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What exactly does "Z51" mean?

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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 12:42 PM
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Default What exactly does "Z51" mean?

On my '99 FRC, in the glove box, there's a "Service Parts Identification" sticker that has Z51 on it. What exactly is the "Z51" package?
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 12:54 PM
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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.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 01:10 PM
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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!
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 01:14 PM
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Would aftermarket sway bars be a viable upgrade for a 99-00 FRC?
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by rd122481
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.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rd122481
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

Last edited by rgtkst; Feb 17, 2007 at 02:00 PM.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Deft
Would aftermarket sway bars be a viable upgrade for a 99-00 FRC?
the Z06 sways made a huge difference in my 00 cpe. C6 Z06 shocks go on in the morning. that should help also
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 03:01 PM
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Yea I'm thinking tunnel plate also.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 08:04 PM
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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.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 10:37 PM
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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.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 10:46 PM
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Think you would feel a difference between 99 FRC ones and the GM t1 ones? How much are the Z06 ones new?
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Deft
Think you would feel a difference between 99 FRC ones and the GM t1 ones? How much are the Z06 ones new?
~$200, plus the metal end links.
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by BanditDude
~$200, plus the metal end links.
Wow why doesent everyone do it then!
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Old Feb 18, 2007 | 12:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Deft
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.
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Old Feb 18, 2007 | 12:24 AM
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Yea they are a lot compared to the Z ones.
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Old Feb 18, 2007 | 05:59 PM
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Default 2004 Z06 package

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...

HTH,

Sully
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Old Feb 18, 2007 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Deft
Think you would feel a difference between 99 FRC ones and the GM t1 ones? How much are the Z06 ones new?
The T1s are the GM race bar, and you will notice a huge difference. Go from sporty to excruciatingly stiff.
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Old Feb 18, 2007 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by fdxpilot
The T1s are the GM race bar, and you will notice a huge difference. Go from sporty to excruciatingly stiff.
I've got a young back still ! But its still expensive compared to Z06 bars. Where do you all get the endlinks and other hardware from?

Last edited by Deft; Feb 18, 2007 at 07:12 PM.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Deft
I've got a young back still ! But its still expensive compared to Z06 bars. Where do you all get the endlinks and other hardware from?
Either one of our two forum GM vendors or Gene Culley.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 11:51 PM
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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
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