Gene Cully on this forum sells them. You don't need poly bushings.
Which sway bars?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Which sway bars?
I'm thinking about upgrading my suspension. Nothing crazy, I just want to get a little tighter on turns. I've got the soft-ride 2002 C5.
I think I'm just going to go with a Z06 front and rear set. Will that be noticeable enough or should I jump to some of the stiffer aftermarket stuff? The car is not a daily driver but I will get driven decent distances. I also won't be doing any track driving.
I think I'm just going to go with a Z06 front and rear set. Will that be noticeable enough or should I jump to some of the stiffer aftermarket stuff? The car is not a daily driver but I will get driven decent distances. I also won't be doing any track driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Z06 sway bars will do the trick Also--you can just replace your stock front and rear sway bar bushubgs from the stock rubber ones to the poly ones from Energy Suspension and then remove the stock plastic end links and replace them with the Z06 metal end links--this will probably be enough as C5's in my opinion don't need much of a sway bar anyway--I have run my car without the front bar completly when drag racing and on the way home on the freeway--can't hardly tell the difference--
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Any noticeable differences between the z51 and the z06's?
I don't want to disturb the ride too much but at the same time I'm looking for real results. So if I have to sacrifice some comfort I'm OK with that. As long as its not too extreme.
I don't want to disturb the ride too much but at the same time I'm looking for real results. So if I have to sacrifice some comfort I'm OK with that. As long as its not too extreme.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Z06 sway bars will do the trick Also--you can just replace your stock front and rear sway bar bushubgs from the stock rubber ones to the poly ones from Energy Suspension and then remove the stock plastic end links and replace them with the Z06 metal end links--this will probably be enough as C5's in my opinion don't need much of a sway bar anyway--I have run my car without the front bar completly when drag racing and on the way home on the freeway--can't hardly tell the difference--
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
On my 2000 I replaced the base sway bars with C6 Z06 sways, the front bar on the C6 Z51 and C6 Z06 are the same, the rear C6 Z06 bar is slighty larger than the Z51. I also replaced the end links with metal ones, but your 2002 should already have the metal end links I believe. I did not use the poly bushings as I would be as stiff as I wanted with the larger bars, did not want to have to continue to grease or wrap them in teflon tape or hear squeaks, and I also replaced the front and rear springs with C5 Z51 springs. Then I replaced the shocks with C6 Z06 shocks. The handling is much better but really only notice it when pushing it through the turns. The ride may be stiffer but I have not found you feel it very much. I would say it feels tighter but not harsh. Lastly I am adding new rims and tires. 18x9.5 up front with 275's and 19x11 in the rear with 305's. At that point I am done with suspension mods for my DD 2000. Then on to the power mods!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I'm guessing I have Standard tires on the C5. If thats the case would the Z06 bar in the rear lead to the tail possiby getting away from me? My goal is to feel more in control when cornering at higher speeds.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
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From: Western NY
Tire size isn't the real issue, it's whether or not you have run-flat tires or non run-flats. The run flats have a much stiffer sidewall, so they ride harder......but they will get you home on "zero" tire pressure. This is an important consideration, since Corvettes don't come equipped with spare tires.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I have C6 Z51 bars on mine and like the improvement. You will notice it around turns. I'm planning on doing the C6Z shocks sometime soon...
I've always heard that if you're running less than a 315 rear tire you should go with the Z51 bars...
I've always heard that if you're running less than a 315 rear tire you should go with the Z51 bars...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
So after a little research I think the C6 Zr1 sways will be the best for my purposes. Seems to be the best combo of performance and comfort.
They will be a direct fit for my 2002, correct?
I should be adding a vararam and powerduct by the end of the week. Maybe after the upgrades I'll be doing more driving and less washing, ha ha.
They will be a direct fit for my 2002, correct?
I should be adding a vararam and powerduct by the end of the week. Maybe after the upgrades I'll be doing more driving and less washing, ha ha.