Z51 Handling Package
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: State of Confusion
I'm going to make another absolute assertion, my previous post wasn't quite correct. The Z52 package also came with 275/40/17 rubber for the '88 model year, all others were 255/50/16 and they were pretty funky looking if you've never seen them. Don't want to be accused of providing false information, now play nice, all of you!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
As long as we're talking about Z-51s. I have an 86' that is my first Vette and I had never heard of a Z-51 package until the guy I bought it from said "oh, by the way", it was one.
A mechanic friend that has owned vettes looked at the front sway bars? I guess and said that they were the thicker bars that came on the Z-51s. I surmise that the Z-51 is a performance package that was offered.
Will someone please tell me what exactly is different about a standard 86' coupe and a Z-51 coupe? I'm not a complete moron, I'm just still learning.
A mechanic friend that has owned vettes looked at the front sway bars? I guess and said that they were the thicker bars that came on the Z-51s. I surmise that the Z-51 is a performance package that was offered.
Will someone please tell me what exactly is different about a standard 86' coupe and a Z-51 coupe? I'm not a complete moron, I'm just still learning.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: ilion ny
i looked for the site that stated this but unfortunately i couldnt find it again but i read on one that all 84s came with the 16 inch wheels for some reason(forget the reasoning) and im not sure the rears were diff width or not for the z-51. i recall they did switch over in 85 if im not mistaken to have diff tire sizes for z-51 that would explain y the 84 has all the vehickles with the same code for the tires cause they all came with the same tires. now im not 100% sure if that code includes rims or not but according to that site it says the qzd is for the tires and 16inch wheels which leads me to believe that all 84s came with the same rims as well as tires front and back. if the z51 had diff tires and rims those tires and rims would be included into the z51 package and thus make the qzd less then the entire run of that year. the math speeks for itself. thus a rim check wouldnt be accurate does anyone have a build sheet for a non z51 to back that non z51 came with diff rim size then a z51 weve already heard from someone with a z51 build sheet how about from someone without z51. if i had a build sheet for my non z51 id post it myself but at the moment dont have one and aint in the plans at the moment either(more important stuff to fix and spend $ on)
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Here are a couple of scans from my 1984 Specifications Manual. Maybe it will help clear things up, such a the number of 84's came with 16" wheels and the RPOs for the different widths. First is the RPO numbers and the quantity of cars produced with each. Note the number of "1YY07" coupes vs the number of "QZD" P255/50/R16 tires and wheels, produced. If you do the math... that doesn't leave many with 15" wheels.
Next is a line drawing of both the "standard" 15" tires and wheels along with the "optional" P255/50/R16 tires and wheels. Be sure to read the fine print underneath the 16" drawing.
And finally, from the official MVMA Spec Sheet.
Any questions?
RACE ON!!!
Next is a line drawing of both the "standard" 15" tires and wheels along with the "optional" P255/50/R16 tires and wheels. Be sure to read the fine print underneath the 16" drawing.
And finally, from the official MVMA Spec Sheet.
Any questions?
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by BADDUCK
Gee you're so neat!
Originally Posted by BADDUCK
Some people get hung up and make "absolute assertions."
RACE ON!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Like I said last night, you really need to get out more. If the way you get your thrills is needling other members and picking apart their posts you must lead a pretty sad life. I guess this place makes you feel important?
To me you're just a pile of electrons. I'm done.
To me you're just a pile of electrons. I'm done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,276
Likes: 3
From: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Page 30 from Mike Antonick's Cor-Vette Specs.
The 15-inch wheel, done late in the program, was a hedge aginst higher-than-expected cost for Goodyear's 16-inch tires. The 15-inch wheels could have been mated to off-the-self Camaro tires for a low cost, base car solution. But cost issues with Goodyear were resolved and the fifteens were never offered on C4 Corvettes.
The 15-inch wheel, done late in the program, was a hedge aginst higher-than-expected cost for Goodyear's 16-inch tires. The 15-inch wheels could have been mated to off-the-self Camaro tires for a low cost, base car solution. But cost issues with Goodyear were resolved and the fifteens were never offered on C4 Corvettes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: Webster Texas
z51
There were only 2 suspension options in 1984; base and Z51. Z52 came out in 88, it used base spring rates with the larger Z51 antisway bars. The Z51 has 2 turns lock to lock-period. That alone is indicative of the Z51 pkg. The wheels could've been changed, but it is unlikely the rack was. When the springs were made less firm in 85 a larger antisway bar was introduced to offset the weaker spring rate. 15" wheels were never used on the C4. The base and Z51 wheels are identical except for width, the 84 Z51 pkg rear wheels were 9 1/2" wide, fronts 8 1/2". The base car was 8 1/2" all the way around. The 85 model Z51 had 9 1/2" wide wheels all around. 16" wheels were used till 17" were introduced in 1988.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
OK just got back in town and had a chance to get caught up, left with 24 replys and now it's 52. Didn't want to start an uproar just was trying to determine my "options". Appreciate all the imput and opinions and looking forward to crusin" this weekend! Hope you all are too. 
. 
. Let you know when my build sheet arrives. Time for 
. Big 
to you all!
. . Let you know when my build sheet arrives. Time for . Big to you all!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: Webster Texas
nice
If that's your blue car it looks good! I'm having mine painted in Mercedes mystic Blue right now. I really like my '84 Z51, have no plans to part with it. They can be modded, just takes a bit more research. Enjoy your ride!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
OK! Finally have confirmed it is in fact a Z51 package.. No oil cooling or extra radiator fan. Recently changed the valve cover gaskets, trany gaskets, distributor cap and rotar, gas filter, pump and screen, plugs, air filter to K&N, oil and greased, man it is running GOOD! Still have all my teeth too! Can you believe it! Looking for something else to do to it, any recommendations? Most likely will take out the Bose very soon too! Wow! even the weather has been Great!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Perth Western Australia
Ok, this worked for me, but not sure if too many people should do it.
i went to ncm web site and started filling in the order form for the build sheet for my car, as no correct build sheets were where they were meant to be.
i got to the end of the form where i was about to fill my credit card details, but had second thoughts about it (cost was too much in Aus dollars) so i sent the form off complete..... but minus crdit details.
anyways, a few weeks later i got a PROMOTIONAL copy of my buildsheet (photocopy on plain white a4 paper) which was sent to me as an example.
so now i have a copy of the sheet(even if it was a rough copy) at no expense to me, other than the time to fill the order form.
try this, see if they get one out to you.
im thinking of buying the real one just to say thanks (that and i want a realone)
i went to ncm web site and started filling in the order form for the build sheet for my car, as no correct build sheets were where they were meant to be.
i got to the end of the form where i was about to fill my credit card details, but had second thoughts about it (cost was too much in Aus dollars) so i sent the form off complete..... but minus crdit details.
anyways, a few weeks later i got a PROMOTIONAL copy of my buildsheet (photocopy on plain white a4 paper) which was sent to me as an example.
so now i have a copy of the sheet(even if it was a rough copy) at no expense to me, other than the time to fill the order form.
try this, see if they get one out to you.
im thinking of buying the real one just to say thanks (that and i want a realone)
