MattyPC

I am about to purchase my first C5 Corvette. Do I want the Z51 suspension or the F45 Adjustable Ride Control?

theadmiral94

It depends on your driving style and goals/objectives with your first C5 Corvette.

Both have pluses and minuses. The z51 adds beffier suspension components with a slight to moderate increase in suspension stiffness and uses performance but much less expensive shocks than the F45 option.

By contrast the F45 suspension option has a softer suspension but with adjustable shocks that increase the stiffness in stages. However, the F45 shocks are way way more expensive to replace. Also as with all technology, they are more complicated, therefore more can go wrong.

Either shocks may need replacement if a higher mileage C5 (50k plus), so plan your budget accordingly (check Ecklers.com and see and be shocked by the price difference).

Fourtrax250R

I have had both. My 99 had F-45, and my current C5 has the Z51. To sum it all up, if you want a more forgiving ride, and just prefer to cruise, get the F-45. If you want a more sporty ride, and your gonna drive the car hard, turn hard, etc.... get Z-51. I noticed a big difference between the too, the F-45 was a really smooth and comfortable ride, the Z-51 is much more harsh, but has less body roll, turns much better, etc... So they both have there pros and cons, I dont mind my Z51 cause its just a weekend toy. But if It were a daily driver I needed, I would go with the F-45. Goodluck!!

Mike98SilVert

The optional F45 suspension features Selective Real Time Damping. Sensors constantly read the road surface while continuously adjusting shock damping instantaneously to provide a smooth and stable ride. With the F45 suspension you have a choice. You can select between Tour, Sport or Performance modes simply by turning a ****.

Tour provides a softer ride than the Base suspension, while Sport firms things up a bit more than the standard base suspension. The Performance mode is at a level of Z51 capability, effectively counteracting roll, dive, and lift.

Shock replacement is substantially more expensive though.

Shane_S

Since i typically go for performance i'd pick the Z51. Those shocks are WAY too expensive on the F45 for my taste.

Shane

Fourtrax250R

I forgot to mention, I bought my 99 F-45 equiped coupe brand new, and put 25k miles on it before trading it in, and I didnt really notice that big of a difference between the 3 settings. I was actually dissapointed in it. It did ride smooth though. I have heard that the F-55 has a much bigger difference in the different settings.

Paras

Please do yourself a favor and don't get F45. I had F45 and its really a **** poor suspension for a car like the Vette. Just waaaaaaay undermatched for the Vette. And yes, shocks which do seem to fail people at anywhere between 40 and 70k miles are very, very expensive. There a little difference between the first and third setting but its really not enough to make you think F45 is a real decent option... My car would fishtail quite easily on a wet road when I had F45... after I went to a Z51 style suspension, my car really doesn't do that. I had "crosstalk" with my F45 suspenion--with Z51, its not there anymore...

Curby

I started out looking for the F45, but after I drove the Z51, I was sold!

93aqua

I have the F45 and i dont notice a difference between the settings. If I had to do it again I would go with the Z51

JH

Z51 all the way. Frankly, the ride is a little more stiff, but not so much as to notice, once you have driven the car a few hours. Sooooo nailed down.

Lancer033

I would walk away from any car w/ F45 or F55. The extra cost and complexity are not worth it. Z51 gives you a good suspension and once you get the mod bug it's a lot easier to make changes w/o dealing with all of the computer junk in the F45 suspension.

VolFan615

I have the Z51 and love it. It feels like a sports car should.

Stealthy4

I have F45 and I notice a difference between tour and performance modes. However, michigan rodes are really bad all year around. I agree with everyone who said that: get F45/55 for a cruiser and Z51 for performance/track use. Also, if you get F45/55, you can change out your sway bars and endlinks for a slightly stiffer ride. Eitherway you go, you can lower it, or change your springs to z06 style. Also, if you get F45/55 and decide that it wasnt for you, you can put regular shocks in, and turn off the F45/55 option with a techII (GM dealer)

Just my 0.02!

Good luck!

SaxyVette

Good old thread, I just got a new-to-me 'vert with F45. And this old thread answered a lot of basic questions..

In my experience after driving a base coupe for 2 yrs is that F45 while expensive does really work good. my vert rides like a caddy and dials up firmness nicely. I can really feel the difference.

66dts-v

After hearing the C6Z shocks don't feel much different from my Z51 socks, I will wait until they leak to finally swap them out. I love my Z51 ride.

jackthelad

Puzzled about the "I can't tell the difference" comments. Tour = Buick mode, Sport, OK for most things, Perf tightens the shocks a lot. My '98 has 75k on it - no issues at all with the F45 except it's a bit softer across the range than it used to be. But I do mostly highway driving these days and Tour is an effortless, comfortable ride.

When the shocks do go south though, I will not be paying GM prices to replace them - probably put in base C6 shocks and the resistors.

mrmagloo

I get shocked (nice play on words) when folks say they notice a big difference in ride/handling between the F45 modes, as I don't. Even new, the difference was minimal at best, and certainly not worth the upcharge. I noticed the post above stating that touring mode was softer than the standard suspension, while the perf mode was equivalent to the Z51. I realize that post was 10 years ago, but that's the silliest thing I've ever read here. That said, I agree however, that the difference is more noticeable in the F55.

I think the bottom-line is, the selective ride suspension has been slowly improved over the years, and now it's a pretty substantial system. However, the replacement price for the shocks are ridiculous. I really shocked (there I go again) that for these kinds of nosebleed prices, no one has thought about offering rebuilds or an aftermarket alternative. If you can get these things at about 1/2 the cost, that would be a real game changer, imho.

leadfoot4

Prior to ordering my '01 coupe, back in the spring of '01, I had read several road tests of Corvettes, in the usual "enthusiast" magazines, such as Car&Driver, and Road&Track. These "test cars" were all loaded up with options, including the F45 suspension, and they all RAVED about the F45's virtues, so naturally, when I ordered my car, I opted for the F45.

Bottom line, if there's a difference in the ride, it's barely noticeable, at least to me. And now, 15 years later, I realize that if/when I need new shocks, I'm faced with either a $$$bill for replacement F45s, or a "modified" car with regular shocks and resistors.

SaxyVette

Glad to see some fresh responses. Bottom line hope my F45 lasts awhile, I really do like that Buick ride sometimes. if the worst happens likely it will be Z06's for me.

SaxyVette

Here's a question, could Leadfoot's F45 shocks be not working correctly, because he claims no difference ??

Also my 'vert is really low, wonder if I have the correct ride height.?

check out the difference in height on my previous black C5, factory correct base Delco's were installed.