Suspension
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
It depends on what you want to do with your Vette.
For cruising around, soft suspension is good.
For track use, you want stiffer suspension.
Z51 has bigger swaybars (not as thick as Z06). I don't know if the springs are base or stiffer.
For cruising around, soft suspension is good.
For track use, you want stiffer suspension.
Z51 has bigger swaybars (not as thick as Z06). I don't know if the springs are base or stiffer.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
I was considering putting Z06 shocks on. Not sure how it would work with the soft ride suspension.
Terminal Vette Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 46
From: Philly PA
I drove a sharp curve open hiway at 130's, the car used to push hard to the left... about 2 to 3 feet in the deep curve.
Changed the stock z51 to:
1.) Z06 composite springs
2.) hotchkis sway bars
3.) hotchkis end links (grease fitting ones)
4.) blistein sports
Now the ride is not only more percise, i can do the same sharp curve at 160's (no push at ALL) but the road bumps believe it or not i dont feel at all now like i used to.
Expect a 10 hour labor job and then some. :-)
Changed the stock z51 to:
1.) Z06 composite springs
2.) hotchkis sway bars
3.) hotchkis end links (grease fitting ones)
4.) blistein sports
Now the ride is not only more percise, i can do the same sharp curve at 160's (no push at ALL) but the road bumps believe it or not i dont feel at all now like i used to.
Expect a 10 hour labor job and then some. :-)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I have an 02 ZO6. I have let a number of friends drive it and they all say, Hea, this isn't bad at all!!
). Meaning that they were told by "someone" that the ZO6's ride rough! It all depends on what your definition of ROUGH is. If you slide you A$$ out of a Lexus and hop into a C5, it going to be ROUGH!
I put 06 C6 ZO6 shocks on my 02 ZO6. There firmer shocks and have better dampening. There not rougher as much as firmer, if you know what I'm getting at. Guess what? The set of FOUR new in the box C6 ZO6 shocks were $230!!
There also an exact no muss/no fuss bolt in fit replacement!!!!
Well worth the time and money!
If you add ZO6 sway bars, metal end links and ZO6 shocks (from what ever year you prefer (C5 ZO6 shocks are EXPENSIVE!),,you will feel the car connect to the road better! I did that on my 98 and enjoyed every second of it.
BC
). Meaning that they were told by "someone" that the ZO6's ride rough! It all depends on what your definition of ROUGH is. If you slide you A$$ out of a Lexus and hop into a C5, it going to be ROUGH! I put 06 C6 ZO6 shocks on my 02 ZO6. There firmer shocks and have better dampening. There not rougher as much as firmer, if you know what I'm getting at. Guess what? The set of FOUR new in the box C6 ZO6 shocks were $230!!
There also an exact no muss/no fuss bolt in fit replacement!!!!
Well worth the time and money!
If you add ZO6 sway bars, metal end links and ZO6 shocks (from what ever year you prefer (C5 ZO6 shocks are EXPENSIVE!),,you will feel the car connect to the road better! I did that on my 98 and enjoyed every second of it.
BC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
I have an 02 ZO6. I have let a number of friends drive it and they all say, Hea, this isn't bad at all!! ). Meaning that they were told by "someone" that the ZO6's ride rough! It all depends on what your definition of ROUGH is. If you slide you A$$ out of a Lexus and hop into a C5, it going to be ROUGH!
I put 06 C6 ZO6 shocks on my 02 ZO6. There firmer shocks and have better dampening. There not rougher as much as firmer, if you know what I'm getting at. Guess what? The set of FOUR new in the box C6 ZO6 shocks were $230!!
There also an exact no muss/no fuss bolt in fit replacement!!!!
Well worth the time and money!
Bill, I installed a cat back on a 99 coupe. It had plastic end links. My 2000 Coupe has metal end links. Is that an upgrade or factory? Thanks, Bill
If you add ZO6 sway bars, metal end links and ZO6 shocks (from what ever year you prefer (C5 ZO6 shocks are EXPENSIVE!),,you will feel the car connect to the road better! I did that on my 98 and enjoyed every second of it.
BC
). Meaning that they were told by "someone" that the ZO6's ride rough! It all depends on what your definition of ROUGH is. If you slide you A$$ out of a Lexus and hop into a C5, it going to be ROUGH! I put 06 C6 ZO6 shocks on my 02 ZO6. There firmer shocks and have better dampening. There not rougher as much as firmer, if you know what I'm getting at. Guess what? The set of FOUR new in the box C6 ZO6 shocks were $230!!
There also an exact no muss/no fuss bolt in fit replacement!!!!
Well worth the time and money!
Bill, I installed a cat back on a 99 coupe. It had plastic end links. My 2000 Coupe has metal end links. Is that an upgrade or factory? Thanks, Bill
If you add ZO6 sway bars, metal end links and ZO6 shocks (from what ever year you prefer (C5 ZO6 shocks are EXPENSIVE!),,you will feel the car connect to the road better! I did that on my 98 and enjoyed every second of it.
BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
You can find then thru Gene Culley gmpartshouse.com
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
From: Madison Wisconsin
I would do it. I'm getting the entire z06 suspension for an extremely good deal and I can't wait to install it. I love firm rides. It makes you feel like your more in control of the car and you are actually driving a performance car.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
I think my 2000 Coupe has the soft ride suspension..but it has metal end links. Anyway to check on this?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
I went from the base suspension to new Z06 Springs, Z06 Sways and Bilstein Sport shocks with no regrets at all. Cornering is more precise.
I rode with a friend in his 02 Coupe with factory Z51 suspension. It felt very similar to the Z06 suspension from the pass. seat.
Either way you will enjoy the better performance over the base suspension.
LS1 How to has a guide to installing the springs if you care to tackle it youself. It's not to complicated. Here is a link...
http://www.ls1howto.com/
Bob
I rode with a friend in his 02 Coupe with factory Z51 suspension. It felt very similar to the Z06 suspension from the pass. seat.
Either way you will enjoy the better performance over the base suspension.
LS1 How to has a guide to installing the springs if you care to tackle it youself. It's not to complicated. Here is a link...
http://www.ls1howto.com/
Bob