Z51 suspension and my False Teeth
10-25-2004, 07:29 PM
#1
Racer
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Z51 suspension and my False Teeth
Is it true that if I get a C5 that has the Z51 - that I should leave my dentures at home. Is it that rough? If I was willing to forgive some performance/handling for a more comfortable ride - what options, if any, do I have? 
10-25-2004, 07:35 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
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Mine is Z51 and I've added Hotchkis sway bars, Bilstein shocks and had it lowered.
You'll be fine. Keep your teeth in and
The best thing you can do to improve the ride is get rid of the GY EMTs.
You'll be fine. Keep your teeth in and
The best thing you can do to improve the ride is get rid of the GY EMTs.
10-25-2004, 07:37 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Have a Z51 coupe. Had your same fears - sales person talked me into taking it - said I wouldn't regret it. And I don't. The handling is superior to the stock suspension and the ride is more than tolerable. Have a friend with a stock suspension coupe - he drove mine and wishes he had the Z51. Neither of us are south of 50.
10-25-2004, 08:54 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by Gofasterdad
Is it true that if I get a C5 that has the Z51 - that I should leave my dentures at home. Is it that rough? If I was willing to forgive some performance/handling for a more comfortable ride - what options, if any, do I have?
10-25-2004, 08:58 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
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I'd leave your teeth @ home. Comin from an Accord to a C5 w/ Z51 is a HAUGE difference, and the harsh ride does annoy me @ some times. 
But you can't beat it if you're looking for the performance! 
Comin from an Accord to a C5 w/ Z51 is a HAUGE difference, and the harsh ride does annoy me @ some times. But you can't beat it if you're looking for the performance!
10-25-2004, 09:05 PM
#6
Race Director
We have the Z51. My wife and I do several road trips a year and love the way it rides and handles - firm but certainly not harsh. I have driven C5s with every suspension with the exception of the F45 and the Z51 is my favorite of all these I've driven. But, everyone's likes and dislikes are different. Drive one with the Z51 and see what you think.
Last edited by GrayC5; 10-25-2004 at 09:07 PM.
10-25-2004, 09:14 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '07
I've got the Z51 and the wife was surprised at how smooth the ride actually was. She was expecting it too be a lot worse. Handles great!
10-25-2004, 09:18 PM
#8
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Gofasterdad
Is it true that if I get a C5 that has the Z51 - that I should leave my dentures at home. Is it that rough? If I was willing to forgive some performance/handling for a more comfortable ride - what options, if any, do I have?
Don't listen to the nay-sayers. Road like a Caddie with a case of the azz 
10-25-2004, 09:26 PM
#10
Race Director
The only time I even feel the Z51 being harsh is when you hit one of those roads that have ridges every 20-30 feet. After a 100 or so ridges it becomes annoying. But on normal roads, even ones not so smooth, the Z51 is very livable. And when you take a corner at speed a smile will come to your face... teeth or not!. 
10-25-2004, 09:44 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
they makes c5's with the Z51 package? 
... are you sure?
... Z51 - 03' Vert ... smoooth ride, occationally a little rough over some bumps but I attribute that to tires, not suspension.
... are you sure?
... Z51 - 03' Vert ... smoooth ride, occationally a little rough over some bumps but I attribute that to tires, not suspension.
10-25-2004, 10:52 PM
#14
I hope this is not a stupid question but is the actual Z51 option code printed inside the glove box lid along with all the other stuff or is there another number that denotes the Z51 option?
10-25-2004, 11:00 PM
#15
Race Director
Originally Posted by exukboy
I hope this is not a stupid question but is the actual Z51 option code printed inside the glove box lid along with all the other stuff or is there another number that denotes the Z51 option?
Last edited by GrayC5; 10-25-2004 at 11:03 PM.
10-26-2004, 01:01 AM
#19
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Z51 in a C5 is a joke. It is nothing like that of the C4. Replaced the Z51 in the 99 with Z06 springs and sways and bilstein sport shocks. Made the car more stable and fun to drive.
10-26-2004, 01:10 AM
#20
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C5 Z51 is a smooth ride and a lot of econo boxes ride worse. The 84 Z51 ruined the reputation for all following Z51 cars. After 20 years everybody is still worried about it even though the cars are not the same. What is really funny is that I went from a 71 LS6 without modern gas shocks that had solid mounts between the body and the frame and thought the 84 Z51 was a smooth ride.
Bill
Bill