Z51?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Z51?
My 85 vette is missing the rpo sticker on the inside of the console lid, and I would love to see what rpo's the car came with....How can I tell if it is equipped With the handling package (Z51) asdide from having the sticker? Anyone have any tips?
Thanks All!
Thanks All!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Z51? (Jloshotz)
get the code off the spring... it will be either stamped in the spring or on a sticker.
if the code is there, post it here, someone can translate the Z51 spring codes...
the other dead give away - do you pee blood? if so, you got a Z51. :D
if the code is there, post it here, someone can translate the Z51 spring codes...
the other dead give away - do you pee blood? if so, you got a Z51. :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 9
From: St. louis, MO
Re: Z51? (Curveit)
Another way to tell is to count the number of turns of the 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 Z51 R&P.
Also if you have 16 x 9.5 in. wheels on all four corners, sway bars, spring rates, oil cooler, shocks, and power steering cooler.
2 1/2, or something like that is not a Z51 R&P.
Also if you have 16 x 9.5 in. wheels on all four corners, sway bars, spring rates, oil cooler, shocks, and power steering cooler.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Z51? (Jloshotz)
Be aware, though, that in '85, you could order a car that had all the Z51 stuff with the base suspension, except with the softer springs and smaller swaybars. My '86 had the oil cooler, bilstein, hvy duty radiator, radiator boost fan, but had the base suspension(originally, it was rebuilt to be completely Z51 from an '85 parts car I had).
Also not that in '85, power steering cooler's weren't available. This came out in '87 from the racing experiences of the earlier C4's.
An easy way to tell is to measure your swaybar. Use a pipe wrench to figure out the diameter. If it' 30mm, its a Z51. Of course, anything anyone's said here goes out the window if someone along the way modified the car.
Chris
Also not that in '85, power steering cooler's weren't available. This came out in '87 from the racing experiences of the earlier C4's.
An easy way to tell is to measure your swaybar. Use a pipe wrench to figure out the diameter. If it' 30mm, its a Z51. Of course, anything anyone's said here goes out the window if someone along the way modified the car.
Chris
Threadkiller
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,306
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Re: Z51? (bogus)
get the code off the spring... it will be either stamped in the spring or on a sticker.
if the code is there, post it here, someone can translate the Z51 spring codes...
the other dead give away - do you pee blood? if so, you got a Z51. :D
if the code is there, post it here, someone can translate the Z51 spring codes...
the other dead give away - do you pee blood? if so, you got a Z51. :D
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs 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
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 1
From: Enter Post Count Here
Re: Z51? (vizkiz)
I thought that was only on 84s?
Quick question, is the auxiliary fan synonomous with Z51 or could you get it seperately?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Z51? (NoWorries)
The aux fan could be ordered as a sep option. My '86 was equipped like that. All the stuff that came with the Z51 package could be ordered seperate cept for the springs/swaybars/steering rack(Z52's had that rack too when they came out in '87). That and when the pwr steering cooler came out, you couldn't get that sep either.
Chris
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,722
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Z51? (Jloshotz)
Your sticker should be in the bin behind the drivers seat. It is also on top of the gas tank if you want to go in there and get it.
The control arms and spring have stampings that indicate the suspension option.
The control arms and spring have stampings that indicate the suspension option.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Re: Z51? (Jloshotz)
You guys are great; thanks for all the info. I'm gonna look into this stuff later..i'll let you guys know what i came up with
Many Thanks! :chevy
Many Thanks! :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Z51? (screeminmeanie)
I'm not sure about the 85's, but both my 84 Z51's have "Z-51" stamped on the under side of the lower control arm.
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Z51? (bogus)
do you pee blood? if so, you got a Z51.
If you do have a Z-51 drive it...you'll find the smoothest roads and enjoy it....
They really take the corners great.
Mark
85 Z51
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Re: Z51? (Mark-44)
Thanks all, Im gonna check the control arms after the threat of snow dissapates (they're talking snow by me tomorrow :banghead: ) No rpo sticker behind the driver or passenger cargo comartment. A previous owner Turned the compartments into a subwoofer enclosure (nicely done thank god) and dynomatted the whole area, so if there was a sticker in there.....you get the picture. as far as dropping the gas tank to check there, thanks for the advice; not interested...lol. I'll just see how fast she can take the cloverleaf off ramps and judge by that before i drop the tank. Thank you all for your great advice!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Re: Z51? (Jloshotz)
Another way, but not the cheapest, is to go to http://www.corvettemuseum.com and order a copy of the window sticker or build sheet. You just punch in your VIN and I think it was about 10 or 15 bucks.
Chris
Chris
Threadkiller
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,306
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09
www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/build_sheets/index.shtml
:eek: It's $40 now for non-members!
:eek: It's $40 now for non-members!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: (vizkiz)
Easy... You don't even have to get out of the car
Start the car and turn the steering wheel lock to lock.
Z51 wheel will go 2.25 turns lock to lock.
non-Z51 will go 2.5 turns lock to lock.
correct me if I'm wrong guys. :seeya
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 2:12 AM 3/8/2004]
Start the car and turn the steering wheel lock to lock.
Z51 wheel will go 2.25 turns lock to lock.
non-Z51 will go 2.5 turns lock to lock.
correct me if I'm wrong guys. :seeya
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 2:12 AM 3/8/2004]
