Would someone please
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
The Z51 "Performance" Package was recommended by GM to those that wanted to autocross on smooth parking lots. If instead you drive on the poor roads in Michigan, or those of most other states, their is little to appreciate because this less compliant suspension tends to cause you to skitter and dart on bumpy roads and curves, causing a loss of control. But to those that think a sports car should ride like a buckboard, it is the perfect choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
I was just in Michigan on the Hot Rod Power Tour and my non Z51 Vette rode great, but some of the potholes I saw my car could have become hung up on.
Douglas in Green Bay
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I live in NY(dont have to tell you all about the roads).
My Z51 handles just fine, thank you. Personally, I wouldnt own a Corvette w/o the Z51 package. To each his own.
OP, maybe you should swap sways and shocks.
My Z51 handles just fine, thank you. Personally, I wouldnt own a Corvette w/o the Z51 package. To each his own.
OP, maybe you should swap sways and shocks.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
NYC6: It would seem to me that there is more than just shocks and sways causing the rough ride. Feels like the tires are hard rubber, air pressure all the way around is 30 PSI. Once in a while I find a smooth stretch of road and all is well for a few miles.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
The Z51 has stiffer springs then the base C6. If you really like the car, and want to keep it, you could replace the springs with those from a base C6 and go with aftermarket shocks to get a softer ride. Get rid of the Goodyears and go with another brand, like Michelin or Firestone. You can still retain the run flats and get a decent ride with tires other then Goodyear. Michelin A/S ZP tires are a very good choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
The Z51 pkg. is like a "Grand Sport" minus the wide body and decals. Features include performance oriented suspension, handling, cooling, and driveline. Never found it a problem on the street with my '09.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
That seems a little extreme. As mentioned, the Z51 option was designed for the parking lot autocross enthusiast. I'm not fond of the Z51's cross-drilled rotors or its wider ratio gearing but the Z51 option has some nice features. The additional cooling capacities, the improved sway bars and frankly, most C6 owners would value its somewhat stiffer sprung suspension. If you find the ride too harsh, before you sell the car, I suggest you try different (softer) shock absorbers. No matter what you do, the Corvette is not designed to ride like a family sedan...it's a different beast altogether. I hope you get the ride quality you're looking for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 2
From: NCM Lifetime Member
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20
First, replace your tires with Michelin A/S ZP. Your car will roll up and over the bumps that make the GYs feel harsh.
After that, if you want a more compliant ride, change shocks. Research and talk to local Corvette owners who may give you a ride in their Vettes.
Anti-sway bars only come into play when cornering. The faster and sharper the cornering, the more the anti-sways will come into play. They do not impact the ride when going in a straight line on a smooth road. Bumps will briefly change the ride according to which anti-sways you have.
After that, if you want a more compliant ride, change shocks. Research and talk to local Corvette owners who may give you a ride in their Vettes.
Anti-sway bars only come into play when cornering. The faster and sharper the cornering, the more the anti-sways will come into play. They do not impact the ride when going in a straight line on a smooth road. Bumps will briefly change the ride according to which anti-sways you have.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
I had a Z51 setup on my 2005, but didn't re-order it on my 2009. While I did appreciate the crisp handling and amazing grip of the SC tires, I also found that the ride was really bad over rough roads. I also wasn't too thrilled about seeing my front tires well worn by 12,000 miles.
When I got the F55 setup, I opted to add the Z51 sway bars. This seems to be an excellent compromise, in that the ride compliance is better than the Z51 while body roll is minimal. The base rubber is wearing much better than the SC tires, but I do notice a difference in traction. Those SC tires do stick!
Every suspension choice involves compromises; you just have to decide what qualities you value most. No C6, whether a base, a Z51, or an F55, handles badly. All are totally competent and can handle a variety of road conditions. In your case, I think the recommendations about changing out the tires are very good. The SC tires are very harsh, wear relatively fast, and are noisy. That should be your first mod. After that, you might consider changing the shocks if you still find the ride too harsh for your driving environment. You've been getting some really good advice here, and you should be able to fine tune your suspension without having to get rid of the car.
When I got the F55 setup, I opted to add the Z51 sway bars. This seems to be an excellent compromise, in that the ride compliance is better than the Z51 while body roll is minimal. The base rubber is wearing much better than the SC tires, but I do notice a difference in traction. Those SC tires do stick!
Every suspension choice involves compromises; you just have to decide what qualities you value most. No C6, whether a base, a Z51, or an F55, handles badly. All are totally competent and can handle a variety of road conditions. In your case, I think the recommendations about changing out the tires are very good. The SC tires are very harsh, wear relatively fast, and are noisy. That should be your first mod. After that, you might consider changing the shocks if you still find the ride too harsh for your driving environment. You've been getting some really good advice here, and you should be able to fine tune your suspension without having to get rid of the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
That seems a little extreme. As mentioned, the Z51 option was designed for the parking lot autocross enthusiast. I'm not fond of the Z51's cross-drilled rotors or its wider ratio gearing but the Z51 option has some nice features. The additional cooling capacities, the improved sway bars and frankly, most C6 owners would value its somewhat stiffer sprung suspension. If you find the ride too harsh, before you sell the car, I suggest you try different (softer) shock absorbers. No matter what you do, the Corvette is not designed to ride like a family sedan...it's a different beast altogether. I hope you get the ride quality you're looking for.
Very well said!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,113
Likes: 8
From: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '12
