I did some searching and got a little info, but I just have two additional questions that I'm hoping someone will be able to give me advice on.

I will be purchasing a 2008 later this year, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to purchase the Z51 performance package -- I do not autocross. I will however, take it to the dragstrip a few times a year and will put nitrous and/or a twin turbo on eventually.

So with that information out there, my questions are:

1.) Does the Z51 ride feel any different than standard C6 when just driving around on the street normally?

2.) Will the Z51 offer any considerable performance advantages in drag racing or would I be wasting my money?

Thanks very much.

 

1.) Yes, noticably firmer and less body roll in hard cornering.

2.) Waste of money for drag racing, designed for road racing.

 

Actually it's designed for auto-x. The standard transmission gearing is better for open tracking.

I think however, there is no difference in gearing between the 2 cars for 08???

If you're not a corner carver, it's probably money better spent elsewhere.

 

1.) Does the Z51 ride feel any different than standard C6 when just driving around on the street normally?

I'm lucky because I live in an area with very smooth roads. If you live in an area with bad roads you will notice a more harsh ride. However, that being said, I just went on a 2000 mile trip through Colorado and the Z51 suspension was very comfortable.

2.) Will the Z51 offer any considerable performance advantages in drag racing or would I be wasting my money?

In my opinion, the Z51 is really not necessary for drag racing. The only upside would be the stiffer gearing. The Z51 tranny has lower gearing and does the 1/4 mile in .1 second quicker according to GM. However, you will have to shift to 4th gear at the top of the quarter mile and I would rather have the base tranny that lets you go through the lights in 3rd gear. My experience with an 01 Z28 showed that I was quicker and faster by .1 seconds and 1 mph when I raised the rev limiter and went through the lights in 3rd gear.


One last comment. You may want to buy the Z51 just to get the extra coolers if you ever plan to track the car. I personally think the Z51 is an excellent package and I have not regretted buying it one bit.

 

The gearing IS different for '08 Z51 vs. Non-Z51.

However, the ride will not be as compliant on the street as the base suspension, and will not perform as well in the 1/4 mi.

If your not turning, you don't need the Z51.

 

based on your info---imo

consider a used a4 base susp and base rear

mod it

 

I think that's incorrect. Here's what the 2008 order book says.
The Z51 option provided different gearing ratios for the 2005-2007 models. It's doubtful that would change for 2008. Here's a chart of the gearing ratios for the 2005-2007 C6s.

__GEAR______Mode__or__Option
____________Z06___Std_6-spd___Z51_6-spd___6-spd_Auto___4-spd_Auto
__1st_______2.66____2.66________2.97____ _____4.03________3.06
__2nd_______1.78____1.78________2.07____ _____2.36________1.63
__3rd_______1.30____1.30________1.43____ _____1.53________1.00
__4th_______1.00____1.00________1.00____ _____1.15________0.70
__5th_______0.74____0.74________0.71____ _____0.85
__6th_______0.50____0.50________0.57____ _____0.67
Reverse_____2.90____2.90________3.28____ _____3.06________2.29

Axle Ratio___3.42____3.42________3.42________ _2.56_____2.73(or_3.15)

 

On smooth pavement and when driving in a straight line, there isn't much difference. On rough pavement, a Z51 car will ride considerably rougher than other versions. Cornering will definitely be flatter. Regarding the drag strip, technically, Z51 MZ6 cars accelerate a tick quicker (0 - 60) than non-Z51s due to Z51-specific gearing. The difference is so slight, however (4.1 sec. vs. 4.3 sec., I believe), that in reality it comes down to the skill of the driver.

FWIW, if you have doubts, I recommend going with Z51. As I said in one of your earlier threads, by going with Z51 you're less likely to have buyer's remorse later. (There haven't been many here who have expressed regrets over going with Z51.)

 

Thanks a lot for the feedback fellas. That really helps a lot. I will not worry about the Z51 Package. What about the F55? Something about magnetic ride control? Is that something I might be interested in?

Thank you again for all the detailed feedback!

 

Lower gears 1st-3rd = better for the strip
Bigger brakes
Better tires
Less $ than F55 and better resale than stock
X-Mission cooler

What's not to like?

 

I was going to get F55 in my '08, but switched over to Z51 at the last moment. Many F55 owners have talked about more body roll, and how they would, or did add the Z51 sway bars. I test drove a Z51, and it didn't seem rough to me at all. Since one of my main reasons for buying a sports car was to not experience much body roll, I went with the Z51, rather than the F55+Z51 say (more $$$). Also, I have heard that when you replace the F55 shocks it is $$$ also.

I'm not taking this car for long trips--have a suburban for that--just fun spirited commuting and driving. I probably should have taken the base suspension and added the Z51 sways, aftermarket shocks and lower gearing. But, I'm not that mechanically inclined, so I went for the easy package.

 

Get the F55, best of all worlds unless you're on the track a bunch. If you still want it stiffer spend 160 bucks and 1 hour to throw on some Z51 sways.

 

Z 51 also give you coolers & cool looking brakes in to the better turn control

 

Z51 sways won't make it stiffer, they'll just make it corner a bit flatter.

 

For drag racing I would stick with the base suspension. You'll get better weight transfer at launch with the softer springs. I had two C5's that were virtually identical excpet one was a base suspension coupe, the other was a Z51 convertible. I always got better 60' times with the base suspension.

 

I have the base suspension and the ride is great. I found no need for me to spend extra money on either Z51 or F55. Also less stuff to break & maintain but that's just my opinion. Also keep in mind Z51 is going to get you the supercar tires which are really better suited for the track and dry pavement. The base GS2 tires wear a lot better and have much better wet traction. Either the base suspension or F55 will come with GS2 tires. Just something to think about.

 

Ok to me this is questionable. The supercars don't wear near as well and their wet traction sucks compared to the GS2's. So for my needs this doesn't make them better. Of course if I was tracking my car I'd say just the opposite.

 

I have a base 05 without F55 or Z51. I've been following the Z51 discussion quite a long time and have decided to get it if I buy an 08 coupe. The coolers mean nothing to me and the gear ratio difference also seems trivial for street use. I have read numerous times that swapping out the Z51 rear sway bar for stock in the base car is really good for handling. That is something like a $200 max deal-hardly the cost of Z51.

The drilled rotors , IMO, are actually inferior to solid ones. The fact that they are a bit larger than base is a 'so what' for my purposes. I do think the slightly larger rear rotor looks a bit better. I am planning to possibly replace the rotors with aftermarket two piece slotted to reduce weight.

The special tires are another area of consideration. Again, from all the posts and articles I've read my 'observer' opinion is that the tires wear out fast and can be dangerous in cold/wet conditions. I plan to try to have my dealer swap them out with standard tires prior to delivery at no cost to me. I don't want the stock Z51 tires.

The real reason I've decided to go Z51 is resale value. I could add the sway bar myself and may replace the brake rotors anyway. Lots of people think it's a really hot performance option but I disagree. I think it's a nice special track option ( especially the tires ) that adds little to the street performance. I might change my mind about adding it if the 08 price is up substantially. I think it's overpriced as it is though some will tell you it's a great bargain. I mean those holes in the rotors alone are worth thousands........

( btw everything technical I read says that solid rotors are #1 best for racing....big heavy massive heat sinking honking solid rotors... and second best is slotted and drilled just crack when they overheat. I admit it's just what I read and photos I look at. So if you think drilled rotors are best for racing and you actually use them then paaaaardon me. Most of what I read says manufacturers use them pretty much for cosmetic reasons. People think they look like racing gear whether they are or not.)

 

thats what i did just 2 day ago... best of both worlds espically if you have a wide variety of roads, does not make it much stiffer BUT flatter cornering and you can still change to soft mode

 

use the search bar. there are enought opinions on this subject to keep your fingers out of you nose for a week.

oh, that's just my opinion.