z51
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
My last vette was a 2003 Z06. The C6 w/Z51 has about the same feel. I'm 54 years old and neither myself or wife found it harsh or too stiff. In fact we love it. Performance wise, what can I say. There aren't many car's on the street you'll have to fear.
Rest easy and enjoy the ride.
Tom
Rest easy and enjoy the ride.
Tom
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bobartstar
whats your opion on the z51 ride quality and performance just orderd one thanks 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 3
From: New Bern NC
Good choice. You will like it, not as harsh as expected and about like my C-5, Z-51. Performace wise, not enought miles to give a good evaluation, but appears to be as advertised. The wife says it rides good and she likes the Z-51, so I guess I'm in good shape.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 1,140
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I've had my Z51 '06 two weeks. I was really concerned about it before I drove it because my last Z51 equipped Corvette was an '84...we won't go there! But now that I've driven it I would not buy another one without...it feels the way a sports car should....its firm but it doesn't beat you to a pulp like the '84. I have a 6-speed and I especially like the gearing in the transmission with the Z51.....boy does it pull! I did drive the car before I bought it...I took it over some rough PA roads....like I said....will not buy another Corvette without Z51.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 767
Likes: 6
From: near Spokane WA
I'm convinced that many people who order a Z-51 package don't realize that there are compromises with such a package ... a harsher ride, brakes that can withstand higher temperatures on a race course and that sometimes squeel while driving in town, and higher performance tires that don't last as long.
Simple: if you do track days and autocrossing then get the Z-51, if not then get another suspension. Absolutely z-e-r-o reasons to get the Z-51 if you don't hammer the car.
Norm
Simple: if you do track days and autocrossing then get the Z-51, if not then get another suspension. Absolutely z-e-r-o reasons to get the Z-51 if you don't hammer the car.
Norm
Last edited by Norm_427; Mar 31, 2006 at 08:36 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by AFVETTE
....I'm 54 years old and neither myself or wife found it harsh or too stiff. In fact we love it. Performance wise, what can I say. There aren't many car's on the street you'll have to fear.
Rest easy and enjoy the ride.
Tom
Rest easy and enjoy the ride.
Tom
Had a dilemma when I ordered. Wanted the F55 but they were not available. I went with Z51 when a member said he loved it and he was 62. It don't ride like my 96 Lincoln MkVIII but you're in control. You'll love it. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by normlunt
Absolutely z-e-r-o reasons to get the Z-51 if you don't hammer the car.
Norm
Norm
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Originally Posted by Indy-hp
Sorry, but I must disagree. I don't hammer my car or track it regularly, but I prefer the feel of the crisper handling around town to the base or F55 suspension.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
Originally Posted by AFVETTE
My last vette was a 2003 Z06. The C6 w/Z51 has about the same feel. I'm 54 years old and neither myself or wife found it harsh or too stiff. In fact we love it. Performance wise, what can I say. There aren't many car's on the street you'll have to fear.
Rest easy and enjoy the ride.
Tom
Rest easy and enjoy the ride.
Tom
I had an '02 Z06 before my C6 Z51/MN6. The performance of the C6 is, if anything, a little better at the low end, but the ride and noise level are better. Having the bigger brakes and stickier tires also lends a certain level of security relative to the base car.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,714
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by normlunt
I'm convinced that many people who order a Z-51 package don't realize that there are compromises with such a package ... a harsher ride, brakes that can withstand higher temperatures on a race course and that sometimes squeel while driving in town, and higher performance tires that don't last as long.
Simple: if you do track days and autocrossing then get the Z-51, if not then get another suspension. Absolutely z-e-r-o reasons to get the Z-51 if you don't hammer the car.
Norm
Simple: if you do track days and autocrossing then get the Z-51, if not then get another suspension. Absolutely z-e-r-o reasons to get the Z-51 if you don't hammer the car.
Norm
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 13
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by bobartstar
whats your opion on the z51 ride quality and performance just orderd one thanks