Z51 package
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,599
Likes: 1,717
From: Converse TX
The ride is so stiff GM no longer offers this as an option on the regular coupe and verts for 2010
Not to worry though you can do what we did with our base 09, Z51 sways went on along with different shocks (Koni FSD), and with not being a track car we are close as we still have base springs so a little softer than a true Z51 and better shocks for sure and I do like the better control and the slightly firmer ride we now have
Not to worry though you can do what we did with our base 09, Z51 sways went on along with different shocks (Koni FSD), and with not being a track car we are close as we still have base springs so a little softer than a true Z51 and better shocks for sure and I do like the better control and the slightly firmer ride we now have
Last edited by peter pan; Dec 17, 2009 at 11:08 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Ask yourself what you want from your ride.
Ride and Handling are, can be, two different things.
I drove a Z51 car before buying my F55 car and in my opinion the Z51 "Ride" is hard and rough on anything less than smooth roads.
I Loved the way it "Handled" and had fun driving it, but not what I wanted for everyday driving.
If possible it's best to Test drive the different suspension packages and see for yourself what you like.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Beaufort County SC
I have an '08 Z51 coupe and drive it most days to/from work, on pock-marked Long Island (NY) roads. I don't feel it is too hard a ride at all. It definitely rides softer than one of my previous daily drivers, an '88 Mustang GT, but is harsher than my Acura RSX Type S that I use on heavy rain & snow days.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Z51 is an autocross package. How much stiffer than base is difficult to quantify. As you will find from the replies to your post, it's very subjective. The base suspension has capabilities far beyond what you will ever use on public roads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 210
From: Las Vegas Nevada
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I owned an 05 with the F55 and a 05 with z51 at the same time for four years. I much preferred the feel of the Z51 suspension over the F55.
Welcome to the Forum.
Welcome to the Forum.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
The general consensus is the Z51 suspension offers a rougher ride. How much rougher? That's for you to determine.
If you have the opportunity, I would drive three Vettes: Z51, Standard, and F55 suspended cars. Then you can decide what you need after you determine how the car will be driven.
Sensitivity to ride is a personal choice . . .
If you have the opportunity, I would drive three Vettes: Z51, Standard, and F55 suspended cars. Then you can decide what you need after you determine how the car will be driven.
Sensitivity to ride is a personal choice . . .
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 490
Likes: 3
From: Edmond OK
do a search here, strong feelings on both sides.
Bottom line is what you want. I drove both Z51 and F55 before buying an F55 car. I'm never going to track my car, and back to back, on the same concrete streets I could tell a difference between F55 and z51, and I preferred the slighly softer ride for the F55 for day to day driving.
You should drive both because it can be expensive to change your mind.
Bottom line is what you want. I drove both Z51 and F55 before buying an F55 car. I'm never going to track my car, and back to back, on the same concrete streets I could tell a difference between F55 and z51, and I preferred the slighly softer ride for the F55 for day to day driving.
You should drive both because it can be expensive to change your mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
As mentioned, Rough is in the eye of the beholder.
Ask yourself what you want from your ride.
Ride and Handling are, can be, two different things.
I drove a Z51 car before buying my F55 car and in my opinion the Z51 "Ride" is hard and rough on anything less than smooth roads.
I Loved the way it "Handled" and had fun driving it, but not what I wanted for everyday driving.
If possible it's best to Test drive the different suspension packages and see for yourself what you like.
Ask yourself what you want from your ride.
Ride and Handling are, can be, two different things.
I drove a Z51 car before buying my F55 car and in my opinion the Z51 "Ride" is hard and rough on anything less than smooth roads.
I Loved the way it "Handled" and had fun driving it, but not what I wanted for everyday driving.
If possible it's best to Test drive the different suspension packages and see for yourself what you like.
The F55 is dual personality and the best of both worlds.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 247
Likes: 4
From: El Dorado Hills, California
Go drive both back to back at a dealer. I did and I liked the Z51, stock felt soft and had body roll. Did not feal like high performance sports car. Mine is a daily driver most of the time.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 875
From: Bay Area CA
100% I drove both suspensions and would not buy one without out the Z51:Stock = too soft, unwanted body roll and less steering response.
Z51 = the way a sports car should feel, responsive and fun to drive!
Try driving both and see what your needs are, everyone has there own opinion, yours is the correct one
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 0
I drove a new (09) F55 first, then the Z51. I went in pertty sure I wanted the F55 because the technology sounded cool and had the option of going sport/cruise. However, for me, the F55 in sport wasn't nearly "sporty" enough and the Z51 was still smooth to me and it handled much better. The other thing I noticed as a difference between the Z51 and the F55 was the responsiveness of the car when turning into a corner. To me, the Z51 is more point and go.
That said, my preference is the best handling car over the best riding car and is why I chose the Z51. If your preference is best riding over best handling, then you can't go wrong with the F55.
That said, my preference is the best handling car over the best riding car and is why I chose the Z51. If your preference is best riding over best handling, then you can't go wrong with the F55.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX.
IMOP Very Hard. Wife hates to ride in the 07 Vette. 62 vette is a good comparison in ride. I will not buy another vette with the Z51 package. Lets face it the Z51 package is a waste of money. The extra cooling is nice to have but you must ride in a Vette with the Z51 and make up your own mind..its all in the seat...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,188
Likes: 4
From: S.F. Bay Area CA.
I have an '08 Z51 coupe and drive it most days to/from work, on pock-marked Long Island (NY) roads. I don't feel it is too hard a ride at all. It definitely rides softer than one of my previous daily drivers, an '88 Mustang GT, but is harsher than my Acura RSX Type S that I use on heavy rain & snow days.
But why get it, when you can get the Z51?I drove a new (09) F55 first, then the Z51. I went in pertty sure I wanted the F55 because the technology sounded cool and had the option of going sport/cruise. However, for me, the F55 in sport wasn't nearly "sporty" enough and the Z51 was still smooth to me and it handled much better. The other thing I noticed as a difference between the Z51 and the F55 was the responsiveness of the car when turning into a corner. To me, the Z51 is more point and go.
That said, my preference is the best handling car over the best riding car and is why I chose the Z51. If your preference is best riding over best handling, then you can't go wrong with the F55.
That said, my preference is the best handling car over the best riding car and is why I chose the Z51. If your preference is best riding over best handling, then you can't go wrong with the F55.
Sort of, the F55 pcakage has it's place, it goes well with an automatic, especially a 4LT vert, with a cashmere interior, and top. My wife would love that car. The Z51 option continued with the arrival of the C6, but with several important additions. Heavy duty cooling equipment was once again included with Z51, which now equated to oil, transmission, and power steering fluid coolers. As far as the suspension itself, Z51 included stiffer springs and shocks, and larger sway bars. However, brakes were addressed as well, with Z51 now including larger cross-drilled brake rotors. Tires were also upgraded to Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMT runflats; 6 speed manual received the Z06's slightly-closer gear ratios.
Last edited by calmtgguy; Dec 18, 2009 at 01:59 AM.