ridiculously easy noob question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 17
From: Walnut Creek, CA
ridiculously easy noob question
I was under the impression that I have the stock suspension setup...f45 or something...
but then I got to thinking, maybe I have the z51
How can I tell for sure? Is there a designation in the glove box for it, like with the axle?
but then I got to thinking, maybe I have the z51
How can I tell for sure? Is there a designation in the glove box for it, like with the axle?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Look for the Service Parts Identification (RPO) Label. For later model years, it will be on the inside of the glove box lid. For earlier model years, it will be on the underneath side of one of the rear compartment (left side I believe) lids.
The following link has one of the most comprehensive lists of C5 RPO codes that I've found:
Chevrolet Corvette C5 RPO Code List
Following are the RPO Codes for the various C5 suspensions:
F45 Chassis, Selective Real Time Damping
F55 Continuously Variable Electronic Real Time Damping Suspension by Delphi (Often referred to as Magnetic Selective Ride Control)
FE1 Base Suspension
FE3 Suspension System, Sport (part of Z51)
FE4 Suspension System, Z06
Technically RPO Z51 is the Performance Handling Package. It consists of the RPO FE3 Sport Suspension and a power steering cooler. If your car has the Z51 option, you RPO label should show both the FE3 and Z51 RPO codes.
Hope this helps.
The following link has one of the most comprehensive lists of C5 RPO codes that I've found:
Chevrolet Corvette C5 RPO Code List
Following are the RPO Codes for the various C5 suspensions:
F45 Chassis, Selective Real Time Damping
F55 Continuously Variable Electronic Real Time Damping Suspension by Delphi (Often referred to as Magnetic Selective Ride Control)
FE1 Base Suspension
FE3 Suspension System, Sport (part of Z51)
FE4 Suspension System, Z06
Technically RPO Z51 is the Performance Handling Package. It consists of the RPO FE3 Sport Suspension and a power steering cooler. If your car has the Z51 option, you RPO label should show both the FE3 and Z51 RPO codes.
Hope this helps.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Z51...
Powersteering cooler (about 12 long down low)
3.15 Rear Gears
Larger Front and Rear Sway Bars
It's probably one of the best value options you could have
gotten with a new purchase.
Powersteering cooler (about 12 long down low)
3.15 Rear Gears
Larger Front and Rear Sway Bars
It's probably one of the best value options you could have
gotten with a new purchase.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by StoplightWarrior
What can I do to simply improve performance a bit (I'm bone stock in that department, other than the free lowering mod)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 17
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by j3studio
This in an interesting question: what can be done to inexpensively upgrade the stock suspension on a C5?
I mean, throw some sway bars and shocks on there for like $700, but will that make a noticeable improvement, with little or no detriment to daily driveability?
experts need to chime in
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 230
From: Livingston County, Michigan
What do you want to upgrade? Not being sarcastic, but different people have different needs.
If you want to improve the grip, my recommendation would first of all check the alignment and optimize it for the type of driving you do (taking into account how much corner carving you do versus highway miles).
If you want to improve body motion control, I would go for shocks.
Tires would also make a huge difference, especially if the car still has the original equipment run-flats.
If you want to improve the grip, my recommendation would first of all check the alignment and optimize it for the type of driving you do (taking into account how much corner carving you do versus highway miles).
If you want to improve body motion control, I would go for shocks.
Tires would also make a huge difference, especially if the car still has the original equipment run-flats.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by acrace
Tires would also make a huge difference, especially if the car still has the original equipment run-flats.
(even though I've stayed with the run-flats)
Car & Driver compared all the then-current Corvette suspensions back in September, 2003. I believe this article is still relevant:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...disbelief.html
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by j3studio
(even though I've stayed with the run-flats)
Car & Driver compared all the then-current Corvette suspensions back in September, 2003. I believe this article is still relevant:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...disbelief.html
From the article:
"The first conclusion that leaps out of the test-results box is that switching to Z06 tires almost brings the base and MSRC cars up to the performance level of the stock Z51, and the F1 Supercar tires bring the Z51 to within a nose of the Z06 in the tighter maneuvers that negate the Z06's big power advantage. On average, the tires alone improve skidpad grip by 0.04 g, lane-change performance by 1.7 mph, and autocross and handling circuit times by 1.3 and 1.8 seconds."
