Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
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From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars?
From base 98 vette suspention to either z51, or maybe an after market unit, if so, which one? Will this be a mod I can feel under "spirited" driving :D I'm wanting to know what would help a base vette handle closer or better compared to an optioned one without to much $$$.
Also, why are all the aftermarket z06 wheels crome, any one sell the with the regular OEM finish? What street drag radials are available for the zo6 wide rear tire size?
Also, why are all the aftermarket z06 wheels crome, any one sell the with the regular OEM finish? What street drag radials are available for the zo6 wide rear tire size?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 2
From: Sindelfingen Germany
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
I upgraded my ´98 coupe/F45 with Y2K Z51 sway bars and I can tell you: it was one of the most effective mods I have done. Still comfort on straight driving and much more fun when cornering because the car really doesn´t roll so much as before.
Frederik
Frederik
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 2
From: Sindelfingen Germany
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
cool, how much and where did you get them?
Frederik
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 442
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
Hi, you can get'm from Bob @ Fichtner Chevy.
Steve
Z51 Front Stab Bar $ 117.62
Z51 Rear Stab Bar $ 60.35
Z51 Front Metal Links $ 90.34
Z51 Front Bar Bushings $ 11.60
Z51 Rear Bar Bushings $ 18.52
Z51 Package Total $ 298.43
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=243106
Steve
Z51 Front Stab Bar $ 117.62
Z51 Rear Stab Bar $ 60.35
Z51 Front Metal Links $ 90.34
Z51 Front Bar Bushings $ 11.60
Z51 Rear Bar Bushings $ 18.52
Z51 Package Total $ 298.43
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=243106
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (SNW Vette)
So how about the Z06 kit? Its that any better or about the same as the Z51? I am looking at upgrading since I got the stock FE1 as well....
:seeya
:seeya
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (Ryan2002C5)
I went with the Z06 sway bars myself. The difference over the base suspension was HUGE. Ride quality for normal driving is unchanged, but throw the car into a hard corner and the difference is immediately noticable and impressive.
Best mod there is for base C5's in my opinion.
Best mod there is for base C5's in my opinion.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
There is a huge diference in the Z51 suspension to the standard base suspension. I knew this when I took several test drives back when I bought my '99. I do plan on going with the Bilstein shocks but the main reason for this is because I'm lowering the car. I've also been in a car with it lowered and teh billsteins and I was impresssed at High Speed handling compared to my car. So it can be concluded without a doubut, as far as I'm concerend, that the Z51 along with the Bilsteins will definitively yields some sigificant perf improvement and if you get rid of teh runcraps you'll ahve a totally different car from what I hear.
However, I don't know about Z06 (or Hotchkis) sways in the front (the rears are the same). Sure, the Z06 handles better than the non-z06 but that may be attributed mostly to the different tires. The fact is I hear mixed versions of how much of a significant difference front sways are, atleast for street use.
There are also posts on Hotchkis sways which some feel are better than the Z06. However, there have also been posts concerning noises that the Hotchkis makes so I would do more research on this if I were you.
The performance of front sways may play a greater role for track or autocrossing but I have to get into one and see for myself before I buy them.
However, I don't know about Z06 (or Hotchkis) sways in the front (the rears are the same). Sure, the Z06 handles better than the non-z06 but that may be attributed mostly to the different tires. The fact is I hear mixed versions of how much of a significant difference front sways are, atleast for street use.
There are also posts on Hotchkis sways which some feel are better than the Z06. However, there have also been posts concerning noises that the Hotchkis makes so I would do more research on this if I were you.
The performance of front sways may play a greater role for track or autocrossing but I have to get into one and see for myself before I buy them.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, N.Y.
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
I upgraded a 2001 coupe with the base suspension to Z06 front and rear sway bars including new metal links. It's like riding in a total different car. One of the best upgrades I ever did!!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
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From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (Ha-Ha)
thanks for all the great info, and Z51 Package Total $ 298.43 sounds great? How much was this option when bought with the car!? If its less then that, not sur why anyone wouldn't want it!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
thanks for all the great info, and Z51 Package Total $ 298.43 sounds great? How much was this option when bought with the car!? If its less then that, not sur why anyone wouldn't want it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (Ha-Ha)
One word of advice, don't try this alone in the driveway without ramps! It took me a over a hour to get the front one on because there's no ground clearance, I didn't have any help. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,503
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From: Tupelo Ms
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
Now I'm not sure if I should go z51, or z06?
Go with the Z06 package from Ken, about the same cost, plus the front sway bar is a little larger. I have a 2001 coupe with the base suspension and went with the Z06 bars and Bilstein Sport shocks, great mod. Large improvement in ride and handling. :cheers: :yesnod:
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (TexCorvette)
There is a noticeable difference between the Z-51 setup and the Hotchkiss setup. The Hotchkiss bars offer so much roll resistance that they start to overwhelm the tires. (in my case, Nitto 555's). And they cost twice as much. If you push your car VERY hard, go with the Hotchkiss, if not, the Z-51 setup should be adequate. ;)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
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From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Worth it to upgrade Sway Bars? (turboo2u)
From ken? This site or the link provided above for the z51 for about $300? I mean if they are the same price, might as well go z06 I would think?