[Z06] Help with suspension upgrades
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Roseville California
Help with suspension upgrades
Hey fellow CF members. While I'm still in the market for a C5Z, I'm in the process of gathering parts for my build. Most of my selection of upgrades focuses on weight. I have set a goal of running high 10's with bolt ons.
What can you recommend as far as suspension? I know PFADT is top of the line but maybe I don't have spend that much money.
What can you recommend as far as suspension? I know PFADT is top of the line but maybe I don't have spend that much money.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 1,716
From: Everywhere and Nowhere at all
If it helps, I am running the PFADT Coilovers and have for over 4 yrs. Also running their front, rear, "light" sway bars. I like them a lot and the car handles very well. If I were you I would probably pick up the LG's along with some T1 sways... A lot of guys are running these. The only reason I say that is that I don't think you can find the PFADT stuff anymore ( like mine). I could be wrong. What exactly are you wanting to do with the car? Driver, AutoX,?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Pfadt first generation stuff was junk. Stay away from it even if it was cheap and gently used. Their adjustable front bars were also junk. The aluminum arms are angled on the shaft and they come loose and break. Using their stiffer front bar with soft springs is often a problem if the car is used for anything more than boulevard duty. Their rear adjustable bar has very poor geometry. Go to the roadrace and autocross page and search Pfadt and you'll see a litany of problems with their first generation shocks and their bars.
That said, their last generation shocks were basically Ohlin's and they were decent and the Johnny O'Connell bars are not bad.
Bottom line is be careful what Pfadt stuff you buy because a good bit of it that is used is junk.
This is all about autocross and track duty. If you're trying to put down power for drag racing look at the stock C5 Z06 shocks and a set of sticky tires. The C5 Z shocks have damping that is particularly good for putting down power.
That said, their last generation shocks were basically Ohlin's and they were decent and the Johnny O'Connell bars are not bad.
Bottom line is be careful what Pfadt stuff you buy because a good bit of it that is used is junk.
This is all about autocross and track duty. If you're trying to put down power for drag racing look at the stock C5 Z06 shocks and a set of sticky tires. The C5 Z shocks have damping that is particularly good for putting down power.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Roseville California
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm looking for an 01-04 CE Z or regular Z06. The car will see the strip only a few times a year (once I hit my goal of 10'') and I also I plan on driving the coast in california from time to time. I see many people running coil overs for the strip but I'm not sure how good they are for long trips. Other than performance at the strip my main concern when selecting parts is saving weight where I can.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I used to be a fan of pfadt until I bought a set of their featherlight coilovers, one of which was leaking out of the box and when I tried to get help from them was right about the time they screwed a lot of their customers over and shut down... AND then they come back a year later under a parent company and hike their prices way up, no thanks... their motor mounts and diff mount worked good though, I would still recommend them if you can find good used ones in the fs section... I recently sold my diff mount because I'm doing a tr6060 swap and it didn't last an hour before I sold it so keep your eyes open... I don't think they are worth what they are asking for new ones nowadays... I also ended up getting lg gt2 coilovers and I like them, I don't see any reasons why you wouldn't be able to take a long road trip with those... they do have a more "racey" feel and you can definitely feel the difference compared to the factory leafs but it isn't anything that makes the car uncomfortable to drive, not in my opinion anyway... lg is also down the street and they have always been good to me and I have seen them do nothing but grow since they have been in business so that is something to consider with a big purchase like coilovers
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 32
From: Ocala FL
As a former track junkie I think you would have a difficult time seeing a huge difference between coilovers and upgraded shocks/sways on the street. It's very difficult to push your car to those limits, at least IMO.
My street/track Z only had DRM shocks and Johnny O'Connell sways and I thought it handled pretty well. I wanted coilovers eventually but I was driving it very hard in the Advanced group on track days. On the street I don't hit anywhere near what the stock setup can do.
My $.02.
My street/track Z only had DRM shocks and Johnny O'Connell sways and I thought it handled pretty well. I wanted coilovers eventually but I was driving it very hard in the Advanced group on track days. On the street I don't hit anywhere near what the stock setup can do.
My $.02.
Last edited by JeremyGSU; Jan 15, 2016 at 03:41 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
If you aren't going to run track days or autocross the car there isn't any advantage for coilovers. If you are looking for a drag shock then you need to be thinking about QA-1's or something other than LG's.
There are obviously a lot of Z owners that take their car out and drag race it, but most of the modifications required are done to the motor. If you put on set of drag radials keep the ride height up at stock and just drive the car you'll have as much stick off the line as you need and coil overs aren't going to help that. In fact if you get greedy you'll break the diff before you really need to make suspension changes (given that you're on drag radials).
Bottom line is that if you want to get down into the 10's you need to do the motor work and save your money. LG coilovers are great, but unless you're doing track work there isn't anything that they will buy you in the 1/4 mile.
There are obviously a lot of Z owners that take their car out and drag race it, but most of the modifications required are done to the motor. If you put on set of drag radials keep the ride height up at stock and just drive the car you'll have as much stick off the line as you need and coil overs aren't going to help that. In fact if you get greedy you'll break the diff before you really need to make suspension changes (given that you're on drag radials).
Bottom line is that if you want to get down into the 10's you need to do the motor work and save your money. LG coilovers are great, but unless you're doing track work there isn't anything that they will buy you in the 1/4 mile.
Last edited by Solofast; Jan 15, 2016 at 09:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Roseville California
If you aren't going to run track days or autocross the car there isn't any advantage for coilovers. If you are looking for a drag shock then you need to be thinking about QA-1's or something other than LG's.
There are obviously a lot of Z owners that take their car out and drag race it, but most of the modifications required are done to the motor. If you put on set of drag radials keep the ride height up at stock and just drive the car you'll have as much stick off the line as you need and coil overs aren't going to help that. In fact if you get greedy you'll break the diff before you really need to make suspension changes (given that you're on drag radials).
Bottom line is that if you want to get down into the 10's you need to do the motor work and save your money. LG coilovers are great, but unless you're doing track work there isn't anything that they will buy you in the 1/4 mile.
There are obviously a lot of Z owners that take their car out and drag race it, but most of the modifications required are done to the motor. If you put on set of drag radials keep the ride height up at stock and just drive the car you'll have as much stick off the line as you need and coil overs aren't going to help that. In fact if you get greedy you'll break the diff before you really need to make suspension changes (given that you're on drag radials).
Bottom line is that if you want to get down into the 10's you need to do the motor work and save your money. LG coilovers are great, but unless you're doing track work there isn't anything that they will buy you in the 1/4 mile.
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,756
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From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
You have posted a pretty aggressive goal. Have you seen the Z06 bolt-on quick list? How many in the 10s? How about low 11s?
I wish you nothing but the best of success with your goals, but, leave the suspension alone for now.
4.10 rear
Good clutch
Headers
Fast intake
Larger throttle body
Underdrive pulley
Weight reduction
Drag pack
These are the first steps to take if a 10 is your goal.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Roseville California
You have posted a pretty aggressive goal. Have you seen the Z06 bolt-on quick list? How many in the 10s? How about low 11s?
I wish you nothing but the best of success with your goals, but, leave the suspension alone for now.
4.10 rear
Good clutch
Headers
Fast intake
Larger throttle body
Underdrive pulley
Weight reduction
Drag pack
These are the first steps to take if a 10 is your goal.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If you aren't going to run track days or autocross the car there isn't any advantage for coilovers. If you are looking for a drag shock then you need to be thinking about QA-1's or something other than LG's.
Bottom line is that if you want to get down into the 10's you need to do the motor work and save your money. LG coilovers are great, but unless you're doing track work there isn't anything that they will buy you in the 1/4 mile.
Bottom line is that if you want to get down into the 10's you need to do the motor work and save your money. LG coilovers are great, but unless you're doing track work there isn't anything that they will buy you in the 1/4 mile.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-over-kit.html
Last edited by Anthony @ LGMotorsports; Jan 18, 2016 at 11:58 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 642
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From: Roseville California
You do know I offer a drag spec kit for the G2's now for the past couple years right?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-over-kit.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-over-kit.html
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
It is going to have a softer feel to it.
With the drag kit, your main goal is forward bite. You are not so concerned about lean/roll in the corners. The car needs to leave straight and with as little lean as possible.
So normal driving with the car, it is going to have a very soft feel to it. A lot of that is also going to depend on tire. If you are running one of our 15" conversion kits with a really tall side wall rear tire, then that is going to soften it even more.
The road race setups are far stiffer and more focused on sharp responsive turn in and staying flat in the corners.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
I'm confused....suspension mods on a C5Z b/c you want better 1/4 mile times?? EH?
Not to be a jacka$$ - but if that's your goal (1/4 mile times) maybe should have purchased a cheapo base C5 w/ an auto??
The "best" thing you could do to a C5 suspension for 1/4 mile times I guess would be conversion to solids rear axle LOL - but you may get banned from the corvette crowd for that one!!
Not to be a jacka$$ - but if that's your goal (1/4 mile times) maybe should have purchased a cheapo base C5 w/ an auto??
The "best" thing you could do to a C5 suspension for 1/4 mile times I guess would be conversion to solids rear axle LOL - but you may get banned from the corvette crowd for that one!!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I'm confused....suspension mods on a C5Z b/c you want better 1/4 mile times?? EH?
Not to be a jacka$$ - but if that's your goal (1/4 mile times) maybe should have purchased a cheapo base C5 w/ an auto??
The "best" thing you could do to a C5 suspension for 1/4 mile times I guess would be conversion to solids rear axle LOL - but you may get banned from the corvette crowd for that one!!
Not to be a jacka$$ - but if that's your goal (1/4 mile times) maybe should have purchased a cheapo base C5 w/ an auto??
The "best" thing you could do to a C5 suspension for 1/4 mile times I guess would be conversion to solids rear axle LOL - but you may get banned from the corvette crowd for that one!!
You know...people told this guy not to do that to a C6Z too..
Just depends on what you want to do with it. I'm a die hard road racer...look where I work....but there is interesting technology in drag racing and the Z06 is a lighter car to start with.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Roseville California
I'm confused....suspension mods on a C5Z b/c you want better 1/4 mile times?? EH?
Not to be a jacka$$ - but if that's your goal (1/4 mile times) maybe should have purchased a cheapo base C5 w/ an auto??
The "best" thing you could do to a C5 suspension for 1/4 mile times I guess would be conversion to solids rear axle LOL - but you may get banned from the corvette crowd for that one!!
Not to be a jacka$$ - but if that's your goal (1/4 mile times) maybe should have purchased a cheapo base C5 w/ an auto??
The "best" thing you could do to a C5 suspension for 1/4 mile times I guess would be conversion to solids rear axle LOL - but you may get banned from the corvette crowd for that one!!