The C7 Corvette Z06 was originally offered as a track-ready performance monster, but unfortunately, the factory cooling system isn’t up to task when it comes time to throw down some hot laps. GM was even sued over it. Now, however, U.S.-based tuner Callaway Cars Inc. is offering a heavy-duty upgrade to address the issue.
Developed in a collaborative effort with German partners Callaway Competition and Tikt Performance, the new C7 Corvette Z06 cooling upgrade is offered in two consecutive levels to meet the needs of customers. Level 1 includes a carbon fiber grille surround with a laser-cut Callaway grille insert that fits to the front bumper, as well as a high flow-rate intercooler pump that flows 35 percent more than the factory Z06 intercooler pump. The Level 1 upgrade also includes a high flow-rate thermostat assembly with a CNC-machined housing anodized in Callaway Blue and high-flow thermostat, as well as increased intercooler system capacity.
Callaway says the Level 1 kit is “ideal for spirited road driving, for autocross or for high-speed open road racing events.”
The Level 2 upgrade takes things up a notch by adding a new carbon fiber front splitter, complemented by a carbon fiber front undertray with integrated brake cooling channels. The undertray extends all the way to the front subframe. The Level 2 kit also includes a new air-to-oil heat exchanger that replaces the factory unit and mounts between the new splitter and undertray. Finally, the kit adds lightweight Hi-Temp polymer braided -10AM oil cooler lines with a CNC-machined thermostatically controlled adapter housing.
Callaway says the Level 2 kit enables “full track day sessions to be driven by an expert driver without encountering limp mode,” and adds that the new aero components “provide considerable aerodynamic improvement, shifting balance to reduce understeer.”
The new parts all look to be of a very high quality, and add a tasty bit of composite styling to the C7 Corvette Z06 front end. Pricing for the Level 1 kit is set at $10,995, while the Level 2 kit is $14,995.
Are these upgrades worth the outlay? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Source: Callaway Cars Inc.
Comments
I wonder how much this has been track tested? The oil cooler looks too small for this applications. The rest of the kit looks great
There are many systems in use on tracks in Europe. We have test data from 90ºF+ days in the hands of pro drivers on various types of circuits. The oil cooler is larger than appears in photos, but keep in mind it’s not just size, it’s efficiency of the cooler and in this case it is in dedicated airflow channel between bumper and splitter, with air exiting behind it into a low-pressure area at the back of the undertray, which is on standoffs to the subframe, so there is excellent airflow and heat transfer there. Glad you like the kit. 👍
I own a 2015 C7 Z06. I installed the DeWitts aluminum radiator that adds an additional 1 gallon of coolant capacity. Also I installed the Granatelli heat exchanger for an additional 1.75 gallons of coolant. My Z06 operates I added the DeWitts engine oil cooling kit. With these upgrades installed my engine cooling is greatly improved and the engine oil temperature never exceeds 220 degrees while driving hard. These upgrades were necessary as GM ignored this cooling issue. If cooling wasn’t an issue then why did GM add an additional auxiliary radiator in the Z06 models after 2016?
This must be driving hard on the street. Doing the almost same thing and running hard at VIR my oil temps were higher than stock. My coolant temps were much lower though I had oil temps in the 290’s
First off let’s acknowledge that this whole topic has many variables…atmospheric conditions, track type, driver type etc. Of course we tested all the ‘common’ configurations but all that we found was delaying the inevitable by adding system capacity. The biggest issue is airflow through the cooling stack. There simply isn’t enough to satisfy intercooler radiator, a/c condenser, engine coolant radiator (which also carries the engine oil heat load) in sequence. Getting the intercooler heat exchanger split into two and in their own dedicated ducts in essential. The factory radiator actually isn’t a bad part, it just can’t do it’s job with all the others pre-heating the incoming air.
I’m glad you brought up the aux radiator on later models; in the automatic this serves as an additional trans fluid cooler. In the manual, it’s extra engine coolant capacity. Funny part is that there’s -zero- airflow through it as it’s mounted horizontally with the area below it sealed off by the undertray. So again it just adds a little capacity and delays the inevitable. Doesn’t allow road course track sessions to be run more than a few laps by a skilled driver. In our level 2 system, the new undertray is open along the back edge where it mounts to the subframe, therefore turning the OE aux cooler into somewhat more active. But the big thing is removing the factory oil-water cooler and separating these two systems. 👍👍👍
Same system is available from Vengeance Racing
Nope. They are a Tikt dealer for some other parts but not Corvette cooling systems.
The basic cooling operation is the same in any 4 wheeled vehicle from Atv-tractor trailers!
It just depends on the Lubrication on the inside the gear cavity!
I, myself am running An: Antifriction Metal Conditioner in my suv! The brand name is: Energy Release!
I had a 2017 Z06. It was an incredibly bad track car and overheat in 80 degree temperatures in 3, I say again 3, hot laps.
I was an experienced racer that threw away $108,000 on a car GM promised was , “track ready”.
I did get grief from newbies driving 10-20 seconds a lap slower that there was not an overheating reduced power problem. Duh…
Exactly. There is an immense difference in driver skill. During our testing we thought, “hey maybe we can avoid killing the tires and brakes so fast and back off slightly…” But then, the temps were more manageable. But that’s not the point…! This fixes that. No more excuses to those underpowered Porsche drivers 😉
I had a 2017 Z06. It was an incredibly bad track car and overheat in 80 degree temperatures in 3, I say again 3, hot laps.
I was an experienced racer that threw away $108,000 on a car GM promised was , “track ready”.
I did get grief from newbies driving 10-20 seconds a lap slower that there was not an overheating reduced power problem. Duh…
I had 2 z06’s both m7’s. I added the aux cooling kit to the 15 and it did a pretty good job. I have a 19z now and it runs cooler. Both did fine at VIR. I really had more brake issues than cooling. Ap’s took care of that.
M7’s do fare considerably better. However, if you could watch inlet air temps and realize how much power was being sacrificed you’d be quite surprised, especially with the factory 1740cc SC.. Our system also addresses brake cooling in conjunction with the later lower control arm deflectors in J56/7 brake options.
Sounds like you have a great setup. I bought one of your take-off superchargers for my 15 to get the supercharger with the tilted ic bricks. I put one of your shifters on my 19 and liked it much better than the MGW that I had before. You guys are great to work with. I didn’t get my 19 until August and haven’t tracked it a lot. Covid19 pretty much stopped track days in it’s tracks. If I have any heating issues I’ll give you a call about a kit.
Thanks Herman! We’re looking forward to your call… it was 108º in Temecula today!
Exactly. There is an immense difference in driver skill. During our testing we thought, “hey maybe we can avoid killing the tires and brakes so fast and back off slightly…” But then, the temps were more manageable. But that’s not the point…! This fixes that. No more excuses to those underpowered Porsche drivers 😉
I have a 2016 M7 Z06, which has regularly been driven hard on the street—not tracked—in 90+ temperatures in Florida without any cooling problems whatsoever. I fully realize that street driving puts far less stress on the cooling system than tracking the vehicle, but the point remains: long before you could run this car hard enough on the street to get into limp mode, you’d be arrested!
Right, a few short bursts on the street won’t see enough to rise temps to saturation, but if you are hard on it in the twisties or canyons for a few miles, you will see the temps climb, and the power drop quickly. Something to be said about peace of mind should you ever encounter the opportunity! 😉
Very good point. A lot may well depend on the user’s environment. Thanks Pete!
Any chance of purchasing just the larger intercooler pump? I already have a SC757, 2015.