GTOJack

Good article on the new ZR1 in the latest edition (12/24/07) of AutoWeek. It states that the curb weight should be about 3350 pounds, depending on equipment. The supercharger adds about 100 pounds to the cars nose, which would push the weight distribution to 52/48 F/R, even with lighter carbon fiber hood and front fenders. The ZO6 is 50/50. The rear tires are 335/25/R20 run flat Michelin Pilot Sport 2 on 12 inch wide Speedlines. Selective ride control will be standard. GM wants the car to be more of a daily driver than the all out track car ZO6.

Zigroid

where did GM have to add structural enhancements to hold the extra power and where does it say they did? Why doesn't the C6R.S (the 500 cube 600 hp one based off a Z06) gain any weight despite having a little less hp and the same torque? does that car not need structural enhancements to handle the power or does it just not utilize a supercharger and air to water heat exchanger that adds a significant amount of weight?

I don't get where you think it's only going to go 11.6 @ 129 unless the driver lifts at the 1000' mark. this car should trap well over 130 with ease. it weighs less than a 2008 viper while making more horsepower and torque. They seem to be running about 11.3 @ 129. with exhaust, air intake, and drag radials one has gone 10.7 @ 137.

which brings me to another point. the viper gained 100 hp but gained no weight. whats the reasoning for this?

jg95z28

That's not the point though, is it.
So you're suggesting the LS9 weighs 250lbs more than the LS7? I'm sorry but I don't buy it.
The point was to beat the Ferraris and Porsches of the world for far less money.
That's only part of it.

I'm sorry but I want the factory warranty.

Exactly!

Zigroid

8.4 seconds to go from 60 to 112, a 52 mph gain
8.1 seconds to go from 60 to 120, a 60 mph gain.

traction problems are the first 60 mph's issue. however when one car covers a tad over 50 mph difference in speed slower than the other car covers 60 mph difference in speed, there is a NOTICEABLE power difference.

a simple set of drag radials on each car would show their true differences.

what would you rather have, a 325 hp car that accelerates like a 500 hp car with traction problems, or a 500 hp car that will annihilate the 325 hp car with a $300 set of better tires?

bossco

Depends I suppose, in a straight line the 500hp car has the advantage, but thats about it, the suspension is pretty heavily taxed and the sorts of easy modifications that would allow the 325hp car to burn its *** in the twisties just wont do the same for the 500hp car.

GTOJack

The Vipers additional horsepower comes naturally, without forced induction. Bigger bore, better heads and some things I forgot.

96_Camaro_B4C

And?

JohnnyPappis

Mag times always suck compared to what real world numbers can be with a skilled driver i thought that most of the performance community was aware of this history has proved it....and with bigger brakes a S/C and still retaining a full interior i think that the weight is pretty damn good!

rlchv70

2 points:

1. I bet that the 2004 Cobra was underrated and closer to 500hp.

2. The HP curve has more to do with acceration than the peak.

Gripenfelter

The ZR1 times are just estimated. I'd be willing to wager we'll see 11.5 or better at 130+ mph.

GTOJack

And? I was answering Zigrolds question as to how the Viper gained 100 horsepower without gaining any weight. It was done without the addition of supercharger and intercooler, which saves 100 pounds.

96_Camaro_B4C

I see it, now. His post was a few posts above yours, and there was no quotage, so I didn't make the connection.

graham

Stalemate?

And then a car rag will get one and run 11.2-11.4, then someone will but one and get some slicks and click off a mid-10. The MPH is there....

Zigroid

Thats exactly my point. they gained hp without adding a supercharger and all that. did they have to make changes to the structure to handle the power? No. If a car gains power all motor there is rarely any extra weight added. I'm hoping for a camaro with 450-500 hp all motor. It shouldn't weigh any more than a 325 hp base model unless its optioned out with doodads. Did an LS1 car have more beef in it than an LT1 car? Did an 05 goat weigh more than an 04 goat?
03/04 cobras dyno at about 360-370 rwhp. A GT500 is at about 440 rwhp. Theres a 70-80 hp difference, not 110. Most people figured the cobras to be making around 420 flywheel horsepower.

Eric Bryant

In this case, the Viper gained 100 HP without more weight because it was already overbuilt to begin with. If a car is already engineered properly, increasing the power by 20% should cause it to pork up a bit.

Not having to bolt on a blower and IC also helped quite a bit, but in this case, Dodge was sitting on a whole lot of displacement that wasn't being used in an efficient manner. GM didn't have the same "luxury" with the GenIV.

At any rate, this is starting to look like the superbike horsepower wars. Sure, the ZR1 is likely capable of beating any other production car on any given race circuit, but is it likely in the hands of an average (or even very good) driver? Nope. I can already see the frustration on the faces of ZR1 owners as some dude in a Miata with sticky DOT tires passes them mid-turn and walks away Hey, don't feel bad - I've been there myself on sportbikes, getting lapped by Ninja 500s with one-third the power.