Sway Bars ???
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I run the 03- Z51 package. It is great up to a point. I found it still 'pushes' with hoosiers on some sharp high speed corners. where GY 480s did not "push" but turned in very nicely. Tires also have a lot to do with suppension set up
Most ppl can not tell the difference between the Z51 / FE3 and 03 ZO6 / FE4. The 04 ZO6/FE4 set up was with stiffer shocks.
IMHO the 04 ZO6 / FE4 suppension would be an ideal 'upgrade' suppension for 99.9% of C5 owners who want a stiffer ride and better cornering.
The T1 bars are too thick for street driving.
Here is a link that helps show the differences
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3
Rember the GM engineers disgned suppension set ups with certain tires in mind and to work as a complete package, not piece meal.
Most ppl can not tell the difference between the Z51 / FE3 and 03 ZO6 / FE4. The 04 ZO6/FE4 set up was with stiffer shocks.
IMHO the 04 ZO6 / FE4 suppension would be an ideal 'upgrade' suppension for 99.9% of C5 owners who want a stiffer ride and better cornering.
The T1 bars are too thick for street driving.
Here is a link that helps show the differences
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3
Rember the GM engineers disgned suppension set ups with certain tires in mind and to work as a complete package, not piece meal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
I run the 03- Z51 package. It is great up to a point. I found it still 'pushes' with hoosiers on some sharp high speed corners. where GY 480s did not "push" but turned in very nicely. Tires also have a lot to do with suppension set up
Most ppl can not tell the difference between the Z51 / FE3 and 03 ZO6 / FE4. The 04 ZO6/FE4 set up was with stiffer shocks.
IMHO the 04 ZO6 / FE4 suppension would be an ideal 'upgrade' suppension for 99.9% of C5 owners who want a stiffer ride and better cornering.
The T1 bars are too thick for street driving.
Here is a link that helps show the differences
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3
Rember the GM engineers disgned suppension set ups with certain tires in mind and to work as a complete package, not piece meal.
Most ppl can not tell the difference between the Z51 / FE3 and 03 ZO6 / FE4. The 04 ZO6/FE4 set up was with stiffer shocks.
IMHO the 04 ZO6 / FE4 suppension would be an ideal 'upgrade' suppension for 99.9% of C5 owners who want a stiffer ride and better cornering.
The T1 bars are too thick for street driving.
Here is a link that helps show the differences
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3
Rember the GM engineers disgned suppension set ups with certain tires in mind and to work as a complete package, not piece meal.
Couldn't agree more. It's the combination of the suspension setup that provides the desired results. We haven't even begun to mention things like camber, brake bias, etc. I'm fortunate to be able to work with both my GM Service Manager and the tire company that does my alignments/suspension work. They've been particularly helpful on alignment questions.I think a lot of the high speed push is simply designed into the basic car (as in all cars). Changing my brake bias helped reduce weight transfer to the front end and I think helps set up the car for those types of corners. I still get some, but not like before.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Macinamouth
I have the Hotchkis bars and F55.......Huge improvement in handling.
I am going to lower my ride and thought Bilsten Sports were THE shock of choice. Can you fill me in on the QA1.......how it compares to the Bilsten in price/performance....keeping in mind I need to cut front bushings.
Thanks
I am going to lower my ride and thought Bilsten Sports were THE shock of choice. Can you fill me in on the QA1.......how it compares to the Bilsten in price/performance....keeping in mind I need to cut front bushings.
Thanks
When we bought ours, only the 12-point adjustable shocks were available...~$950. Now they have 576-point shocks.
We originally had Bilsteins on our lowered (1.5") car. Occasionally the car bottomed-out & IMHO although better than GM Z51's, still not the best ride. When we switched to QA1, the ability to adjust the ride made a huge difference. On a long trip we set the shocks at 2-3 & the ride is smooth, no bottoming out. For fun rides in the mountains, I set it at 6, for running Road Atlanta I set it at 8-10. With the QA1's I get the best of all worlds, from 'Cadillac ride' to 'stiff' for road racing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 1
From: FT Lewis WA
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
I run the 03- Z51 package. It is great up to a point. I found it still 'pushes' with hoosiers on some sharp high speed corners. where GY 480s did not "push" but turned in very nicely. Tires also have a lot to do with suppension set up
Most ppl can not tell the difference between the Z51 / FE3 and 03 ZO6 / FE4. The 04 ZO6/FE4 set up was with stiffer shocks.
IMHO the 04 ZO6 / FE4 suppension would be an ideal 'upgrade' suppension for 99.9% of C5 owners who want a stiffer ride and better cornering.
The T1 bars are too thick for street driving.
Here is a link that helps show the differences
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3
Rember the GM engineers disgned suppension set ups with certain tires in mind and to work as a complete package, not piece meal.
Most ppl can not tell the difference between the Z51 / FE3 and 03 ZO6 / FE4. The 04 ZO6/FE4 set up was with stiffer shocks.
IMHO the 04 ZO6 / FE4 suppension would be an ideal 'upgrade' suppension for 99.9% of C5 owners who want a stiffer ride and better cornering.
The T1 bars are too thick for street driving.
Here is a link that helps show the differences
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3
Rember the GM engineers disgned suppension set ups with certain tires in mind and to work as a complete package, not piece meal.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 0
From: Western North Carolina
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by QikStik
I also have the F45 suspension and was thinking of looking for a set of Z06 sway bars. Was it a noticeable improvement?
Roger
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,043
Likes: 24,727
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
My recommendation: Get the Z06 sway bars and install the '04 Z06 shocks. You will notice a big difference in the handling.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Sully C5
Here is a link for QA1 Shocks. http://c5.techbottle.com/pics/QA1shocks.jpg
When we bought ours, only the 12-point adjustable shocks were available...~$950. Now they have 576-point shocks. We originally had Bilsteins on our lowered (1.5") car. Occasionally the car bottomed-out & IMHO although better than GM Z51's, still not the best ride. When we switched to QA1, the ability to adjust the ride made a huge difference. On a long trip we set the shocks at 2-3 & the ride is smooth, no bottoming out. For fun rides in the mountains, I set it at 6, for running Road Atlanta I set it at 8-10. With the QA1's I get the best of all worlds, from 'Cadillac ride' to 'stiff' for road racing.
When we bought ours, only the 12-point adjustable shocks were available...~$950. Now they have 576-point shocks.
We originally had Bilsteins on our lowered (1.5") car. Occasionally the car bottomed-out & IMHO although better than GM Z51's, still not the best ride. When we switched to QA1, the ability to adjust the ride made a huge difference. On a long trip we set the shocks at 2-3 & the ride is smooth, no bottoming out. For fun rides in the mountains, I set it at 6, for running Road Atlanta I set it at 8-10. With the QA1's I get the best of all worlds, from 'Cadillac ride' to 'stiff' for road racing.Thanks for the link. I will check them out. Definately looks like more $$$$$. If you have to get under the car to adjust them.....I will probalbly not be able to adjust but leave in one very firm setting.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 781
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo Grove IL
Originally Posted by Tino
Just what I wanted to hear, so this spring, on top of my Ti's, I will also buy a set of Z06 sway bars.
Tino
Tino
Christmas @ Fred Beans
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