[Z06] Z51 vs. Z06
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
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From: Streamwood IL
Z51 vs. Z06
Handling can be subjective, I know this, so I am looking for any facts or opinions out there.
The question came up, which would be a more unfriendly ride (in terms of harsh, and bumpy) a Z51 or a Z06 suspension?
I wanted to take the question further: Which suspension offers better handling? I suspect this question is harder to answer because of the wheels and tires being different on cars equipped with the Z51, but any insight would be interesting.
The question came up, which would be a more unfriendly ride (in terms of harsh, and bumpy) a Z51 or a Z06 suspension?
I wanted to take the question further: Which suspension offers better handling? I suspect this question is harder to answer because of the wheels and tires being different on cars equipped with the Z51, but any insight would be interesting.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,176
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From: highland village texas
my 02-ZO6 ride is better than my former 01-A4-Coupe....I think big difference is in tires. Runflats, especially over time become harder and louder....while F1 tires are softer and not as noisy...only time really aware of ZO6 stiffer suspension is when driving over railroad tracks or washboard road surface....
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 50
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We have both a 2001 Convertible/Z51 and a 2004 Z06. I thought that the Z-51 was the ticket until I drove the "04 Z06.
The 2004 Z06 is actually better across rough terrain, as well in turns than the Z-51! I'm sure that the tires have something to do with the noise and performance as well.
We are happy enough with the Z-51 suspension not to warrant changing it. If we had the standard suspension package however, We would go to the complete 2004 Z06 suspension on the convertible.
The 2004 Z06 is actually better across rough terrain, as well in turns than the Z-51! I'm sure that the tires have something to do with the noise and performance as well.
We are happy enough with the Z-51 suspension not to warrant changing it. If we had the standard suspension package however, We would go to the complete 2004 Z06 suspension on the convertible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,722
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From: DFW Texas
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St. Jude Donor '07
i had a 01 Z51 coupe and now have a 04 Z the Z suspension takes the turns alot better and also is alot smoother over the rough roads, i would say the shock change in the 04 Z was the bigest improvement to that.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 552
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From: Meadows Place Texas
Strange as it may seem, the answer may be depend on what year Z06 you compare to. The first year, 2001, Z06 had a very stiff, competition suspension with almost no compromise for ride comfort. Starting in 2002, there were changes to the suspension geometry. Those changes gave the Z06 a more comfortable ride with almost no sacrifice in handling.
dave
dave
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I have an 03 coupe with the Z51. I do not have run flats and seldom drive the car on the street anymore.
When driving on the track, several of my instrucotrs have mentioned that they thought I had the Z06 suppension as they could not 'feel' any differnce between my car and a Z.
My g/f has an O4 vert with the stock suppension and runcraps. I thought her car was harsher then my Z51 or the many Z06 that I have driven and ridden in due to the run flats.
With that said though, if you are looking to put on a different supension use the 04 Z06 suppension parts and get rid of the run craps. You will be very happy.
rember, if you lower you car too much, it makes the suppension harsher as it can not travel normal distance suppension needs to travel over bumps.
This winter I am taking off the Z51 and putting on the full T1 suppension.
When driving on the track, several of my instrucotrs have mentioned that they thought I had the Z06 suppension as they could not 'feel' any differnce between my car and a Z.
My g/f has an O4 vert with the stock suppension and runcraps. I thought her car was harsher then my Z51 or the many Z06 that I have driven and ridden in due to the run flats.
With that said though, if you are looking to put on a different supension use the 04 Z06 suppension parts and get rid of the run craps. You will be very happy.
rember, if you lower you car too much, it makes the suppension harsher as it can not travel normal distance suppension needs to travel over bumps. This winter I am taking off the Z51 and putting on the full T1 suppension.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Nov 9, 2004 at 06:57 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
I think it was Motor Trend Magazine that answered your question a few months ago.
They tested a Z51 coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels against a stock 2004 Z06.
They found the Z51 was within about 98% of the lap times of the stock Z06.
They liked the Z51 Coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels BETTER than the Z06 itself overall, because of the better ride on the Z51 for only the tiny loss in performance.
Flame suit on!
They tested a Z51 coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels against a stock 2004 Z06.
They found the Z51 was within about 98% of the lap times of the stock Z06.
They liked the Z51 Coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels BETTER than the Z06 itself overall, because of the better ride on the Z51 for only the tiny loss in performance.
Flame suit on!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
Originally Posted by CJS
I think it was Motor Trend Magazine that answered your question a few months ago.
They tested a Z51 coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels against a stock 2004 Z06.
They found the Z51 was within about 98% of the lap times of the stock Z06.
They liked the Z51 Coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels BETTER than the Z06 itself overall, because of the better ride on the Z51 for only the tiny loss in performance.
Flame suit on!
They tested a Z51 coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels against a stock 2004 Z06.
They found the Z51 was within about 98% of the lap times of the stock Z06.
They liked the Z51 Coupe WITH Z06 tires and wheels BETTER than the Z06 itself overall, because of the better ride on the Z51 for only the tiny loss in performance.
Flame suit on!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay Fl
Not trying to start a flame war, but 98% is a bigger difference than people might think.
If a lead lap time is 2 minutes, then that means the other car came through 4 seconds later, quite a big margin at 100MPH...approximately 50 yards, or roughly 10 car lengths.
-Dave C. '04 Z06
If a lead lap time is 2 minutes, then that means the other car came through 4 seconds later, quite a big margin at 100MPH...approximately 50 yards, or roughly 10 car lengths.
-Dave C. '04 Z06
Last edited by Dave C. '04 Z06; Nov 9, 2004 at 10:10 AM.