Upgrading Suspension
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill FL
Upgrading Suspension
I have a stock suspension on my '03 coupe.
I am giving thought to upgrading it and was seeking opinion on whether I should go with Z51 or Z06 sway bars.
If it matters, I am not an overly aggressive driver and do not do that closed-loop, run-around-and-between-the-cones thing.........rallys(?)
If I upgrade, can I do just the front and rear sway bars or must I also replace any other parts (end links? shocks?)
Thanks, in advance, for your input.
I am giving thought to upgrading it and was seeking opinion on whether I should go with Z51 or Z06 sway bars.
If it matters, I am not an overly aggressive driver and do not do that closed-loop, run-around-and-between-the-cones thing.........rallys(?)
If I upgrade, can I do just the front and rear sway bars or must I also replace any other parts (end links? shocks?)
Thanks, in advance, for your input.
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I replaced my 04 vert FE1 setup w/ Z06 sways from Fred Beans (supporting vender)
Wow what a difference for under $200
Best mod I've done so far. except maybe the Borla Stingers, Cags, CCA Tunnel Plate, the list goes on... you get the idea.
Wow what a difference for under $200
Best mod I've done so far. except maybe the Borla Stingers, Cags, CCA Tunnel Plate, the list goes on... you get the idea.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Some info for you...
Stabilizer Bars
Base Suspension: 23 mm-front / 19.1 mm-rear
Z51 (97-99): 25.4 mm-front / 21.7 mm-rear
Z51 (00-04): 28.6 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear
Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear
Hotchkis: 31.75 mm-front / 25.4 mm-rear
Addco: 32 mm-front / 25.4 mm-rear
Addco: 35 mm-front / 25.4 mm-rear
Pfadt (Adjustables): 32 mm-front / 26 mm-rear http://www.pfadtracing.com/
Pfadt (Adjustables): 35 mm-front / 29 mm-rear (Pfatty)
T1 (GM Racing): 38.4 mm-front / 27.5 mm-rear
Relative Stiffness (Provided by Pfadt http://www.pfadtracing.com/)
C5 base: 0.4
C5Z06 : 1
C6Z: 1.2
Pfadt Standard: 1.5
Pfadt Pfatty: 2.5
GM T1: 3
Personally I would not go from base to Z51. I started with Z51 and thought it was too soft for the street. Go with at least Z06 bars.
Watch the Parts for Sale, you can get good deals. I actually gave my Z51 bars to a Forum member.
Stabilizer Bars
Base Suspension: 23 mm-front / 19.1 mm-rear
Z51 (97-99): 25.4 mm-front / 21.7 mm-rear
Z51 (00-04): 28.6 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear
Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear
Hotchkis: 31.75 mm-front / 25.4 mm-rear
Addco: 32 mm-front / 25.4 mm-rear
Addco: 35 mm-front / 25.4 mm-rear
Pfadt (Adjustables): 32 mm-front / 26 mm-rear http://www.pfadtracing.com/
Pfadt (Adjustables): 35 mm-front / 29 mm-rear (Pfatty)
T1 (GM Racing): 38.4 mm-front / 27.5 mm-rear
Relative Stiffness (Provided by Pfadt http://www.pfadtracing.com/)
C5 base: 0.4
C5Z06 : 1
C6Z: 1.2
Pfadt Standard: 1.5
Pfadt Pfatty: 2.5
GM T1: 3
Personally I would not go from base to Z51. I started with Z51 and thought it was too soft for the street. Go with at least Z06 bars.
Watch the Parts for Sale, you can get good deals. I actually gave my Z51 bars to a Forum member.
Last edited by Sully C5; Dec 7, 2006 at 05:45 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Your good with just the bars, your 03 has the metal endlinks already.
And I'd choose the Z06 bars of the two.
You could always add shocks if you wanted, 04's or Bilsteins
And I'd choose the Z06 bars of the two.
You could always add shocks if you wanted, 04's or Bilsteins
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by tavaresv
So.....just the stabilizer bars, eh? Nothing else?
One last thing...will it affect my warranty (I have GMPP til Dc '08)
One last thing...will it affect my warranty (I have GMPP til Dc '08)
If I were upgrading the stabilizer bars, I would also upgrade the shocks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 3
From: MN
St. Jude Donor '06
It depends a bit on what you're hoping to accomplish with the swap:
To answer the first part of your question, I agree with Sully: At least Z bars. Not enough gained IMO with Z51 bars to merit the effort. I also agree, if you're doing the bars, do the shocks too.
I installed Bilstein Sports and Hotchkis Sways/Endlinks on my stock C5 -the handling difference was night/day. I didn't mess with the springs.
Gone was the bouncing and slow turn-in - replaced with a confident, more precise (albeit a firmer ride) feel.
$0.02 deposited
Chris
- Better side to side response? Sways.
- Reduction of bounce over road undulations? Shocks
- Both? Both
To answer the first part of your question, I agree with Sully: At least Z bars. Not enough gained IMO with Z51 bars to merit the effort. I also agree, if you're doing the bars, do the shocks too.
I installed Bilstein Sports and Hotchkis Sways/Endlinks on my stock C5 -the handling difference was night/day. I didn't mess with the springs.
Gone was the bouncing and slow turn-in - replaced with a confident, more precise (albeit a firmer ride) feel.
$0.02 deposited
Chris
Last edited by HIRISC; Dec 7, 2006 at 11:21 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
In addition to the stabilizer bars, you'll need the correct size bushings for them. Your '03 came from the factory with aluminum end links and you shouldn't need to replace these. Fichtner Chevrolet and Fed Beans, both Forum vendors, should be able to provide you with a kit containing the bars and correct bushings. Too, they will likely have some of the best prices. Good luck with the replacement! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 3
From: MN
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by tavaresv
Thanks! You guys are great.
One last question: I assume I will also have to have the front end aligned once this is done?
One last question: I assume I will also have to have the front end aligned once this is done?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
I just installed the Hotchkis sway bars, I had the base set up before. I was so impressed by the difference just the sway bars made, that I am now going to install a set of Bilstein Sports as soon as the Vette thaws out in the driveway.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by waupachino
I just installed the Hotchkis sway bars, I had the base set up before. I was so impressed by the difference just the sway bars made, that I am now going to install a set of Bilstein Sports as soon as the Vette thaws out in the driveway.
Do it, you won't regret it.
Micah