F55 vs. Standard Suspension on 2011 GS
10-04-2010, 02:17 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
F55 vs. Standard Suspension on 2011 GS
Does the "Tour" mode of the F55 ride the same as the standard GS Z51 suspension, where the "Sport Mode" is even stiffer?
If not, what is the difference between the "tour mode", "Sport Mode", and the standard Z51 suspension?
Thanks
If not, what is the difference between the "tour mode", "Sport Mode", and the standard Z51 suspension?
Thanks
10-04-2010, 03:01 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Guys,
Sorry to insult anyone but, I searched the forum, and I could not find any definitive response to this question. In addition, the manal transmissons has new tires, which might affect the ride.
Thanks
Sorry to insult anyone but, I searched the forum, and I could not find any definitive response to this question. In addition, the manal transmissons has new tires, which might affect the ride.
Thanks
10-04-2010, 03:17 PM
#6
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It's always subjective to personal opinion, but there's a lot of info that might help you
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...multi-pro.html
10-04-2010, 03:21 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
I'll share my rookie opinion on the F55 tour and sport mode (based on my first Corvette, a 2011 GS that I've had for 10 days). Tour mode is a nice firm but smooth ride. I wouldn't say Lexus, but very comfortable and still sporty. Sport mode is a fairly stiff ride which makes most bumps in the road fairly bone jarring. Flipping the switch doesn't create some earth shattering difference that you feel instantly, but you'll feel which mode you're in over the first set of railroad tracks or road reflectors.
Since I'm not planning on ever tracking the car (this is a DD for work commute), I don't know that I'll ever actually realize the value in the sport mode. I flip the switch there every now and then, and then end up switching it back to comfort after a few minutes of the bone jarring.
But then again, since it was my first sports car, and my first Vette, I wanted all the "features" to play with! BTW...F55 is not different from Z51 on a GS...they're both on there together (what that actually means of standard Z51 to F55 on Z51, I don't know).
Since I'm not planning on ever tracking the car (this is a DD for work commute), I don't know that I'll ever actually realize the value in the sport mode. I flip the switch there every now and then, and then end up switching it back to comfort after a few minutes of the bone jarring.
But then again, since it was my first sports car, and my first Vette, I wanted all the "features" to play with! BTW...F55 is not different from Z51 on a GS...they're both on there together (what that actually means of standard Z51 to F55 on Z51, I don't know).
10-06-2010, 09:41 PM
#8
Team Owner
Ralph,
You will be getting some additional detail from Capevettes. He contacted me on your behalf. Sorry for my delay in responding.
To answer your specific question in this thread, no. The Grand Sport with F55 is not as stiff in either mode as the basic Grand Sport suspension. All of the components together work to form the basic ride and handling package on each of the individual models. While the base Grand Sport suspension package is a replacement for RPO Z51, it is still a different animal. The tires, the shocks and springs all work in conjunction with each other to form the basic suspension component. The ride of the Grand Sport with or without the F55 is a little more compliant (ride firmness) than the Z51 was. It is a newly engineered suspension package with different spring rates and firmness as compared to the Z51. The shocks on the F55 MSRC system are just not as firm as the shocks that are on the Grand Sport or the other shocks that were on the older Z51.
You will be getting some additional detail from Capevettes. He contacted me on your behalf. Sorry for my delay in responding.
To answer your specific question in this thread, no. The Grand Sport with F55 is not as stiff in either mode as the basic Grand Sport suspension. All of the components together work to form the basic ride and handling package on each of the individual models. While the base Grand Sport suspension package is a replacement for RPO Z51, it is still a different animal. The tires, the shocks and springs all work in conjunction with each other to form the basic suspension component. The ride of the Grand Sport with or without the F55 is a little more compliant (ride firmness) than the Z51 was. It is a newly engineered suspension package with different spring rates and firmness as compared to the Z51. The shocks on the F55 MSRC system are just not as firm as the shocks that are on the Grand Sport or the other shocks that were on the older Z51.
10-06-2010, 09:49 PM
#9
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Ralph,
You will be getting some additional detail from Capevettes. He contacted me on your behalf. Sorry for my delay in responding.
To answer your specific question in this thread, no. The Grand Sport with F55 is not as stiff in either mode as the basic Grand Sport suspension. All of the components together work to form the basic ride and handling package on each of the individual models. While the base Grand Sport suspension package is a replacement for RPO Z51, it is still a different animal. The tires, the shocks and springs all work in conjunction with each other to form the basic suspension component. The ride of the Grand Sport with or without the F55 is a little more compliant (ride firmness) than the Z51 was. It is a newly engineered suspension package with different spring rates and firmness as compared to the Z51. The shocks on the F55 MSRC system are just not as firm as the shocks that are on the Grand Sport or the other shocks that were on the older Z51.
You will be getting some additional detail from Capevettes. He contacted me on your behalf. Sorry for my delay in responding.
To answer your specific question in this thread, no. The Grand Sport with F55 is not as stiff in either mode as the basic Grand Sport suspension. All of the components together work to form the basic ride and handling package on each of the individual models. While the base Grand Sport suspension package is a replacement for RPO Z51, it is still a different animal. The tires, the shocks and springs all work in conjunction with each other to form the basic suspension component. The ride of the Grand Sport with or without the F55 is a little more compliant (ride firmness) than the Z51 was. It is a newly engineered suspension package with different spring rates and firmness as compared to the Z51. The shocks on the F55 MSRC system are just not as firm as the shocks that are on the Grand Sport or the other shocks that were on the older Z51.
10-06-2010, 09:50 PM
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St. Jude Donor '13
Someday, perhaps we'll see a list of the spring rates & swaybar sizes for the GS, normal and F55.
10-07-2010, 08:12 AM
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Ralph,
You will be getting some additional detail from Capevettes. He contacted me on your behalf. Sorry for my delay in responding.
To answer your specific question in this thread, no. The Grand Sport with F55 is not as stiff in either mode as the basic Grand Sport suspension. All of the components together work to form the basic ride and handling package on each of the individual models. While the base Grand Sport suspension package is a replacement for RPO Z51, it is still a different animal. The tires, the shocks and springs all work in conjunction with each other to form the basic suspension component. The ride of the Grand Sport with or without the F55 is a little more compliant (ride firmness) than the Z51 was. It is a newly engineered suspension package with different spring rates and firmness as compared to the Z51. The shocks on the F55 MSRC system are just not as firm as the shocks that are on the Grand Sport or the other shocks that were on the older Z51.
You will be getting some additional detail from Capevettes. He contacted me on your behalf. Sorry for my delay in responding.
To answer your specific question in this thread, no. The Grand Sport with F55 is not as stiff in either mode as the basic Grand Sport suspension. All of the components together work to form the basic ride and handling package on each of the individual models. While the base Grand Sport suspension package is a replacement for RPO Z51, it is still a different animal. The tires, the shocks and springs all work in conjunction with each other to form the basic suspension component. The ride of the Grand Sport with or without the F55 is a little more compliant (ride firmness) than the Z51 was. It is a newly engineered suspension package with different spring rates and firmness as compared to the Z51. The shocks on the F55 MSRC system are just not as firm as the shocks that are on the Grand Sport or the other shocks that were on the older Z51.
It almost sounds like you know what you are talking about 
Thanks Paul.
10-07-2010, 08:25 AM
#12
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
wow, that is some helluva good write up, Paul! Thanks a bunch. I'm going to save that one in my "definitions" category. I never knew the differences between GS suspension compared to the optional F55 and then compared to the older Z51.
I don't know if this is correct, but I would think also that the overall weight of the car (and possibly even the aero of the cars), altho minimally different from the old Z51s may also factor in when the total systems were newly designed for the GS and GS-F55.
I'm going to save that one in my "definitions" category. I never knew the differences between GS suspension compared to the optional F55 and then compared to the older Z51. I don't know if this is correct, but I would think also that the overall weight of the car (and possibly even the aero of the cars), altho minimally different from the old Z51s may also factor in when the total systems were newly designed for the GS and GS-F55.
