C6 Z06 Sway Bars Question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Coeur D'Alene, ID
C6 Z06 Sway Bars Question
Hey all,
I have a 99 FRC (Z51 Obviously) without the ride selection option. I have a few suspension upgrades including lowered on stock bolts and brand new 2011 C6 Z06 shocks (which feel amazing when hitting the loop type off/on ramps BTW for those who are considering buying these shocks, DO IT).
My question to you guys is should I invest in the C6 Z06 sway bars? I understand they are slightly thicker and stiffen up the front in cornering especially, but since I have the C5 Z51 sways do I really need the upgrade? I have always put Hotchkis on every car I have owned, and saving money on suspension isnt a big deal to me because I know the quality of Hotchkis will always be great.
Do any of you currently have the C6Z sways and what are your thoughts? Any noticeable differences?
I have a 99 FRC (Z51 Obviously) without the ride selection option. I have a few suspension upgrades including lowered on stock bolts and brand new 2011 C6 Z06 shocks (which feel amazing when hitting the loop type off/on ramps BTW for those who are considering buying these shocks, DO IT).
My question to you guys is should I invest in the C6 Z06 sway bars? I understand they are slightly thicker and stiffen up the front in cornering especially, but since I have the C5 Z51 sways do I really need the upgrade? I have always put Hotchkis on every car I have owned, and saving money on suspension isnt a big deal to me because I know the quality of Hotchkis will always be great.
Do any of you currently have the C6Z sways and what are your thoughts? Any noticeable differences?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Coeur D'Alene, ID
Is there a considerable difference in size between the Z51 and Z06?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 5
From: Metairie LA
Tire size is dictated by wheel size and offset, not the bars. I forgot my fronts-2.85x35x18 (I think) and the rears are 305x30x19. Here"s a chart from Pfadt that will give your relative stiffness for various C6 bars:
http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/da...Comparison.jpg
http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/da...Comparison.jpg
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Coeur D'Alene, ID
Tire size is dictated by wheel size and offset, not the bars. I forgot my fronts-2.85x35x18 (I think) and the rears are 305x30x19. Here"s a chart from Pfadt that will give your relative stiffness for various C6 bars:
http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/da...Comparison.jpg
http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/da...Comparison.jpg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Tire size is dictated by wheel size and offset, not the bars. I forgot my fronts-2.85x35x18 (I think) and the rears are 305x30x19. Here"s a chart from Pfadt that will give your relative stiffness for various C6 bars:
http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/da...Comparison.jpg
http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/da...Comparison.jpg
Sorry Phil, but that's a wrong answer....
You need to match sway bars with the wheel and tire sizes you intend to use to optimize the handling. While the tires have to fit the wheels, there's a big variation in what tires you can put on a given set of wheels.
For instance, the C6Z has bigger rear tires relative to the fronts and uses more rear roll stiffness to balance it. Conversely, lots of guys running track days or racing go to a square setup with equal size tires front and rear. I you do that on a C5 you need to increase the front roll stiffness to keep the balance. Otherwise the car will be really tail happy.
If you upsize tires on both ends of the car pretty close to equally you will retain your balance. If you increase the amount of tire relative to one end or the other, you need to also look at the roll stiffness distribution to get the car back into balance.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Coeur D'Alene, ID
EERRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTT As they say on the game shows,,
Sorry Phil, but that's a wrong answer....
You need to match sway bars with the wheel and tire sizes you intend to use to optimize the handling. While the tires have to fit the wheels, there's a big variation in what tires you can put on a given set of wheels.
For instance, the C6Z has bigger rear tires relative to the fronts and uses more rear roll stiffness to balance it. Conversely, lots of guys running track days or racing go to a square setup with equal size tires front and rear. I you do that on a C5 you need to increase the front roll stiffness to keep the balance. Otherwise the car will be really tail happy.
If you upsize tires on both ends of the car pretty close to equally you will retain your balance. If you increase the amount of tire relative to one end or the other, you need to also look at the roll stiffness distribution to get the car back into balance.
Sorry Phil, but that's a wrong answer....
You need to match sway bars with the wheel and tire sizes you intend to use to optimize the handling. While the tires have to fit the wheels, there's a big variation in what tires you can put on a given set of wheels.
For instance, the C6Z has bigger rear tires relative to the fronts and uses more rear roll stiffness to balance it. Conversely, lots of guys running track days or racing go to a square setup with equal size tires front and rear. I you do that on a C5 you need to increase the front roll stiffness to keep the balance. Otherwise the car will be really tail happy.
If you upsize tires on both ends of the car pretty close to equally you will retain your balance. If you increase the amount of tire relative to one end or the other, you need to also look at the roll stiffness distribution to get the car back into balance.
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
If you chose the Z sways, you need a 325 tire in the back or wider to compensate for the thicker bars!
If you have 305s, you should choose the Z51 sways! This will work best for your setup!
This is a 345/19 Drag radial! They are Huge!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: El Segundo/Dana Point Ca. Ca
I had my shop install C6Z shocks and sways, I chose the C6Z sways over the Z51 because I am doing a mini tub and 345s!
If you chose the Z sways, you need a 325 tire in the back or wider to compensate for the thicker bars!
If you have 305s, you should choose the Z51 sways! This will work best for your setup!
This is a 345/19 Drag radial! They are Huge!
If you chose the Z sways, you need a 325 tire in the back or wider to compensate for the thicker bars!
If you have 305s, you should choose the Z51 sways! This will work best for your setup!
This is a 345/19 Drag radial! They are Huge!
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
Yes they came with the wheels, Factory Reproduction from Discount Tires! I wanted the plain ones but they sent me these! Oh well.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: El Segundo/Dana Point Ca. Ca
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 979
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
I'm running Bilstein Sport shocks with C6 Z51 sways. My rear tires are 11.5 wide so I could have also gone with Z06 bars but decided on the Z51 in case I change wheels and end up with a narrower rear tire. For now my combo works GREAT!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 5
From: Metairie LA
Solofast
I was trying to give him a quick (generic) answer as opposed to a tutorial on chassis setup. Agreed, the bigger the tire, and the more the offset (think tubbing or widebody), the more leverage the suspension generates against the chassis and bars, and a larger bar is indicated. That being said, if he's going with 3.05s and staying within the confines of the factory fenders, I think, as stated above, the Z51s will work. Tubbing, flared fenders-not so much. And it really depends on what he's doing with the car-street or race. My $.02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
I was trying to give him a quick (generic) answer as opposed to a tutorial on chassis setup. Agreed, the bigger the tire, and the more the offset (think tubbing or widebody), the more leverage the suspension generates against the chassis and bars, and a larger bar is indicated. That being said, if he's going with 3.05s and staying within the confines of the factory fenders, I think, as stated above, the Z51s will work. Tubbing, flared fenders-not so much. And it really depends on what he's doing with the car-street or race. My $.02.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 666
Likes: 2
From: Weston WV
OK i have a 2001 coupe,heads cam intake, full exhaust. I don't trackthe car much but i do autocross it and i live in the twisties and am quite particular about my cars feel.
I put on c6z06 sways first thing off... rear bar was way too much, certain bumps and turns it felt like the tail was wagging the dog. added c6z06 shocks, it was better, added wider tires on heavier wheels, it wasn't too bad. handled well but felt unsettled at certain spots, I added c5z06 springs and it all came together. very nicely.
so if i had to do it again, i'd definitely go with a C6 front bar, and probabally a c6z51 rear bar, i think the z06 is too much like many folks reccomended when i got mine, but i got a great price on it.
that said, I'llbe selling my entire setup socks springs and sway bars, in the near future going with pfadt coil overs, and either johnny oconnel sway bars from PFADT or their adjustable light race bar.
make sure you use the metal end links and polyurethane bushings, and have good alignment settings for your driving style, not the generic factory grandpa ones.
I put on c6z06 sways first thing off... rear bar was way too much, certain bumps and turns it felt like the tail was wagging the dog. added c6z06 shocks, it was better, added wider tires on heavier wheels, it wasn't too bad. handled well but felt unsettled at certain spots, I added c5z06 springs and it all came together. very nicely.
so if i had to do it again, i'd definitely go with a C6 front bar, and probabally a c6z51 rear bar, i think the z06 is too much like many folks reccomended when i got mine, but i got a great price on it.
that said, I'llbe selling my entire setup socks springs and sway bars, in the near future going with pfadt coil overs, and either johnny oconnel sway bars from PFADT or their adjustable light race bar.
make sure you use the metal end links and polyurethane bushings, and have good alignment settings for your driving style, not the generic factory grandpa ones.
