until you get home just put it in the trunk. Just remember the following rule: The beer and ice cream needs to go in the frunk if you don’t want it warm or melted.

 

[dinkman]

Yes, all my experience is with a C8 Stingray HTC. I admit I’ve never driven a C8 Z06.

On paper, my biggest concern with the C8Z is that you’ll rarely take advantage of the high revs of the LT6 in normal street driving. As a torque junky, the low torque numbers of the LT6 especially in the lower rpm range puts me off. This is why I considered upgrading to an ERay and why I adore the LT4. There was a thread over in the Corvette Forum where someone had actually gone from a C8 SR to C8Z and then back to a C8 SR because the C8Z required driving at jail time speeds to take advantage of the high revs.

I’m sure the high revs of LT6 shine on a track and when you get down to it the C8Z is the track focused version of the C8. But as someone who doesn’t track their cars and exclusively drives on the street, I’ll take a 5BW over a C8Z every time.

you're not wrong here. i;ve owned many e90 m3's and gt350 with their very high redline and low low end torque and they can be underwhelming around town but when you do take it up to higher rpms man they sing

 

[dstewart51]

I like the lines on the SR more than the HTC and I am not a top down guy. Never been a fan of moon roofs or convertibles, Id rather have a coup any day, that's just me. I have looked into a few items to spiff up the engine some already. I had thoughts of headers and the pTR carbon intake but decided against it as no additional gains to be had there and its a lot of $ for some visual bling. Replacing the intake cover with a nice custom one from Radiator Grill Store would go a long way. I'm not a fan of the carbon side covers above the headers, I think I would rather have the air flow for the heat to vent. I'm not the kind of person who goes crazy over carbon bolt-on's for bling.

As far as the trunk heat, I have seen a few folks pull the air box access cover and line it with heat shield and they say it makes a big difference. I'm sure it helps, but not sure if it would keep ice cream from melting.

 

[sonny200]

Being able to see the engine is a bit over-hyped in my opinion. Lets face it, GM doesn’t put a lot of effort into making their engine bays look fancy.

I owned three 5th gen Camaro convertibles that required manually putting on the tonneau cover when the top went down. Getting caught in the rain and finding a place to stop so you could jump out of the car to remove the cover so the top can go up was a real PITA.

I saw the same issue with the targa top on the C8. Plus you lose most of the storage space in the trunk with the top off. The C8 hard top convertible gives you the best of both worlds. You have a hard-top coupe with the top up and with the flick of a switch it becomes a convertible with no loss of storage space in the trunk and frunk. And best of all no tonneau cover to manually install. Yes, you lose the ability to see the engine but as I tell people, I’ve seen enough small-block GM engines in my lifetime. No big deal if I don’t see this one.

On a side-note, the C8 makes a great food delivery vehicle. Want to keep that pizza or take-out warm until you get home just put it in the trunk. Just remember the following rule: The beer and ice cream needs to go in the frunk if you don’t want it warm or melted.

"I've heard" you can really keep a pizza warm if you put it on the engine cover on the ride home from the store...

 

[sonny200]

There's an aftermarket solution for putting in a window on the tonneau -- Upper HTC Window | My Site

Must add a clear engine cover (multiple sources for that) & then you'll have what the coupe offers OEM.

 

[hawk02]

To the OP of this thread. Be aware that there are some significant reliability issues with C8s regarding the transmission. I can vouch for that with my C8.

This was just posted on the Corvette Forum. This person is having his second C8 buyback in 2 months due to transmission issues. The transmission in his first C8 started malfunctioning after 2 days of ownership. The transmission in the second C8 went two months and 3000 miles before it malfunctioned with the same issues as the first.

I'll continue to harp that the Cadillac Blackwings are the best performance cars GM currently builds. Enjoy what you have. The grass ain't always greener on the other side.

 

[Exia]

is z07 suspension really as stiff as they say it is around town? im torn as i'd love to get the ccb's but dont want my teeth chattering every time i drive either and finding one to drive around here is damn near impossible

I can't provide any feedback until Spring as its winter here and I can't drive the car. My '19 without Z07 was stiff but compliant but I haven't driven a Z07 C7 yet to give an opinion.

I've owned a ZL1 1LE and that suspension is the stiffest I've ever owned so I will probably say Z07 is fine but again I haven't driven my new to me one yet to compare but after that ZL1 I can drive anything.

My C8 Z06 Z07 was still very compliant and rode better than a non Z07 C7 Z06

 

[Exia]

Yes, all my experience is with a C8 Stingray HTC. I admit I’ve never driven a C8 Z06.

On paper, my biggest concern with the C8Z is that you’ll rarely take advantage of the high revs of the LT6 in normal street driving. As a torque junky, the low torque numbers of the LT6 especially in the lower rpm range puts me off. This is why I considered upgrading to an ERay and why I adore the LT4. There was a thread over in the Corvette Forum where someone had actually gone from a C8 SR to C8Z and then back to a C8 SR because the C8Z required driving at jail time speeds to take advantage of the high revs.

I’m sure the high revs of LT6 shine on a track and when you get down to it the C8Z is the track focused version of the C8. But as someone who doesn’t track their cars and exclusively drives on the street, I’ll take a 5BW over a C8Z every time.

This is very true. Its a great engine and a great platform and I didn't miss my manual transmission from my C7Z. However it makes all the power when you rev it and you have to drive it hard to enjoy it which means if you aren't at a race track you are risking your license.

This is why I'm going back to a C7Z. I actually enjoyed my C8 Stingray as well after I put a Borla on it because I could enjoy the noise and low end torque without going to jail but I missed the manual.

I would take a C8 Stingray with a borla over a C8 Z06 for a street car because the Z06 is to much car. As a track car its a toss up, the C8 Z06 is amazing but I also like driving a C7Z manual on track so it probably depends on what road coarse your doing.

Either the C8Z is a terrible street car to enjoy unless the cops in your area are awful at their jobs.

 

[quikag]

The DCT in the C8 has had issues, but it's still a fairly small percentage. In the 24+ cars, you don't need to add the extra oil anymore for track work. They redesigned the case or something to that effect. I've had no issues with my '24 so far with anything, even squeaks/rattles. It's been perfect one year into ownership.

And I've taken it on 2 rallies, a bunch of track days, and generally running the piss out of it. It's only been to the dealer once for the free oil change.

 

[hawk02]

The DCT in the C8 has had issues, but it's still a fairly small percentage. In the 24+ cars, you don't need to add the extra oil anymore for track work. They redesigned the case or something to that effect. I've had no issues with my '24 so far with anything, even squeaks/rattles. It's been perfect one year into ownership.

And I've taken it on 2 rallies, a bunch of track days, and generally running the piss out of it. It's only been to the dealer once for the free oil change.

I love how Corvette owners are convinced it’s a small percentage of C8s with transmission issues.

My own C8 had zero transmission issues for the first two years of ownership. I even drove it twice from Florida to Ohio. But during year three and after 13,000 miles the transmission decided to skip the even gears coming to a stop after a 20 minute drive on the highway. My C8 then spent 12 days at the dealer for a valve body replacement. The fact that I had completed all the required maintenance didn’t matter it still had a failure.

I now question now many transmissions in the C8 will actually make it to 100,000 miles.

 

[Matt27]

I love how Corvette owners are convinced it’s a small percentage of C8s with transmission issues.

My own C8 had zero transmission issues for the first two years of ownership. I even drove it twice from Florida to Ohio. But during year three and after 13,000 miles the transmission decided to skip the even gears coming to a stop after a 20 minute drive on the highway. My C8 then spent 12 days at the dealer for a valve body replacement. The fact that I had completed all the required maintenance didn’t matter it still had a failure.

I now question now many transmissions in the C8 will actually make it to 100,000 miles.

It's crazy to me that Tremec and GM f'd it up this badly.

Combine it with the issues on the truck engines and it's a couple really dark marks on GM.

 

[savethemanual]

I love how Corvette owners are convinced it’s a small percentage of C8s with transmission issues.

My own C8 had zero transmission issues for the first two years of ownership. I even drove it twice from Florida to Ohio. But during year three and after 13,000 miles the transmission decided to skip the even gears coming to a stop after a 20 minute drive on the highway. My C8 then spent 12 days at the dealer for a valve body replacement. The fact that I had completed all the required maintenance didn’t matter it still had a failure.

I now question now many transmissions in the C8 will actually make it to 100,000 miles.

Do the transmission issues extend to the Z06? It's one of my possible future cars.

 

[CBH]

Do the transmission issues extend to the Z06? It's one of my possible future cars.

How could @savethemanual consider a car with 2 pedals ?!?!?

Factory Five just announced a new generation of their Cobra kit:

Mk5 - Factory Five Racing

The Mission of the Mk5: Revolution More than Evolution I am extremely proud to have the honor of introducing you…

www.factoryfive.com

That would be the perfect vessel for the Z06 engine. And with 3 proper pedals.

 

[minn19]

Yes, all my experience is with a C8 Stingray HTC. I admit I’ve never driven a C8 Z06.

On paper, my biggest concern with the C8Z is that you’ll rarely take advantage of the high revs of the LT6 in normal street driving. As a torque junky, the low torque numbers of the LT6 especially in the lower rpm range puts me off. This is why I considered upgrading to an ERay and why I adore the LT4. There was a thread over in the Corvette Forum where someone had actually gone from a C8 SR to C8Z and then back to a C8 SR because the C8Z required driving at jail time speeds to take advantage of the high revs.

I’m sure the high revs of LT6 shine on a track and when you get down to it the C8Z is the track focused version of the C8. But as someone who doesn’t track their cars and exclusively drives on the street, I’ll take a 5BW over a C8Z every time.

Your mind is made up and there is no changing that. I’m sure that person is one of the very few that decided to go from a SR to a Z06 and back.

In real life the low torque numbers are completely overblown and you dont need to redline it to have fun. I love the LT4 as well for the instant torque in nearly every situation, but like I said, if you push the LT6/Z06 it is going to be faster than a 5V BW everywhere. Part of that is obviously the Z06 is going to get better traction in just an about every situation and put the power down. I never tracked my Z06 and had a ton of fun on the street between 3-6k RPM. The 5V BWs magic and the reason it is a great DD is because it’s a MT super duper sport sedan and all the conveniences that come with it.

I love my 5V BW, but for flat out fun to drive and a better driving machine/experience, the Z06 is vastly superior. Of course, these are just my opinions from experiencing both. The answer is to have both, which I hope to do in a couple of years.

 

[minn19]

This is very true. Its a great engine and a great platform and I didn't miss my manual transmission from my C7Z. However it makes all the power when you rev it and you have to drive it hard to enjoy it which means if you aren't at a race track you are risking your license.

This is why I'm going back to a C7Z. I actually enjoyed my C8 Stingray as well after I put a Borla on it because I could enjoy the noise and low end torque without going to jail but I missed the manual.

I would take a C8 Stingray with a borla over a C8 Z06 for a street car because the Z06 is to much car. As a track car its a toss up, the C8 Z06 is amazing but I also like driving a C7Z manual on track so it probably depends on what road coarse your doing.

Either the C8Z is a terrible street car to enjoy unless the cops in your area are awful at their jobs.

How is this different with the 5V BW too much car for the street. Shouldn’t we all be in 4V BWs then as they are way too much for the street as well? We easily risk our licenses having fun in both of them, especially a 5V.

Obviously disagree that you have to rev it and drive a Z06 hard to enjoy it, but again, it is personal to everyone and it is just our opinions from our own experiences.

 

[Exia]

How is this different with the 5V BW too much car for the street. Shouldn’t we all be in 4V BWs then as they are way too much for the street as well? We easily risk our licenses having fun in both of them, especially a 5V.

Obviously disagree that you have to rev it and drive a Z06 hard to enjoy it, but again, it is personal to everyone and it is just our opinions from our own experiences.

The engines are completely different. The LT6 has to be revved and is basically a race motor. If you don't rev it out you are not enjoying it. It literally doesn't start to make a good sound until 3.5k and it just gets better front there, the fun just starts, if you stop early its basically giving yourself blue balls.

The LT4 is a pushrod low revving engine. It sounds basically the same at redline as it does at 3k, there is no benefit to revving it out and risking your license, especially with a manual where the fun is in the shifting. I never felt any need to actually do ridiculous speeds in an LT4 equipped vehicle, doesn't matter if its a Blackwing or a C7 Z06 or a ZL1. The engine characteristics don't change at the higher revs so you don't need to.

The 4V is the same, the characteristics of that engine don't make you want to rev it out either but at least it has 200 leas horsepower so you can redline it twice and be fine.

SavageGeese recently reviewd a C7 Z06 and came to the same conclusion that a C7Z is a better street car due to the engine characteristics compared to the C8Z. Likewise the Blackwing has the same motor. Yes if you want to go crazy and use all the horsepower like a madman you can but nothing about those cars makes you want to redline it and bang gears like a C8Z does. Its much more difficult to restrain yourself in a C8Z than a Blackwing or a C7Z.