Rear spring upgrade
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
ALL FRCs are RPO Z51 cars and the front spring is indeed the same. When I changed mine out a few years ago I also changed the anti-roll bars at the same time, and later the shocks. Made a definite (positive) difference in handling.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
I was going to get an alignment after I install my JOC Stage 1 Package and Pfadt Motor and Tranny mounts next week. I lowered my car max on stock bolts when doing the spring so I guess I'm in the settling stage right now?? Lol I like the height that lowering on stock bolts gave me, I didn't cut any bushings up front or put in longer bolts in the back, I just adjusted my bolts until it dropped it as far as it would go without cutting anything or putting in new bolts. I have about an inch or so of gap now between tire and fender
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
I installed a set of Z06 font and rear springs and the JOC Stage 1, about a week ago and aligned it to PFADT specs. I have about 200 miles on it so far.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I love the firmer ride. The car now feels completely different (in a very positive way). I did start hearing more creaking/squeaking in the interior from the panels moving around a bit more. Nothing some additional chassis support won't fix.
Do the Z springs and don't look back.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I love the firmer ride. The car now feels completely different (in a very positive way). I did start hearing more creaking/squeaking in the interior from the panels moving around a bit more. Nothing some additional chassis support won't fix.
Do the Z springs and don't look back.
Last edited by denis.drc; Jul 30, 2013 at 03:17 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I guess the Z06 springs are meaner than what you have-- Stiffer springs will give you a harsher ride---The benefit of stiffer springs (IMHO) work only at higher speed like over 100 MPH--they make the car ride flatter around the curves---The drawback is that while driving around town and even at high way speeds the rear of the car will tend to "hop over the bumps rather than to drive over them--Even going over the reflectors in the road --the car will hop over them--If that doesn't bother you then go for it--Another option would to install a larger rear sway-bar and poly bushings--They would make the car run flatter in the corners but still retain the softer ride during normal driving--
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I guess the Z06 springs are meaner than what you have-- Stiffer springs will give you a harsher ride---The benefit of stiffer springs (IMHO) work only at higher speed like over 100 MPH--they make the car ride flatter around the curves---The drawback is that while driving around town and even at high way speeds the rear of the car will tend to "hop over the bumps rather than to drive over them--Even going over the reflectors in the road --the car will hop over them--If that doesn't bother you then go for it--Another option would to install a larger rear sway-bar and poly bushings--They would make the car run flatter in the corners but still retain the softer ride during normal driving--
Too many people forget that tires are part of the suspension/handling, etc along with shocks/springs/bars.
Ever notice the OEM Z06 cars HAD no run crap tires from the factory? Losing the runcrap tires was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Christiansburg VA
From what research I've done on the matter: For '00+ Z51 cars, they have the same front bar and spring as the '01-'04 Z06. The Z06 rear spring is stiffer than the Z51, but the rear bar is softer. In '04, the Z06 got the Z51 rear bar, and has the firmest factory setup of all C5s (stiffest springs, stiffest bars, and shocks to match).
my $.02
my $.02
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
I guess the Z06 springs are meaner than what you have-- Stiffer springs will give you a harsher ride---The benefit of stiffer springs (IMHO) work only at higher speed like over 100 MPH--they make the car ride flatter around the curves---The drawback is that while driving around town and even at high way speeds the rear of the car will tend to "hop over the bumps rather than to drive over them--Even going over the reflectors in the road --the car will hop over them--If that doesn't bother you then go for it--Another option would to install a larger rear sway-bar and poly bushings--They would make the car run flatter in the corners but still retain the softer ride during normal driving--
it's stiffer I'll agree, but it's nothing like you're describing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
Likes: 6
From: Providence RI
My personal experience with a number of newer Vettes suggest that the base springs work best in my street cars. I just picked a base 01' vert with the base springs, slapped on a huge set of sway bars and have the best of both worlds. A great ride on less-than-perfect roads and much better handling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
My personal experience with a number of newer Vettes suggest that the base springs work best in my street cars. I just picked a base 01' vert with the base springs, slapped on a huge set of sway bars and have the best of both worlds. A great ride on less-than-perfect roads and much better handling.
stock sprung and those with stiffer springs and those with simply larger sway bars and poly bushing------My opinion ??? The best is to go the sway bar route---unless you are driving a dedicated "race car"
stiffer springs ????? make an appointment with your dentist to get your fillings replaced---LOL
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
You guys are a bit dramatic about these z06 springs. They're not THAT bad, my suspension still work as it should, I don't "hop" over bumps, I still have a nice ride, it just handles and takes corners more comfortably. It's stiffer yeah, but it's not the cement truck ride that you guys are making it out to be.