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F45 or Z51????

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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 10:23 AM
  #1  
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Default F45 or Z51????

I am ordering my new vert this week and am undecided on suspention. Any input on F45 selective real time damping or Z51 performance handling package would be helpful, thanks.
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 10:49 AM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

Z51. If you go with the F45, after about a month you will wish you had a flatter better handling car. It was the best money I ever spent on my car, was to change the sway bars, from stock to Z51 or better bars!
Best of luck to you on what ever your choice is!

Tim
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 11:57 AM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

If you want to have a good selection on different ride control than get the F45, I disabled mine and went to after market suspension products. The Z51 is what I personally recommend. If you know your going to mod the suspension seriously, save some money order the base suspension and then buy composite springs or coil overs.
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 11:59 AM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

If I would buy a new car I would buy the cheapest possible suspension setup because I would anyway remove the stock parts and get a oem setup. In my case I would call DRM and tell them how I want the car to feel/behave and how I'm going to use the car and probably end up with a very good coilover setup with matching swaybars.

Good luck with your selection and new car !

:cheers:
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 12:22 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

Z51, for the money it is a bargain. I wanted this in an auto and none of the dealers order it this way. I got the six speed instead. It rides slightly stiff, but not bad and it corners like :cool:
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 01:16 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

Z51 performs better than the F45's highest setting.

Other factors, F45 shocks are VERY expensive. Also I have seen concerns when trying to lower a C5 with F45.
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 01:52 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (kewlbrz)

Love my F45... added Z06 bars still have selectable damping... bars flattened out the cornering.. good compromise for me.. touring mode is really nice when you are just crusin', it's much less fatiging on long trips.
Everything seems to be a compromise... trade smooth ride for flat handling.
If you are really looking for the performance type suspension.. I'd take seanr's advice and order with FE1 (base suspension) and aftermarket the coilovers and bars per your requirements... it's would probably cost the almost the same as F45 and a bar upgrade....enjoy your new ride!!
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 02:08 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

Z51... :cool:
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 02:41 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (SRitger)

Z51 is the way to go. You'll save $1000+ over the F45 which is the base suspension with adjustable shocks and your car will handle alot better :yesnod:
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 02:52 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (C54TIM)

Z51. If you go with the F45, after about a month you will wish you had a flatter better handling car. It was the best money I ever spent on my car, was to change the sway bars, from stock to Z51 or better bars!
Best of luck to you on what ever your choice is!

Tim
I have the base suspension and want to add the Z51 sway bars. Does anyone know what the part numbers are for them?
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 03:17 PM
  #11  
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (Big T)

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=217393

Scroll down 3/4's of the page.
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 10:41 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (BLOWNGS)

When I was searching for a vette, I drove a F45 equipped car and I didn't like it. Z51 was the choice for me.
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Old Jan 13, 2002 | 10:52 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (vaka)

I bought mine with A4 and Z51..was on the lot like this. Every tech I asked said the F45 will usually go out at some point and very expensive to fix...I am adding Bilstein and Z06 front sway this week. Dogdoc. :seeya
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Old Jan 14, 2002 | 12:07 AM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (dogdoc)

F45 = Too Much Money

Get the Z51- It is a bargain and it feels great!
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Old Jan 14, 2002 | 12:31 AM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (Closer_2001)

Get the Z-51, best buy for the money.

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Old Jan 14, 2002 | 12:31 PM
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Default Re: F45 or Z51???? (rschiltz)

I have the Z51 on my convertible and my wife has the standard suspension on her coupe. We noticed a major difference between the handling and ride of the two cars. The Z51 handles much better, but, you will sacrifice some ride comfort. If the car is going to be a daily driver and if have rough roads to travel I would suggest getting the F45, otherwise go with the Z51 for performance. Good luck.
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