[0:09] Welcome to episode two of our C8 build [0:12] series. Behind me we have a C8 [0:13] generation Stingray with a Z-51 package [0:16] is a 1LT car. And the point of this [0:18] video series is to show you what you can [0:20] do with now a increasingly affordable [0:22] mid-enine V8 sports car. We bought this [0:24] thing a year ago. Let me be clear. When [0:26] C8 Performance bought this thing a year [0:28] ago, the car was under $60,000. The [0:30] upcoming LS6 or new engine, the 6.7 [0:34] liter, these things will continue to [0:36] increase in affordability. I imagine [0:38] prices of these cars will be in the low [0:39] 50s, potentially high 40s the near [0:41] distant future. So, we want to do in [0:43] this series is to show you what you can [0:44] do with this car and see if we can get [0:46] to that Z06, Z07, GT3 level of [0:50] performance for a hell of a lot less [0:51] money. So, what have we done already? [0:52] Well, in the first episode, we did a [0:55] spring package from Swift Springs. We [0:58] did the Apex wheels with RE71 RS tires [1:01] with 305 rear, 265 fronts. We did some [1:04] arrow work from Varys, their lower stage [1:06] arrow package, which adds a little bit [1:07] of downforce. And of course, we did some [1:09] reliability modifications like grill [1:11] guards. And more importantly, we did the [1:13] V9 cooler or basically the additional o [1:16] oil cooler that C8 Performance is [1:18] building using existing parts that are [1:20] in Middle East spec or warm client spec [1:23] C8 which dramatically drops oil [1:25] temperatures. For this episode, we're [1:27] going to go the suspension and [1:29] aerodynamics route with big wings and [1:32] more impressive, more expensive [1:33] suspension. The last thing to talk about [1:35] is brakes, which we're running the [1:37] two-piece rotors from Essex AP and a [1:40] Froto pad and of course a spindler lines [1:42] and the hightemp brake fluid. But [1:44] really, the real problem with this video [1:46] so far is there's not enough Corvettes. [1:49] When Jack told me we were doing at least [1:51] 30 more Corvette videos this year, I [1:53] knew I had gone too far. I'd been [1:55] working on trying to digitally clone him [1:57] for years. With my Falcon PC, I can now [2:00] render him locally and for maximum [2:02] profits. But the side effect was I could [2:05] no longer control his code. It turned [2:07] into a virus titled ABM or aggressive [2:11] businessman. His connections at Bowling [2:14] Green are fully integrated. And I [2:16] believe he has replicated himself [2:17] physically and is now capable of driving [2:20] multiple Corvettes at once. I never have [2:22] time to drive my Corvette. [2:27] for this video. He demanded we get [2:29] sponsored by Wolfbox so he could have a [2:31] powerful handheld duster capable of [2:34] cleaning his circuit boards. He likes [2:36] cold swapping batteries with military [2:38] precision. His favorite is playing with [2:40] different tips, which means optimal air [2:43] control, including three different motor [2:45] speeds. One of his clones said it needed [2:47] to generate wind forces of over 200 mph [2:51] to blow the water out of the toilet. He [2:53] said with that power he could easily [2:55] remove bionetic skin off the piano black [2:58] in vehicles. Bottom line is the Wolfbox [3:01] Megaplow 200 air duster is a product [3:04] powerful enough for cyborgs and usable [3:07] enough for normal people who need to [3:09] clean keyboards, coolers, and other [3:11] finicky items in a touch-free manner. If [3:14] you want to get blown away, Wolfbox is [3:16] offering discounts on Prime Day. [3:21] Oh, to my brand new car. [3:36] Now that you know a little too much [3:38] about me, let's talk about Corvettes [3:41] once again. What have we done already? [3:43] Well, our wheelman, Brick Casey Jr., a [3:46] IMSA driver who was a TCR champion and a [3:48] better driver than you and I will ever [3:49] be set a lap time in this car when it [3:52] was stock. A 1LT or base model Z-51 [3:55] Corvette. It ran a 132.3 [3:59] with patenza race tires, the track [4:01] alignment, some brake fluid, and brake [4:03] pads. A very, very quick lap time. And [4:05] that Patenza race is stickier than the [4:07] Pilot 4S. I view that as sort of a what [4:10] you would do with a stock car if you [4:11] went to a track day often lap time. [4:13] Very, very quick. Then we went to C8 [4:15] Performance or Limit Plus1W and we added [4:18] the Swift springs on the stock damper. [4:20] We continued to run the track alignment. [4:22] We added some Varys Arrow. Of course, we [4:24] did our brake changes and we did the [4:26] Apex wheel setup with RE71 RS tires, the [4:30] outgoing track tire with 305 rears, 265 [4:33] fronts. With that homologation of parts, [4:35] he ran a 129.6. [4:38] A very, very quick lap time again for [4:40] the price of the car that it is. So, [4:42] what did we do now? Well, we went back [4:44] to see Performance and we wanted to [4:45] touch just two parts or two systems of [4:47] the car. The aerodynamics and of course [4:50] the suspension. While the spring package [4:53] is on the affordable side, it is not a [4:55] perfect solution to this car. Obviously, [4:56] lowering springs have their pros and [4:58] their cons. So, we went with MCS, their [5:00] single adjustables again to try to keep [5:02] this car, I hate to use the word [5:03] affordable, but more on the affordable [5:05] side. And of course, we went to Varys [5:07] for their very not subtle and aggressive [5:10] aero package. So that let's go talk to [5:12] Eric from Varys Engineering. [5:14] I'm here with Eric, the founder of Varys [5:16] Engineering, an aerodynamics company you [5:18] may be familiar with at this point. But [5:20] before I butcher his introduction any [5:21] further, please introduce yourself, sir. [5:24] >> Eric Hazen. Um, starting way back in [5:27] high school, I started as an automotive [5:28] technician. I then went to uh mechanical [5:31] engineering and I did went through that [5:33] in university. I was an Indie car safety [5:36] mechanic or technician and then that [5:38] graduated into CNR racing where I [5:41] designed and developed uh cooling system [5:42] packages for NASCAR, Indie Car, trophy [5:45] truck and various other racing series. [5:47] That fast forward into um this side [5:50] project which was vary engineering and [5:53] that became a full-time job um and has [5:55] been my life for the past 10 years. [5:57] >> Needless to say, at this point you know [5:59] what you're talking about and you've [6:00] been doing this for a very very long [6:01] time. This stuff works. How do you [6:04] actually validate it though? So when we [6:05] talk to a lot of aerodynamics engineers, [6:08] some of the various brands we work with, [6:09] they all tell me the same thing. The [6:11] reason it works is because we have a [6:12] wind tunnel. We have a lot of money [6:14] behind us. As successful as you guys [6:16] are, you're not an OEM. You don't have a [6:18] billion dollar budget to work on a car. [6:19] So how are you doing the testing to make [6:21] sure that the parts you're developing [6:23] for these cars actually work? Because [6:24] for a long time, the Fast and Furious [6:27] days, a lot of aerodynamics was [6:29] vibes-based. It looked cool, but it [6:30] didn't actually do anything. often made [6:32] the car worse. So, how do you know this [6:35] works? [6:36] >> So, since day one, we've been using CFD, [6:38] which is computational fluid dynamics. [6:40] Think of that as we build a virtual wind [6:43] tunnel. It's got a huge box. You shove a [6:45] car in it, which we have in CAD, and [6:47] then we run air flow over it. Um, it is [6:51] a fluid dynamics calculationbased. We're [6:53] able to put component forces into there, [6:56] and we're able to test a bunch of [6:57] different situations. We then test the [7:00] stock car. We throw our parts on it, [7:02] ensure that the balance is what good and [7:04] make sure that the components are [7:05] actually doing what they're [7:07] >> supposed to be doing [7:07] >> supposed to be doing. [7:09] >> So yeah, [7:10] >> the traditional thought process and this [7:11] is in a in a past life. I worked in a [7:13] fluids lab and I've spent a lot of time [7:14] with aerodynamics engineers of the [7:16] various brands. They will tell me the [7:18] same thing. CFD is not a onetoone [7:20] recreation of how the car actually will [7:23] behave in the real world. Say I know [7:24] wind tunnel isn't perfect either, but [7:26] you have done wind tunnel testing. How [7:28] much of a margin of error is there? [7:30] >> So, we have done one ton total testing. [7:32] We have done comparisons. Um, compared [7:35] to CFD actually underestimated our [7:38] downforce by like 1.9% and drag by 1.7%. [7:42] It was very minimal. Um, so we were [7:44] actually really happy with that. [7:45] >> Effectively, in the real world, it's not [7:46] a margin of error at that point. [7:48] >> So, the car though already is a vehicle [7:51] that generates some level of downforce. [7:53] It's a no lift at least car in the case [7:55] of a standard Stingray. [7:56] >> Yep. Where are you developing downforce [7:59] and more importantly drag? Because as [8:01] you traditionally [8:03] generate more downforce, the car while [8:05] it has more mechanical grip, it does [8:07] slow down in the straits. It creates all [8:09] sorts of drag. What have you done? And [8:11] can you walk me through your various [8:12] packages because we've already done a [8:13] stage one and now we're in sort of your [8:15] big wing, no longer subtle phase. [8:17] >> Correct. [8:17] >> So, can you walk me through the the the [8:20] changes you've made and how they work? [8:21] >> Yep. So, we we do packages. Um, we call [8:24] it um, Ventus one, which is like, uh, [8:26] Latin for air flow. Um, [8:28] >> very clever. [8:29] >> Uh, dive planes, diffuser, and some [8:32] underbody strakes. Um, that adds like a [8:35] marginal bump in downforce, not too much [8:37] drag. It's a nice starter package. [8:40] >> Then we get into the Ventus 2, Ventus 3 [8:42] packages, which we add a big bigger [8:44] wing. And then the Ventus 3, which is [8:45] what you have, which is the V1X swan [8:48] neck. [8:48] >> Big wing. [8:49] >> Big wing. And then uh we have a front [8:51] splitter. um those those two add um a [8:54] decent amount of downforce and a decent [8:56] amount of drag as well. [8:57] >> So, can you walk me through the [8:58] adjustability? So, as you're going to [9:00] hear later when we show the driving [9:02] section of this car, one of the benefits [9:04] of having an adjustable rear wing is you [9:06] can add and remove essentially [9:07] mechanical grip off the rear of the car. [9:09] How much are you able to pull out or in? [9:12] >> It's quite a bit. Um so, you guys have [9:15] our Ventus 3 package, which is our [9:17] standard front splitter. We now have a a [9:19] higher downforce front splitter that is [9:22] um not currently released. [9:23] >> Yes. [9:24] >> Slightly bigger. Has some diffuser [9:25] tunnels. Um it actually produces about [9:27] like 33% more front downforce than the [9:30] standard. [9:30] >> Um the V1X rear wing, which is on your [9:33] car, which is perfect for upgrading [9:35] later on down the road, has a large [9:38] range of adjustment, 0 to 14 degrees. Um [9:41] we took out a ton of rear wing today. [9:44] Um, and we do that so that people of [9:47] different varying skill levels are able [9:49] to drive the car confidently and and [9:51] safely. [9:51] >> Walk me through exactly how much arrow [9:53] aero downforce we're actually making in [9:55] the rear to begin with. So, so [9:57] abstractly before we start pulling [9:58] things out at let's say 120 130 mph, how [10:01] much downforce are you making over a [10:03] stock Z-51 car? [10:05] >> In just the rear or the whole car? [10:06] >> Just in the rear? [10:07] >> Just the rear probably. The rear wing [10:09] probably generates about 500 lb at 120 [10:11] >> versus like a Z06, Z07. And I know we [10:13] were talking about that number as well. [10:14] What are you generating versus that car? [10:16] >> So, compared to a Z06 Z07 package, we're [10:19] generating 90 to 115% more downforce. [10:23] >> Total downforce. [10:24] >> Total downforce. And but we are also [10:27] increasing 32 to 37% more drag. [10:29] >> But it's a really good um trade-off. [10:32] >> So, you're you're gaining a lot more [10:33] speed in the corners and potentially [10:35] losing some speed on the straights. But [10:36] that's how a lot of this stuff works. I [10:38] think your ability to gain speed though [10:40] might be dependent on the track you're [10:42] on. Is that a fair statement? [10:43] >> That's 100% fair. [10:44] >> So, [10:45] >> something else that something else that [10:47] like we've noticed as well, and I I [10:49] believe even Britain mentioned it, the [10:51] the car feels substantially more stable, [10:54] which does allow people that aren't able [10:56] to drive at the limit [10:57] >> repeatedly, someone that's a [10:59] professional driver, um, a lot easier. [11:01] >> Having mechanical grip is never a bad [11:03] thing, [11:03] >> right? According to our analysis, it's [11:05] about it goes from about total 380 lb [11:08] additional at 120 to 750 additional [11:11] pounds. [11:12] >> Ah, [11:12] >> yeah. [11:12] >> So, we pulled about 400 lb out of the [11:14] car. [11:14] >> Yes. [11:15] >> Oh, that's why it drives differently. [11:17] >> Yep. [11:18] >> So, look, we're going to work with you [11:19] more in the future. Obviously, we do a [11:21] lot of these build series at this point. [11:22] Is there anything else you want to talk [11:23] about? [11:24] >> No. [11:37] See that? That's all arrow. [11:40] That's big grip. [11:56] >> Oh, this car's got a phenomenal amount [11:57] of lateral grip. I know. It's That's why [12:00] I'm like, "How is it going slower?" [12:02] >> It's got to be the straights. [12:04] >> The drag. Yeah, it feels really good. [12:09] Watch how fast I can take this. Fourth [12:12] gear, third gear. Just off the brake. [12:14] It's going full power. [12:17] >> All right, Brett. We have literally [12:19] chased a lap time the entire day, like 3 [12:22] or 4 hours. It is much, much hotter out [12:26] than when we were here last. much [12:28] hotter, like 10° warmer, and it's very [12:31] humid. So, this is not a fast track. And [12:33] after this entire day, we basically ran [12:36] the same lap time we did when this car [12:38] was on the lower arrow package from [12:40] Varys, the Swift spring, and the same [12:44] size, but older design RE71 RS versus [12:49] these RZ's. So, not a great result, but [12:51] I can, let's call it, blame the weather [12:54] conditions. I also want to walk through [12:55] some factors. So, dynamically, the very [12:57] first thing I'm going to notice is there [12:59] is a lot more mechanical grip than there [13:01] used to be. How does it feel in the [13:03] corners though? [13:04] >> Yeah, I would say it can do it feels the [13:07] same amount of effort, but it's just [13:10] doing it better cuz it just has so much [13:12] more grip. [13:13] >> It's hard to talk with so much more [13:15] grip. [13:15] >> So, when we're going through this [13:16] corner, what can you do now? What versus [13:18] what you could do before? [13:19] >> Slow, deliberate input with a really [13:22] early confident throttle input. And it's [13:26] probably 5 miles an hour faster through [13:28] the middle. And um ride quality over the [13:31] bumps still really good and progressive. [13:35] Whereas before it was like on and off [13:38] the bump stop. Very nervous feeling. [13:41] >> Very. And in the left to right [13:42] transitions especially now with a better [13:44] race shock, [13:45] >> some more air, [13:47] >> some more air on them tires. The amount [13:49] of speed you can carry into going into [13:52] patience I know [13:53] >> is uh alarming. [13:55] >> Yeah, it it feels really good. [13:57] >> This car needs new seats. [13:59] >> Yes. [14:00] >> Um so to to answer everybody's question, [14:04] this is faster in every corner. It can [14:05] break later. The place it is slower. One [14:08] of the reasons it's not helping its lap [14:09] time is the straightaways. It feels like [14:12] because this does make a lot of [14:14] downforce. You have a giant parachute [14:16] behind you. It's probably I haven't [14:18] looked at the data at least a couple [14:20] miles an hour slower in all the [14:21] straights which you know not that the C8 [14:24] isn't a big powerful car but compared to [14:26] like the ZR1 or Z06 it doesn't feel [14:30] feels more like a momentum car which is [14:32] funny to bring up. Um yeah it's a good [14:34] point. I mean I didn't think about it [14:35] that way but I would agree because it's [14:37] not it's not difficult to drive fast. I [14:40] mean, it is to drive it fast. 10 out of [14:42] 10. But when you're doing it like this, [14:44] it does feel like it is a momentum car [14:46] just because it responds to entry speed [14:48] really well. And I think that's where [14:50] most of the speed is with the new setup [14:51] on this. Well, it's a really new car at [14:53] this point. [14:54] >> I have nothing to hold on to at all. [14:55] >> Yeah. Sorry. [14:56] >> No, it's fine. [14:57] >> I'm driving like nine out of 10 right [15:00] now. But [15:01] >> it's a good car. [15:02] >> You know, I I feel that from the [15:04] passenger. I feel like Mark, dude, [15:06] overweight Asian ragd doll in [15:08] your passenger seat. Just [15:10] >> just don't throw up on me. [15:12] >> Um, [15:13] the balance of the car. So, in the past, [15:16] you we couldn't adjust anything. One of [15:18] the things that we were doing throughout [15:19] the day is, you know, when we first set [15:22] up this car, we set the dampers in [15:24] neutral front and rear. And then, for [15:26] whatever reason, we decided more [15:28] downforce in the back was a good thing. [15:30] We basically backed that off the entire [15:32] day to get this car to feel a little [15:33] less [15:35] >> pushy to more to over steer, which is [15:37] now something you could do. I think [15:40] >> me versus you, you're a better driver [15:42] than I am, the the benefit of this car [15:44] prior versus the the the old spring [15:48] setup is while that old car was very [15:50] very quick, I mean, the fact that it ran [15:51] the same lap time for a hell of a lot [15:53] less money. Problem with that car is you [15:54] have to be a ULE driver to get that lap [15:57] time out of it. the joy of the [15:59] suspension and the arrow of this is [16:00] something you you value and again to [16:02] your point we talk off camera there's a [16:04] lot of money uh is that it makes the car [16:07] more approachable. So again it's about [16:09] value set. I will say as we do another [16:13] one of these episodes in the future I do [16:15] want to touch power. I have noticed this [16:17] is a hot as hell day and with our oil [16:19] cooler where we've never gotten it past [16:20] 225 oil temp. Yeah. [16:22] >> Which is again a testament to the uh the [16:26] optional oil cooler we threw on this. [16:28] How are the brakes holding up? That's [16:29] something I haven't asked. [16:30] >> Really good. I mean, we saw we saw brake [16:32] dust collecting on the wheels pretty [16:34] aggressively, but in terms of pedal [16:36] travel, it's been really similar the [16:38] whole day. It hasn't really faded. I've [16:40] noticed no pedal fade at all. I mean, [16:43] the brakes bite really well and then uh [16:46] like so total Yeah. So, total breaking [16:48] force. Imagine being on the radio like [16:49] trying to tell the team something right [16:51] now. There's just a lot going on. Um so, [16:54] but the the suspension's good, the [16:57] brakes are good, and I think the arrow [16:59] helps them also like it and we have [17:01] these weird issues with the Corvettes, [17:03] right, with the brake field. [17:04] >> Yeah. I will say it was a theory [17:07] committed today on on how the brake [17:09] pedal would feel with all this added [17:10] grip with the aerodynamic changes and [17:14] it's better in terms of brake feel. I [17:16] can confidently say that. And you can [17:17] come off the pedal obviously with a lot [17:19] more speed because you got all this air [17:21] on the car. So, it's a pretty slick [17:24] machine. Yeah, it's it's got a little [17:25] bit of a parachute behind it and I think [17:27] it it's not a onetrick pony anymore. You [17:29] can tune the wings and and the [17:31] suspension to do it live on a big [17:33] highspeed track too. It should be a lot [17:35] less sketchy. Autobon is not a [17:36] high-speed track despite [17:39] >> whatever is happening to my body right [17:40] now as the passenger seat in this car, [17:42] dude. All right. [17:43] >> Need more lateral support in the seat [17:45] now. That's the next upgrade. [17:47] >> Um have like something to hold on to as [17:50] a passenger. All right. So, with that, [17:52] uh let's head into the well, let's head [17:54] into the final box there. Goodbye. [18:02] We're back at CA Performance and we have [18:04] a lot of things to discuss. Let's talk [18:06] about testing conditions as this video [18:07] is going to be data driven. Naturally, [18:10] when we last drove this car on the, [18:12] let's call it the springs and the low [18:13] arrow and on the RS tire, it was 55° out [18:17] and Brit ran a very, very fast lap time, [18:20] a 1296, similar lap time to a stock [18:23] 992.1 911 turbo. And I've sent that lap [18:28] to a variety of human beings and they [18:30] will all tell you the same thing. God [18:31] came down and made Brit drive very [18:33] quickly because that was the miracle lap [18:35] between the tires and the springs. He [18:37] shaved off over two seconds versus the [18:39] car stock on a 200 treadware. Less [18:42] sticky but still sticky tire. All right. [18:45] When we ran this car at this point [18:47] yesterday, whenever you're watching that [18:49] video yesterday means something [18:50] different to you. It was in the mid 80s. [18:52] So it was a much much warmer day out. [18:55] The track has much different conditions. [18:57] It's different time of year. It's less [18:58] rubbered in. A variety of factors have [19:01] made it a hard thing to do apples versus [19:03] apples as a comparison. It's different. [19:05] The truth is though, he ran slower. He [19:07] is 210 of a second slower than he did in [19:09] the past. Now, let me qualify that and [19:11] potentially make some race car driver [19:13] excuses. Let's talk about the subjective [19:15] part, the vibesbased part of this. The [19:17] car does drive better than it used to. [19:21] At least from Brit's commentary to mine. [19:23] Brit is a much much faster driver than I [19:25] am. I fit your track day bro criteria [19:28] and I am going to be faster in this car [19:30] than it used to be. I like a loose car, [19:32] but it did seem to tighten this thing [19:33] down. It's better in transitions. And if [19:35] you're going to drive this on the [19:36] street, again, I know this car looks [19:38] very extra at this point. The MCS's, [19:40] this kit that CA Performance is selling, [19:43] rides well and goes a long way making [19:45] this car more approachable. The arrow, [19:47] the wheels and tires, the suspension [19:49] seem to fix some of the brake vagueness [19:51] that exists in this vehicle. Either it's [19:53] due to the weight transition in the car. [19:55] It just doesn't seem to get into ice [19:56] mode as often. It doesn't seem to freak [19:57] out the ABS as much as it used to. Car [20:00] feels good to drive. Now, when it comes [20:03] to actual lap time, how do I quantify [20:06] all this? Well, I ran the data. I looked [20:08] at the car in the springs. I looked at [20:10] the car stock. And I looked at the car [20:12] where it is now based upon at least what [20:14] how I am reading the data. how I've [20:16] talked to other people, including Eric [20:18] from Varys. Car seems to be carrying [20:20] more speed than it used to into corners. [20:22] Makes sense. More mechanical grip, [20:23] stickier tire, yada yada yada. Better [20:25] suspension. Where seems to be losing [20:27] time is in the straights. Even with us [20:29] basically flattening out the wing, [20:32] putting it in almost a stall state. Yes, [20:33] it's making downforce, but less [20:34] downforce than in the maximum attack. [20:37] doesn't seem to be going any faster than [20:38] the car used to be going in the straight [20:40] as a stock vehicle despite having a much [20:44] higher exit speed than the car used to [20:46] have as a stock vehicle. Which means [20:47] just the wing is generating more more [20:49] drag than it used to, which goes back to [20:51] a point we've made in other videos. Cars [20:53] are a system. You touch one thing, it [20:55] affects something else. And that's [20:56] what's happening in this car's case. I [20:58] adjusted suspension throughout the day [21:00] and adjusted arrow throughout the day [21:01] and tire pressures. First time Brit had [21:03] driven this car in these conditions on [21:05] this setup. So maybe in the future we'll [21:07] go faster. Who knows? So with that, [21:09] thanks for watching. Hope to see you [21:10] again soon.