100% Coilovers and sways.
[Z06] Got a question about my next mod
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: (<---~ NOVA ~--->) E \ LUCK F
Got a question about my next mod
Need a little help here guys. I’m currently deployed and looking forward to coming home
, and driving my Black Z again. Last deployment I dropped her off with Charlie @ RPM and got my H/C package installed (435RWHP) So what’s next…After market wheels or suspension. I’ve been looking at LG or PFADT coilover/sway combos. But I also had my eyes on a set of iForged Aeros or CCW 505s. I use the car for a daily driver, live on the coast (frequent the canyons) and enjoy spirited driving 
(hopefully a track day is in my future) the car has brand new rubber on it as it sits right now. My question “What’s gonna put the biggest grin on my face?” Wheels or suspension…Or ? 
, and driving my Black Z again. Last deployment I dropped her off with Charlie @ RPM and got my H/C package installed (435RWHP) So what’s next…After market wheels or suspension. I’ve been looking at LG or PFADT coilover/sway combos. But I also had my eyes on a set of iForged Aeros or CCW 505s. I use the car for a daily driver, live on the coast (frequent the canyons) and enjoy spirited driving (hopefully a track day is in my future) the car has brand new rubber on it as it sits right now. My question “What’s gonna put the biggest grin on my face?” Wheels or suspension…Or ?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
the single most important way to improve traction in the curves or in a line is tires! GOOD TIRES... I would get the tires and rims first as it will give you the biggest jump in handling. Then the coilover/swaybar combo to even further it...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 141
From: Kaukauna WI
So are you saying that buying a $4500 set of rims and "good" tires will give you better handling than a $2000 coilover setup? I'm not sure I follow that logic. After putting on my Pfadt coilovers, the car was instantly and very noticeably better. I'm not sure how tires could give you even close to the same performance improvement...
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
AmMscl - If you already got good tires then yeah, go for the coilover combo... which gy's?
Must Have Z - You might what to do some research on that one bud. You might have good tires and your suspension was worn so when you changed over your car felt amazing. Don't get me wrong, a good suspension will go a long way but we have a good suspension from stock
(Stock not being the end all of suspension)
Run vette A with runflats and a Pfadt coilover/swaybar combo on a road coarse. Then drive vette B with the stock suspension and Michielin Sport Cups. Vette B will have faster times. Even if you have a C5R race suspension, if your tires are half ***, so are your times. Anyone with a racing or modding backround will agree! I know guys are hyped on their Pfadt coilover setups and they are damn good but they are using them most likely with GOOD tires...
Rule of thumb - If the suspension is in good working order (and not a bad design (too soft - too hard - bad geometry) from the factory) tires should be upgrade to improve your times and move to suspension from there.
Btw, op, are you doing the install? Don't forget the labor if your not...
I would like to see what others think as well...
Must Have Z - You might what to do some research on that one bud. You might have good tires and your suspension was worn so when you changed over your car felt amazing. Don't get me wrong, a good suspension will go a long way but we have a good suspension from stock
(Stock not being the end all of suspension)
Run vette A with runflats and a Pfadt coilover/swaybar combo on a road coarse. Then drive vette B with the stock suspension and Michielin Sport Cups. Vette B will have faster times. Even if you have a C5R race suspension, if your tires are half ***, so are your times. Anyone with a racing or modding backround will agree! I know guys are hyped on their Pfadt coilover setups and they are damn good but they are using them most likely with GOOD tires...
Rule of thumb - If the suspension is in good working order (and not a bad design (too soft - too hard - bad geometry) from the factory) tires should be upgrade to improve your times and move to suspension from there.
Btw, op, are you doing the install? Don't forget the labor if your not...
I would like to see what others think as well...
Last edited by Xtreme Z06; Jul 21, 2010 at 12:26 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: (<---~ NOVA ~--->) E \ LUCK F
I'm running Eagle F1 GS-D3 (only have like 2500 miles on them) and coming off the supercar tires a way better ride and more confidence. The car has 40K on it and feels a little sloppy
I've really wanted a new set of wheels for the longest time 
(18/19 combo) but just can't justify 5000 (wheels and tires) for looks...I'm I wrong here.
Xtreme Z06
I'll probably have Andy @ A&A or Charlie @RPM do the work while I'm still deployed (in Afghanistan) I've heard a ton of great things about coilovers....if thats the next mod...wheels and brake won't be far behind
I guess I kind of made my mind up, just would have loved to see the car sitting on some BADA$$ rims when I got off the plane
I've really wanted a new set of wheels for the longest time (18/19 combo) but just can't justify 5000 (wheels and tires) for looks...I'm I wrong here. Xtreme Z06
I'll probably have Andy @ A&A or Charlie @RPM do the work while I'm still deployed (in Afghanistan) I've heard a ton of great things about coilovers....if thats the next mod...wheels and brake won't be far behind
I guess I kind of made my mind up, just would have loved to see the car sitting on some BADA$$ rims when I got off the plane
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville FL
So are you saying that buying a $4500 set of rims and "good" tires will give you better handling than a $2000 coilover setup? I'm not sure I follow that logic. After putting on my Pfadt coilovers, the car was instantly and very noticeably better. I'm not sure how tires could give you even close to the same performance improvement...
I put coil overs, larger sway bars w/ heim links, and all polyurethane bushings on my last car. My buddy only added R compound tires on wider wheels to his car and it would out handle mine. Tires are the most important part of the suspension. My current car rides on Hoosier R6s.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 141
From: Kaukauna WI
Depends on the tires.
I put coil overs, larger sway bars w/ heim links, and all polyurethane bushings on my last car. My buddy only added R compound tires on wider wheels to his car and it would out handle mine. Tires are the most important part of the suspension. My current car rides on Hoosier R6s.
I put coil overs, larger sway bars w/ heim links, and all polyurethane bushings on my last car. My buddy only added R compound tires on wider wheels to his car and it would out handle mine. Tires are the most important part of the suspension. My current car rides on Hoosier R6s.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: (<---~ NOVA ~--->) E \ LUCK F
Depends on the tires.
I put coil overs, larger sway bars w/ heim links, and all polyurethane bushings on my last car. My buddy only added R compound tires on wider wheels to his car and it would out handle mine. Tires are the most important part of the suspension. My current car rides on Hoosier R6s.
I put coil overs, larger sway bars w/ heim links, and all polyurethane bushings on my last car. My buddy only added R compound tires on wider wheels to his car and it would out handle mine. Tires are the most important part of the suspension. My current car rides on Hoosier R6s.
I respect everyone's opinions. And that's all I have too, is an opinion... My shocks had 30k miles on them when I upgraded to the Pfadt's. Worn? Maybe. I replaced all 4 tires prior to getting the Pfadt's put on. I had a shop put the Pfadt's on, and had them do a 4-corner balance too. The car is on rails now. That's all I can say. To each their own...
How are the urethane bushing treating you, I heard they are a little too noisey for a street car?
Must Have Z,
How much did corner balancing run?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: (<---~ NOVA ~--->) E \ LUCK F
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 11
From: Austin TX
Since you live on the coast, and the car is your DD, I would advise against the polished CCWs. You would have to clean them all the time to keep them looking nice and with the seawater/salt everywhere, it could destroy the clear coat and/or the wheel. I vote a FAST intake and coilovers with the stock wheels