C5 Sway Bar Questions
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Greensburg PA
C5 Sway Bar Questions
Gents, I'm getting ready to do some suspension work on my 2001 Vert. It has 76k miles on it right now and I'm thinking it's time to change shocks. Since this is my first Vette and I bought it with 72k on it, I have no real baseline to compare to determine if I truly need them or not. Just a gut feeling. Planning to go with C6Z06 shocks or Bilstein HDs, but I need to do a bit more reading to narrow it down. Comments welcome...
That brings me to my question. As I educate myself on this, I've read that many folks also change out the sway bars while they are changing shocks. Seems the preferred are the C6Z51 bars since I don't plan to go with bigger tires for C6Z06 bars. I don't track the car or plan to. It's a fun road toy for me when the weather is nice. Will the beefier bars really make a noticeable difference after I put the new shocks on? Or would I be just as happy leaving them alone or only changing out the end links to get rid of the plastics ones (which I assume I have)? I don't mind spending the money on bars if they will make noticeable improvements. However, I'll pass if the gains are barely noticeable for public road driving (spirited of course...).
That brings me to my question. As I educate myself on this, I've read that many folks also change out the sway bars while they are changing shocks. Seems the preferred are the C6Z51 bars since I don't plan to go with bigger tires for C6Z06 bars. I don't track the car or plan to. It's a fun road toy for me when the weather is nice. Will the beefier bars really make a noticeable difference after I put the new shocks on? Or would I be just as happy leaving them alone or only changing out the end links to get rid of the plastics ones (which I assume I have)? I don't mind spending the money on bars if they will make noticeable improvements. However, I'll pass if the gains are barely noticeable for public road driving (spirited of course...).
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
What suspension do you currently have now?? Base FE-1, Z-51????
YES,,, The shocks will make a very noticeable difference! With that many miles, you will ask your self, WOW, why didn't I do this sooner?
YES SIR!
Depending on the sway bars you have now, Say, you have the base FE-1 and go to a bigger bar, YES, the improvement will be noticeable. HOWEVER,,,, When you install up-graded suspension parts, it best to do the whole package. The Z-51, ZO6 and the C6 Z-51, have better higher rate springs to balance out the ride. Not saying that you cant just add the bigger bars. Yes It will make a difference but it will not be as good as something with all the up-graded components.
I have an 02 ZO6. The car had 30,000 ish miles on it One day I took a high speed highway sweeping entrances ramp at good rate of speed. . It had a very uneven surface (from heavy truck traffic). The car almost left the road as it hopped side ways when it hit the bumps. I changed the shocks to C6Z06 shocks and I no longer have that issue.
The OEM C5 ZO6 shocks were weak and had a difficult time controlling the wheels on uneven surfaces where the road disturbed the tires contact patch. Any better shock will make a significant improvement in the way the car handles.
BC
YES,,, The shocks will make a very noticeable difference! With that many miles, you will ask your self, WOW, why didn't I do this sooner?
YES SIR!Depending on the sway bars you have now, Say, you have the base FE-1 and go to a bigger bar, YES, the improvement will be noticeable. HOWEVER,,,, When you install up-graded suspension parts, it best to do the whole package. The Z-51, ZO6 and the C6 Z-51, have better higher rate springs to balance out the ride. Not saying that you cant just add the bigger bars. Yes It will make a difference but it will not be as good as something with all the up-graded components.
I have an 02 ZO6. The car had 30,000 ish miles on it One day I took a high speed highway sweeping entrances ramp at good rate of speed. . It had a very uneven surface (from heavy truck traffic). The car almost left the road as it hopped side ways when it hit the bumps. I changed the shocks to C6Z06 shocks and I no longer have that issue.
The OEM C5 ZO6 shocks were weak and had a difficult time controlling the wheels on uneven surfaces where the road disturbed the tires contact patch. Any better shock will make a significant improvement in the way the car handles.
BC
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Look at the glove box door it should have all the info on a sticker there... Do you have the switch on the center console? If you do have that 3 position switch that is the F45 suspension
Last edited by Smoken1; Jul 20, 2018 at 04:23 PM.
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From: Seattle, WA
Hello, I have a 2004 Z06. About 2 years ago I replaced very old original shocks with new OE C5Z06 shocks. About a month or so ago, I replaced the rear sway bar with C6Z06 rear sway bar. This made a dramatic difference in handling, both daily driving and at the limit. I am running stock C5Z06 tires sizes. The car is MUCH more responsive with the large rear sway bar. I've been warned about it. I do not mind it, because this responsiveness forces me to learn to be a better Corvette driver at the limit, since snap over steer is increased. A light right foot, walking into the throttle is necessary. My next upgrade would be to go with the C6Z06 shocks. I also had to replace all four sway bar end links, they were very worn out - noisy and sloppy. You will want to change them on your car as well. Get the GM / ACDelco OE sealed metal end links and enjoy your new handling Vette!
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
I just went to the 04 z06 shocks and the c5 z06 sway bars with urethane bushings on my 04 vert.....its a huge difference.....especially with the sway bars...the car is absolutely flat in the corners....NO ROLL I mean ZERO.....the stiffer shocks make it firmer but not so much that its annoying.....I did the shocks first and was happy....but by far the biggest improvement was the huge *** sway bar up front and a bigger one in the back.....I think it actually made the shocks less stiff by transferring all movement to both sides....the sway bar swap is easy and fun.....compressing the stock shocks in the car is PITA . I kept my stock springs in place even though I have the z06 springs sitting on the work bench. I also noticed less wheel hop with the upgrade and I am running z06 wheels
some people do the c6 z51 shocks and the c5 z06 sway bars.....apparently only the c5 04 z06 shocks are worth getting and the others years are not as good. I like OEM parts
no doubt you will have the Holy **** why did I wait to do this moment......I did, it now feels like a corvette should
some people do the c6 z51 shocks and the c5 z06 sway bars.....apparently only the c5 04 z06 shocks are worth getting and the others years are not as good. I like OEM parts
no doubt you will have the Holy **** why did I wait to do this moment......I did, it now feels like a corvette should
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jul 20, 2018 at 10:46 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Greensburg PA
Thanks so much for the replies everyone. This has been extremely helpful! It seems unanimous - install the upgraded sway bars as well, which I will do. I've heard a few different things in this thread and in my research. Please let me know if I'm understanding correctly.
C6 Z06 Bars: To perform properly on my Vette I need to go with wider tires. True? If so, these are out. I want to keep my current wheels.
C6 Z51 Bars: Seem to be bolt on with my current configuration and a good upgrade to the base bars.
C5 Z06 Bars: Do these need wider wheels like the C6 Z06 bars? If not, how do they compare the C6 Z51 bars?
C6 Z06 Bars: To perform properly on my Vette I need to go with wider tires. True? If so, these are out. I want to keep my current wheels.
C6 Z51 Bars: Seem to be bolt on with my current configuration and a good upgrade to the base bars.
C5 Z06 Bars: Do these need wider wheels like the C6 Z06 bars? If not, how do they compare the C6 Z51 bars?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Thanks so much for the replies everyone. This has been extremely helpful! It seems unanimous - install the upgraded sway bars as well, which I will do. I've heard a few different things in this thread and in my research. Please let me know if I'm understanding correctly.
C6 Z06 Bars: To perform properly on my Vette I need to go with wider tires. True? If so, these are out. I want to keep my current wheels.
C6 Z51 Bars: Seem to be bolt on with my current configuration and a good upgrade to the base bars.
C5 Z06 Bars: Do these need wider wheels like the C6 Z06 bars? If not, how do they compare the C6 Z51 bars?
C6 Z06 Bars: To perform properly on my Vette I need to go with wider tires. True? If so, these are out. I want to keep my current wheels.
C6 Z51 Bars: Seem to be bolt on with my current configuration and a good upgrade to the base bars.
C5 Z06 Bars: Do these need wider wheels like the C6 Z06 bars? If not, how do they compare the C6 Z51 bars?
one of the c6 rear sway bars are not a direct bolt in replacement they need something else I am not sure what though
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jul 21, 2018 at 01:34 PM.
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
what do I think the sweet spot is......the 04 zo6 shocks, or the c6 z51 shocks and then the c5 z06 sway bars.....its really irrelevant arguing about a 1mm difference in a front sway bar 30 vs 31 or a 1.4 mm difference in a rear sway bar 23.6 vs 25.
the zo6 rear bar of 28mm is really beefy and may not be what you want.
the zo6 rear bar of 28mm is really beefy and may not be what you want.
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From: Greensburg PA
Bob, I'm by no means an expert on this but if you go to roughly post 17 and beyond in the below link it will show why I'm asking that question. Maybe it's BS, but that's why I'm trying to educate myself on this.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...errerid=539732
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...errerid=539732
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Bob, I'm by no means an expert on this but if you go to roughly post 17 and beyond in the below link it will show why I'm asking that question. Maybe it's BS, but that's why I'm trying to educate myself on this.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...errerid=539732
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...errerid=539732
so the sweet spot is 04 z06 or c6 z51 shocks ….. plus the c5 z06 sway bars or the c6 z51 sway bars. there is an article on this let me find it...you are thinking correctly....
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jul 21, 2018 at 02:38 PM.
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: OH
Bob, I'm by no means an expert on this but if you go to roughly post 17 and beyond in the below link it will show why I'm asking that question. Maybe it's BS, but that's why I'm trying to educate myself on this.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...errerid=539732
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...errerid=539732
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Greensburg PA
Thanks for the further info guys. I think we're talking the same now. This has been very helpful. I have enough info to start shopping now. We'll see what kind of prices I can get...
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
I paid $100 for used 04 z06 shocks, and $200 04 z06 springs with 16 k on them, and $200 shipped for both c5 sway bars. I have seen the shocks for c5 c6 go from 100 to 200 and sway bars from 75 to what I paid 200....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Northville, MI
You will find the 04 Z06 shocks to be more aggressive than the C6 Z shocks in handling but for a daily driver, the extra cost is hard to justify. If you are into track events or autocrossing then it will make a small difference. The shocks/springs changes should be made at the same time to have a better handling and compliant suspension. For autocrossing most of the C5 Z06 drivers in AS run the 31-33mm bars and Koni adjustable shocks. The shocks are overkill for a street car but the 31mm front bar and a 23.8mm rear bar makes a big difference
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
I had wondered how my 04 z06 shocks compared to the c6 z06 shocks....you are saying they are more aggressive.....so maybe they are slightly firmer? I do find them firm but not past the annoying range.