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Z51 is the option code for the high performance suspension upgrade. This included stiffer shocks, springs and larger swaybars. This package was an option on coupes and convertables. All FRC's came standard with this option along with the MN6 tranny. The FRC was originally introduced as a lower cost entry marketed for "sport" as an autocross/HPDE car stripped of a certain number of luxury options to reduce weight. Sales were very poor until they turned it into the Z06 in '01.
Does that mean I have the same suspension as a C5 Z06? I'm trying to determine if "upgrading" to Z06 suspension components would be of any benefit to me. Thanks!
Does that mean I have the same suspension as a C5 Z06? I'm trying to determine if "upgrading" to Z06 suspension components would be of any benefit to me. Thanks!
I am not absolutely certain on this but I believe the Z06 suspension is just a bit stiffer yet, including even larger sways. And of course, it was tweaked each year through 2004. So the best of the best would be the 2004 part numbers if you want the max performance. Whether or not you have the driving skills to explore those differences is another question. So unless you are a serious HPDE participant it would be questionable whether or not an upgrade would be worth the cost. If it's HPDE's you're interested in, I'd spend the money on brakes and tires.
Does that mean I have the same suspension as a C5 Z06? I'm trying to determine if "upgrading" to Z06 suspension components would be of any benefit to me. Thanks!
i think the front spring is the same. the rear is not as stiff as the
Z06. the sways are different also from what i know. but Z51 are still bigger than base. the shocks are different also i think
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Originally Posted by rgtkst
i think the front spring is the same. the rear is not as stiff as the
Z06. the sways are different also from what i know. but Z51 are still bigger than base. the shocks are different also i think
Correct. The Z51 option (standard on FRCs) also included the power steering cooler as well.
I've made all the changes to my FRC and really like it. Oh BTW, lose the RFs too.
Swaybars
23mm, front; 19.1mm, rear --- FE1/Base ( my old bars )
25.4mm, front; 21.7mm, rear --- FE3/Z51 97-99 (your bars)
28.6mm, front; 23.6mm, rear --- FE3/Z51 00-04
** 30.0mm, front; 23.6mm, rear --- FE4/Z06 ** Go with this one
31.75mm, front; 25.4mm, rear --- Hotchkis
38.4mm, front; 27.5mm, rear --- GM T1
Just this weekend I upgraded to the Z06 sway bars, front and rear.
If you have an older '97-'99 C5 with plastic swaybar endlinks, you will need to go to the GM aluminum endlinks for the larger bars, as the old-style plastic ones can snap with the force from the stronger bars.
Go with Z06 bars, anything smaller than the Z06 swaybars is a waste of time as an upgrade.
Think you would feel a difference between 99 FRC ones and the GM t1 ones? How much are the Z06 ones new?
The difference between the T1's and the stock Z06 ones is HUGE by looking at them. I just personally don't know how much better or faster they will make you on the track. So far, nobody here has said what they want them for, so we have no basis for analysis.
I just upgraded to this yesterday...not a hard thing to install at all! Four hours with the sway bars bushings, sway bar end links and also new upgraded tie rod end links. I'm very happy with the tighter feel of the car and the feel in some turns on the way home...
i just purchased the T1 bars...was ready to install them...when i was
told not to run them on the street... i was told that the car would push
badly...now i am stuck with the bars and out $849.00
i was told to keep my z06 bars