Moved up...questions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: No Parking...that includes Big Shots & Rich Kids
Moved up...questions
I just moved from a C3 to a C4....it's supposed to have a Z-52 option. not sure what that is exactly....seller mentioned that if I wanted to autocross it would help????
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Check your Service Parts Identification label. Depending on the year, this is located under the armrest on the center console or under the top of the storage compartment which sits behind the passenger seat in the cargo area.
Look for "Z52" in the three-digit codes which are listed on the label. If you find "Z52" then you have the heavy duty racing suspension available for that year.
Also, look at the size of your tires. After 1993, if all four tires are the same size, chances are you have the heavier suspension.
SAVE the WAVE!
Look for "Z52" in the three-digit codes which are listed on the label. If you find "Z52" then you have the heavy duty racing suspension available for that year.
Also, look at the size of your tires. After 1993, if all four tires are the same size, chances are you have the heavier suspension.
SAVE the WAVE!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 59
From: Fremont Oh
Hi Gofastgirl,
This is from car and driver:
The next step up is the new Z52 suspension. For an additional $470, you get a solid and thicker front anti-roll bar, Delco/Bilstein gas-charged shocks, a 13.0:1 steering gear, 9.5-inch-wide wheels, and all but one of the chassis stiffeners that shore up the structure of the Corvette convertible. The package also includes an oil cooler, a thicker-core radiator, and a second electric cooling fan. The Z52's spring rates and suspension bushings, however, are identical to those of the base setup, so this package is still suitable for street use. It offers hard chargers improved handling without the penalty of a buckboard ride.
regards,
MO
This is from car and driver:
The next step up is the new Z52 suspension. For an additional $470, you get a solid and thicker front anti-roll bar, Delco/Bilstein gas-charged shocks, a 13.0:1 steering gear, 9.5-inch-wide wheels, and all but one of the chassis stiffeners that shore up the structure of the Corvette convertible. The package also includes an oil cooler, a thicker-core radiator, and a second electric cooling fan. The Z52's spring rates and suspension bushings, however, are identical to those of the base setup, so this package is still suitable for street use. It offers hard chargers improved handling without the penalty of a buckboard ride.
regards,
MO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,276
Likes: 3
From: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
From 89 thru 92 the 17" tire and wheel package size was the only setup (outside of the ZR-1). It was 1993 when the front wheels were smaller at 8.5" wide and 255/45-17 tires. The rear tires were larger at 285/40-17.
The Z07 suspension package appeared in 1991 and had 4 tires and wheels of the same size (17x9.5 and 275/40 tires).
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Hesperia California
Differences between z51 and z52 ?
Hi Gofastgirl,
This is from car and driver:
The next step up is the new Z52 suspension. For an additional $470, you get a solid and thicker front anti-roll bar, Delco/Bilstein gas-charged shocks, a 13.0:1 steering gear, 9.5-inch-wide wheels, and all but one of the chassis stiffeners that shore up the structure of the Corvette convertible. The package also includes an oil cooler, a thicker-core radiator, and a second electric cooling fan. The Z52's spring rates and suspension bushings, however, are identical to those of the base setup, so this package is still suitable for street use. It offers hard chargers improved handling without the penalty of a buckboard ride.
regards,
MO
This is from car and driver:
The next step up is the new Z52 suspension. For an additional $470, you get a solid and thicker front anti-roll bar, Delco/Bilstein gas-charged shocks, a 13.0:1 steering gear, 9.5-inch-wide wheels, and all but one of the chassis stiffeners that shore up the structure of the Corvette convertible. The package also includes an oil cooler, a thicker-core radiator, and a second electric cooling fan. The Z52's spring rates and suspension bushings, however, are identical to those of the base setup, so this package is still suitable for street use. It offers hard chargers improved handling without the penalty of a buckboard ride.
regards,
MO
My 1989 c4 coupe has the z51 and has many of the characteristics you mentioned for the z52 like oil cooler,two fans,quick steering etc.
Is the z51 considered the base setup?
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
The Z52's spring rates and suspension bushings, however, are identical to those of the base setup, so this package is still suitable for street use.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
In 88, Z51 included a finned power steering cooler and larger front rotors.
In '89, Z51 new additions to the list were the new FX3 adjustable shocks. Sport seats were part of the option too. So Z51 is a performance suspension package. The base suspension was called FE1 and was much softer riding.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 0
From: WAY UPSTATE NY
The big difference between the Z51 and Z52 is stiffer springs, HD bushings in the lower front control arms and Z51-specific shocks. Z52 was only offered in 87 and 88. Z52 could be ordered on both coupes and convertibles while Z51 was a coupe only option.
In 88, Z51 included a finned power steering cooler and larger front rotors.
In '89, Z51 new additions to the list were the new FX3 adjustable shocks. Sport seats were part of the option too. So Z51 is a performance suspension package. The base suspension was called FE1 and was much softer riding.
In 88, Z51 included a finned power steering cooler and larger front rotors.
In '89, Z51 new additions to the list were the new FX3 adjustable shocks. Sport seats were part of the option too. So Z51 is a performance suspension package. The base suspension was called FE1 and was much softer riding.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Z52 springs were the same as the base FE1 springs. The R&D done for the FX3 system going on the ZR-1 was partly responsible for the soft springs being used on the '89 Z51 option with the FX3. IIRC, John Heinricy was behind the GM R&D of the suspension package for the ZR-1.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: No Parking...that includes Big Shots & Rich Kids
Thanks for all the info....Here's what I found out about the car....I have white 17 inch wheels on front and back...and apparently have the same things as the Z51 except springs, brakes and swaybars.
Last edited by gofastgirl; Jan 2, 2011 at 08:02 PM. Reason: add info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
I had an 88 at one time with the z52 suspension. It was an automatic and had the 17" wheels.
If you have any questions about it just ask.
OBTW - if you have not done it yet have ALL the fluids changed, INCLUDING brake fluid!
I think my 88 had the original brake fluid in it. Took 2 full flushes to get all the old fluid out and fresh in. Somedays I wish the ex hadn't sold that car out from under me.
If you have any questions about it just ask.
OBTW - if you have not done it yet have ALL the fluids changed, INCLUDING brake fluid!
I think my 88 had the original brake fluid in it. Took 2 full flushes to get all the old fluid out and fresh in. Somedays I wish the ex hadn't sold that car out from under me.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Love that model, came close to buying one.
Unique, which is something unusual with C4.
TJM
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
I think the question about Z52 has been pretty well answered so I will just say that I have a special place in my heart for people who take these cars and use them how they were meant to be used... on a track!
I am not usually a fan of white cars but there is something about that white/black combo that I have always liked.
I am not usually a fan of white cars but there is something about that white/black combo that I have always liked.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Here's some information on the 1988 35th Anniversary car (RPO Z01). There were 2050 of the anniversary cars produced.
