Z51 or Not ?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Z51 or Not ?
Searchimg for my C5 I'm educating myself on what options to get or stay away from. My C4 has the Z51 option ..lost too many teeth fillings, Anyone have the Z51 suspension out there and are you glad/sorry,you have it? I'm not going to race the car per. say.
I Appreciate your input
I Appreciate your input
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I have it and love it. It's not harsh at all. We've taken trips of many hundreds of miles and loved it. More comfortable than our old Caddy boat.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,290
From: Central Ma
I have the adjustable suspension on my 04 vert. You will notice a huge difference in the two cars. Set mine on touring and the ride is smooth, and a noticable difference on sport. I'm not sure what year you are considering, but I love my 04.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 11
From: 59999 Posts
St. Jude Contributor
I have the Z-51 option on my 03. I don't race and really don't drive it that much. With that being said, I don't find the ride harsh. My 01 didn't have it but after driving a friends with the Z-51 persuaded me to order it on my present car. No regrets here. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by CAJUN ZZ4
Searchimg for my C5 I'm educating myself on what options to get or stay away from. My C4 has the Z51 option ..lost too many teeth fillings, Anyone have the Z51 suspension out there and are you glad/sorry,you have it? I'm not going to race the car per. say.
I Appreciate your input
I Appreciate your input
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Traded in my 04 coupe with base suspension and A4 for a 2002 vert with MN6 and Z51. Carried my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S runflats over to the vert as well.
The Z51 with the Michelins are a great combination. I like the "positive contact with the road" feel that I get with the Z51 that I didn't have with the base suspension. And good rubber makes a heck of a difference as well.
The Z51 with the Michelins are a great combination. I like the "positive contact with the road" feel that I get with the Z51 that I didn't have with the base suspension. And good rubber makes a heck of a difference as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Lake Norman NC
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
I have it and love it. It's not harsh at all. We've taken trips of many hundreds of miles and loved it.
I'm so glad I held out for the right C5 w/ Z51!
Last edited by MHVette; Mar 25, 2005 at 10:06 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
I love my 97 Z51 coupe...I had an 84 Z51 coupe and that was the harshest ride I have ever felt! But It was fun...the C5 Z51 is stiff yet not harsh to normal driving conditions...it corners great and I can drive hundreds of miles and not feel like I did when I got out of the 84...like I got gut kicked!
I would highly recommend it! you will miss out if you go without!
I would highly recommend it! you will miss out if you go without!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Car & Driver wrote that the Z51 option is the best option on a C5, bar none - and I totally agree. However, to make the best of this suspension option, combine with non-runflat tires for an incredibly smooth, yet firm ride. I have Goodyear GSD3 tires and couldn't be happier with this combo.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,405
Likes: 24,797
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The Z51 suspension is not the same as when it first came out on the '84's - then it would rattle you to death. This suspension on the C5 is less harsh and makes a difference in the handling. I'd recommend it if you find a car with it and all the other options you want.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,706
Likes: 552
From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by CAJUN ZZ4
Searchimg for my C5 I'm educating myself on what options to get or stay away from. My C4 has the Z51 option ..lost too many teeth fillings, Anyone have the Z51 suspension out there and are you glad/sorry,you have it? I'm not going to race the car per. say.
I Appreciate your input
I Appreciate your input
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
Last week I drove 1560 miles in two and 1/2 days 
with my 02 Z-51 M6 Coupe. Never once did I get uncomfortable with the ride or the seats. Many cars I've had in the past would have given me saddle sores. Not my baby.
with my 02 Z-51 M6 Coupe. Never once did I get uncomfortable with the ride or the seats. Many cars I've had in the past would have given me saddle sores. Not my baby.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,587
Likes: 0
From: Redding, CA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
I have it and love it. It's not harsh at all. We've taken trips of many hundreds of miles and loved it. More comfortable than our old Caddy boat.
Rides like a Caddy, handles like a Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Originally Posted by ArmyVette
Traded in my 04 coupe with base suspension and A4 for a 2002 vert with MN6 and Z51. Carried my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S runflats over to the vert as well.
The Z51 with the Michelins are a great combination. I like the "positive contact with the road" feel that I get with the Z51 that I didn't have with the base suspension. And good rubber makes a heck of a difference as well.
The Z51 with the Michelins are a great combination. I like the "positive contact with the road" feel that I get with the Z51 that I didn't have with the base suspension. And good rubber makes a heck of a difference as well.
What was it like going from an A4 to the MN6 ?
Tino
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: Va Beach VA
Originally Posted by 98stocker
Other then bigger swaybars whats the diff?.....Noob to z51
Something else....base/Z51/Z06 suspension parts are interchangable, meaning you can mix/match between the different levels if you chose. This allows for upgrading a little at a time to the level you want to achieve.
