Z51 Suspension vs Base Suspension...
03-08-2006, 11:43 PM
#1
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Z51 Suspension vs Base Suspension...
I am currently on the market for a C5, and I have a question about the ride quality of the Z51 suspension. I love a good, agressive handling car, so this is an option I am looking into. Im sure the Z51 suspension will be a rougher ride than the normal one, however I would like to know just how big the contrast in ride quality is between the 2. Although I like performance, I want something that rides nice too, so if the z51 setup sacrifices comfort TOO much, then I may pass on it. Thanks for the help in advance! 
03-09-2006, 12:15 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '05
Can't speak to the base suspension but am very happy with the ride quality and performance of the Z51. Not a Cadillac ride but not too harsh for my taste, it's all relative. I'll take the performance of the Z51 over the better ride of the base suspension. 
The ride is not bad at all. It feels just like a car like this should.
03-09-2006, 12:24 AM
#5
Race Director
Unless you are over 70...go with the Z51!
The firm ride may be too much for a 70 years old's kidneys and bladder.
But any younger than that ... you will be soon upgrading the Z51 to Z06 or Hotchkiss suspension
PS... I am in the 50+ age bracket of the baby boomer generation
The firm ride may be too much for a 70 years old's kidneys and bladder.
But any younger than that ... you will be soon upgrading the Z51 to Z06 or Hotchkiss suspension
PS... I am in the 50+ age bracket of the baby boomer generation
03-09-2006, 12:48 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
I have, or have had, all three suspensions on different cars. Here are my impressions:
'00 coupe with Z51 - probably the best all-around compromise for smooth ride and solid handling. Clearly the best bang for the buck.
'00 coupe with Z51 with Bilstein Sport shocks - totally eliminated body roll but ride was too harsh for my 60 year old backside. Fun at times, mind you, but gets tiresome after a while. Overall I regard it as an expensive mistake.
'04 convertible with stock suspension. Very soft (spongy?) ride with way too much body roll, particularly when I was used to the car above.
'04 convertible with stock suspension plus Z06 swaybars. No effect on ride, greatly improved handling.
'04 coupe with F55. The two modes, "touring" and "sport" seem to provide options very roughly analagous to "stock" and "Z51" I've only had the car for a day so I don't have a lot of experience with it yet. Will look into possibly adding Z06 sways. Aprehensive about long-term cost of maintaining the system.
'00 coupe with Z51 - probably the best all-around compromise for smooth ride and solid handling. Clearly the best bang for the buck.
'00 coupe with Z51 with Bilstein Sport shocks - totally eliminated body roll but ride was too harsh for my 60 year old backside. Fun at times, mind you, but gets tiresome after a while. Overall I regard it as an expensive mistake.
'04 convertible with stock suspension. Very soft (spongy?) ride with way too much body roll, particularly when I was used to the car above.
'04 convertible with stock suspension plus Z06 swaybars. No effect on ride, greatly improved handling.
'04 coupe with F55. The two modes, "touring" and "sport" seem to provide options very roughly analagous to "stock" and "Z51" I've only had the car for a day so I don't have a lot of experience with it yet. Will look into possibly adding Z06 sways. Aprehensive about long-term cost of maintaining the system.
Last edited by BarneyZ; 03-09-2006 at 12:52 AM.
03-09-2006, 01:02 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
Age 55 here and I have an '02 vert with stock stuff. It handles plenty good for me. Takes curves well and the ride is fine. I can't imagine taking curves any faster than I am now.
03-09-2006, 11:24 AM
#8
Racer
Do a search on this. There ought to be a ton of stuff on the forum. Drive examples of each. In the end you have to get what feels good to you and nobody else matters! I'm in the country and 60 and like the stock suspension. Good luck!!
03-09-2006, 01:02 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
42 with a Z51 vert here. I would highly recommend it. I've taken 800 mile one way-one day trips with no complaints.
03-09-2006, 01:13 PM
#10
Drifting
Originally Posted by TexasMadMan
Age 55 here and I have an '02 vert with stock stuff. It handles plenty good for me. Takes curves well and the ride is fine. I can't imagine taking curves any faster than I am now.
exactly. Keep in mind that most of the talk on here is seat of the pants talk and most people think they are feeling something totally different when there really isn't that big of a differance.
03-11-2006, 12:27 AM
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your right man, I did a search and found a good wealth of info, however the ride quality seems to be subjective, and theres also differing opinions on whether or not the f45 can reproduce the performance of z51 in higher modes. Sounds like im gonna have to do some testdriving...
03-11-2006, 12:48 AM
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I have a Pontiac with Eibach springs & Koni Sport struts and I feel every irregularity in the road compared to my 2000 FRC with a Z51, the Z51 is more forgiving, yet less body roll.
Get the Z51 if you can, you never regret it.
Get the Z51 if you can, you never regret it.
03-11-2006, 04:57 PM
#15
Drifting
I have a '98 vert with Z51, lowered plus Hotchkiss bars (plus some extra HP - 382 forged stroker). I love the way it handles! As for the ride, I think it rides like I'd expect a performance sports car to ride. Not too harsh for my taste (age 50). I would never give up the perfomance for a little more comfort -- But that's just me.
It all boils down to YOUR preferences. I wanted a performance car that is fun to drive -- Comfort was secondary -- More of a "play toy" than daily transportation. If someone primarily wants a comfortable transportation car, but one with great looks and some pep, then base model would be the better choice.
Oh, and for those who say basic is plenty, that's all relative too! Everyone drives differently. If you mainly like to just cruise and rarely push it hard, then YES not much difference in handling. But if you like to push it hard, there is DEFINITELY a significant handling difference.
Good luck in your search!
Dave
It all boils down to YOUR preferences. I wanted a performance car that is fun to drive -- Comfort was secondary -- More of a "play toy" than daily transportation. If someone primarily wants a comfortable transportation car, but one with great looks and some pep, then base model would be the better choice.
Oh, and for those who say basic is plenty, that's all relative too! Everyone drives differently. If you mainly like to just cruise and rarely push it hard, then YES not much difference in handling. But if you like to push it hard, there is DEFINITELY a significant handling difference.
Good luck in your search!
Dave
