C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Z51 Handling Package

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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 04:56 PM
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Default Z51 Handling Package

Is there an easy way to determine if your '84 came with the Z51 handling package if you don't have the build sheet or window sticker?

Thanks in Advance!
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 05:09 PM
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Yep, somewhere in the vehicle are the build codes. My 89 is inside the top of the console lid. All are 3 digit/letter codes. If not in console check storage areas etc. If yours is a Z51, Z52 etc. it will be in that list of codes.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 05:21 PM
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Mine is under one of the rear storage compartment doors.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 05:23 PM
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My '90's codes are on the underside of the armrest/cover of the center console. Where ever yours is, it will very clearly state it.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 06:05 PM
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Do you still have all of your teeth?
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 06:32 PM
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The easiest way to tell a Z51, the stearing is 2 1/2 turns lock to lock
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Z-07 freak
Do you still have all of your teeth?
It's an '84. You will lose most of your teeth whether it's a Z51 or not.


Originally Posted by hip
The easiest way to tell a Z51, the stearing is 2 1/2 turns lock to lock
NOPE! If the "stearing" has 2 1/2 turns, lock to lock it must be a Caprice or a Camaro. The standard equipment, 1984s had a steering ratio of 15.5:1, which resulted in 2.36 (approx 2 1/3) turns lock to lock. The fast steering, standard in the Z51 equipped 1984, had a steering ratio of 13.0:1 making it 1.96 (2.0) turns, lock to lock.

This assumes someone hasn't changed one steering rack for the other

RACE ON!!!
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 07:30 PM
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Yep, I guess they dropped 2 turn steering in early 1989 cause I got lucky and have that and the 3.54 gears. There are some rebuilt '88 units still floating around I guess.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by PourJim
Is there an easy way to determine if your '84 came with the Z51 handling
package if you don't have the build sheet or window sticker?
My vote is that you try measuring the rear sway bar diameter

According to Hib Halverson's chart at the Corvette Action Centre,
the rear bars are:
FE1 - 13/16" (20mm)
Z51 - 29/32" (23mm)

A previous poster has indicated in the past that he has knowledge
of some shortcomings with the chart Mr. Halverson put together
and he may be able to contribute here.

.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 08:28 PM
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If you cannot find documentation, according to my Black Book, 84 Z51's had a radiator boost fan, eng. oil cooler, as mentioned fast st. ratio, HD stabilizer bars, 8.5 in. front and 9.5 in. rear wheels, HD shox, springs...
The easiest way of "seeing" if it is a Z51 optioned car, is to look for the front boost fan,the thick 30mm front anti-sway bar and the wheel widths.....
I am not convinced about the 23mm rear anti-sway bars....every Corvette that I have seen has had a 21mm, incl. Z51's.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 08:31 PM
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He has an '84, according to the chart those had a 25mm on
the front of the Z51's

The '85 Z51 are said to have the 30mm front bar.

.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 08:32 PM
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Won't it have the blue/yellow Bilsteins in the front or did those come later?
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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I suppose if he has the 15" wheels, this would indicate with
a fair degree of confidence that he does NOT have a Z51.

.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Slalom4me
I suppose if he has the 15" wheels, this would indicate with
a fair degree of confidence that he does NOT have a Z51.
It would also indicate, with a fair degree of confidence that he does NOT have a have a C4. Despite plans to the contrary, and publications that relied on those plans, all the 1984s had 8.5" X 16" (standard) or 8.5 and 9.5" X 16" (Z51) aluminum wheels.



Originally Posted by CorvAdel
If you cannot find documentation, according to my Black Book, 84 Z51's had a radiator boost fan, eng. oil cooler, as mentioned fast st. ratio, HD stabilizer bars, 8.5 in. front and 9.5 in. rear wheels, HD shox, springs...
I believe the Black Book is mistaken. 1984, Z51 owners, speak up. The B4P, auxiliary fan and the KC4, engine oil cooler, which were available on other years, as separate options, are NOT necessarily indicative of the Z51 package. And I believe neither were available on the 1984, with or without the Z51 package. The wheel equipment on a 22 year old car, subject to wheel up grades, would be an unreliable indication.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 09:49 PM
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Just so we are all on the same page, my '84 is 100% original, (except for tires, wiper blades and battery) 16" wheels, 15500 miles. I would surmise that the only way to check the width of the wheels would be to unmount the rears. The reason for this inquary has to do with the vanity plates I want to order and I do not want to be mistaken so perhaps I should just purchase the build sheet.. I really am enjoying this discussion! Thanks to all who are participating. When I have determined the actual option package I will post. Please keep the suggestions coming!

PS. I did go test the turning ratio and the wheel has no more than two revolutions! Where would the aux fan and engine oil cooler be located?

Time for and a movie?
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 09:51 PM
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Also wish I could run the fog lamps without the headlights...

Just a thought...
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 10:07 PM
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You shouldn't have to dismount any wheels. Write down the size of both your front and rear tires and post it. If your rear tire size is wider ie 275 then you probably have a Z51, if they are the same front and rear ie 245 you probably don't. Why can't you find your rpo codes?


BTW the oil cooler does't prove anything at least in 1989.

Last edited by BADDUCK; Jul 2, 2006 at 10:11 PM.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
You shouldn't have to dismount any wheels. Write down the size of both your front and rear tires and post it. If your rear tire size is wider ie 275 then you probably have a Z51, if they are the same front and rear ie 245 you probably don't. Why can't you find your rpo codes?
Tires front and rear are: P255/50ZR16

I have looked under the arm rest and in the rear compartments, no rpo codes..
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 10:45 PM
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If your wheels are stock I would say not Z51. On my 1989 Z51 It has Bilstein shocks which are painted blue and gold. Lift the hood and look at the front shocks for color. I am going for the most obvious things. If you have a caliper you can measure the front stabilizer bar. If you don't have a metric caliper, inch is O. K., I can convert!
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 10:52 PM
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The depth of the inner dish on 8.5 and 9.5 wheels are noticably different. If they are original, you will either have 8.5 all around (non Z51) or 8.5 front and 9.5 rear(Z51). Tire size is meaningless. Original is 255/50R16, regardless of Z51 or not.
They do have the dimensions stamped on the inside of the wheel, if you want to be sure.
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