Suspension Differences
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 1,181
From: La Mesa CA
Suspension Differences
Can someone quickly explain the different suspension options for C4's. All the vettes I have had had the Z51, but I know there are Z52 and others out there.
Glenn in San Diego
Glenn in San Diego
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
wow... you don't ask simple questions... 
The Z51 is the performance suspension, with stiffer shocks and springs.
The Z52 uses the Z51 steering rack.
The FX3 and F45 are both adjustable suspensions, just different versions.
FE1 is the base suspension.
Z07 is much like Z51, but used in different years.
All of the various spring rates and such change from year to year.
The Z51 is the performance suspension, with stiffer shocks and springs.
The Z52 uses the Z51 steering rack.
The FX3 and F45 are both adjustable suspensions, just different versions.
FE1 is the base suspension.
Z07 is much like Z51, but used in different years.
All of the various spring rates and such change from year to year.
Last edited by bogus; Aug 28, 2006 at 11:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
And I don't know this as fact, but it's been stated that the FE1 base suspension changed quite a bit, year-to-year. Supposedly, the last year, '96, had one of the "softest" FE1 base suspensions ever.
Considering the new '93 I rode in a lot, and the fairly newish '96 LT4 now, both with base suspensions, there's too much elapsed time between the two. But I don't notice the difference, although I'm sure it's there.
I kinda wish I'd gotten the Z51, but I've also been told it was harsh at times, even in '96. Would be interesting to ride in a stock Z51 from this year.
Considering the new '93 I rode in a lot, and the fairly newish '96 LT4 now, both with base suspensions, there's too much elapsed time between the two. But I don't notice the difference, although I'm sure it's there.
I kinda wish I'd gotten the Z51, but I've also been told it was harsh at times, even in '96. Would be interesting to ride in a stock Z51 from this year.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Yup, I just got that suspension chart from Slalom4me, and I guess there is a pretty dramatic difference between years. And, yes, it does appear that '96 has about the softest, FE1 base suspension (and quite different from the '93 I rode around in).
Very interesting chart. Thanks to bogus and Slalom for the location.
Very interesting chart. Thanks to bogus and Slalom for the location.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
