Suspension refresh
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 517
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Suspension refresh
I have a well used 2000 vert with 106,000 happy miles on it. We've mildly
tweaked the motor and it runs strong and smooth...doesn't use a drop of
oil. The suspension , however , has gotten to be kind of "floppy". I did
replace the shocks last year with the c6 zo6 ones and that helped a little..but its still kinda of mushy at the rear and I can only use the word
floppy for the front...it really bangs on hard bumps and feels very vague.
I think it might be time for a complete refresh....like bushings, tie rod ends, etc...has anyone done this. I have already order the heavier sway bars that come with the HD factory suspension.
The car has been lowered about an inch...I wonder if this may also have some affect on the handling....bought it this way...I know it was properly
aligned at the time by Phoenix racing.
tweaked the motor and it runs strong and smooth...doesn't use a drop of
oil. The suspension , however , has gotten to be kind of "floppy". I did
replace the shocks last year with the c6 zo6 ones and that helped a little..but its still kinda of mushy at the rear and I can only use the word
floppy for the front...it really bangs on hard bumps and feels very vague.
I think it might be time for a complete refresh....like bushings, tie rod ends, etc...has anyone done this. I have already order the heavier sway bars that come with the HD factory suspension.
The car has been lowered about an inch...I wonder if this may also have some affect on the handling....bought it this way...I know it was properly
aligned at the time by Phoenix racing.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
need to inspect
you may just want more spring rate and sway bar. a take off z06 spring/bar package would really make the car feel more lively
bushings are a MAJOR pain to replace and very time consuming. if there is no visible rot i wouldn't do them unless you really like working
tie rods and ball joints can be inspected for wear. also it's not a bad idea to have a sports car aligned every 20k miles or so.
you may just want more spring rate and sway bar. a take off z06 spring/bar package would really make the car feel more lively
bushings are a MAJOR pain to replace and very time consuming. if there is no visible rot i wouldn't do them unless you really like working
tie rods and ball joints can be inspected for wear. also it's not a bad idea to have a sports car aligned every 20k miles or so.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,756
Likes: 3,276
From: Phoenix area, AZ
OP- The C6 Z51 sway bars make a huge difference in the suspension, and you'll also want to replace your plastic end links with the newer metal ones if you have not already done so.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
The C6 Z06 bars are only recommended for cars with tires 305 and wider. Otherwise the C6 Z51 bars are the ones to go with.
OP- The C6 Z51 sway bars make a huge difference in the suspension, and you'll also want to replace your plastic end links with the newer metal ones if you have not already done so.
OP- The C6 Z51 sway bars make a huge difference in the suspension, and you'll also want to replace your plastic end links with the newer metal ones if you have not already done so.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,756
Likes: 3,276
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
so? then you have to adjust spring rate and ride height to balance the car out
the c5z setup is pretty neutral as is. if you add a thicker front bar you dial in more understeer, thicker rear bar, more oversteer.
if someone knows how to set a car up you can try various rates and get it to do what you want
i just have a feeling that's not the OP or he wouldn't have made this post
the c5z setup is pretty neutral as is. if you add a thicker front bar you dial in more understeer, thicker rear bar, more oversteer.
if someone knows how to set a car up you can try various rates and get it to do what you want
i just have a feeling that's not the OP or he wouldn't have made this post
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,756
Likes: 3,276
From: Phoenix area, AZ
so? then you have to adjust spring rate and ride height to balance the car out
the c5z setup is pretty neutral as is. if you add a thicker front bar you dial in more understeer, thicker rear bar, more oversteer.
if someone knows how to set a car up you can try various rates and get it to do what you want
i just have a feeling that's not the OP or he wouldn't have made this post
the c5z setup is pretty neutral as is. if you add a thicker front bar you dial in more understeer, thicker rear bar, more oversteer.
if someone knows how to set a car up you can try various rates and get it to do what you want
i just have a feeling that's not the OP or he wouldn't have made this post
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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Just got back in town.....thanks for the input....I already bought the z51 bars, but I think I will need more than that to get me where I want to go. Btw....I am running run farts...I mean run flats...yes I will eventually replace them...they just have lots of thread left.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I just replaced the run flats that I had on the rear of my coupe with Nitto 555 ZR Extreme's and it's like driving a different car. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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The runs flats are fairly new...80% thread left. They came with the car...they are not factory tires. Just found a bad passenger side tie rod end....definitely contributes to the
the vague handling....what brand replacement is good? I plan to put on ZO6 wheels and wider tires eventually
the vague handling....what brand replacement is good? I plan to put on ZO6 wheels and wider tires eventually