[Z06] Suspension or headers?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
Really? I've always found my Z to be extremely easy to drive even in transitions. Only time it's a handful is if I grab too much throttle too quickly. OP, as you can see here, suspension is VERY subjective. I just threw some long tubes on my car with a 3" x pipe and I'm in love. The noise is intoxicating (and I'm probably going to get a ticket in this fvcker now) and the sheer torque and ability to skip gears and lug more effectively is very useful for DD duties. I haven't tracked the Z in over a year now since buying a race car, so I will confess that that has had an impact on my mod choices. For a DD that never sees the track I'd get tires, 04Z shocks, and headers. Try to score the headers used to free up more money for the shocks.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
100% my opinion too
also agree with what he said on a race car. if you're going to track, the sooner you get into a dedicated track car or something like a lola or formula ford the better. just costs so much money to convert a street car to a track car
Last edited by racebum; Aug 26, 2014 at 01:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
Really? I've always found my Z to be extremely easy to drive even in transitions. Only time it's a handful is if I grab too much throttle too quickly. OP, as you can see here, suspension is VERY subjective. I just threw some long tubes on my car with a 3" x pipe and I'm in love. The noise is intoxicating (and I'm probably going to get a ticket in this fvcker now) and the sheer torque and ability to skip gears and lug more effectively is very useful for DD duties. I haven't tracked the Z in over a year now since buying a race car, so I will confess that that has had an impact on my mod choices. For a DD that never sees the track I'd get tires, 04Z shocks, and headers. Try to score the headers used to free up more money for the shocks.
While I am not disagreeing I need tires, I want headers first lol - once you get them + intake + baseline tune outta the way you have a basis for any future power mods.
As far as the tires go - hell, at least I can BUY the headers - show me where I can get the Nitto NT05's everyone recommends in 275/40/17 and 295/35/18 - I was searching the internet for an hour last night to no avail..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Why 04z shocks over the less expensive bilstein sports?
While I am not disagreeing I need tires, I want headers first lol - once you get them + intake + baseline tune outta the way you have a basis for any future power mods.
As far as the tires go - hell, at least I can BUY the headers - show me where I can get the Nitto NT05's everyone recommends in 275/40/17 and 295/35/18 - I was searching the internet for an hour last night to no avail..
While I am not disagreeing I need tires, I want headers first lol - once you get them + intake + baseline tune outta the way you have a basis for any future power mods.
As far as the tires go - hell, at least I can BUY the headers - show me where I can get the Nitto NT05's everyone recommends in 275/40/17 and 295/35/18 - I was searching the internet for an hour last night to no avail..
the 04z shocks have much better rear end compliance. this increases available traction with street tires. the 02 valving was stiffer out back and while some guys may think this "feels" faster since there is slightly less sway, on the street, it's not. high speed stability is excellent with the 04z shocks even with the increase in compliance. the whole goal of suspension is to keep the tire in contact with the pavement, and, do so without excessive body motion. the tire staying in contact is obviously the most important of the two.
i've driven the 02 and 04 valving back to back and the 04 shocks are the faster of the two even though they feel slightly softer out back. sections that had me correcting or being very careful with the 02 shocks i could hit faster on the 04s with less steering wheel input
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
discount tire, aka americas tire. walk in a store and have them check stock and pull a set for you. if you don't have one local summit racing will price match and ship them to you
the 04z shocks have much better rear end compliance. this increases available traction with street tires. the 02 valving was stiffer out back and while some guys may think this "feels" faster since there is slightly less sway, on the street, it's not. high speed stability is excellent with the 04z shocks even with the increase in compliance. the whole goal of suspension is to keep the tire in contact with the pavement, and, do so without excessive body motion. the tire staying in contact is obviously the most important of the two.
i've driven the 02 and 04 valving back to back and the 04 shocks are the faster of the two even though they feel slightly softer out back. sections that had me correcting or being very careful with the 02 shocks i could hit faster on the 04s with less steering wheel input
the 04z shocks have much better rear end compliance. this increases available traction with street tires. the 02 valving was stiffer out back and while some guys may think this "feels" faster since there is slightly less sway, on the street, it's not. high speed stability is excellent with the 04z shocks even with the increase in compliance. the whole goal of suspension is to keep the tire in contact with the pavement, and, do so without excessive body motion. the tire staying in contact is obviously the most important of the two.
i've driven the 02 and 04 valving back to back and the 04 shocks are the faster of the two even though they feel slightly softer out back. sections that had me correcting or being very careful with the 02 shocks i could hit faster on the 04s with less steering wheel input
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 33
From: Jacksonville Florida
As others have said, my recommendation would be to go with better tires first. The tire upgrade will feel just like a suspension upgrade, because it will be!!
But, since you're not going to go that way, and I don't blame you, I'd go with the headers first. You'll get extra horsepower you can feel. You won't be able to do a lot with it due to tire limitations, but, at least the power will be there for you to shred your tires.
Suspension upgrade, IMHO, will be wasted until the better tires are there.
Good luck and enjoy the car!! You've got a great one!!!
But, since you're not going to go that way, and I don't blame you, I'd go with the headers first. You'll get extra horsepower you can feel. You won't be able to do a lot with it due to tire limitations, but, at least the power will be there for you to shred your tires.
Suspension upgrade, IMHO, will be wasted until the better tires are there.
Good luck and enjoy the car!! You've got a great one!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
As others have said, my recommendation would be to go with better tires first. The tire upgrade will feel just like a suspension upgrade, because it will be!!
But, since you're not going to go that way, and I don't blame you, I'd go with the headers first. You'll get extra horsepower you can feel. You won't be able to do a lot with it due to tire limitations, but, at least the power will be there for you to shred your tires.
Suspension upgrade, IMHO, will be wasted until the better tires are there.
Good luck and enjoy the car!! You've got a great one!!!
But, since you're not going to go that way, and I don't blame you, I'd go with the headers first. You'll get extra horsepower you can feel. You won't be able to do a lot with it due to tire limitations, but, at least the power will be there for you to shred your tires.
Suspension upgrade, IMHO, will be wasted until the better tires are there.
Good luck and enjoy the car!! You've got a great one!!!
In the meantime just driving and detailing it regularly - damn black cars!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Wellington Florida
Thanks yes it's a great car and other than squeaking over steep parking lot ramps or actually looking under the car you wouldn't know the bushings are all dried out. I def got another 5-10k out of the stock suspension. Headers will be ordered in winter for spring install, if I can find tires between now and then at a reasonable price and not back ordered I will ****** the , but seriously I can't find them. I did look at summit but the rears were listed way too high and they are back ordered (talking nittos)
In the meantime just driving and detailing it regularly - damn black cars!!
In the meantime just driving and detailing it regularly - damn black cars!!
Congrats and all the best
Crash
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
i just can't answer if it's worth 200 or not in your case, reason why is the personal preference call
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
personal call. suspension in general is very personal. to me they are worth the 200. but really, the biggest difference between 02 and 04 valving is in the rear and it's most noticeable under high speed braking with transitions. the 04 shocks are a little faster, but, i'm not sure the average guy would even notice it or be able to push the car to the point to benefit from the difference
i just can't answer if it's worth 200 or not in your case, reason why is the personal preference call
i just can't answer if it's worth 200 or not in your case, reason why is the personal preference call
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Wellington Florida
Why 04z shocks over the less expensive bilstein sports?
While I am not disagreeing I need tires, I want headers first lol - once you get them + intake + baseline tune outta the way you have a basis for any future power mods.
As far as the tires go - hell, at least I can BUY the headers - show me where I can get the Nitto NT05's everyone recommends in 275/40/17 and 295/35/18 - I was searching the internet for an hour last night to no avail..
While I am not disagreeing I need tires, I want headers first lol - once you get them + intake + baseline tune outta the way you have a basis for any future power mods.
As far as the tires go - hell, at least I can BUY the headers - show me where I can get the Nitto NT05's everyone recommends in 275/40/17 and 295/35/18 - I was searching the internet for an hour last night to no avail..
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Wellington Florida