At the Bash had a one-to-one conversation with Mike Bailey, StingRay/Z06 Chassis Engineer, then Mike said that we should confirm our conversation, and our conclusions with Phil Minch, Corvette Structures Group Manager. Luckily, we immediately found and then talked with Phil. In the following twenty minute conversation, they both explicitly said that the MSRC system is tauter in some Z07 settings, that the "bars" (sway bars) are bigger, and the suspension bushings much firmer, resulting in a much, much firmer ride, and they both volunteered that the Z07's Michelin Cup 2s, compared to the Michelins on Stage 1 & 2, further add to a more precise ride. And they then agreed to my follow-up specific question and my belief, will the (C7) Z07's ride be firmer than that in my 2006 Z06, and they both said "yes." Then, I specifically asked if the springs were different in the Z07 and they both said, "no."
The stage 1 Z07 is track capable, not for competitive races, but very track capable! The stage 2 Z06, with its 400% greater downforce than the stage 1 is highly track capable -- though against the Z07 (both drivers equal), the Z07 will clearly outperform (perhaps trounce) the stage 2.
Am very concerned that if a person gets a Z07 and does a lot of daily driving, the ride harshness -- compounded not just by the car's components but much of the roads we all drive on, will make that car highly uncomfortable for most of that driving. Those of you considering a Z07, if you are not engaging in highly competitive driving, you may be choosing a car, IMO, which, after the "newness excitement" of the Z07 wears off, is one you are not pleased with due to ride quality.
I do not know how to be any clearer than everything I have just posted, and what I have posted previously. I know my questions were explicit and clear, for I had written them about before I went to the Bash. I went to the Bash, even had the written questions in my hand, and looked at my question sheet while I was talking with them to insure I was not leaving anything out, and that my every suspension question was completely and exactly answered. They were! Mike and Phil were crystal clear and precise in their answers. You can choose to believe that I did not ask clear questions, I misreported their responses, or that the two key Z06 suspension/chassis engineers were not clear in their responses to me. Any/all such conclusions would be inaccurate.
Please remember that I went to Bash with a good part of me wanting answers that would change my mind there, and get me comfortable with ordering a Z07. On the contrary, I left there 1000% positive that a Z07 would be a totally wrong car for me, for while I love to enthusiastically carve country road corners with the best, and enjoy some non-competitive time at the track, I do not drive competitively at the track, and I, personally will not sacrifice our enjoyment of taking long drives in our 2015 Z06. I remain excited in our decision to get a Stage 2 Z06, and know, that for us, a Z07 would be the wrong car.
The 2015 Z06 with the Z07 option is designed to defeat some of the best at the track, including cars like the Ferrari 458 Speciale, Viper TA and similar or even better cars. GM will not leave anything off the table in the Z07 (other than making it so it is not street legal). The Z07 is designed to be a track weapon, and yet some are thinking, I will use this car as into a daily driver. I read the above referenced conversation with Kirk Bennion, and how did he describe the Z07? "For the extremist." Those of you who are considering the Z07, please ask yourself, "am I a track extremist?"
Learned corrected info on suspension components; corrected info in post # 32.
