How big a change will swapping out the base springs to Z06 springs make? If I am already doing the Z06 Sways, poly bushings and Bilstein sports ,will the springs make a huge difference??

Thanks,
S.

 

I am interested with this question also. I just bought the Z06 Sway bars, springs, poly bushings and Bilstein sport shocks. Waiting for the shocks and bushings to arrive.

 

I think you'll definately feel the difference. I went from F55 springs, slightly stiffer than Base, but softer than Z51, to the Z06 springs and Hotchkis Sways. Stayed with F55 shocks. There is a bit more bounce in the rear, but nothing to complain about. Best,

mtv

 

When I installed the Z06 sway bars I noticed a big difference in in that my car handled and stayed flatter on curvy/twisty roads, just felt more like a sport car ride. Big bang for the buck.When I installed the Bilstein sports my stock shocks were still almost new but still noticed quicker rebound but not a major difference. If you have older shocks = more improvement. I then added the Z06 springs for the icing on the cake. The addition of the springs slightly stiffened up the ride which I like but the wife was not as thrilled. The Z06 springs are a little pricy$ and harder to install so will rate them least bang for the buck. All of my comments are based on my 04 vert. with stock runflat tires and a novice driver without track time experience.

 

Yes, they will completely change the car. Seriously. I respectfully disagree with the post above. The springs completely changed the turning and handling characteristics of the car. ESPECIALLY IF YOU TRACK YOURS, which I believe you do.

The sways are nice and improve flatness some, but you will not truly benefit without the springs in my opinion.

Here's a review of the suspension mods I did in order. I recently tracked the completed car on a fast track and absolutely love it. I cannot believ I ever tracked my '01 with FE1 suspension.

=======

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).

 

big difference

 

Thank you for the insight. Would you reccomend the VBP Springs over the Z06's?

Now that I am going to do this I want to get the best.

Thanks again for answering all my questions!

Later,
S.

 

VBP springs are great depends on how radical you want to get. If you want a great track car get 1000 front and 800 lb rear and some revalved Bilstein Sports. It would not bother me to drive it on the street but some are fussy.

 

Would these springs be a good fit with Z06 Bars or do I need to go with something stiffer?? (BMR, Hotchkis, T1)

Thanks again for all of your patience answering my questions.

Feel free to tell me to PFO. (Please Fook Off)

Later,
S.

 

How serious are you going to get?

Reason I ask, is while I've never personally driven a T1 car, I've heard for the street they're just nuts. I know, it's all relative, but you do reach a point where it's rediculous.

I am relatively new to this, kind of got stars in my eyes thinking wow I'll put on a T1 setup and just be king of the track then realized I'm nowhere near good enough to take advantage of it anyway, and went a full Z06 setup and am VERY happy for my skill level.

The other thing I'd note is that flatter and stiffer isn't always better. I'd question whether springs that hard and swaybars that stiff would be appropriate for street tires. Are you running DOTs or slicks? If you're running street tires you may find there there isn't enough transfer to help you stick. I experience a microcosm (sp?) of this with the Z06 setup and EMTs. I wasn't sticking, I just skittered across the pavement.

Just some things to think about. Hope it helps some.

 

I am just planning casual track days, nothing too serious... At least until Ferrari wise up and dump that bum Schumacher

I am running non-runflat tires now and will probably continue to do so, but not DOT's.

Thanks again, looks like I will follow your example and go all Z06.

Later,
S.

 

From what I read I would go Z06 or Z51 springs and T-1 bars.