I too am in search of the holly grail! 
C6 suspension advice
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
C6 suspension advice
I have had a Z51 C6 since October; enjoying it immensely, but would like to get a bit more precision in the feel of the suspension. Coming form an M3, the amount of compliance in the Corvette bothers me a bit. I realize they are different suspensions, and I don't necessarily need the buckboard-stiff approach of the BMW, but I would like to remove some of the movement, particularly in the front. I expect some of the after-market folks will have spring and shock packages before long, which may be exactly what I need. This will remain primarily a street car, with a few track schools each year. So I need that level of street driveability and durability of components. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience yet with other components, or other suggestions?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Mill Creek WA
I posted earlier re how to make the C6 Z51 handle like a C5 Z06 or M3. Unfortunately, I have not driven a Z06 (I have driven an M3). From what I've read, the Z06 has much better "feel" than the C6 Z51. I believe what is needed is: (1) stiffer bushings, and (2) get rid of the run-flats. I know that dougrippie.com offers bushings for the C5/C6; I don't know how they compare to Z06 bushings. A third item to consider are the shocks. Doug Rippie offers Bilstein non-adjustable shocks, although I'm not sure if they will work without his coil-over conversion. My own preference is to locate double-adjustable Koni shocks, but I have not found anyone who offers them for the C5/C6. BTW, there is a post on corner-carvers.com about installing Penske DA shocks on a Z06. The Penske shocks are very expensive!
Eccentric Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 25,508
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From: Like Anyone Could Even Know That! Florida
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09
I've had two M3's. I think they are best described as "Overgrown Go-Carts", very flat, quick turners.
The C6 Z51 I have is far more of a thrasher ...it would have to be tightened up a lot and the steering changed to feel like the M3. It would be a real rough ride also!
I like the power of the corvette more than the "Feal" of the M3
Just my opinion
The C6 Z51 I have is far more of a thrasher ...it would have to be tightened up a lot and the steering changed to feel like the M3. It would be a real rough ride also!
I like the power of the corvette more than the "Feal" of the M3
Just my opinion
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Hmm
I've owned and driven both, currently have the C6-Z51. I don't understand why anyone would want any car car to feel like any other car. It's not the car guys, it's the driver. Get used to anything and it's great. Like a woman, you have to learn each one. If feel is truely what you seek rather than performance then stop trying to make one feel like the other and just trade what you've got for what you want. If however performance is what you seek, seek in first in your abilities and then you'll find the car is secondary to success.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=PJinNJ]I've owned and driven both, currently have the C6-Z51. I don't understand why anyone would want any car car to feel like any other car. It's not the car guys, it's the driver. Get used to anything and it's great. QUOTE]
I don't want it to feel "like another car", I want it to feel right to me.
I don't want it to feel "like another car", I want it to feel right to me.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 240
Likes: 100
From: Plano TX
no suggestions, however, I too want the "right" feel that you talk about. I'm planning to move from an M3 and have had the same concerns about my 02 vette (which I sold) in comparison. Is the difference truly disappointing on the C6? When do you notice it the most? On my 02 vette it was uncomforting in curves at normal highway speeds.
regards,
rob.
regards,
rob.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by rjktech
no suggestions, however, I too want the "right" feel that you talk about. I'm planning to move from an M3 and have had the same concerns about my 02 vette (which I sold) in comparison. Is the difference truly disappointing on the C6? When do you notice it the most? On my 02 vette it was uncomforting in curves at normal highway speeds.
regards,
rob.
regards,
rob.
If you were uncomfortable at highway speeds in your car, I wonder if you might have had an alignment issue. No, the lack of precision to which I refer, is at track speeds. And I'm not sure if it's truly a lack of precision, or just a lack of the confidence-inspiring feedback for which BMW is known. And another consideration; given the additional power and lighter weight, the Vette is simply a bit more challenging to drive at the limit. At least I have found it so. But I'm not nearly ready to give up on it. I think some parts will be available before long that will give me what I want, without spending a fortune; springs and shocks.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
From: Carolina
Originally Posted by elh0102
I wouldn't say the C6 is disappointing, it's just different. The C6 suspension is designed with quite a bit of compliance, and that takes some getting used to after the especially non-compliant feel of the M3. But the handling limits of the C6 are actually higher than the M3, and the Vette is much more neutral, which I really enjoy. That, combined with the low-end torque and hp, give the Corvette an ability to pull out of a turn in a way the M3 cannot.
If you were uncomfortable at highway speeds in your car, I wonder if you might have had an alignment issue. No, the lack of precision to which I refer, is at track speeds. And I'm not sure if it's truly a lack of precision, or just a lack of the confidence-inspiring feedback for which BMW is known. And another consideration; given the additional power and lighter weight, the Vette is simply a bit more challenging to drive at the limit. At least I have found it so. But I'm not nearly ready to give up on it. I think some parts will be available before long that will give me what I want, without spending a fortune; springs and shocks.
If you were uncomfortable at highway speeds in your car, I wonder if you might have had an alignment issue. No, the lack of precision to which I refer, is at track speeds. And I'm not sure if it's truly a lack of precision, or just a lack of the confidence-inspiring feedback for which BMW is known. And another consideration; given the additional power and lighter weight, the Vette is simply a bit more challenging to drive at the limit. At least I have found it so. But I'm not nearly ready to give up on it. I think some parts will be available before long that will give me what I want, without spending a fortune; springs and shocks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Ok maybe I can lend a persective. I have had several students with C6s and C5s at HPDEs. Most of the C6 students had the Magnetic supension and one had the Z51. My car is a C5, 03 with( past tense ) the Z51.
My student with the C6 Z51 seemed to have greater suppension or body roll then my c5 with z51. the C6 did have the stock or new GY run flats.( a very stiff side wall tire) I was running Hoosiers and my car was lowered 1 inch.
I wonder if lowering the C6 Z51 an inch or more if that would help? The C6 does ride almost an inch higher then the C5.
Currently I have the GM T1 suppension, speaking of flat turning and no body roll, it is great. But for street driving rocks would be softer.
I wonder if lowering the car and stiffer shocks would help the body roll.
My student with the C6 Z51 seemed to have greater suppension or body roll then my c5 with z51. the C6 did have the stock or new GY run flats.( a very stiff side wall tire) I was running Hoosiers and my car was lowered 1 inch.
I wonder if lowering the C6 Z51 an inch or more if that would help? The C6 does ride almost an inch higher then the C5.
Currently I have the GM T1 suppension, speaking of flat turning and no body roll, it is great. But for street driving rocks would be softer.
I wonder if lowering the car and stiffer shocks would help the body roll.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
From: Carolina
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Ok maybe I can lend a persective. I have had several students with C6s and C5s at HPDEs. Most of the C6 students had the Magnetic supension and one had the Z51. My car is a C5, 03 with( past tense ) the Z51.
My student with the C6 Z51 seemed to have greater suppension or body roll then my c5 with z51. the C6 did have the stock or new GY run flats.( a very stiff side wall tire) I was running Hoosiers and my car was lowered 1 inch.
I wonder if lowering the C6 Z51 an inch or more if that would help? The C6 does ride almost an inch higher then the C5.
Currently I have the GM T1 suppension, speaking of flat turning and no body roll, it is great. But for street driving rocks would be softer.
I wonder if lowering the car and stiffer shocks would help the body roll.
My student with the C6 Z51 seemed to have greater suppension or body roll then my c5 with z51. the C6 did have the stock or new GY run flats.( a very stiff side wall tire) I was running Hoosiers and my car was lowered 1 inch.
I wonder if lowering the C6 Z51 an inch or more if that would help? The C6 does ride almost an inch higher then the C5.
Currently I have the GM T1 suppension, speaking of flat turning and no body roll, it is great. But for street driving rocks would be softer.
I wonder if lowering the car and stiffer shocks would help the body roll.
C6 Z51 body roll is mild at its worst......
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Mill Creek WA
It is well known that the C5 Z06 is much faster on the track than the C6 Z51 even though their power-to-weight ratio is nearly the same. The reason is that the Z06 suspension is much better controlled. If you want the C6 Z51 to handle like an M3, a good place to start is to make it handle like a Z06! When Z06 tires were installed on a C5 Z51 (a test performed by one of the mags a few years back), most of the handling differences disappeared. The other difference is the Z06 bushings. The third difference may be the shocks.
I've never heard of anyone asking how to make the Z06 handle like an M3!
I've never heard of anyone asking how to make the Z06 handle like an M3!
