Does Z51 Make a Difference
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
First of all, re-read talon90's post - - he is absolutely on target . . . only you can decide after driving them yourself- nobody else's opinion matters.
The Z51 option was on my `05 and I considered it a bonus. But if you're not going to track the car, I honestly doubt you will be able tell the difference in day-to-day driving.
Drive `em, then get the car that puts a smile on your face!
Good luck.
The Z51 option was on my `05 and I considered it a bonus. But if you're not going to track the car, I honestly doubt you will be able tell the difference in day-to-day driving.
Drive `em, then get the car that puts a smile on your face!
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Answers are just a click away when you search...
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 392
Likes: 1
From: Orange County CA
It only matters if the extra cost is worth it to you.
If you don't go for maximum cornering or ever run on a slalom or track, you might be better off without it. Save some money and you might enjoy the softer ride if cornering isn't your thing. Can't go wrong depending on your driving style.
If you don't go for maximum cornering or ever run on a slalom or track, you might be better off without it. Save some money and you might enjoy the softer ride if cornering isn't your thing. Can't go wrong depending on your driving style.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41,331
Likes: 615
From: FL
CI-7-8-9-10 Veteran
Cruise-In IX AutoX Winner
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '11,'19,'22,'25
St. Jude/CI Name Tag Designer
If you want to track the car, Z51 is a must. I just finished tracking (1 mile autocross) at the Hernando County Airstrip and I was the fastest, ( save for a C5 Z with Slicks) of 12-13 vettes. The Z51 is AWESOME on the track.
For a daily driver.........basically bragging rights.
aka allbottle¬hrottle
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 13,759
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn New York The DVL and the chicken sleep with the fishes....
St. Jude Donor '08
You MUST test drive at least the two ( F55 and Z51 ) - to me the base is a waste unless you plan on doing your own mods , in which case the base will be a better " blank canvas " - Stock , the base is WAY too soft IMHO , and has no business on a car with the vettes capabilities .
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 29,085
Likes: 14
From: Cary IL and Parrish FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I bought a brand new 2006 C6 for 4000 more than what this guy is selling used one, back in jan 2006. I didnt get a z51 - but everything else (3lt, etc).
I didnt want a z51, but I am not gonna get into the reasons, because I may get flamed. Bottom line is that I am going 3rd party way on z-51 components.
Last edited by HyperX; Jul 21, 2007 at 10:21 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
wish I bought Z51
Was looking at a Z06 at the dealer, which I still can't afford
, and he suggested taking a manuel for a test drive since I have a auto. It had the Z51 package and boy could I tell the difference. The ride wasn't bad at all, but I must admit when I first got my base suspension vette I thought it rode like a truck. Now my SXT Intrepid feels like my father's old early 70s caddy. No big loss. I have put on Z51 sways and have used Z springs that will eventually go on. Will add Koni shocks and ultimately Mich run flats since I drive my car in sub freezing temps. The perfect commuter vehicle.
, and he suggested taking a manuel for a test drive since I have a auto. It had the Z51 package and boy could I tell the difference. The ride wasn't bad at all, but I must admit when I first got my base suspension vette I thought it rode like a truck. Now my SXT Intrepid feels like my father's old early 70s caddy. No big loss. I have put on Z51 sways and have used Z springs that will eventually go on. Will add Koni shocks and ultimately Mich run flats since I drive my car in sub freezing temps. The perfect commuter vehicle.
Seriously, I say it's worth it just for the peace of mind to not have thoughts like, "I wonder how much better it would have been if I got it."
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I posted this on the Tec/performance section and it may be helpful to you as well...............But I can do my own labor and that may make a big difference in your decision.
................................
"After some consideration I am thinking of getting a base model 08 convertible without the Z51 suspension package, and then adding the Z51 (or Z06) sway bars and a good set of aftermarket shocks (Bilsteen, Koni, etc). I may even add the Z51 brakes but since this car will be driven on the street almost its entire life, I think the std brakes should be more than adequate. Cost really isn’t the factor here even though adding these parts myself will be substantially cheaper than buying the factory Z51 package. I know that seems hard to believe but I priced it out and it will be a lot cheaper.
Here is my reasoning:
• I will have the same sway bars as a Z51 and maybe even better if I go with the Z06 bars.
• The aftermarket shocks will be better than the stock shocks.
• I will have softer springs that will actually handle better, on the often uneven & bumpy street, than the stiffer Z51 springs will. They probably wouldn’t be better on a smooth track, but I’m sure they would be better on the uneven streets or back country roads that I am going to be driving on (stiff race car suspensions skip and lose traction on even slightly rough roads).
• I will have better tires for street use. No, they won’t be as soft and sticky as the Z51 tires but they should still be plenty good for the street and they will last MUCH longer before they need to be replaced.
• The transmission gear splits will be the same as the Z06 and therefore a much closer ratio then the Z51. Yes the Z51 has a lower first gear but the splits get progressively wider as you up-shift. And, if later on I decide that I want a lower starting gear ratio, I could just change the rear end gears (although I don’t think I would ever need to).
So my logic is that I will have a better street version car by doing it this way. Although cost isn’t the main factor, it would even be less than the cost of the Z51 package (of course, a rear gear change would make it cost more)............."
................................
"After some consideration I am thinking of getting a base model 08 convertible without the Z51 suspension package, and then adding the Z51 (or Z06) sway bars and a good set of aftermarket shocks (Bilsteen, Koni, etc). I may even add the Z51 brakes but since this car will be driven on the street almost its entire life, I think the std brakes should be more than adequate. Cost really isn’t the factor here even though adding these parts myself will be substantially cheaper than buying the factory Z51 package. I know that seems hard to believe but I priced it out and it will be a lot cheaper.
Here is my reasoning:
• I will have the same sway bars as a Z51 and maybe even better if I go with the Z06 bars.
• The aftermarket shocks will be better than the stock shocks.
• I will have softer springs that will actually handle better, on the often uneven & bumpy street, than the stiffer Z51 springs will. They probably wouldn’t be better on a smooth track, but I’m sure they would be better on the uneven streets or back country roads that I am going to be driving on (stiff race car suspensions skip and lose traction on even slightly rough roads).
• I will have better tires for street use. No, they won’t be as soft and sticky as the Z51 tires but they should still be plenty good for the street and they will last MUCH longer before they need to be replaced.
• The transmission gear splits will be the same as the Z06 and therefore a much closer ratio then the Z51. Yes the Z51 has a lower first gear but the splits get progressively wider as you up-shift. And, if later on I decide that I want a lower starting gear ratio, I could just change the rear end gears (although I don’t think I would ever need to).
So my logic is that I will have a better street version car by doing it this way. Although cost isn’t the main factor, it would even be less than the cost of the Z51 package (of course, a rear gear change would make it cost more)............."
Last edited by qualt; Jul 22, 2007 at 01:33 AM. Reason: typo
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 3
From: Edmond OK
Drive them both, then decide.
For me I drove a base model suspension and it had more body roll than my chevy colorado. The Z51 is the "real corvette" suspension, the base model is for all the people who want the look of a corvette but the ride of a cadillac. (yeah i'm gonna get flamed for saying that) but look at the multiple posts of people complaining about the rough ride. You're buying a sports car, they're supposed to hug/hold the road. I can't speak for the F55, it looks like a great option, i've seen and read some stuff about it and it appears to be a great system, but it wasn't important to me to have a cushy ride, so I just went with the Z51.
For me I drove a base model suspension and it had more body roll than my chevy colorado. The Z51 is the "real corvette" suspension, the base model is for all the people who want the look of a corvette but the ride of a cadillac. (yeah i'm gonna get flamed for saying that) but look at the multiple posts of people complaining about the rough ride. You're buying a sports car, they're supposed to hug/hold the road. I can't speak for the F55, it looks like a great option, i've seen and read some stuff about it and it appears to be a great system, but it wasn't important to me to have a cushy ride, so I just went with the Z51.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
I posted this on the Tec/performance section and it may be helpful to you as well...............But I can do my own labor and that may make a big difference in your decision.
................................
"After some consideration I am thinking of getting a base model 08 convertible without the Z51 suspension package, and then adding the Z51 (or Z06) sway bars and a good set of aftermarket shocks (Bilsteen, Koni, etc). I may even add the Z51 brakes but since this car will be driven on the street almost its entire life, I think the std brakes should be more than adequate. Cost really isn’t the factor here even though adding these parts myself will be substantially cheaper than buying the factory Z51 package. I know that seems hard to believe but I priced it out and it will be a lot cheaper.
Here is my reasoning:
• I will have the same sway bars as a Z51 and maybe even better if I go with the Z06 bars.
• The aftermarket shocks will be better than the stock shocks.
• I will have softer springs that will actually handle better, on the often uneven & bumpy street, than the stiffer Z51 springs will. They probably wouldn’t be better on a smooth track, but I’m sure they would be better on the uneven streets or back country roads that I am going to be driving on (stiff race car suspensions skip and lose traction on even slightly rough roads).
• I will have better tires for street use. No, they won’t be as soft and sticky as the Z51 tires but they should still be plenty good for the street and they will last MUCH longer before they need to be replaced.
• The transmission gear splits will be the same as the Z06 and therefore a much closer ratio then the Z51. Yes the Z51 has a lower first gear but the splits get progressively wider as you up-shift. And, if later on I decide that I want a lower starting gear ratio, I could just change the rear end gears (although I don’t think I would ever need to).
So my logic is that I will have a better street version car by doing it this way. Although cost isn’t the main factor, it would even be less than the cost of the Z51 package (of course, a rear gear change would make it cost more)............."
................................
"After some consideration I am thinking of getting a base model 08 convertible without the Z51 suspension package, and then adding the Z51 (or Z06) sway bars and a good set of aftermarket shocks (Bilsteen, Koni, etc). I may even add the Z51 brakes but since this car will be driven on the street almost its entire life, I think the std brakes should be more than adequate. Cost really isn’t the factor here even though adding these parts myself will be substantially cheaper than buying the factory Z51 package. I know that seems hard to believe but I priced it out and it will be a lot cheaper.
Here is my reasoning:
• I will have the same sway bars as a Z51 and maybe even better if I go with the Z06 bars.
• The aftermarket shocks will be better than the stock shocks.
• I will have softer springs that will actually handle better, on the often uneven & bumpy street, than the stiffer Z51 springs will. They probably wouldn’t be better on a smooth track, but I’m sure they would be better on the uneven streets or back country roads that I am going to be driving on (stiff race car suspensions skip and lose traction on even slightly rough roads).
• I will have better tires for street use. No, they won’t be as soft and sticky as the Z51 tires but they should still be plenty good for the street and they will last MUCH longer before they need to be replaced.
• The transmission gear splits will be the same as the Z06 and therefore a much closer ratio then the Z51. Yes the Z51 has a lower first gear but the splits get progressively wider as you up-shift. And, if later on I decide that I want a lower starting gear ratio, I could just change the rear end gears (although I don’t think I would ever need to).
So my logic is that I will have a better street version car by doing it this way. Although cost isn’t the main factor, it would even be less than the cost of the Z51 package (of course, a rear gear change would make it cost more)............."
FE1 suspension with Z51 sways and Bilstein shocks for me. I'm actually not very happy with any of the Corvette factory stock suspensions. So I knew I'd have to modify anyway to get what I wanted. Starting with the FE1 suspension gave me the spring rates I wanted, the tires I wanted, and the brakes I wanted (solid rotors), then $460 more gave me the handling I wanted. Much better deal than the Z51 package.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,039
Likes: 0
From: Stuttgart
FE1 suspension with Z51 sways and Bilstein shocks for me. I'm actually not very happy with any of the Corvette factory stock suspensions. So I knew I'd have to modify anyway to get what I wanted. Starting with the FE1 suspension gave me the spring rates I wanted, the tires I wanted, and the brakes I wanted (solid rotors), then $460 more gave me the handling I wanted. Much better deal than the Z51 package.
