GT350 long term test... it's depressing

[dparm]

Originally Posted by drunkenup

Automatic Z06s are going to run hotter because it appears AT heat is exchanged with the engine rad. Manuals might be the same case but those boxes create less heat. IIRC, there is an additional cooler or heat exchanger that the autobox takes up space for.

Only difference for the AT is there's a fan on the transmission heat exchanger. The MT is designed to run until the tank is empty without overheating because that's seen as the performance-oriented choice; the AT is not tested to meet that requirement.

The Z06/GS have larger heat exchangers and different ducting than the standard Stingray/Z51, FYI.


Here's the answer directly from the chief engineer, as well as a very high-level answer on how they track test the cars:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1589285890


"In Corvette's 60 year history, we have never put automatics on track for media and never encouraged people interested in track usage to buy automatics."

"The Z06 Automatic transmission put in "Drive" selects the lowest possible gear ratio for best acceleration, and because it has 8 closely-spaced ratios typically runs higher average RPM than the manual. This optimizes lap time performance, but also taxes the engine oil and coolant more for any given track. So the automatic has the capability to run faster laps than the manual, but thermal limitations are reached more quickly. Customers who are planning to run extended track-day sessions at 'professional' speeds, are advised to go with the manual transmission, or to paddle shift the automatic and select higher gears when conditions warrant it."