My '01 Z06 is eat up with motor. Presently loving them Michelin PS2's. Car is lowered about 3/4 " and that's about all my drive and street use will allow. Please advise on what to do for improving road course track work. And in order of importance/value. I want to improve turn-in without lowering car anymore, and decrease body roll. I'm willing to accept stiffer ride/uncomfortable street use to get better handling. So what will make the biggest difference?? Coil-overs? With what spring rates front and back? Bigger sways? Who has done it, and what sizes front and resr? Who has gone so far as to replace all the bushings in the front end? Anyway, you guys know what I'm after... so how do we do it??

Thanks, bma2

 

Get some 04 shocks and some DRM coil overs. the shocks should run you about 450 and the coil overs will probably be over 2 thousand but it's worth it because it gives all four corners of the car work independently rather than the fronts and rears. you will notice a stiffer ride, but probably not as much as you would expect. lastly, i'm pretty sure you can change out the front sway bar for less body roll.. but imo with the improvements from the coil overs (unless you're a track junkie) you probably won't want much else.

someone please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

describe "eat up w/ motor"... how much power do you make?

 

Pardon the tangent bma2 but what have you done in the way of a safety harness. After sifting through my rule book a Z06 can't Autocross with the stock 3 pointer.

 

Yes when refining suspension intend to put in 6-pt.
Any recommendations on spring rates for coil overs?
I've got a lift and have put Eibach springs and shocks on my Z28 myself. Is it easily done on Z06, or is a special spring compression press a necessity?

thanks, bma2

 

Dont go crazy on those brutal expensive coilovers, get koni FSD shocks, 3/8" tunnel plate, balance and do alignment on existing wheels. I assume that u have good condition tires, otherwise tires play maor role. If u r still not satisfied than buy pfadt bushing kit (pfadtracing.com).
coilover's are nice and adjustable but overkill in ur street/Hwy driving.

 

It sure can, and does. Might wanna re-read section 3.3.1 of the SCCA Solo rule book

 

The DRM coilovers come with their own shocks so you wouldn't have to buy seperate shocks. The ride isn't that stiff either. It weighs about 6.5 lbs. less than the factory springs.

 

And it sounds like the OP wants to do track days from the general tone of the post.

 

Might want to try posting in the autocross/ road racing section.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...roadracing-23/

The right rims and tires will make more of a difference in terms of performance than any suspension changes.

I see that you have an 01. GM used plastic end links on the sways. If you replace those with adjustable metal end-links should help a lot. Too much compliance with the plastic end-links.

A lot of people have had a lot of good things to say about the Pfadt Coilovers. They have 16 adjustments for the shock settings.

 

Depending on how much track experience you have... If you have none then don't start tightening nuts on the car. Fix the one behind the wheel. A Z06 is more than capable enough, in stock trim, to get you in way over your head. Learn how to drive it. With all the nanny mode stuff off. When you are pushing it in stock trim. You'll see where the weaknesses are that need to be adjusted. Usually the driver is the biggest one.

Stock Z06 pads, suspension, good street tires, like your PS2s. Be safe, have fun and learn. Make some goals as to what you want to achieve and do it systematically.

1st and cheapest mod is get the alignment more aggressive. Get the best tires you can (like PS2s). Stay off r-comps until you outrun the street tires. Once you do r-comps. They're like crack. You won't want street tires anymore. After an alignment, then corner weight and ride height. Then best tires. Then more aggressive brake pads. Match them to the tires. Then sway bars. Then play with shocks and springs based on what your goal is. It's all trade-offs. What are you willing to spend and trade-off?

As for the harnesses. Any car can run AX with stock seat belts. Harnesses are an upgrade to hold you in the seat better. Unless you are going to install race seats. Don't bother with 6-point harnesses wrapped around the stock seats.

My setup is based on a progression listed above. About 6 track events on stock setup. After about 5 years of autocrossing experience in C4 and C5s. Learn to walk first, then run. Most important goal. Be safe and have fun.

Just another opinion...

Graham

 

LOL I definitely had a moment there. Sorry OP.

I have the damn DRM coil-overs, you would think I would know!