Z51 sway bars
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 21
From: Olathe, Kansas
I installed C5 Z51 bars on my 03'. The rear is identical to the Z06 bars, 23.6mm, and the front is only slightly smaller (28.6 mm vs 30mm). I definitely noticed a difference. The car corners flatter and feels tighter. A plus was I got them from a Forum member for free, all I had to buy were the bushings!
Last edited by Bills03Coupe; Sep 1, 2009 at 11:51 PM. Reason: added C5 Z51 bars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,321
Likes: 477
From: Texas Where God intended me to be.
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '11,'22 thru '26
I bought mine but haven't had a chance to install them yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
If you're referring to the C6 Z51 bars, yep, they're well worth it. I put a set in my '98 with base suspension and they made the car corner much flatter. And I still have the stock shocks. I also lowered the car all the way on the stock bolts, which probably helped the cornering a bit.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Installed the C6 Z06 sways in the wife's C5 and they work great. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...d-corners.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...d-corners.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,371
Likes: 5
From: Mission Viejo, CA
St. Jude Donor '10, '15-'16
Best $110 I've spent on my base suspension C5. I have 9.5" front and 10.5" rear tires and the C6z51 sways significantly flatten out the car but maintain neutrality. c6z06 bars will not unless you have 12" rear tires, bigger is not always better! 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 16
From: Katy Tx
installed C6-Z51's on my base susp. 97 - huge difference... corners really flat on the street - no track time yet. Took three tries to get
the end links tight enough not to make noise but otherwise easy install.
the end links tight enough not to make noise but otherwise easy install.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
It depends on how much handling you really want. If you go from smaller stabilizer bars, then they will feel make the car feel more stable; however, that is relative. If you head-to-head against another car with a stiffer suspension, you will have a different opinion. Personally, not adequate for me. I have had 4 different stabilizer bars and three different shocks. Currently, I use T1 bars...no comparison.
Relative Stiffness (Provided by Pfadt http://www.pfadtracing.com/)
C5 base: 0.4
C5Z06 : 1
C6Z: 1.2
C5 Pfadt Standard: 1.5
C5 Pfadt Pfatty: 2.5
GM T1: 3.0
Relative Stiffness (Provided by Pfadt http://www.pfadtracing.com/)
C5 base: 0.4
C5Z06 : 1
C6Z: 1.2
C5 Pfadt Standard: 1.5
C5 Pfadt Pfatty: 2.5
GM T1: 3.0
Last edited by Sully C5; Sep 1, 2009 at 11:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
I have them on my base suspension car and love them. significantly better handling. I plan to put c6z06 shocks in when mine finally go and expect the car to handle even better.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 21
From: Napa Ca
Installed the front C6 Z51 sway bar on my '01 C5 F45 lowered on stock bolts. Really seemed to tighten up the steering at the first autocross I ran at after the install. Definitely flatter cornering. Still understeered at the slow corners, but less so than before. Adding the rear C6 Z51 sway bar may balance it out better; more neutral handling - or induce oversteer (don't want that since it had power oversteer with too much throttle). Maybe. Next autocross in two weeks; I think I can get it installed by then.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Elysburg PA
Recently changed to C6Z51 swaybars and C6ZO6 shocks on my 02' coupe with 25K on clock. The difference in handling is amazing compared to the cost of the swap! Dollar for dollar this mod gives you the most bang for the buck! For under $500 you can improve your handling and driving experience. Go for it!!
