Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please
I have a 2000 A4 coupe with the base FE1 suspension. I am going to replace the sway bars, shocks, and leaf springs. I just ordered Z06 sway bars and endlinks and I'm planning on ordering new Z51 leaf springs since I read that the rear Z06 leaf spring was designed specially for the lighter rear of the Z06. Here's my dilemma. I would really like to add the new '04 Z06 shocks but I am concerned about the fact that the rear shock was also designed for the lighter rear of the Z06. Any suggestions? If I do not use the Z06 shocks, then I will just use the Z51 shocks.
So I can check pricing, does anyone know the part numbers for the factory Z51 shocks?
Thanks,
Adam
[Modified by PewterVette, 12:14 AM 11/1/2003]
So I can check pricing, does anyone know the part numbers for the factory Z51 shocks?
Thanks,
Adam
[Modified by PewterVette, 12:14 AM 11/1/2003]
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: salem or
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (PewterVette)
I am very happy with my recent change from FE1 to FE4. While mine is a 6 speed with slightly differnet corner weights, I would expect a similar result on your Auto. Not too rough, not too stiff, does not float at speed, the responsiveness matches stock tire profile and able to tune it to neutral steer easily with alignement and tire pressures.
My set up is: Zo6 front and rear leafs; Zo6 bars and stock rubber bushings (I found the poly here to be too abrupt for my taste in a street car), Bilstein Sport shocks. Tire pressures front 29# / rear 33# cold. Front: .75 neg camber, 7 degrees caster, 1/16 toe-in; rear .33 neg camber, neg 1/8 toe in.
Good luck!
My set up is: Zo6 front and rear leafs; Zo6 bars and stock rubber bushings (I found the poly here to be too abrupt for my taste in a street car), Bilstein Sport shocks. Tire pressures front 29# / rear 33# cold. Front: .75 neg camber, 7 degrees caster, 1/16 toe-in; rear .33 neg camber, neg 1/8 toe in.
Good luck!
CHICAGO CREW !
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 17,591
Likes: 93
From: We are living in a Bazzaro World everything is upside down half ass backwards !
CI 4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08 & '12
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (speedjohnson)
i am putting on 04 z06 shocks and sway bars on tomorrow on my 2000 with stock set up so i will let you know how it is ! there is only 100 pound difference between the coupe and z06 i don't think it's all over the back wheels , so they should do just fine :steering: :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 16
From: "Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (MSIP)
DO the 2004 Z06 shock... it's just a better damper... I upgraded from F45
(FE1) shocks & sways but still have FE1 springs and feel the car is fine for the limited track time I get... try the shocks and sway bars firsrt. You may not feel the necessity to change out springs.
(FE1) shocks & sways but still have FE1 springs and feel the car is fine for the limited track time I get... try the shocks and sway bars firsrt. You may not feel the necessity to change out springs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,867
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (PewterVette)
I'd change out the shocks first before the springs. No personal experience, but the '04 Z06 shocks seem to be pretty popular right now, but I don't know how they stack up against the Bilstein sport shocks. Regardless of how you go, the Z06 sways (I would have gone with Z51s, but since you've already got them...) and upgraded shocks will do a bunch to get your car to "feel" a ton better!
If you still think it's a bit too soft, then you can go with the springs. I'd personally go with some Z51 springs, as they're matched for the weights of the coupes and 'verts.
Have a good one,
Mike
If you still think it's a bit too soft, then you can go with the springs. I'd personally go with some Z51 springs, as they're matched for the weights of the coupes and 'verts.
Have a good one,
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,977
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (VetteDrmr)
I'd get sway bars and shocks and see how you like it. Koni single adjust made all the difference on my C4, but springs were stiffer.
On my FRC I am in the process of adding Z06 springs sway bars and shocks. If I had a coupe I'd probably go with Bilstein Sports. I've heard the Bilsteins are a bit stiffer just something to consider with your goals and what you're wiling to give up.
On my FRC I am in the process of adding Z06 springs sway bars and shocks. If I had a coupe I'd probably go with Bilstein Sports. I've heard the Bilsteins are a bit stiffer just something to consider with your goals and what you're wiling to give up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (VetteDrmr)
Just curious, but why would you choose Z51 over Z06 sway bars? Especially with the addition of '04 Z06 shocks? I agree with the Z51 springs being better suited for an a4 coupe since there is a reason why GM changed the rear spring for the Z06.
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,867
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Upgrading FE1 suspension.....need advice, please (PewterVette)
For basically the same reason as the springs. The weight (and therefore mass and cg) of the Z06 is different than the coupe, that's why there's a difference between the Z06 and Z51 swaybars. The difference probably isn't huge, so your Z06 sways will be OK, but maybe not matched as well to your coupe as Z51 equipment would be.
I've put Z06 sways and Bilstein shocks on a friend's '97 coupe, and he loves it. One downside is that it's increased the amount of squeaks and rattles in his car.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
I've put Z06 sways and Bilstein shocks on a friend's '97 coupe, and he loves it. One downside is that it's increased the amount of squeaks and rattles in his car.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
