sway bars
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 237
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From: Monroe NC
sway bars
Quick questions, and please forgive my ignorance. My 99 has adjustable suspension - the real expensive kind to replace - is that called the Z51 suspension? I have three "ride" type options. I thought I would see an indicator in the glove box build info, but didn't see it or at least didn't recognize it.
Second, knowing I have an adjustable suspension, is my sway bar diameter the second on this list?
* C5 Base Suspension: 23 mm-front / 19.1 mm-rear / 3.81mm/2.0mm thickness
* C5 Z51 (97-99): 25.4 mm-front / 21.7 mm-rear
Thanks
Second, knowing I have an adjustable suspension, is my sway bar diameter the second on this list?
* C5 Base Suspension: 23 mm-front / 19.1 mm-rear / 3.81mm/2.0mm thickness
* C5 Z51 (97-99): 25.4 mm-front / 21.7 mm-rear
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Poway CA
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You (and I, on my 98) have the F45 adjustable suspension.
It uses the smaller (base) sway bars.
I have upgraded mine to the larger swaybars. It does make a noticeable improvement in keeping the car settled in corners with bumps.
It uses the smaller (base) sway bars.
I have upgraded mine to the larger swaybars. It does make a noticeable improvement in keeping the car settled in corners with bumps.
Last edited by SDVette; Dec 17, 2012 at 05:36 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 228
From: Kemah Texas
C6Z06 bars would give you more control but they are only recommended for use with a 335 rear tire. The C6Z51 bars are actually larger than the C5Z06 bars and work great on my C5 which originally came with the Z51 suspension. I'd stick with the C6Z51 bars unless I was able to stuff a 335 in the rear wheel well.
Last edited by tomlink; Dec 18, 2012 at 04:46 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
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From: South Dakota
C6Z06 bars would give you more control but they are only recommended for use with a 335 rear tire. The C6Z51 bars are actually larger than the C5Z06 bars and work great on my C5 which originally came with the Z51 suspension. I'd stick with the C6Z51 bars unless I was able to stuff a 335 in the rear wheel well.
The information below was taken from http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...house-com.html from GM Parts House.
Below are the specifications and comparisons of the C6 Z51 sway bars compared to other Corvette suspension packages.
Corvette Sway Bar Specifications
Suspension Front (mm) Rear(mm)
C5 base 23.0 19.1
C5Z51 (97-99) 25.4 21.7
C5Z51 (00-04) 28.6 23.6
C5Z06 30.0 23.6
C6 base 25.5 17.5
C6Z51 31.0 25.4
C6Z06 31.0 28.0
It doesn't state it, but I think the C6 Grand Sports use the C6 Z06 bars.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 162
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From: N. Tonawanda NY
Thanks for the Info on the bars. I guess one should get both C6Z51 for a 01 C5Z06 even though you only pick up 1mm in the frt to balance out the package.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Another way to add stiffness to your existing sway bars is to replace the RUBBER sway bar bushings with poly or urethane bushngs--Energy Suspensions claim that by doing this you add apprx 25% to the rate--
ALSO-- replacing the PLASTIC sway bar end links with the Z06 style METAL end links agains adds another 10-15 % to your rate----
Depends on your goals and your cars use---Remember that larger sway bars and stiffer rates will make the car drive very harsh during normal driving--When you drive over small bumps like road reflectors the car will tend to hop over the bumps raher than drive over them---On my 98 with metal end links and poly bushings and Stock sway bars seems be be a good compromise---But even still my car tends to "hop" over many bumps and its quite annoying--
PS: another way toimprove handing and car stiffness while corneringand also helps traction on hard launches is to replace the TRANS MOUNT with a solid design over the stock rubber piece---I got mine from VBP---
ALSO-- replacing the PLASTIC sway bar end links with the Z06 style METAL end links agains adds another 10-15 % to your rate----
Depends on your goals and your cars use---Remember that larger sway bars and stiffer rates will make the car drive very harsh during normal driving--When you drive over small bumps like road reflectors the car will tend to hop over the bumps raher than drive over them---On my 98 with metal end links and poly bushings and Stock sway bars seems be be a good compromise---But even still my car tends to "hop" over many bumps and its quite annoying--
PS: another way toimprove handing and car stiffness while corneringand also helps traction on hard launches is to replace the TRANS MOUNT with a solid design over the stock rubber piece---I got mine from VBP---
Last edited by tblu92; Dec 19, 2012 at 01:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Poway CA
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I ditched the runflats for this very reason. The sidewalls are brutally firm, transferring every bump to the suspension.
For me the right compromise was the Z06 bars, bushings, and endlinks.. and NON RUNFLAT tires! (same setup used on the Z06)
Last edited by SDVette; Dec 19, 2012 at 02:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
No runflats---- Nitto 555's
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
If you plan to replace your F45 shocks with Z51 or Z06 shocks, here is what you need and some good DIY links:
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-3...7-2004-c5.aspx
http://www.casperselectronics.com/st...90dfa3d23308a2
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=16
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...my-99-frc.html
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Dec 22, 2012 at 11:45 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
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From: Concord California
Just picked up a set of C5 Z06 sway bars, purchased aluminum links and have the black poly bushings. I too have the F45 and was wondering the ride quality when I replace the stock sway bars with the Z06. If they are too harsh, I'll be switching back or swaping to the Z51 sway bars. I wanted to improve the ride and cornering ability not make it harsh and just doing the sway bars I thought would do that since I'm keeping the F45 shocks I have the selection on firmness.. I hope...
