Suspension Upgrade
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Camdenton Missouri
Suspension Upgrade
I know this has been beat on a lot but, I have a 97 C5 with F45 shocks. I have already bought and received the upgrade kit for F55 shocks. Currently sitting in the box unopened and waiting to get other projects done. In the mean time I've been reading the forum and noticed that you folks have been upgrading your cars with Z51 sway bars. My question is, should I go ahead and purchase these as well? That way I can just do it all at once. Or will it make that much difference? If so, someone mentioned getting the metal ends instead of the bushings? How do I go about doing that? I can't seem to find the correct website to order what I think I need. Any help you folks can give me will be greatly appreciated. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
I currently have F45 shocks, and installing C6 Z51 sway bars made the car flatter in the turns. It also made the car feel more responsive with the metal endlinks, steering feels more precise. I don't think you need metal bushings unless you plan to track it, just the metal endlinks make a difference. Try Gene Culley at Cultrag for these parts.
I plan to do the F55 upgrade myself, already have the shocks and computer. Just need the harness now.
I plan to do the F55 upgrade myself, already have the shocks and computer. Just need the harness now.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Camdenton Missouri
https://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/...rs?parent=1001
Your talking about these with the 4 end links as well correct?
Your talking about these with the 4 end links as well correct?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,588
Likes: 4,617
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have the F45 suspension and replaced my sway bars with C5 Z06 front and rear sway bars along with Prothane poly bushing and replaced the stock plastic end links with metal C6 sway bar end links and that made a very positve improvement with the handling and the ride. The car feels more stable, planted and in control without any negative harshness. The standard suspension is too soft even with the ability to firm up the hydraulic shocks of the F45 system.
The plastic endlinks do not last and after a short time begin to twist, crack and disintegrate. After 21 years the plastic endlinks and the rubber swaybar bushings are most likely trash. Your '97 will benefit from a suspension freshening and anything you upgrade in the suspension will improve the handling. It is a sports car and should handle like one.
The plastic endlinks do not last and after a short time begin to twist, crack and disintegrate. After 21 years the plastic endlinks and the rubber swaybar bushings are most likely trash. Your '97 will benefit from a suspension freshening and anything you upgrade in the suspension will improve the handling. It is a sports car and should handle like one.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
I have the F45 suspension and replaced my sway bars with C5 Z06 front and rear sway bars along with Prothane poly bushing and replaced the stock plastic end links with metal C6 sway bar end links and that made a very positve improvement with the handling and the ride. The car feels more stable, planted and in control without any negative harshness. The standard suspension is too soft even with the ability to firm up the hydraulic shocks of the F45 system.
I also have the F45 shocks (God only knows why I ordered it that way!!!), and when the car was just a year old, I replaced the OE endlinks with the "heim end" style links, and polyurethane bushings.
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