RedySetVette

Look for opinions on is it much of an upgrade going from the C5 Z51 sway bars to the C6 Z51 sway bars? Or from the C5 Z51 to a JC stage 1 sway bars? or better just to keep the C5z51's sway and upgrade the shocks?

Non track 01 vert Z51. Looking for a little better handling upgrade. non lowered car. Thanks

QCVette

The sway bars are a great upgrade.

The shocks would be good too, but how much improvement depends on the condition of your shocks now.

I put C6 Z06 bars and metal end links on one '99 Z51 and C6 Z51 bars and metal end links on another '99 Z51. Both had low mileage and I did not replace the shocks. They are still fine. (Both of these C6 sets use the same front bar and the only difference is the rear bar.)

The results were great. The car corners much flatter and there is very little difference in ride quality (harshness) between the C6 bars and the stock '99's.

I have read that the C6 Z06 bars will produce oversteer with the stock size C5 tires (under 325), and the C6 Z51 bars are better for the stock tire sizes. Both of mine were on the stock size or 285 rear's and they felt the same. I have pushed the C6 Z51 bars and I did not find an oversteer. I have not pushed the C6 Z06 bars as much, but I so far they feel the same to me as the C6 Z51 bars. Maybe if I push it harder I would notice a difference?

The sizes and some part numbers are shown below.

-----------------------------mm------Inch-------part numbers
C6 T1 front------------------38.4----1.512
C6 T1 rear-------------------27.5----1.1.08
C6 ZR1 front-----------------33------1.299
C6 ZR1 rear------------------31------1.220
C6 Z06 / GS / Z51 front------31------1.220------25919502 was 10323434
C6 Z06 / GS rear-------------28------1.102------20777536 was 15262804
C6 Z51 rear------------------25.4----1.000------10339124
C6 Base front----------------25.5----1.004
C6 Base rear-----------------17.5----0.689

C5 Z06 front-----------------30------1.181
C5 Z06 rear------------------23.6----0.929
C5 Z51 front-----------------28.6----1.126------('00-"04)
C5 Z51 rear------------------23.6----0.929------('00-"04)
C5 Z51 front-----------------25.4----1.000------('97-'99)
C5 Z51 rear------------------21.7----0.854------('97-'99)
C5 Base front----------------23------0.906
C5 Base rear-----------------19.1----0.752

Good luck.

RedySetVette

Thanks for the info QCVette! I am contemplating spending 600 bucks if its only a minor change. I see where its only a slight increase in size that why I wondered. I only have 38K on my '01. So I may just try the sways first to see how it rides!

JrRifleCoach

I switched from the C5 Z06 F/R bars to the C6 Z51 F/R bars.
A very subtle change in bars and much different in both body roll and control/feedback.
A set of C6 Z06 shocks will make the package complete and affordable.