[Z06] Handling?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 103
Handling?
I'm looking to get into a C5 Z06 for the same reasons others do, or have done. I guess my question to those who know is how well do they handle? Have owned various American muscle, a Fiat x/19 and would like to know where a Z falls in the handling department.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 167
From: Truckee CA
World Class out of the box.
But if it's been lowered, and still has stock shocks, you may find that the car will bounce of the bump stops causing it to pogo in the rear. Also alignment is very important.
Mark.
But if it's been lowered, and still has stock shocks, you may find that the car will bounce of the bump stops causing it to pogo in the rear. Also alignment is very important.
Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
They handle great bone stock. They kick a lot of butt on the road courses. Put coil-overs on them and you're done! They need no other suspension mods for the most part until you get to the point you're trying to squeeze out 1/1000th of a second.
The stock brakes are not bad. But again, when you start needing to squeeze 1/1000th of a second out of her, it's time to upgrade the pads.
The stock brakes are not bad. But again, when you start needing to squeeze 1/1000th of a second out of her, it's time to upgrade the pads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Depends... I'd say take the car out on the track to find out. Honestly, in a bone stock Z06 that goes on the road courses, better seats would be the best first mod. The stock seats suck at holding you in place. There's lots of great aftermarket seats. When you feel more confident and in place behind the wheel, then you can actually start pushing the car to its limits. You really won't be able to do it before hand.
My opinion would be for you to buy a helmet before anything. Before you do ANYTHING to the car, take it out to the track and see how it is. You'll know from there. Then you'll probably see as others have that a good set of seats would help a lot long before you'd need any suspension work.
My opinion would be for you to buy a helmet before anything. Before you do ANYTHING to the car, take it out to the track and see how it is. You'll know from there. Then you'll probably see as others have that a good set of seats would help a lot long before you'd need any suspension work.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
I'd suggest tires/balancing as the first handling mod as you will be buying used. After that, brakes and then suspension/alignment.
The C5Z is probably more than you will ever need out of the box on public roads...
The C5Z is probably more than you will ever need out of the box on public roads...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Lower it about an inch, put in a serious alignment with about 1.5 to 2 degrees of negative camber in the front, about a half a degree less in the back, and get a set of 2004 C5Z shocks, or a set of Bilsetin SPORT shocks and a set of good performance tires. That's all you need.
With that setup, there isn't anything except for maybe an Elise that will keep up with you on the street or on the track.
More that that is just wasting money.
With that setup, there isn't anything except for maybe an Elise that will keep up with you on the street or on the track.
More that that is just wasting money.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Burbank CA
definitely drive the car for a while first and DON"T be in a hurry to turn off the traction control, learn your limits with it on and then progress from there. Our cars are one of the best handling right out of the box.
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA
... so in summary, learn the car (but you might need seats to do that IF you have a smaller build).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I agree; however, I didn't truely know the limits of this car in relatively stock form (all I've got are some c6 z51 sway bars) UNTIL I installed some new seats. If you find that you're focusing more on trying to remain in the seat when you take a turn, then you're not really going to be able to find out what these cars can do. I've stated before, I don't do road courses, this is my WORK car, and I don't think there's any way I will be able to push beyond the limits of the stock suspension on the street.... I will be getting a set of bilstein sports soon though because I hate the jumpiness when you hit a rough patch of road.
... so in summary, learn the car (but you might need seats to do that IF you have a smaller build).
... so in summary, learn the car (but you might need seats to do that IF you have a smaller build).
Exactly!These three posts sum up what I said. Learn the car before you start modding. If you're small framed like I am, you'll need seats that hug you better.
All you need to start, though, is a helmet. Seat time is more important. Many people think they need to have a road-race super car before they've even taken the car to the track and played with it. That's a big mistake. Once you figure out the car's limits and you start to push those limits, THEN you start to make changes to extend the specific limit you're pushing at that time.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: MD
I personally don't have them and after seeing how successful some people are with completely stock C5Z's on the road course/autox, I'm not inclined to get them anytime soon.
