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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 08:47 AM
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Default Swaybar Upgrade

I am going to be upgrading the swaybars on my '99 coupe with base suspension. I replaced my shocks last year with Bilstein HDs. I am trying to descide between the'04 C5 Z06, C6 Z51 or the C6 ZO6. I do not autocross the car and take it on a few trips per year. I'm looking for something that will reduce body roll on the twisties without adding a lot of stiffness.
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by jjuliano
I am going to be upgrading the swaybars on my '99 coupe with base suspension. I replaced my shocks last year with Bilstein HDs. I am trying to descide between the'04 C5 Z06, C6 Z51 or the C6 ZO6. I do not autocross the car and take it on a few trips per year. I'm looking for something that will reduce body roll on the twisties without adding a lot of stiffness.
I upgraded my base sway bars on my 03' to C5 Z51 bars. The rear bar is the same as the C5 Z06 (23mm) and the front is slighly smaller (28.6mm vs. 30mm) I Used poly bushings and have been very happy with the results.
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 11:21 AM
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I have a 98 and got C6 Z51 bars. They are nice. I think you will like them. Drives like a new car.
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 12:10 PM
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Best street bar is the C6 Z51 as they will do what you want
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 03:43 PM
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by peter pan
Best street bar is the C6 Z51 as they will do what you want
And welcome back, Peter Pan.
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 06:39 PM
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I did the C6Z51 sway bars and C6ZO6 shocks last year and love it
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by slvr bulit
I did the C6Z51 sway bars and C6ZO6 shocks last year and love it
I did the same exact setup on my 97 and LOVE it!!
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 10:59 PM
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I upgraded my '98's with the C6 Z51 Sways and love them totally - what a difference right off the bat

Thanks,Matt
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Old Jul 31, 2010 | 10:59 PM
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I upgraded my '98's with the C6 Z51 sways and loved it right off the bat!

Thanks,Matt
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Old Aug 1, 2010 | 08:06 AM
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Used a pair of these on mine. Love em.

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Old Aug 1, 2010 | 08:16 AM
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8 years ago, that was one of my first modifications, but my only "stock" option was the 2003 ZO6 sway bars. It made a nice differance in handling. I have the F-45 shocks, and like them.
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Old Aug 1, 2010 | 08:58 AM
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There's a chart somewhere on the forum that compares both the thickness and spring rates for the C5-C6 sway bars.

I opted for the C5Z bars:

Front:


Rear:


Handles corners like a champ
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 08:08 PM
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Thanks for your responses. Sounds like the C6 Z51 bars are a great choice. Now to find the time to get them on for the trip to Corvettes at Carlisle.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by slvr bulit
i did the c6z51 sway bars and c6zo6 shocks last year and love it
same here
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by peter pan
Best street bar is the C6 Z51 as they will do what you want
I was going to buy the C6 Z51, but I got lucky and found a set of 03Z bars and end links for $75!!
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 08:38 PM
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Gene at gmpartshouse should have them in stock
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by theradioflyer
There's a chart somewhere on the forum that compares both the thickness and spring rates for the C5-C6 sway bars.
Here you go:
Sway bar spring specs
Suspension Front mm Rear mm
C5 base 23.0 19.1
C5Z51 (97-99) 25.4 21.7
C5Z51 (00-04) 28.6 23.6
C5Z06 30.0 23.6
C6Z51 31.0 25.4
C6Z06 31.0 28.0

Springs (C5) F (lbs) R (lbs)
Base FE1.... 440 577
FE3 -Z51.... 525 634
FE4- Z06.... 525 714
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 10:21 PM
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Thanks for the referral. All of the good advice on the C6 Z51's is correct!
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by slvr bulit
I did the C6Z51 sway bars and C6ZO6 shocks last year and love it
Did mine this past spring, couldn't be happier
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