Remove the C8’s Z-51 Spoiler?

[John]

Anyone else considering getting the Z-51 package, and based on what you know today, especially today’s picture without any spoiler, then removing the C8’s Z-51spoiler entirely?

I was talking with Fasttoys today, and both of us are considering, based on what we know and saw today, in doing that. Full disclosure, neither of us tracks our Corvettes.

We are loving the rear deck look of the C8 without any spoiler.



This is our earlier thread about what is believed would be the final version of the C8’s Z-51 spoiler, i.e., that it will look almost identical the C7’s wing spoiler when revealed.
Here are a couple of pictures found in the below thread of the C7’s winged spoiler.



https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...winged-spoiler

Why spend all that Z-51 money (estimated at $5,000) for the Z-51 package when not racing, especially as it will cost many hundreds to remove its spoiler, and to then patch in all its attachment holes? Because the C8’s Z-51 package will have a lot of nice things to it, even if the dry sump show below for the C7’s Z-51 package is standard on all C8’s.



Ho, hum, just now wondering around in make-believe land to help pass the time away. Could current opinions evaporate on 7.18.19? For sure.

[07MontyRed]

I am a fan of the Z51 package (at least on the previous generations; we will have to wait and see on the C8 but it sounds promising). Personally, I am not a fan of spoilers of any sort and have always thought the C8 looked better without one; today's photos confirm that. I would be very happy if they offer a spoiler-delete option on the C8. Otherwise, I'll come up with a plan B ....

[Vegas Sam]

I don't track my cars, but I like the look of the Z51 spoiler on the C7, and the full-width spoiler on the C6. Depending on the final option packages, I may add the C8 spoiler as a stand alone option(if possible) and skip the approx. 5k for the Z51 package. We'll know more in July, I can't wait!

[JB]

I will buy the z51 fe4 package and either not order the optional big rear spoiler we have seen on test mules or I will order a spoiler delete...

and if that doesnt work ill have the aftermarket low deck spoiler replace that huge ugly spoiler we saw on some c8 s if its mandatory which I dont think it is.

keep the faith GM is never going to make that huge monster spoiler we have seen on test mules.

we will find out for sure come july 18th.

[Maxster]

Sounds to me like the z51 almost should be mandatory.

[Frenzy36]

I'm in for the rear spoiler. I think it looks great. I don't track my cars either. Z51 for better brakes and any additional cooling is always a good thing. Performance factory exhaust will be a good thing also.

[ZoraC2]

The beauty of a mid-engine design is that you don't actually need a spoiler from an aesthetic point of view.In many cases it will actually look better! Since you have a cab-forward layout the back end will always flatten out and taper. This gives you a beautiful balance in proportions. The Countach is timeless example. Even before wind tunnels it was known to cause more drag than any actual downforce. The big wing was sexy as hell but it looked just as sleek and sexy without it.

Fast forward to today and most modern super cars don't overtly have a spoiler opting for a clean integration using some form of active aero. This is the best of both worlds as it is only used under braking or cornering and not having any drag penalty under strait line acceleration. I'd be curious to see if the C8 ZR-1 would even need a big wing to achieve the equivalent amount of downforce on the ME layout.

[MikeC8]

Z-51 all the way all my C7’s had the option. I like the spoiler on the C7. Not crazy for anything any larger then the z51 spoiler.

[meyerweb]

Without really knowing what the C8 spoiler is going to look like (it CAN'T be that ugly, fat, droopy thing we've seen testing lately), who knows? In general, I prefer my cars without spoilers, but think the back end of this might look a little bit flat without something on the back edge. Something similar to the wing spoiler on the C7, as pictured in that earlier thread, might look real good.

Time will tell.

[Ssscooter66]

Just like most things on the new C8, I’ll have to wait to see it in person. I got the ZF1 package on my C7 just because I liked the spoiler plus the split spoke wheels .. but, that’s just my opinion & that’s all that really matters ....

[Mobius]

The beauty of a mid-engine design is that you don't actually need a spoiler from an aesthetic point of view.In many cases it will actually look better! Since you have a cab-forward layout the back end will always flatten out and taper. This gives you a beautiful balance in proportions. The Countach is timeless example. Even before wind tunnels it was known to cause more drag than any actual downforce. The big wing was sexy as hell but it looked just as sleek and sexy without it.

Likewise, the base C7 has the "cleanest" aerodynamics, with the lowest drag of any C7 variant. The base C7 also has the lowest down force as well, a consideration if you have an opportunity to drive at the speeds where significant down force can be generated.

Personally, I'm fine with or without the spoiler - I'll wait to see the details of the Z51 package, but right now I'm leaning towards not ordering the Z51.

[whl3]

I will buy the Z51 package, as I did with my C7. I will track the car, as I have done many times with my C7. What I don't like more than anything is "bling" on a car (or motorcycle)! If it doesn't add function to a car, then generally I won't like it or pay extra for it. Everything on previous Z51 packages were engineered to enhance the driving experience of the car, especially if you were even to occasionally track the car. Like many of you have said, which pertains to the total C8, I'll pass esthetics judgement on the spoiler once I see it without camouflage. I no longer competitively race, but I still enjoy hitting apexes and driving hard out of a corner. If the spoiler adds to the down force (even though I may never be able to feel it) of the C8 and if it's a part of the Z51 package and is ugly as hell, I'll still get the Z51 package and never think twice about removing the spoiler!

Bill

PS I can't believe the number of you who will not track their car, which obviously is your prerogative that I respect! One of the biggest advantages of having even limited track experience is that you will never again want to be stupid on public roads or streets!

[Klinn]

PS I can't believe the number of you who will not track their car, which obviously is your prerogative that I respect! One of the biggest advantages of having even limited track experience is that you will never again want to be stupid on public roads or streets!

Amen to that. :thumbsup: Once you've experienced the thrills of pushing your car and yourself in a safe environment where you can concentrate on only your driving, nothing you can do on the street compares.

Some folks, such as myself, are a little nervous about making errors at high speed on a road course. Fortunately autocross provides many of the same benefits in a lower stress environment. Courses are designed specifically so the worst that should happen is hitting an orange plastic cone. It's a real grassroots starting point for learning more about your car and yourself. More info here at SCCA. There are lots of local clubs all over. Biggest downside to autocross versus lapping a track is you only get very limited seat time by comparison.

But for some folks the point of a Vette is cruising back roads, or having the most amazingly shiny deep paint you've ever seen, at that's all good too. Fascination with Vettes covers all of us.


Edit: Oh yes, to get back on topic, I reserve the right to rip off the Z-51's spoiler depending on how ugly it turns out. For me, the camo pics don't inspire much hope, but who knows what the final appearance will be.

[tooold2race]

"Vert' with the Z51 package is my choice. The design team is not going to give us something that doesn't look good..... Then again, there are those still whining about the round tail lights that went away years ago.....

[meyerweb]

Then again, there are those still whining about the round tail lights that went away years ago.....

LOL, but true. I came out of the gym a couple of days ago and there was a guy checking out my C7. We started talking, and he's owned some Corvettes in the past. He said he was thinking about buying an older model because of the taillights on the C7, but that they're "growing on him."