I just lowered on stock bolts and installed Bilstein sports. I love the look and the ride is much 'sportier' without being harsh. I was looking forward to installing some Z06 sways to complete the package (somewhat) and in my research found that the Z51 sways were very similar (the rear is the same in fact) to the Z06 sways. Great I think, I'll get some Z51 sways for even cheaper than the Z06 bars and get 95% of the benefits. However...

Today I find out two things:

1. I ask the wife while she's sitting in the passenger seat to take a look at the RPO codes in the glovebox and sure enough there are the Z51 and FE3 RPO codes! Duh, I had no idea I was already driving a Z51! After the Bilsteins and lowering I notice how much less squishy the suspension is, I can't imagine how swimmy the non Z51 is.

2. Prior to finding out #1 and in my haste to acquire some Z06/Z51 sways I found this link from another thread:

http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/faq.shtml#2-3

The Z51 option changed to significantly larger diameter bars in '00. so while I do have Z51 sways, they are from '99 and not as big as the '00+ sways nevermind the Z06 sways.

Who thinks it would be worth upgrading to Z06 sways from '99 Z51 sways? I have never been much of a suspension mod guy, I'm just now learning to enjoy the handling as much as the staigh line.

 

If what you are concerned with is basically "street" driving, a greater difference can be had by going with Z06 sized wheels and Z Supercar tires. Car & Driver found that most of the handling difference between the Z and non Z was attributable to tires and wheels.

If you want to change something consider urethane bushings for the bars you already have. The rubber GM uses is the softest I've ever seen used with any anti-sway bars. I got my urethanes from Summit Racing for something like $12 (plus shipping) for BOTH front and rear bushing sets. In fact, asked to make sure that the price wasn't per bushing since this is for a Vette!

All the best.

 

Drive the Bilstein sports for a while. When you meet someone with the 04 Z06 suppenssion ask them for a ride. Then make that decission.

I would stay with what you have and save your money. Most ppl would not even notice the difference. But if you still want a bit 'stiffer' there are the Hotchkins sway bars instead of the Z06 bars.

I have personnal owned three suppension set ups, base, 03 Z51, and T1 and have ridden in the 03 and 04 Z06 extensivly.

I found the 03 Z51 to be a bit stiffer then either the Z06 suppensions. I think part of that was the Z51 had 18" tires with 285/35 or 315/30 on front and 335/30 on the rear vs both Z06 suppensions had the stock tire sizes.

Stiffer suppensions are not always better. If the roads you drive on are smooth with little crown on the roads they yes. However, if the roads you drive on are bumpy, with lots of crown for water run off, then no stiffer suppension is not better as you loose control with wheel hop.

Good luck

 

I've got the 04 Z51 suspension and I'm going to go with a Z06 front sway. Most everybody that's done it is impressed with the difference. Avanti is right of course, more rubber on the road will make you stick better. But new wheels and tires will have to wait till I at least need one or the other. (and I can't hear an echo in my wallet )

 

ADDCO has some nice sway bars and they are relatively inexpensive

 

OK. I actually have a 99 so you might want to hear this. My Hardtop came with Z51 suspension. It was fine for everyday driving but when I first competed at Big Bend, it did lean a bit on the fast sweepers. I changed to 01 swaybars and there was a slight improvement. I have since gone to Z06 sways, Bilstein Sports, and Bridgestone S03’s and, while the car doesn’t feel a lot harsher, sure goes around the big sweepers much faster than it used to. I do agree that changing tires will make the most inpact but what the Car and Driver article didn’t stress was that they were comparing run flats to non run flats. I don’t think the extra width was the only difference. BTW, I’ve heard the Poly swaybar bushing will make the ride a bit harsher. In the end, it’s up to you my friend. – C.

 

I had the Z51 swaybars, and upgraded the front only (obviously) to the Z06.

There is a difference you will notice, depending on your level of experience.

As you know, the sway bars do nothing for the straight line ride -- but a differecne in handling in turns.

The reason I went with the Z06 front swaybar/Z51 rear combination was because it did noticeably reduce the oversteer in turns. But that cornering limit isn't something you want to explore on the street everyday.

Here are two sites for info:

http://www.wtrscca.org/tech.htm

and

http://www.susquehanna.com/susq/other/stuning.htm

 

I have a 1999 C5 vert with z06 shocks, sways, and springs, and I can tell you that the major difference in suspension could not POSSIBLY be attributed to tires/wheels alone. I have spent a great deal of time tuning with two M3 drivers, and the work that I did made a HUGE difference. HUGE!!

It only took about 8 hours to install it all, and the most notable improvement of the whole system was how LITTLE I now have to use the brakes as compared to the stock suspension. The change was well worth the 1300 $$$ it cost in parts and 8 hours of my labor.

That being said, I can't wait to upgrade to the z06 wheels/tires.

Oh and P.S., I did read that article that you were referring to:

"If what you are concerned with is basically "street" driving, a greater difference can be had by going with Z06 sized wheels and Z Supercar tires. Car & Driver found that most of the handling difference between the Z and non Z was attributable to tires and wheels"

But I was not mostly concerned with "street" driving. I love the hairpins now...

 

The Z51 in the C5 is nothing but mush. It should be the base suspension. Upgraded to the Z06 springs and sways along with Bilstein sport shocks. Actually made it handle and feel like a sports car should.

 

Well not knowing I had the Z51 in the first place I would have to agree. Comparing how it was before to how it rides now; only now do I realize how much of a boat it was. I would like to drive a base model for a comparison.

I really must see the rest of that avatar pic Jeff...

 

Does lowering a Z51 car mess with the computer sensors. I heard it was not a good idea to lower a Z51 car very far. Anybody clarify this, I wanna do it but don't wanna destroy anything.

 

You're thinking the selective ride suspension.

 

So I shouldn't lower my F45 equipped car?

 

A little is fine, but slamming it, I would not recomend.

 

I have a 2003 Coupe with Z51 and I replaced the front sway bar with a ZO6 bar. It made a big difference. I would highly recommend the change if you have the older, "smaller" Z51 front sway bar.

 

Good thread. I'm running an '00 Vert w/ Z06 leaf springs, Hotchkis, lowered on stock bolts / no cut bushings, 18" all around, 9.5" front 10.5" rear and currently a set of Kumhos.

Regardless of your set up and final selection, I'd recommend that you do a search on this forum for the "Backbone", or other named plate.

This part replaces the OE thin cover that fits between the torque tube and the center section of the exhaust system.

There was a big purchasing frenzy and the various mfg. of these plates (either 1/8" Stainless Steel, or 1/4" Aluminum, usually also ceramic coated for heat shielding of the cockpit) were flaming each other out! So there will be alot of info on this part.

I'm running the stainless steel piece on my car. IMHO, this piece connects the 2 innner frame rails together much more solidly vs. the OE "cover". Thus, the chassis is stiffer, providing much less flex. By being stiffer, the chassis provides much more solid platform for WHATEVER suspension components you are running to work better.

I think these plates have come down in price since the intial buying frenzy. There are a few vendors of this part. I got mine from www.vettesnmore.com.

From the cockpit, the car is a lot more "solid" feeling, and I can take turns alot more aggressively, in some cases up to 15-20mph faster.

I rode in a FE1 '00 Vert w/ this plate installed, it is owned by a guy in my club, and I was impressed with how the FE1 w/ Run-Craps performed with a stiffer chassis to work off of.

Do a search on this part on the Forum and see what YOU think.

 

Back in 99 when the 00 cars started being delivered the Corvette Engineers attending the Carlisle show recommended switching to the new bars. They said they were good for 2 mph through the slalom with everything else being the same. That was enough to convince me to upgrade my 97 Z51. Don't know what Z06 bars will buy you since you don't have the springs to go with the bars.

Bill

 

I switched to the Z06 front swaybar and left the stock Z51 in the rear but also went ahead and installed the Z06 shocks . I dropped it down also and I have been very happy with the ride . Before I did the shocks I had put the Z06 swaybar on and you could definitely tell the differance over the Z51 swaybar. Anyway enjoy the ride