newbie question
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3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
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newbie question
alright guys, lookin to buy my first c5, got one question though. i know some vettes have adjustable suspension...so are these the z51 cars? if so how do i know which vettes have it or not? i dunno if the vin helps but here is one im lookin at: 1G1YY22G015110593. thanks guys, appreciate the help.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Pre-'03 coupes and convertibles could be specified with F45 Selective Real Time Dampening which was essentially the base FE1 suspension (softest springs and thinnest sway bars) and a set of shocks that could be adjusted from a three position selector switch on the console.
2003 and 2004 coupes could be ordered with F55 Magnetic Ride which was again the base FE1 suspension with special shocks filled with a magnetic fluid. These cars had a two position switch on the console. The F45 option was no longer available.
All model year coupes and convertibles could be ordered with the Z51 suspension which consisted of higher rate springs, thicker swaybars, different shocks and a power steering cooler. The suspension was also standard and the only suspension available on the '99 and '00 Fixed Roof Coupe - which later became the Z06 in 2001.
2003 and 2004 coupes could be ordered with F55 Magnetic Ride which was again the base FE1 suspension with special shocks filled with a magnetic fluid. These cars had a two position switch on the console. The F45 option was no longer available.
All model year coupes and convertibles could be ordered with the Z51 suspension which consisted of higher rate springs, thicker swaybars, different shocks and a power steering cooler. The suspension was also standard and the only suspension available on the '99 and '00 Fixed Roof Coupe - which later became the Z06 in 2001.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
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From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
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thanks for the help guys, much appreciated. so im getting that you cant tell from the vin so is there a build sticker somewhere on the car i can look for that will tell me? and the z51 would be the adjustable height right?
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
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From: Southern NH
Z51 is the firmer suspension with larger sway bars and end links. It's not the adjustable. And BTW, the F45 option provides variable damping, not height adjustment. There was no option for height adjustment - that's something you can do to a certain degree on all C5s but adjusting the suspension bolts or moreso with an aftermarket kit.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 2
From: Valdosta GA
The adjustable suspension will either be F45 (pre 2003) or F55 (2003 and 2004). Otherwise it will be Z51 or FE1 (base) if I remember correctly.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
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From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
You can adjust the ride height of the cars somewhat via the springs.
GM uses regular production option (RPO) codes to describe what features have been installed on car from factory. The link I provided has all this info.