Corvette C7 Z06 vs. Evo X | Driver Battles: Track Edition

Driver Battles is back, and this time we have Christian Hudnell’s Corvette C7 Z06 going up against Paul Aquino's Evo X. Chrisitan may have 650hp in his Chevy Corvette Z06, but will it be enough to overcome Paul Aquino’s mastery of Big Willow at Willow Springs in his Mitsubishi Evo X? You’ll have to watch the battle to find out.
0:00 Intro at Willow Springs Raceway
1:15 Corvette Z06 Track Build Breakdown
3:00 Lancer Evo X Build Breakdown
4:15 Predictions for the Day
5:26 Driver Battles: Track Edition Rules and How To Compete
6:18 Race Start!
7:57 Final Results
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To see why these cars make for such a fun battle, we need to dig a little deeper into the specifics, starting with Christian’s 2019 Corvette Z06. This car is a straight-up beast, with its 6.2L LT4 engine pumping out 650hp. He has also added an AFE catback exhaust, a Competition carbon hood, an MGW short throw shifter, Racetech 119 Series seats, a Teamtech seven-point harness, BC Forged RZ05 wheels and Nitto NT01 tires, 315/30R18 up front and a massive 335/30R18 in the rear.
To have a chance against that much power, Paul Aquino will need both a ton of experience and a car with just as much done to it. Fortunately, he’s coming to the battle with his 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. His car sports a 2.0L 4B11T engine, Kelford B cams, a Garrett GTX3576R turbo, an SSP stage 2 clutch, Perrin sway bars, a VIS carbon hood, a Sabelt harness and Nitto NT01 tires, 275/35R18 front and rear.
With Paul bringing a car that well-built and tons of experience at Willow Springs to bear against Christian, this really could be anyone’s battle. It’ll all come down to who runs the fastest in the straights-and who will be able to push their car the closest to its limits.
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[@ceejec]

Kuya Paul was just chilling, elbow on the door and everything

[@jcsucgang]

Lol I noticed that too. Could of had a red horse in hand at that point haha.

[@ChristianHudnell]

Thanks for having me! I had a lot of fun and was around some amazing drivers and people who helped me become a better racer. Hope everyone enjoyed watching the video as fun as I had driving

[@DrivingLine]

Thanks for joining us!

[@claudedottin1312]

You got a new subscriber

[@ChristianHudnell]

@@claudedottin1312 Thanks a lot! I appreciate it

[@TeslaHaxz]

Good driving, and nice car

[@MikeEM1]

@@ChristianHudnell great time! I've been to that track before. Very respectable time.

[@4bangermafia]

Lol I was saying since the beginning of the episode that the vette was going to win hands down. Anyone that has been on track with a C7 corvette should know. I remember the spanking a C7 Corvette ZR1 was giving my track tuned DC5; I was totally outclassed. Also doesnt look like the EVO driver was experiencing enough G forces looking at 7:41. Dude look like he was on a cruise.

[@ocnyoura6803]

Even measured at the wheels the C7Z has about 200 more HP than the Evo. Not really a fan comparison at all.

[@diovalremonde2468]

My man’s shoes match his car. 🔥

[@RCDR1000]

I have an Evo X MR Kozmic tuned daily and a C8 Z51 with track alignment. The Evo is quick with 400hp and a quick spooling MHI turbo, ohlins shocks and whiteline links but the power of the C8 is just too much. Especially in big tracks, the corvette will have a big advantage even more for the track built z06. Enjoyed the video but I would like to see a full lap comparison so we can see where they are faster or slower. My EVO is for autox and the C8 is for bigger tracks. My C8 did well in COTA will try to bring the Evo on the next one and see how it compares.

[@stanimal8]

I have an EVO 8, so I'm definitely with Team EVO. But it was an easy call for the Vette, better power to weight, more torque down low, better weight distribution, more tires. I was expecting big power, well setup EVO's to be in the low 130's on Big Willow.

[@michaeltang3333]

you bring the evo to cota

[@jeremysteinacker4889]

at ~400 wheel my MR put a huge gap on a c8. The evo is ~500 lbs lighter and makes about the same power.

[@LP-bt4jk]

@@jeremysteinacker4889MR’s are monster’s they just need a crazy owner to have the fund’s to build them right but I’m guessing at that point you can just buy a GTR

[@jeremysteinacker4889]

@@LP-bt4jk yea but gtr's dont feel fast until they approach 4 digits. at 600whp they feel like an altima. The MR is way more raw and gives you the sense of speed.

[@evoguy23]

Evo dude needed higher spring rate in the rear or raise it up a bit he was rubbing bad at the 3:11 mark. Also C7Z probably had 250 HP on the evo so this is a strange matchup to begin with.

[@allyoucan69]

400hp vs 650hp lol

[@KillswitchRobie828]

Definitely. A 1:35 for his setup is ok though not gonna lie. He should have been able to at least hit 1:30, 1:31s and the Vette could of pulled of a mid 1:20s reason I say this is because of personal experience and friends who have tracked Big Willow with much less powerful cars hitting low 1:30s mid 1:20s. I myself hit high 1:30s on a 250hp car on my very first track day.

[@Rolling2Quarters]

Rubbing bad.

[@robevox586]

He needs stiffer spring rates especially because he is running wider (than he needs to) tyres. Also an Evo X to fit low offset 10.5” rims needs fender rolling in a big way.. I know this because I run 11” +0 offset 295 wide semi slicks. A 265 wide tyre Would suit his power levels and probably get a faster time.

[@Joe-qc2fw]

@@robevox586 how did you fit that size? And what tyre profile?

[@cvi.lanell_2438]

I’ve been waiting to watch this 😩. Glad it’s finally here. Let’s see what Mr. Hudnell can do behind the wheel 🏎 🏁.

[@EddardTrue916]

All I got is a 470whp Evo 8 (4G64) set up 🤷🏻‍♂️. Never been on Big Willow, but have done SoW a few times. Would be fun to go up against that 10 MR. Would want a ride in it too so I could get ideas for my 10 MR 🤣

[@jamieleanderson]

This was awesome to watch!

[@Darkside_C7]

Heck yeah, this was great!

[@marvinheadrick3511]

A GSR that could properly make some similar power to the vette would have been (obviously) a better matchup. Cool cars, and looks like good drivers too though.

[@nonstopnono124]

I'll love to go head up with a manual c7 z06 or even a zr1.

[@shih-hanchow8945]

Great driving to both. I had 2018 Z06 manual and the supercharger whine was no where as loud as the one on this episode. I'm assuming an upgraded supercharger, and I suspect more horsepower than 650?

[@ChristianHudnell]

Hey! Yeah stock blower. The hood i have allows the whine to be heard much better and they also had a mic underneath the hood to hear it better

[@chisquare5701]

That was entertaining. That kinda difference for people with that much experience is the car, though. Both were fun to watch drive.

[@warrensmith792]

Let's see some bike bois tracking it. Love seeing good competition.

[@sharon9843]

Nice!!!!

[@OGAwsomSauce]

If you have a rookie vs rookie episode hit me up. I’ve never driven that track outside of video games

[@k20.J]

I’ve never driven at a track before either. Maybe we can go up against each other lol

[@scottschneider5866]

Great video it’s great to see the c7 z06 represented, I’m biased I own a 2018 z06 3lz with carbon ceramics making 751 hp 711 torque wheel(almost 200 hp over stock 🤣scary), right now it’s more set up for drag racing, but I’ve always wanted to track

[@MadMub]

I'd love to go up against my friends C8 in my C6 in something like this. I have more power, but the C8 is just way better in power management and cornering.

[@speedlife301]

Where did you get those front fender vents from ?

[@pasigiri]

Congrats SubZeru! Your Z06 was screaming. Can't wait to see what you do next with it on your channel.

[@TurtleGamer57]

Yesssss sirrrr 🤩🤩🔥

[@SSDracerSD]

Probably the best video I've seen from your channel for a while. Some more outside shots of the cars while racing would be awesome

[@DJIDSYSTEMX2]

They should have put the other evo that has a 2.3 block that I saw on a another video that other evo should have been the one to do the time attack set up but that's my opinion and I doubt that anyone is going to look up that evo that I'm talking about with a 2.3 and put up against the zo6 but oh well just my thoughts but good race though love both cars

[@Grimgrak1]

Da Fuq is the evo drivers arm doing on the window sill?

[@mikibiasion7881]

Wow NC Miata with 190hp is doing 1:31 at Big Willow, back to school guys.

[@oneviwatara9384]

Light weight make a huge difference though.

[@jinso6100]

I expected a 1:24 from the z06. Randy pobst got a 1:26.28 with a grandsport and a 1:25 flat from a stock z06

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

I went 128 in stock wheel and tire 6th gen camaro ss on Falken rt660 so these guys are way off pace. I have a 2019 z06 now

[@mrwrxstierstier3037]

The evo dont look like it has good suspension because the back is scraping alot that messes up the back diff and shaft to because is awd

[@zombielivesmatter7294]

Both clean and nice cars, but Vette! American muscle always wins.

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

Oh my gawd I went 1:28 in a stock wheel and tire 6th gen camaro ss lol. So sad. All that car and tire. So frustrating

[@jeremysteinacker4889]

a 3576 on e85 should be making just north of 600whp. It's a 58mm turbo

[@m1lkb0xx]

*evo “10”

[@rayq4857]

Exactly! I wanted to slap him every time he said Evo X

[@inazupra]

I run 18x10.5s on my X, stock body with no rubbing. This guy needs to roll his fenders and add some camber. Easily fits on these cars.

[@geraldbrown5506]

Let's go

[@MrPrince2289]

How is that evo running a 3576 and only making 400whp that can be done on stock turbo

[@evoguy23]

Its a MR they cant hold alot of power unless you build up the trans

[@MrPrince2289]

@@evoguy23 oh that makes sense. Forgot about that.

[@silvia12319]

Don't be a dreamer stock turbo makes 350hp

[@streetkingzracing2067]

Working on an is300 2jz gte track car so hopefully it can beat 1:29

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

You guys still doing this? I sent an application online.

[@buccibur]

I WANT ON DRIVER BATTLES!

[@RockstarGarageS2K]

Still waiting for our invitation...

[@LP-bt4jk]

What’s an Evo Ex?

[@MaalaAdrian]

Gotta love a wingless evo 😅

[@angelomoodley]

Hi Driving Line, Great Channel...as a suggestion: Can your'll not show the cars individual video footage instead of combining the footage? #DrivingLine

[@josuepaz9446]

weight ??

[@machone351c]

Go Christian!

[@Treeezplz]

Yeah the difference in horsepower makes a big difference. 400whp is like a few bolt ons for an X. Not to mention the extra aero too. Not the best match-up tbh. Shoulda found an X with similar power. Woulda liked to see that battle

[@Numptee86]

When you are smoking your rears against your own bodywork...its time to make some camber adjustments...

[@klinatoc]

Why does the z06 have paddles?

[@LP-bt4jk]

Because manual is slower

[@klinatoc]

@@LP-bt4jk at 1:56 you can see a shift lever

[@moustachio334]

This is why it’s best to learn how to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Still, the Corvette won. I’m sure he has a lot more confidence in it now.

[@donrob4058]

i miss driving battles lol

[@streetkingzracing2067]

My boss has a mk4 r32 golf. Pretty stock at the moment. Hit him up

[@RockstarGarageS2K]

This driver is the Ken Miles of our time! 1:19 at Streets. Here's a video for reference. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zQaZ2OhcaWY6M

[@TheBb6prelude]

Just let them race head to head.

[@daves5765]

did I hear him correctly that he swapped the shocks out on that 06? Why would you ever change the shocks on that zo6?!!! The tuned electro magnetic ride control system does things your manual shocks can't do. You probably reduced it's capabilities by doing that. That zo6 is perfectly engineered. Don't mess with it. If you want to tune it, tune the systems that came with the car Don't just remove the magnetic ride shocks and throw in and aftermarket shocks that will totally throw off all the other tuning that's designed to work with the magnetic ride control. Bigger arrow bigger tires those are all good add-ons even lowering it on stock bolts and giving it a good wheel alignment would help but I would have definitely left the magnetic ride control in the car as I've seen these cars with that setup rule the track.

[@Motagraphy]

400 on E with a 3576r? 🤔🤨

[@evoguy23]

His tuner must have had to really turn down the car to get that low of numbers on a GTX3576 lol especially on E85. On my Evo X GSR I made 503/375 on 93 with a gtx3576

[@Motagraphy]

@@evoguy23 Yea like .. extremely low 😂 Those are good numbers tho! I just finished my build and finally got it running.. Hoping to make high 6’s on E98 when everything’s all said and done

[@jdmtc5]

The evo is rubbing on the rear a lot.

[@Motagraphy]

Evo needs to roll fenders ...

[@johnnygreen5642]

U guys should match cars that are equal

[@FromWhereICharge]

Would love to challenge Christian with my Tesla Model 3. I think it would be a good battle. Let's go! :)

[@Tieknee]

That Evo is nice. But that Vette is SEXY.

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

I'll race my c7 z06 if you still do this! Unless you don't want someone that can actually drive showing up

[@scottbarker9058]

nive car...why 18-s ..n not the stok wheel diameter???

[@edrod3580]

Check out spectator drags the corvettes always loose against evos lol. Actually against any fast AWD JDM.

[@robertweaver3503]

those nitros were throwing all kinds rubber, probably would have been closer if evo used his tires

[@DarkAnge4ever]

They both running same tires just different sizes

[@robertweaver3503]

@@DarkAnge4ever right but the evo’s tires were getting destroyed , I doubt they were his tires but sponsored for him as you can see nitto sign and logo everywhere in video. Not saying outcome would have been any different but the experienced driver, like he said he was, wouldn’t have his tires scrapping his car

[@DarkAnge4ever]

@@robertweaver3503 can't tell if it's coming of his tire or Debris from the pavement

[@robertweaver3503]

@@DarkAnge4ever look at 707 to 715 , also corvette has no debris

[@JackOlsen]

I'm not trying to get on your show, but don't those big-horsepower, big-mod numbers look a little odd compared to this 272-hp Stuttgart Six-Banger on the same tires? kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPFmmxqer1rjsk

[@lw_loki]

Bruh the chunks of rubber from the Evo.... should of went smaller tire

[@daveh7517]

Let me light up my keyboard...

[@defyingtheodds1987]

Dammit , I miss my Evo. 😢

[@LP-bt4jk]

Why you sell it?

[@defyingtheodds1987]

@@LP-bt4jk I had to invest in my business

[@IHadToMakeThisAccount]

Even outta the turns the c8 pulled out harder.

[@AliasHSW]

Paul hanging his elbow on the door caused him time.

[@luisvejar4170]

It's not fair the dude on the evo weights 600 pounds

[@martsmarts]

The Vette is in a different class vs that Evo. That Vette is more up against GTRs, Supras, Track focused Silvias,M2s and Porshes. Great vid tho.

[@jinso6100]

you really tried to sneak in a supra and m2 in there lol. this thing competes with mclarens, huracans and porsche

[@3diamonds524]

250hp is too large to compare these 2. Plenty of faster evos, especially gsr, that would have compared better. That being said, it's still cool a car as affordable as the evo can hang like this at 400hp

[@becomeraptureready]

The Evo X is my favorite car period, and the C7 is actually my least favorite of all the Corvette models although it is a very capable car, I love the C4-C6 + C2 generation Corvettes. However, this was a bad match up. First of all, the Corvette is quite literally making twice the power and torque as the Evo, not only that but the Evo has LESS aero than stock, while the Z06 has MORE aero than stock. Evo X's can be very fast, while a stock Z06 is very fast, keep in mind the Evo X is the best sports car in the world, it performs extremely well on rally stages, in snow, doing jumps, and is capable of carrying a family of 5 to get the groceries all while being fun and fast around any terrain, the Z06 is an equally reliable car to the Evo X but is designed for lap times on race tracks, its a good daily for 1-2 people with similar levels of fun to the Evo with 30% of the practicality and can only be used as a sports car in good weather, while the Evo can act as a all purpose sports car year around. However in this match up it was obvious who had a huge advantage. Find an Evo X that has had some weight taken out of it, and some aero, and running on E85 to make Z06 levels of power and it would be a fun matchup.

[@biggboysouth]

Cool story bro.

[@nezabytes]

I'm not a fan of the c7 either. The C6 ZR1 was the best looking vette ever!

[@LP-bt4jk]

@@biggboysouth salty

[@biggboysouth]

@@LP-bt4jk herby

[@ricky9720]

It’s the same as the iPhone , it’s iPhone ten not X and it’s evolution ten not evo x

[@Brianbugz34]

That evo is pushing close to 550-600whp on that turbo on full e85.. stop the cap lol no 400hp there

[@TheBucchinny]

He was limited due to the DCT. My 10 made 620hp with that turbo.

[@Brianbugz34]

@@TheBucchinny mine made 608 with the same turbo gen 2 on E85.. time for him to get those upgraded clutches take a trip to kozmic

[@lcameeno1]

@@Brianbugz34 what injectors and fuel pump?

[@JosePerez-vp4gw]

@@lcameeno1 walbro450 id2000

[@Brianbugz34]

@@lcameeno1 on my X i have FIC1600cc and a walbro 450

[@imrekiss3556]

Next time take those cars and go to another track with more corner...

[@Cal3000]

What are you talking about? Big Willow is about as challenging it can get with a track.

[@imrekiss3556]

@@Cal3000 of course mate... It would be better if they go to horse thief mile or something.

[@AlienMonkeyDXB]

The X in the Evo name is a Roman number 10. So stop calling it an Evo Ex. It makes you sound really ignorant.

[@FloresRacing]

Maybe my 9th gen civic si can make it, not the fastest but still very competitive

[@ES-REDROT]

Crazy how these guys don’t know how to explain the advantages of their own cars VS the other based on vehicle dynamics …

[@lucascanon5265]

An amateur EVO player Vs a professional C7 player on a most straight line。 losing the most basic fairness is meaningless

[@yingiang]

guaranteed if the Evo had a better alignment and/or tire set up. It would have won. wheel speed interrupted by rubbing.

[@3v4761]

The only thing a VETTE is afraid of is a Porsche

[@avengingeyes4041]

This would have been a more interesting race if both of them would have had the same horse power other than that this was a no brainer the vet was gonna win it has magnetic suspension with the horsepower annoying please no brainer

[@LP-bt4jk]

I’m pretty sure the Evo would have won with a better driver those SST MR’s are track monster’s

[@silvia12319]

That evo would've won if it wasnt taking chunks of rubber!! What a noob!!

[@LP-bt4jk]

Definitely bad driver.

[@cdbnum1]

An Evo 9 with more power would’ve been a different outcome.

[@RocTheReaper]

lol... an x (preferably a GSR) with more power would have been a different outcome soooo...

[@Jaredscott89]

@@RocTheReaper Vette has a better chassis, soo....

[@RocTheReaper]

@@Jaredscott89 wasn't the point of my comment soooo 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Jaredscott89]

@@RocTheReaper Obviously, dumb arse. 200hp doesn't close the 6 second gap... Sooo...

[@RocTheReaper]

@@Jaredscott89 yiiiikes.... Come into KZbin to say dumb shit and then call someone a dumb arse because you said some senseless shit?? 200hp on one of the best AWD platforms ever made, absolutely makes that difference. As well as the tune, setup, and a million other factors. Fall back scrub. You are barely scratching the surface of the conversation, that I'm not planning to have with you.

[@laurochavez3943]

Im down to prove that im faster than that Evo.

[@bige7186]

What did y’all evo fans expect? Ur going up against a corvette 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@TeslaHaxz]

I dont think we expected any different. There was a 250 horsepower gap. Wasn't exactly an even matchup...

[@d14_x80]

As was stated it was quite a mismatch already. That being said of course the z06 won, it’s geared for a track like this (not to mention all the quality suspension it had). On a smaller tighter track and a more comparable matchup I think it would have been a lot closer. Brainlessly stating one is better than the other is asinine. There are pros and cons to both cars

[@GearheadDaily]

Imagine spending all that money to make that C7 faster, to go 5 seconds slower than a stock Z06. 🤣

[@markculp1992]

Awesome video...did they ever mention the Evos horsepower or did I just miss it?

[@nikolassamson6384]

400