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Yes, but you wouldn't want to use them unless you had the 335's on the back. Stick with the C6 Z51's for the C5.
Actually wondering if C6 Z06 Pfadt sway bars will fit my C5.. seems like used ones come up more often on the C6 forum vs C5 and wanted to take advantage of some good pricing...Gene, if they do bolt up with no clearance issues, what potential problems would be encountered?
I put a set on our run-flatted, base suspension A4 coupe and I love them. Very stable and no problems at all. It's the wife's C5 but I've been driving it this week to work int the cold and some slick roads and no problems at all. Here's the install thread.
I have a set of Hotchkis bars on my modded M6 with a set of 305's on the back. The C6 Z bars on the A4 made it feel closer to the feel of that one. Of course, there is less traction with the runflats on the A4 but that's no different than before and the improved handling helps with that.
The C6Z06 bars can leave your car with a little too much oversteer, as in the rear will be prone to break free. The C6Z51 bars are the same front but a slightly smaller rear which should balance the car better. I have C5Z06 bars which are close in size to the C6Z51 and it will sometimes slide the front wheels but it will most likely break free in the rear. So, I wouldn't want more rear bar to make it even more "loose". However, it's your call...
I have a theory on why the C6Z51 bars are a little stiffer than the C5Z06. Look at the two cars parked next to each other. Which has the lower center of gravity? My guess is the C5Z06 has a slightly lower CG so it would make sense to require less bar. The C6Z06 has a larger rear bar, but look at the rear tires, much more grip available so the larger rear helps to balance the handling. Larger bars are not always better.
The C6Z06 bars can leave your car with a little too much oversteer, as in the rear will be prone to break free. The C6Z51 bars are the same front but a slightly smaller rear which should balance the car better. I have C5Z06 bars which are close in size to the C6Z51 and it will sometimes slide the front wheels but it will most likely break free in the rear. So, I wouldn't want more rear bar to make it even more "loose". However, it's your call...
Peter
bigger the better says me...if someone was installing fat sways, it would be kinda of a waste if they are still running runflats...considering they are the worst tire ever made for performance
I have a theory on why the C6Z51 bars are a little stiffer than the C5Z06. Look at the two cars parked next to each other. Which has the lower center of gravity? My guess is the C5Z06 has a slightly lower CG so it would make sense to require less bar. The C6Z06 has a larger rear bar, but look at the rear tires, much more grip available so the larger rear helps to balance the handling. Larger bars are not always better.
You can say what you want but it does not change the fact that too big a rear bar relative to the front bar will make the back of the car break free first. Conversely, too big of a front bar relative to the rear bar will make the car slide the front wheels.
I've read posts from people saying the C6Z06 bars are great on their C5. One was running 315's on the rear so no wonder. Others, well it's a personal thing. But, if you look at the typical C5 tire ratio vs the C6Z51 car it's a a better match than the C6Z06. Also, I read a post from I think it was Pfadt that said the C6Z51 were the best stock GM bars for a C5.
Peter
Last edited by lionelhutz; 01-15-2010 at 07:59 PM.
So basically we've established that the C6 Z51 bars are thicker than the C5Z06 bars and the C6Z06 bars are even thicker than the Z51...and that the C6 bars will bolt up.
For anyone who's installed the C6 bars (Z51 or Z06 ) on their C5, are there any issues? does the car handle better than it did with the C5Z bars?
Gene, what would happen? would it just break loose way too easy?
Originally Posted by HiVoltge
Actually wondering if C6 Z06 Pfadt sway bars will fit my C5.. seems like used ones come up more often on the C6 forum vs C5 and wanted to take advantage of some good pricing...Gene, if they do bolt up with no clearance issues, what potential problems would be encountered?
Honestly, you can put the bars on if you want. A handful of people have used the C6Z06 bars on the stock C5 and haven't had any issues and a couple people told me they almost lost the car coming out of a turn the first time they drove it. They say it is way too responsive with the smaller tires. I'll sell you what you want, it is just my opinion.
Actually wondering if C6 Z06 Pfadt sway bars will fit my C5.. seems like used ones come up more often on the C6 forum vs C5 and wanted to take advantage of some good pricing...Gene, if they do bolt up with no clearance issues, what potential problems would be encountered?
Here are the bar sizes
C5Base 23.0 19.1
C5Z06 30.0 23.6
C6Z51 31.0 25.4
C6Z06 31.0 28.0
C6 Pfadt Street 34.9 25.4
So, assuming the spring rate of the bar follows the diameter then the C6 Pfadt street bars look OK but on the other hand that set is heavy on the front bar. Likely, it will keep the car flat yet not tend to slide out the rear end. Maybe some-one has a set and could comment. Also, the Pfadt front and C6Z06 rear just might make a good combination.
The base 23/19.1 = 1.20 ratio is very close to the C6Z51 31/25.4 = 1.22 ratio.
for the op. i installed a set of c6z51 bars on my 01z from gene culley and there were no fitment issues at all. they went right on and i feel it was a good upgrade. plus gene got me the deal of a lifetime (thanks for that gene). hope this answers your question
01-13-2010, 08:08 PM
Will C6 Z06 sway bars fit a C5?
