Just wondering:

On a 2001 Coupe w/ regular suspension, what differences, if any would be noted for the following mods:

1. Installing ZO6 stabalizer bars w/o installing ZO6 shocks?

2. Installing ZO6 shocks w/o installing ZO6 stabalizer bars?

3. Installing both ZO6 Stabalizer bars AND ZO6 shocks?

Does it make any difference if the ZO6 shocks or stabalizer bars are installed but the normal fiberglass "leaf spring" is not changed?

Is installing ZO6 shocks/stabalizer bars in a 2001 coupe a worthwhile modification, etc?

Thanks, Bill.

 

Here's a copy of a post which I put up a few months back. Hope this helps some. I can tell you also that the base suspension stinks. Having now tracked a C5 with the setup described below, and with the base I would never in a million years have the desire to drive a base suspension C5 ever again...

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Holy cow do I love this car! It is fun to drive!! I'm back in the mode of thinking of errands to run and this is my 2nd C5 for 4 years of total C5 ownership!

Mods done in this order (car was driven between each)
1. Z06 sways Increased flatness but didn't really improve 'handling' much IMHO. Car pushed a bit.
2. Z06 springs Really improved braking/acceleration (no more diving/squatting) and really imrpoved turn-in. The point the car rotated around during a turn changed significantly, felt like you were 'pointing' the car vs. guiding it. Car felt unstable and would skip over small bumps in turns though.
3. Bilstein shocks Didn't drive it much with just these
4. y2ks/GY EMTs ==> Z06 wheels with 275/295 Kuhmo MXs Totally made the car come alive. Application of power can be much greater coming out of a turn, no more skipping sideways mid-corner. No more teeth rattling over bumps in city streets. Significant increase in stability in general.

This is now a totally different car. Anyone with a base FE1 suspension who's on the fence about changing, I highly recommend the change. I can put down so much more power in turns it is truely unbelievalbe. The car feels like it is STUCK to the ground now.

I can also say that the GY EMTs in combination with 1-3 above STUNK it up big time. The car felt like it was skipping (or skittering) through every turn. With the tire change it now feels stuck. I would not recommend the Z06 suspension setup with GY EMTs. It was flatter and stiffer but the tires just couldn't take it.

Stability in turns is night and day.

Now with it all done it's great. Nice and planted on smooth roads (same expected on track) but compliant over bumps (primarily as a result of the change in tires). The Kuhmos are SLICK for the first 50-75 miles, but now that they've been worn just a bit, they stick like glue (at least compared to the GY EMTs).

 

Bill, I realize this doesn`t answer your questions specifically it but may give you food for thought.
I started out with a 98 C5 rag top with F45 suspension w/3 way adj electronic shocks and run craps.
I am now lowered 1" at each corner and run the CCW big tire/wheel pkg ie:f 18x10 275-35-18 Mich Pilot r 18x11.5 335x30-18 Mich Pilot.
Still running the stock springs, sway bars and shocks but can now run with stock and lightly modded Z06`s in the corners.
In fact I often hear others comment that their Z06 and Z51 suspensions are prone to the skipping sensation over uneven/rough roads (yes, even those without run-flats complain) that are commonplace in the canyons here in the San Diego/So Cal area.
Due to the road conditions in my area I prefer the softer suspension set-up since it seems to keep the car more planted on the rough pavement and the large tire/wheel combo provides the grip.
Obviously how and where you drive will determine what set-up you run however wider rims and tires (non run-flat) would be a no-brainer IMO when it comes to making the car ride/handle better.

What ever you decide, good luck!
Cheers, Rick

P.S. I carry a Z06 style portable air compressor/flat kit as well as an AAA membership just in case.

 

I have an 01 MN6 and I took out the base sways and replaced them with the z06s and the car just seems to hug the corners better. I did a writeup about them some time back and my quote was something like "On a off ramp my car use to float now it seems to want to be more agressive in the turn".


I will be switching over to the 04 Z06 shocks this winter because I heard the combination really makes for a tight car. I added a new tunnel plate too which should help.

 

I have a 2000 with base suspension I put 04 z06 shocks and z06 sway bars and metal end links the car is great I have not noticed any pushing . the car is lowered about 1 inch ,when I lowered it it felt like it was flooting after the shocks the car is tight not to harsh great mod in my eyes J.M.H.O

 

It seems to me that this all depends on what type of suspension you want. What type of ride you want.
I'm not a drag racer type, I'm more of a highway spirited driver. I need a car to turn at high speed with no body roll whatsoever. The first thing I did was add the Z06 sway bars to stop the body roll. Next came the Bilstein shocks to help out. I left the springs stock intending to somewhat soften the ride on freeways.
Though I'm no expert by any means, this works for me.

 

IMO there is no downside to the Z06 sways I think that we should all junk the base, f45/55, or z51 sways.

The Z06 springs will improve things a lot also but you will notice a decrease in ride comfort.

The z06 (04's) shocks on base springs may cause problems if installed alone (they are tuned to match the springs)

I would recomend installing the z06 sways and then riding in a Z06 durring a long trip and see if you like the ride, if you do, then install the springs and shocks at the same time.

droping the runcraps is the first step and it has no down side.


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