Do I really need Z51?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31,088
Likes: 23
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
If you find a base model car that you like, don't let the lack of Z51 deter you at all.
$150 for the thicker sways, a set of bilsteins, pfadt bushings, and you're past the performance of the Z51, and you're in for <$500 all said and done.
Z51 is mostly marketing, and a tiny bit of performance. Shocks and sways added to the base suspension work every bit as well as the Z51.
F55 beats them all, IMO. I don't have an F55 car, but wish I did.
$150 for the thicker sways, a set of bilsteins, pfadt bushings, and you're past the performance of the Z51, and you're in for <$500 all said and done.
Z51 is mostly marketing, and a tiny bit of performance. Shocks and sways added to the base suspension work every bit as well as the Z51.
F55 beats them all, IMO. I don't have an F55 car, but wish I did.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 36,473
Likes: 8
From: FLA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I for one do not feel I missed out on anything by not having it-
to the contrary actually am thrilled with the f55
if I did it over, I would do it the same again
to the contrary actually am thrilled with the f55
if I did it over, I would do it the same again
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 647
Likes: 5
i just sold my mazdaspeed 3 (modified), to get a vette in near future.
Drive a vette first. It's a day and night difference between mazdaspeed and vette. You will like how a regular C6 performs in turns. It will be more than enough, and especially in nj(i'm in nj too). If you haven't driven one, i'll tell you that my moderatly modiffied ms3 was faster at highway speeds than ls2 c6, off the dig vette is a beast though.
cross drilled rotors, as many said, is a waist of money, and is a cheap show off. I had DBA 4000 slotted rotors on my ms3. Slotted is the way to go.... or brembo...
Drive a vette first. It's a day and night difference between mazdaspeed and vette. You will like how a regular C6 performs in turns. It will be more than enough, and especially in nj(i'm in nj too). If you haven't driven one, i'll tell you that my moderatly modiffied ms3 was faster at highway speeds than ls2 c6, off the dig vette is a beast though.
cross drilled rotors, as many said, is a waist of money, and is a cheap show off. I had DBA 4000 slotted rotors on my ms3. Slotted is the way to go.... or brembo...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
You seem to think that this minor option package imparts a great deal of performance increase to the car. How can it. You must know it comes with NO additional hp. The drilled rotors are slightly larger than stock but not proven to be better.
In fact, the holes are for show and solid/slotted rotors are far superior according to experts and aftermarket brake suppliers. Holes in rotors promote cracking around the holes and warpage that may not occur in solid rotors under the same conditions.
Post after post talks about how even Z06 owners replace their stock rotors if they do serious track time.....and....the 40+ year old technology in those one piece cast rotors make them HEAVY.
The Z51 option gives you tires that may be unsafe for the street if it's even cool....not even freezing....as they are optimized for hot dry roads. And, you probably won't put stock wheels back on the car because they don't last very well....read posts on the subject from owners you will find out.
From reading hundreds of posts on the subject the Z51 option seems to mostly be smoke and mirrors that adds a tiny boost to performance under limited sets of conditions. It turns ordinary vette owners into legends in their own minds though and many claim their cars are nearly or equal to the Z06. It's a mental thing.
So, whether you get the Z51 option or not plan to replace the old fashioned heavy brake rotors with much lighter ( you go faster ) aftermarket solid or slotted rotors unless you want the holes to show what a tough guy you are etc. And.....get much better tires than stock...several choices just search around this site for suggestions...and then add the Z51 option rear sway bar for two hun or less as it is the one piece that is different that actually seems to improve handling.
All this means nothing if you want this option, as many do, so that you can be "special" and "better" than a non Z51 equipped car. Remember, though, that it's mostly a mental thing as actual performance improvements with this option are very slim. Some people whose cars have this option even take to calling their Corvettes "my Z51". Ultra childish IMO to call a performance car by a minor option. But, that's just the human condition...always wanting to be one tiny notch better. But...the part about this minor option making a car close to a Z06.....ask the Z06 owners and they will put that howler to rest mighty fast.
Z51...."It's a legend in the owners' minds."
In fact, the holes are for show and solid/slotted rotors are far superior according to experts and aftermarket brake suppliers. Holes in rotors promote cracking around the holes and warpage that may not occur in solid rotors under the same conditions.
Post after post talks about how even Z06 owners replace their stock rotors if they do serious track time.....and....the 40+ year old technology in those one piece cast rotors make them HEAVY.
The Z51 option gives you tires that may be unsafe for the street if it's even cool....not even freezing....as they are optimized for hot dry roads. And, you probably won't put stock wheels back on the car because they don't last very well....read posts on the subject from owners you will find out.
From reading hundreds of posts on the subject the Z51 option seems to mostly be smoke and mirrors that adds a tiny boost to performance under limited sets of conditions. It turns ordinary vette owners into legends in their own minds though and many claim their cars are nearly or equal to the Z06. It's a mental thing.
So, whether you get the Z51 option or not plan to replace the old fashioned heavy brake rotors with much lighter ( you go faster ) aftermarket solid or slotted rotors unless you want the holes to show what a tough guy you are etc. And.....get much better tires than stock...several choices just search around this site for suggestions...and then add the Z51 option rear sway bar for two hun or less as it is the one piece that is different that actually seems to improve handling.
All this means nothing if you want this option, as many do, so that you can be "special" and "better" than a non Z51 equipped car. Remember, though, that it's mostly a mental thing as actual performance improvements with this option are very slim. Some people whose cars have this option even take to calling their Corvettes "my Z51". Ultra childish IMO to call a performance car by a minor option. But, that's just the human condition...always wanting to be one tiny notch better. But...the part about this minor option making a car close to a Z06.....ask the Z06 owners and they will put that howler to rest mighty fast.
Z51...."It's a legend in the owners' minds."
I don't track my Vette and I ordered the Z51 package. Personally I love the way it rides. I think that there is a difference in handling quality between base and Z51 equipped cars too; other than what was thrown up in that previous post.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
And his brakes comment, I agree with the cross drilled being more for show, however the "brembo" comment reminds me of my thread where we decided that you're paying for the name, not the performance (because even stock corvette brakes showed no signs of fatigue after 35 back to back runs).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
If you're gonna mod it, get the base suspension. Then with the $$ saved, put in a superior aftermarket system......like coil overs. If you're going for track performance, don't go w/the Z51 option. It too is a compromise for street comfort and can't compete with GM T1 setup, amongst others. If you can handle the ride., that is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,999
Likes: 2
All I can say is I tested base, F55, & Z51. Base is not bad but I drove at least two different F55 & Z51 models and liked them but thought that the overall best was F55 on rougher roads and in the corners. I could have bought either but went with F55; I just think it is better for me. Remember that newer F55 models have the same brakes. Z51 has additional weight (coolers you likely won't need) and stickier tires (that wear out very quickly and don't grip in cool weather).
You should just test them both for yourself.
You should just test them both for yourself.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
All I can say is I tested base, F55, & Z51. Base is not bad but I drove at least two different F55 & Z51 models and liked them but thought that the overall best was F55 on rougher roads and in the corners. I could have bought either but went with F55; I just think it is better for me. Remember that newer F55 models have the same brakes. Z51 has additional weight (coolers you likely won't need) and stickier tires (that wear out very quickly and don't grip in cool weather).
You should just test them both for yourself.
You should just test them both for yourself.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 62
From: California
$150 for the thicker sways, a set of bilsteins, pfadt bushings, and you're past the performance of the Z51, and you're in for <$500 all said and done.
Z51 is mostly marketing, and a tiny bit of performance. Shocks and sways added to the base suspension work every bit as well as the Z51.
Z51 is mostly marketing, and a tiny bit of performance. Shocks and sways added to the base suspension work every bit as well as the Z51.
Maybe you can get all of those things above to match the suspension but the Z51 also has different gearings. The 1st three gears are shorter. Making it quicker to shift and more fun. I drove the Non Z51 ratios and it was too tall for me. Also the larger crossed-drilled rotors makes the car look better, and lets not forget the additional oil cooler and the much stickier F1 Supercar tires. Its a lot more than just suspension components.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 1,608
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The Z-51 is a nice option. The ride is hardly noticeable over the base suspension. You really notice the handling improvement in the corners. With the addition of the bigger brakes and coolers is it a nice package and is a real plus when it comes to resale. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
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From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
No, you don't need the Z51 package. If you want better handling, get the FE1 suspension and replace the OEM shocks with Bilsteins ($300) and the swaybars with the Z51 bars ($150). None of the disasterous skitter and hop of the full Z51 package, just better handling and ride for a lower price.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Also, for what it's worth, if you have any back problems... I have a Motorcycle Back, and when I switch my F55 to sport, after about twenty miles I can feel it. But I did stick the Z51 sways on her!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa