Z51 or no?
10-25-2016, 12:57 PM
#1
Z51 or no?
looking into trading my 15' 1LE for a 14'-15' c7 7spd. we don't have a track near me so unfortunately i don't get to do that. but i love going around the survey roads we have near me, and next year a huge group of friends are going to tail of the dragon.
i do plan to mod it with bolt ons. my 1le is kooks LT and cai. and i plan on doing that and probably exhaust too. can i get mag ride in a non z51? is the z51 worth the hassle of trying to find the right one? I'm looking for nav,backup cam and mag ride and its a pain to find. what do you all think?
i do plan to mod it with bolt ons. my 1le is kooks LT and cai. and i plan on doing that and probably exhaust too. can i get mag ride in a non z51? is the z51 worth the hassle of trying to find the right one? I'm looking for nav,backup cam and mag ride and its a pain to find. what do you all think?
10-25-2016, 01:25 PM
#2
That should be an easy combination to find in a Z51
10-25-2016, 01:34 PM
#3
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10-25-2016, 01:42 PM
#4
Instructor
There is a high level of payback with the Z-51 option on and off the track. If you like driving curvey roads you will be very pleased with Z-51 the ELSD and brakes. On those days you are out with your buds you will have no regrets with Z-51.
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
10-25-2016, 02:02 PM
#6
Drifting
10-25-2016, 02:10 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
The non Z51 can achieve 1g of lateral acceleration. It's 1.03 on the Z51. I highly doubt anyone could tell the difference.
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10-25-2016, 03:16 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
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Skid Row Joe (10-25-2016)
10-25-2016, 03:21 PM
#10
Team Owner
funny, I paid $2800 for Z51 back in '14 and it included those and much more and more importantly the proper option code Z51.
10-25-2016, 06:29 PM
#12
Team Owner
10-25-2016, 06:48 PM
#13
Safety Car
The level of handling in my '16 base Stingray is much better than my previous '08 Z51. I do not track the car or use it for autocross/competition, but I do my share of fast and hard driving. I have absolutely no complaints about the C7 base setup for the street including tight twisty back roads. The day I hear tires squealing and run into understeer I'll think about modifying it.
Not saying the Z51 is a bad choice. I'm sure the Z51 could buy you something at 9/10's on the track if the driver has the skill to take advantage of it. If you had a 1LE none of the compromises may bother you, however there are trade offs. Objectionaly stiff ride (for some) without MRC, PITA oil change procedure, nasty brake dust and as of now to the best of my knowledge, no run flat A/S tires available in the larger Z51 wheel sizes. Also not a fan of the Z51 spoiler, but that is a matter of personal taste.
Good luck with your decision.
Here's a local new '16 base car with MRC. Beautiful car, but they are rare. I believe only 400+ 2016 base cars made with the MRC option.
http://www.nickchevrolet.com/Vehicle...-PA/2797137053
Not saying the Z51 is a bad choice. I'm sure the Z51 could buy you something at 9/10's on the track if the driver has the skill to take advantage of it. If you had a 1LE none of the compromises may bother you, however there are trade offs. Objectionaly stiff ride (for some) without MRC, PITA oil change procedure, nasty brake dust and as of now to the best of my knowledge, no run flat A/S tires available in the larger Z51 wheel sizes. Also not a fan of the Z51 spoiler, but that is a matter of personal taste.
Good luck with your decision.
Here's a local new '16 base car with MRC. Beautiful car, but they are rare. I believe only 400+ 2016 base cars made with the MRC option.
http://www.nickchevrolet.com/Vehicle...-PA/2797137053
Last edited by Scruff Vette; 10-25-2016 at 06:53 PM.
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Skid Row Joe (10-25-2016)
10-25-2016, 06:56 PM
#14
4 good reasons to get it with the Z51 package...
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
10-25-2016, 07:06 PM
#15
Drifting
It is SOOO much cheaper to buy the Z51 option than to add that stuff on later. If you want a performance car, why would you not want a little MORE performance in that car?
Also, that electronic diff. You simply are not going to add that on later and it IS a big deal if you like cars that corner.
Also, that electronic diff. You simply are not going to add that on later and it IS a big deal if you like cars that corner.
10-26-2016, 12:03 PM
#16
Drifting
4 good reasons to get it with the Z51 package...
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
10-26-2016, 12:10 PM
#17
Safety Car
I put the Z51 option in the "nice to have" category since I never plan on tracking my car. I have driven both base and Z51, both with mag drive. To me, in spirited around driving but not on a track, I could not tell much difference. So when I went to purchase, and found a nicely optioned Stingray without Z51, I went with it. Either way you have a pretty amazing car.
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10-26-2016, 12:19 PM
#18
Pro
4 good reasons to get it with the Z51 package...
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
I would go for the Z51 for all the extra goodies that comes with the package.
10-27-2016, 11:44 AM
#20
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4 good reasons to get it with the Z51 package...
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
1) Dry Sump Oiling = Less chance of starvation in the twisties, or on long round on-ramps, plus it holds more oil, which is always a plus for cooling and dirt removal
2) Electronic LSD = Insanely good cornering and traction
3) Transmission and diff cooling (on the Auto) = You can never have enough of that laying around
4) Bigger front brakes = Yum!
and ... 5) NPP exhaust is also include in the Z51 price 
Buying my C7 I was not planning on the Z51 option because ride was important but I still wanted a high level of handling.
I also wanted MSRC and NPP.
When GM bundled the MSRC with 19-20 wheels and Spoiler the price was 3,495.00 ..
Adding NPP to that the price was so close to the Z51 option I had to reconsider my choice for my complete package I wanted.
Granted I still had to add MSRC which again added more cost.
But after driving my friends Z51 with MSRC, for me the ride was very acceptable with the handling I was looking for.
After considering everything the Z51 package included and how much MSRC tamed the ride without sacrificing handling, I didn't want to regret not getting the complete package.
It did help my decision that my C6 with MRC and the addition of Z51 sway bars was something I could compare it to as far as ride and handling.
Very happy with my choice with no regrets.
Just my Opinion and my experience for anyone on the fence
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