I have to tell Fred Beans what sway bars and end links I need tomarrow, to impove the handling. I want the ZO6 bars, and just found out I have F1 suspension on my '01 coupe.
Does anyone know the part numbers I should should give them, or if they will even work on that base of a suspension? Or is it just the F3 that is upgradable?

 

Since you have FE1 suspension, you are going to want both front and rear ZO6 bars. If on the other hand your car had FE3 spec suspension, the story would be different. In that case if it was '97 to '99, the FE3 rear sway bar is smaller than a ZO6 but if it was a '00 to '04, it is the same and you would only need a front bar.


I currently have the base model springs FE1 springs that came on my 98 C5 coupe, but HAVE been running ZO6 sway bars since last spring. They fit the same and improve the cornering of the softer springs. I have a set of ZO6 springs I am just in the middle of getting from a guy in Florida, but I can report from actual experience that the ZO6 sway bars work just fine with regular springs. Order the 'metal' end links. The plastic ones will work but with added forces of stiffer bars they may not last long. There are reports of them breaking in two on rough roads. My 'previously owned' ZO6 bars came with only one set of metal links, so I mounted them up with one set of plastic links withthe idea to order up a new set of metal ones.....At it turns out they are still on the car with about 10K miles on them in all road conditions. I am surprised at how well the plastic links have held up, but I will eventually replace them anyway. Just order the metal ones with the ZO6 bars and enjoy the improvements. I can also suggest Bilstein Sport shocks...avoid the Bilstein HD model, it is just a stock setting shock and will not improve anything beyond OEM. For people concerned with degraded ride quaiity from stiffer springs, keeping the base model springs but adding ZO6 sway bars and Bilstein shocks will provide improved cornering control and security with very little perceived ride difference. Some of the Vendors here on the forum sell a set of 4 in the 300 buck region.

 

Definitely get the shocks too...

 

I had the FE1 on my 99 coupe. I first upgraded to just the Z06 bars and end links. Then I got hold of a set of used Z06 shocks. Each addition improved the ride and handling greatly and noticeably.

My advice, get the Z06 bars and shocks. I think this is a great set up.

Good luck

Tom

 

Thanks guys, I do have the Bilstein sports ready to go on, but the bars were really starting to confuse me!
Happy Holidays!