Need help upgrading Z51 suspension!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
Need help upgrading Z51 suspension!
What can I do to upgrade my Z51 suspension. I have talked with some who say the Hotkiks, BMR, sway bars wont give much improvement. If I go to Z06 bars, will I need to get the Z06 springs as well. I plan on putting Billsteins Sport shocks on when I decide what bars I want. Would metal endlinks give me any improvement? Any other suggestions....Thanks.
ZOOMNZ
ZOOMNZ
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Need help upgrading Z51 suspension! (zoomnz)
What do you want to do with the car? Drag race? Road Race? Street Race? We need to know these things so we can tell you what we think is best. ;)
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 2
Re: Need help upgrading Z51 suspension! (vetterdstr)
The Z51 is a pretty close match to the Z06 to almost not make the swap worth it IMHO (unless you get the parts cheap).
I would upgrade the shocks to the bilsteins, lower it (if you have not), allign it 200 miles later, and go with anything other than GY Run Flats.
I would upgrade the shocks to the bilsteins, lower it (if you have not), allign it 200 miles later, and go with anything other than GY Run Flats.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: salem or
Re: Need help upgrading Z51 suspension! (MiamiDave)
The factory 2002 Zo6 bars are dirt cheap and easy to install. Try them. If you like the feel, great! If not, your only out like $85 for the front bar and $70 for the rear. You cannot get poly bushings for the larger 02 bars, only the smaller versions... so you'll have to either buy stock rubber bushings, or get an abrasive wheel, grind it down to the proper size and then burn a new (larger) hole through the poly bushing.
I used the heavier (FE4) springs because I was upgrading a base (FE1 "softride") suspension. This may not be necessary if you already have a stable factory performance platform.
The steering is muck quicker, although I will say that I'm still having problems getting the thing to steer neutral. (see my recent post "understeer SOS" for forum help) good luck! sj
sj
I used the heavier (FE4) springs because I was upgrading a base (FE1 "softride") suspension. This may not be necessary if you already have a stable factory performance platform.
The steering is muck quicker, although I will say that I'm still having problems getting the thing to steer neutral. (see my recent post "understeer SOS" for forum help) good luck! sj
sj
