Driving in Track mode

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HC22

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Is there a downside or issue with street driving while in track mode in the C8 (other than fuel efficiency)?

I love the feel of the car in track mode but I have had a few people mention that it can be an issue on regular roads, specifically for the suspension and rims.

Does anyone here have any insight on this? Thanks.
 
HC22 said:
Is there a downside or issue with street driving while in track mode in the C8 (other than fuel efficiency)?

I love the feel of the car in track mode but I have had a few people mention that it can be an issue on regular roads, specifically for the suspension and rims.

Does anyone here have any insight on this? Thanks.
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It actually makes the suspension stiffer. Can't see how the rims could be negatively affected. I find it's not the best setting for driving around town as it holds a gear too long and is generally a bit aggressive for that but on a nice low traffic twisty road or a track if you're lucky enough to have access it's a blast.
 
When I took the Ron Fellows course for my first C7 Z51, the instructor advised against driving in track mode unless the road was well known to be free of potholes. He said the suspension gets very hard and the risk of a dented rim is high if a pothole is encountered. I would typically drive the C7 in Sport mode and still do with my 2SS gen 6 Camaro.
 
Vanguard2001 said:
When I took the Ron Fellows course for my first C7 Z51, the instructor advised against driving in track mode unless the road was well known to be free of potholes. He said the suspension gets very hard and the risk of a dented rim is high if a pothole is encountered. I would typically drive the C7 in Sport mode and still do with my 2SS gen 6 Camaro.
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Ya. Good point regarding rims now that I gave it a second thought . Given how low profile the tires are .
 
I always drive in Z mode with full on exhaust and full on engine shifts

I dont have mag ride so my suspension is always the same ..... its a blast

I dont drive the car everyday mabe once a week if im lucky .... but i make the most of it when i do

another bonus of my settings is that the car never goes into V4


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Of course better than once every 2 weeks.
Vettenut said:
I always drive in Z mode with full on exhaust and full on engine shifts

I dont have mag ride so my suspension is always the same ..... its a blast

I dont drive the car everyday mabe once a week if im lucky .... but i make the most of it when i do

another bonus of my settings is that the car never goes into V4


7 Hot Corvette Model Pics to Enjoy - CorvetteForum
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Once a week..... :( better than once every two weeks though . I'm lucky being unemployed and kids moved out , lol.
 
In track the car just hammers the holes or high manholes.

you driving in track to avoid the cylinder deactivation?

I drive in sport and it stays out of 4 cyl. A bit of a trade off.
Sometimes I go in manual mode
 
Vanguard2001 said:
When I took the Ron Fellows course for my first C7 Z51, the instructor advised against driving in track mode unless the road was well known to be free of potholes. He said the suspension gets very hard and the risk of a dented rim is high if a pothole is encountered. I would typically drive the C7 in Sport mode and still do with my 2SS gen 6 Camaro.
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That makes sense. Thanks.
 
KelRay said:
In track the car just hammers the holes or high manholes.

you driving in track to avoid the cylinder deactivation?

I drive in sport and it stays out of 4 cyl. A bit of a trade off.
Sometimes I go in manual mode
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I just like how stiff and responsive the care feels (but yes, also like that it stays out of 4 cyl). It’s a short season here so I like to get the most out of whenever I drive the car.
 
HC22 said:
I just like how stiff and responsive the care feels (but yes, also like that it stays out of 4 cyl). It’s a short season here so I like to get the most out of whenever I drive the car.
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You can avoid 4 cylinder mode altogether with a Range Technology adapter. It plugs into the OBDII port and the engine remains in 8 cyl operational all times. I used it in both my C7's and it keeps all 8 pots functioning in the LT1 in my Camaro. I have never been a fan of the cylinder deactivation in a high performance engine.
 
Vanguard2001 said:
You can avoid 4 cylinder mode altogether with a Range Technology adapter. It plugs into the OBDII port and the engine remains in 8 cyl operational all times. I used it in both my C7's and it keeps all 8 pots functioning in the LT1 in my Camaro. I have never been a fan of the cylinder deactivation in a high performance engine.
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They don't make 'em for the C8.
 
KelRay said:
In track the car just hammers the holes or high manholes.

you driving in track to avoid the cylinder deactivation?

I drive in sport and it stays out of 4 cyl. A bit of a trade off.
Sometimes I go in manual mode
Click to expand...
I have sport mode as default and at a constant speed in auto mine does go into V4 mode . Not nearly as often in manual mode though.
 
This is one of the reasons why I generally use manual mode. It's also more engaging I find .


The C8 Corvette uses cylinder deactivation (Active Fuel Management, or AFM) to switch between V8 and V4 operation for improved fuel economy during light-load driving conditions��. However, there are driving modes and strategies that prevent cylinder deactivation from activating.How to Prevent Cylinder DeactivationTrack Mode and Manual Mode: Selecting "Track" or "Manual" mode on the C8 Corvette will keep the engine running in V8 mode and prevent cylinder deactivation��. Sport mode will still allow cylinder deactivation, so it is not an effective way to disable the system�.Displacement On Demand Delete Kits: Aftermarket kits (such as those offered by Lingenfelter) can physically remove or disable the cylinder deactivation function entirely, but this is a more permanent modification that is not reversible without parts replacement�.Common Practices and TipsMany owners concerned about potential long-term reliability of AFM opt to drive in Manual mode to keep cylinder deactivation off during regular use�.Permanent electronic solutions (such as OBD plug-in disablers) that work for older Corvette models (C7) may not be compatible with the C8�.
 

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