| The new Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005. It has a 7.0 L (427 cubic inch) version of the small block engine codenamed LS7. Officially certified output is 505 hp. Official performance figures indicate that the Z06 can reach 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds from a standing start in first gear, hitting 0–100 in about 7.3–8.2, with a quarter mile time of 11.4 and a top speed of 198 mph. In the summer of 2005, GM and Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnussen brought the new Z06 to the Nürburgring in Germany. Magnussen drove the Z06 to a time of 7:42. In their March 2007 comparison, Car and Driver selected the Corvette Z06 as the winner of their three-way comparison test of performance cars, with the Porsche 911 GT3 finishing second and the Lotus Exige S third.In addition to the larger engine, the C6 Z06 has a dry sump oiling system, ensuring proper engine lubrication during periods of high (lateral) acceleration and allowing the engine to be mounted low inside the chassis. Connecting rods made out of titanium further lighten the reciprocating mass of the engine while being stronger than the steel rods they replace.In a radical departure from anything Chevrolet has ever done before, the primary structural element of the C6 Z06 is aluminum instead of steel as on the non-Z06 cars. The hydroformed aluminum frame remains dimensionally identical to its steel brethren but is significantly lighter. The front fenders are made of carbon fiber to reduce weight, while wider rear fenders allow for the wider tires necessary to deal with the engine’s increased power. For an additional mass savings of 6 kg, the Z06 replaced the base model’s aluminum engine cradle with one made from high pressure die cast magnesium. The Z06 officially weighs 3130 lb, giving it a power to weight ratio of 6.2 lb/hp. The C6 Corvette Z06 is the first 500+ hp production car to avoid the U.S. government Gas Guzzler tax.The Z06 was the official pace car for both the 2006 Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 race. The special Pace Car edition Z06 was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January. It was also awarded to St. Louis Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein as his prize for being the 2006 World Series MVP, although Eckstein does not know how to drive a stick. The 2007 Z06 was also one of Automobile Magazine’s “Automobile All-Stars” for 2007.This, in my opinion, is Chevy’s meanest Corvette ever built! The LS7 is definitely a great motor. As a 427 cubic inch small block, hand built by one technician, and the fact that Chevy is not making this motor anymore, is all the reasons why this is part of our collection. It is one of the all around best driving cars I have ever driven. The car throttles its way through almost anything, and in my opinion, can handle with any supercar on the open market.We lowered the car, just to make it sit down on top of the tires, coated the wheels black for a different look, and tinted the windows. And were enjoying it daily!
September 2010 – The Corvette spent 3 weeks at Borla Exhaust systems where they designed a new set of long tube headers and the first “Attack” cat-back exhaust system for the ZO6. You should hear the car! Check out the car on the Dyno in the video section on the home page. The horsepower and torque were of course increased with the system. i will post the exact increases soon when i receive them from Borla.
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