Its a big improvement over what you have presently and would highly recommend it. I have Z06 bars also... 
How do Zo6 sway bars affect handling?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
How do Zo6 sway bars affect handling?
I am thinking of installing Zo6 sways on my '01 with standar suspension. I have read all of the sway bar threads and it looks like Z06 bars are the best bang for the buck. However, I also read that they unbalance your handling because they were designed to work in conjunction with Z06 springs (which have different front to back spring ratios than standard suspension). So, for those of you that have them with standard suspension, what's the handeling like? For those that have raced with them with standard suspension, do they improve your cornering adhesion?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
I've had Z06 bars with the 04 Z06 shocks on my coupe with the standard springs with no problem at all. The car handles great with no issues (balance or otherwise). Its a big improvement over what you have presently and would highly recommend it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,606
Likes: 219
From: Ohio
I added the Z06 swaybars to my stock 2004 CE coupe. The springs and shocks are stock. The new swaybars reduced roll nicely, and the ride is unchanged.
Good improvement.
I have noticed no negatives from the upgrade.
Z06 shocks are my next suspension change...some time.
Good improvement.
I have noticed no negatives from the upgrade.
Z06 shocks are my next suspension change...some time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 815
Likes: 75
From: Lincoln CA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
I have a 2004 coupe with the Z06 swaybars and 2004 Z06 shocks. The base spring ratio, front rate as a percentage of rear rate, is fairly close to the Z06, actually -- 83.8% base versus 80.8% for the Z06. (As an aside, the Z51 ratio is 91.0%. The factory uses the Z06 rear swaybar, but a somewhat softer front bar to compensate for the different spring ratio) If you notice the slight increase in understeer after adding the Z06 bars (and you probably won't), you can adjust by running slightly different tire pressures front-to-rear. I run 31 psi front and 29 psi rear and it feels as if it slightly oversteers relative to the original base suspension.
The Z06 shocks firmed everything up quite noticeably and made the car feel much more under control on curvy mountain roads. The shocks have been on the car just a short time, so I'm still assessing performance. I haven't encountered any negatives to not having the Z06 springs along with the shocks and swaybars, but time will tell. So far, I'm pleased with just the Z06 shocks and swaybars.
Hope this helps you make your decision.
Ernie
The Z06 shocks firmed everything up quite noticeably and made the car feel much more under control on curvy mountain roads. The shocks have been on the car just a short time, so I'm still assessing performance. I haven't encountered any negatives to not having the Z06 springs along with the shocks and swaybars, but time will tell. So far, I'm pleased with just the Z06 shocks and swaybars.
Hope this helps you make your decision.
Ernie
Last edited by ErnieD; Oct 19, 2005 at 11:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by black04
I have a 2004 coupe with the Z06 swaybars and 2004 Z06 shocks. The base spring ratio, front rate as a percentage of rear rate, is fairly close to the Z06, actually -- 83.8% base versus 80.8% for the Z06. (As an aside, the Z51 ratio is 91.0%. The factory uses the Z06 rear swaybar, but a somewhat softer front bar to compensate for the different spring ratio) If you notice the slight increase in understeer after adding the Z06 bars (and you probably won't), you can adjust by running slightly different tire pressures front-to-rear. I run 31 psi front and 29 psi rear and it feels as if it slightly oversteers relative to the original base suspension.
The Z06 shocks firmed everything up quite noticeably and made the car feel much more under control on curvy mountain roads. The shocks have been on the car just a short time, so I'm still assessing performance. I haven't encountered any negatives to not having the Z06 springs along with the shocks and swaybars, but time will tell. So far, I'm pleased with just the Z06 shocks and swaybars.
Hope this helps you make your decision.
Ernie
The Z06 shocks firmed everything up quite noticeably and made the car feel much more under control on curvy mountain roads. The shocks have been on the car just a short time, so I'm still assessing performance. I haven't encountered any negatives to not having the Z06 springs along with the shocks and swaybars, but time will tell. So far, I'm pleased with just the Z06 shocks and swaybars.
Hope this helps you make your decision.
Ernie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 815
Likes: 75
From: Lincoln CA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
Originally Posted by craig04c5
How did the Z06 shocks affect the ride? Is it harsh?
Ernie
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 37
From: Burbank. CA.
By just adding Z06 bars you will get more understeer. Your car will turn in better and feel more responsive, but at the limit it will understeer more then what you have. You could go with Z-51 which has the same rear bar as the Z06, but with a smaller front.
I went with a Z06 front and a Hotchkis rear. Whatever you decide don't expect much. Your car will feel alot quicker, but it won't be that much. Tires make the most difference. Everything else Alignment, shocks, springs and swaybars make it all come together.
Steve
I went with a Z06 front and a Hotchkis rear. Whatever you decide don't expect much. Your car will feel alot quicker, but it won't be that much. Tires make the most difference. Everything else Alignment, shocks, springs and swaybars make it all come together.
Steve
Last edited by mountainbiker2; Oct 20, 2005 at 07:05 PM.
