mbroadway

What are the advantages of having, or disadvantages of not having, the Z51 suspension in the C6?

I'm not a racer, although I might decide to step into it occasionally. The cars I'm considering have the Magnetic Selective Ride, but not the Z51. Are those connected in any way? Is a C6 without the Z51 as safe and stable on the road? Is there a big, noticable difference?

Thanks in advance for your expert input.

Michael

CQRT

Use the search feature and do some reading. . . not to avoid a reply, but it's been discussed extensively and you can learn a lot just reading the hundreds of threads . . . .

Long story short, although I've got it on my car, I probably wouldn't spend the dough if I ordered it rather than bought it - - -If you're not driving competitively, the base C6 suspension is just fine.

mbroadway

I think you actually answered my quesiton very concisely. I'm not planning on racing it, so I guess I shouldn't let its absence figure into my decision on which car to buy. Thanks. You told me exactly what I need to hear. It's great to have a place like this with so many experienced and knowledgable members.

Michael

RicK T

If you like the F55 (Magne Ride) then go for it. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Or, if you don't want to spend the money for any suspension, the base is fine and it's fairly easy to upgrade it a little at a time, ie: Z51 sway bars, Koni FSD shocks, urethane sway bar bushings, etc. Good luck.

dgrant3830

One thing to consider will be the price of the shocks when they are due for replacement on the Magnetic Selective Ride system. I hear they are costly and may not last any longer than any other shock.

Wayne O

In brief, the Z51 suspension was designed for the parking lot autocross enthusiast and is a fine suspension providing a 'firmer' ride than the base suspension. The F55 (magnetic) suspension is a technologically advanced suspension now being used in certain models of Ferrari as well as in other make cars. A version of the MagneRide suspension is also being used in the new ZR1 'super' Vette. It is IMO the best 'all-around' suspension.

Here are a couple links providing further information about the MagneRide suspension.

http://www.vehicledynamics-expo.com/...y_1/burson.pdf

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...003/msrc2.html

If you would like to read what I consider to be the best article about the F55 suspension in the Corvette, PM me your email address and I will send the article to you.

adconti

They are designed to last the life of the car. There are no reports of any major troubles with the MSRC shocks failing prematurely with any regularity. The MSRC technology is being applied to the ZR1 and is a very capable suspension. Base susp. is also quite capable. Z51 is more track oriented and a little stiff for real world roads with potholes, dips, rough pavement though most report being happy with the Z51, even on real world roads. Ultimately all the choices can be easily modified to various extents. One downside with the Z51 is the tires wear out about twice to 30% quicker than the base or MSRC tires and cost about $1400 to replace if you stick with the Z51 SC tires after the first set is finished in 10k to 18k miles.

LTC Z06

Don't forget the Z51 higher gear ratios, those gears make a big difference in feel. I have a lot of seat time in a '05 Z51 and recently test drove an '08 base model, the extra HP in the '08 was not felt compared to the '05 Z51 because of the Z51's gearing.

keith5

I dont know why. But, as I was reading your thread I was envisioning the Gieco gekko saying those line...
My 06 vert is a Z51. The ride is excellent for a two seater. The main bennies for me of the Z51 are closer ratio 6 spd, oil cooler, trans cooler, break-neck braking....other than those thing.. well, just any ole C6 will work jes' fine...
I would prefer a bolder exhaust note and a lighter flywheel though...

Kent1999

Here's another viewpoint:
My C6 came with the base suspension. It had a very good ride, and better than average handling in town and on the highway.

After some months, I ran across a very good deal on some used Z51 sway bars. I put them on (45 mins -- easy job) and the difference was dramatic. The ride was definitely firmer, but not harsh. Cornering was noticeably sharper and much better controlled.

I think the combination of firm z51 sway bars and softer base suspension springs and shocks is the perfect balance for me. I have no intention or desire to go to the firmer Z51 shocks and springs.

Knowing what I know now, and thanks to the ease and low cost of the 'upgrade' to this hybrid 'base/Z51' setup, the presence or absence of Z51 wouldn't be a factor in choosing a C6.

Most important: Get a C6 with the color and transmission you want. Those two things are impossible to change without spending a huge amount of cash and effort. Everything else can be changed or fairly easily modded to be to your tastes.

Cheers,
Kent

adconti

Quote from Road and Track article Dec 07 about Comparison of 4 V8s:


"Our test car had the $1695 Z51 performance package, which includes larger cross-drilled brake rotors (13.4 in. up front, 13.0 at the rear) as well as stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. On smooth surfaces the car's outright grip is superb, despite steering that, while improved for 2008, still doesn't give the feedback of the Audi or Ferrari. The tail is willing to come around (it does great powerslides), though it's very controllable; we enjoyed this aspect, as it helps the car turn, but driving the Corvette quickly requires more attention than the Audi or Aston.

Where the Corvette suffers is on bumpy back roads. In that environment, the stiffer setup of the Z51 turns the car into a bit of a beast, causing it to skitter about and fight for traction. It's still fun, but it doesn't exude the confidence of the others. And, consequently, the Corvette's ride, while certainly not uncomfortable, can't be described as smooth. "





The MSRC is GM's attempt at a solution for the above issues.................................. ......................

keith5

F'n Road & Track and Car & Driver .. Those friggin leftwing, European lickin', automobile ghey snobs.... They have ZERO credibility with "those who drive a car hard a lot" crowd. Bunch of G'dam wanna be racer/designer/car-magazine-editor goobers whose mommy and daddy are still sending them a stipend hoping that six years at Berkeley Journalism will land them on the 6 o'clock news.

mbroadway

What a wealth of information you guys are. I just told my wife not to worry about any repair costs on my (soon to get) Corvette. If anything goes wrong with it, I can just log on here and find out how to fix it.

Thanks for all the input.

TCKT B8

A set of Koni FSD's pretty much eliminates this problem.

adconti

Hey, at least I didn't quote the guy from Top Gear.

Corvette Junkie

Lets not forget that Magnetic Selective Ride was chosen to go on the ZR1.

miami08VETTE

The mag system concept is on the ZR1, but it is a different animal from whats on our cars.

mvcrash

Don't hold back on your feelings now, tell us really how you feel!!

Many a truth is said in jest. Any problem you have with a Corvette the information regarding that problem can be found here. It is a great place for information.

Just some changes in the computer for drag racing from what I've read. Physically, they are the same.

cody6.0

Why keep mentioning that the MSRC is on the ZR1, so what that doesn't make it better.

I have been here long enough to figure out this:
A) Anyone who doesn't have Z51 will bash it and say it is no big deal.
B) Anyone who has MSRC will boast how it's on the ZR1 and is special.
C) People who have Z51 say it's fun and worth the money.

In all reality when I bought my car Z51 was a must because I didn't want a base model. The Z51 is much more than a suspension but good luck getting non-Z51 owners to care.

My car is my toy I love straight line speed and back road high speed corners. I live in Nebraska and our roads are less then perfect and have no issues. And I am also one of the people that call my car a C6 Z51. It earns a name based on what it does vs base and F55 cars. Anyone who drives a base and a Z51 and only notices a harsh ride doesn't belong in a Corvette.

With what the Z51 package includes it is well worth the price.

adconti

That's exactly the problem, people buy a car with 1600 bucks of mods from the factory and feel they have to wear it on their sleeves for all to see. I'm not really knocking the Z51, its quite capable for what it is for, but new technology is evolving that is starting to surpass the bare bones stiff suspensions of yester-year. MSRC is here to stay, and in a few years I doubt Z51 will even be offered on a vette. All they need to do is offer the F55 with the coolers, gearing, tires, and stiffer sway bars of the Z51 package, and you will have something that can compete with the best of them. The reason Gm has not done that is the MSRC system if combined with all the other Z51 features would add 4k to the base car. We mention the ZR1 because , well because we can. The ZR1 is not offered with Z51 susp. It uses MSRC and that is all. There is nothing wrong with the Z51 susp package, its just really not that big a deal. All three suspensions have their place, they each have advantages and disadvantages and serve different people well. If you want to badge the car an F55 or Z51 knock yourself out, but to those of us that bought the car to drive it, and not just to impress our adolescent friends, the badges and titles really sound lame. IMHO