Z51: How do I Tell
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
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From: West TX
Z51: How do I Tell
How do I know if my car has the Z51 option? It was availabe on a 96 LT4, right? I noticed the rear shocks were in fact Bilstein, if that means anything. All I know is that it handles really great with, to my knowledge, an unmodified suspension. :steering: :cool: :steering:
Thanx
Thanx
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 674
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From: Hutto TX
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Z51: How do I Tell (LT4 2 Fast)
Yes the Z51 was an option in 96 and like the previous post mentioned you need to look at the RPO codes, and if I remember correctly they are located under the rear compartment lid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Z51: How do I Tell (LT4 2 Fast)
Another way to tell for sure, count the number of turns on ur steering wheel. If it's only 2 full turns from lock to lock, that's a sport rack & pinion, or Z51.
2 1/2, or something like that is not a sport R&P.
2 1/2, or something like that is not a sport R&P.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Z51: How do I Tell (edsalinas)
Does the side window smack you in the face during right turns? Does your milk curdle before you get home from the supermarket? :D :lol:
I'm not sure what the Z51 came with in 96, but way back in 85, the easy signs were, oil cooler, AZ51 stamped on the lower control arms, fatter sway bar, and of course, RPO codes.
Remember, Z51 is better than Z52.
I'm not sure what the Z51 came with in 96, but way back in 85, the easy signs were, oil cooler, AZ51 stamped on the lower control arms, fatter sway bar, and of course, RPO codes.
Remember, Z51 is better than Z52.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Ca
Re: Z51: How do I Tell (CentralCoaster)
More humor about the '85 Z51 suspension. Do you loosen a few teeth when you drive over the little lane dividers? Does it feel like you're driving a big go-kart? :rofl:
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: South Lyon Michigan
Re: Z51: How do I Tell (Darkness)
Steering is 1.96 turns lock to lock on Z51, 2.45 on regular. Z51 has different tires, sway bars, spring rates, oil cooler, shocks. RPO code is easy to check.
More humor about the 85 Z51's:
My 1985 Z51 wasn't hard enough for me so I replaced every bushing with polyurethane bushings and put custom valved shocks, now its stiff, I just finished so I can't wait to see if the old 85' Z51 can run with the best of them.
More humor about the 85 Z51's:
My 1985 Z51 wasn't hard enough for me so I replaced every bushing with polyurethane bushings and put custom valved shocks, now its stiff, I just finished so I can't wait to see if the old 85' Z51 can run with the best of them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: West TX
Re: Z51: How do I Tell (jp2002ls1)
Thanx for the input guys. Unfortunately, my car's not a Z51 , oh well. Hell, if I think it handles this great as it is, then I bet the Z51's pretty awesome. Now my question is this: How can I get my car to handle as well, if not better than the Z51? What kind of shocks, springs, bushings, sway bars??? How much $$$? If I think the ride is rough as it is, how much rougher will it get (not like I'm complaining)? What is the code for the standard suspension because I know the selectable suspension was an option too.
Thanx for the help guys
Thanx for the help guys
