Dealer tells me today that wifes MY, F55, auto, Coupe has recently been determined (by who? no answer) to be equal or BETTER than the Z51 in the handling dept. Possible? I'm right now trying to find a 1SX, 6spd, Z51, silver coupe. Am I missing something? Is there NOT that much (or any) difference?
Any opinions would be welcome!

 

Well I can't comment about the F55, since I never drove one. But I would say that the $1,500 for the Z-51 is a very good deal! Which you probably already know includes :

1) power steering cooler
2) engine oil cooler
3) transmission fluid cooler
4) larger crossed drilled rotors
5) Eagle F1- SuperCar tires
6) different gear box, lower gears for manual ( auto gets 3.15 rear )
7) major upgrade on the suspension: struts, springs, sway bars, etc.

I think that's all , might have missed something, anyway it's the best money I ever spent!

 

I should (cudda, shudda, wudda) have purchased the Z51. At least with that you get solid, hard substance proven materials such as nicer brakes, springs, sway bars, oil, etc.. The F55(at a cost of $1,600): , we are not sure it is happening. Here is what we see on the forum
reguarding the F55: I can feel it activate sometimes, my wife noticed something, you have to drive on rough roads, an article shows....Blah, blah...Get the Z51

 

For the $$ spent, you cannot get a better deal in the aftermarket.

For performance and $$ value, the Z51 is the best deal going. Maybe that's why the parts for it are on constraint (and cause a 15 week delay in factory orders), because it's so in-demand.

Rick

 

I drove the Z51 and the F55 before I decided on the Z51. I Think it depends on how you are going to drive the car. If "average" daily driving is how you intend to use it (i.e, commuting, interstate cruising, etceteras), and a more comfortable ride is important to you, I would opt for the F55. If your driving style is more aggressive and crisp turn in, a firmer ride and repeated heavy braking, coupled with hard acceleration describes your driving style (or if you autocross or do track days), definitely go for the Z51. I don't find the ride of my C6 Z51 objectionable at all and it is definitely the right choice for me with a six speed manual. The closer gearbox ratios in the Z51 are a big plus, too. If I were getting the auto trans, however, I'd opt for the F55 which, I believe, better suits the peronality of the car when ordered with the automatic transmission. An F55 with the auto is more of a boulevardier type of car, while the Z51 6 speed is a sporting machine.

One negative about the Z51 with the 6 speed was the time it took to get one, because of production constraints. I ordered mine in early February, and it didn't arrive until mid May. The dealer told me that he could have a non-Z51 for me in a few weeks, but the Z51 would take months. He was right! In retrrospect, I'm glad I waited and got the Z51. It suits me perfectly and I don't think I would have enjoyed the F55 as much, based on my comparison test drives.

 

I agree... if you like to throw your vette around in canyons and on tracks, there is no better deal than the Z51 performance package. 1600 bucks for about 5 grand worth of after market performance mods. I haven't driven an F55 but those I know who have say that for performance, it's the Z-51 hands down. The ride on mine is quite smooth, by the way.

 

At least you get a choice here and with the F-55 you get 2 choices.

 

BUT you don't get any of the coolers, better brakes or softer tires either.
It is not just a comparison of rides. That is just a part of it.

While the ride is affected by the types of roads that are driven on (as well as the suspension of course).

 

Thanks everybody! Z51 it is!

 

Z-51 tires are wear out fast items you can put the same tires on the base corvette. The F-55 will stabilize your suspension and keeps everything on the ground. Also you can replace the standard Corvettes rotors with the same rotors or something even better. Coolers = more leaks and are unnecessary you won't get the most use of those options unless you trash your Corvette on the track. The F-55 is always on and you are always using it ...the Z-51 is fine but if you don't take the Corvette to the outer limits it is a waste of $$$$

 

I think everyone should have two vettes. One with Z51, and one with F55. What?

 

Put it this way the only reason why I traded my 04 for the new 05 C6 was that it had the Z51 package. I pulled into the dealership, after seeing 3 vettes C6's outside,,, I told myself unless they have a black or white sitting on the showroom floor I'm not stopping.....Well they had my artic white coupe, with Z51 package sitting beautifully on the showroom floor and the rest is history,,, they took a $1 k off sticker (GM discount) and I cash in $2K of GM Card money and I love my car!
First time I've driven a stick,,, wouldn't go back now.. Had the 03' vette traded it on a 04' vert (great deal) swore I would keep the C5 but the C6 just grows on you.... anyway I have my dream car and loving it. The Z51 package is worth the $$$$$$

 

GM automobile you purchased a total of 3,000 off sounds like a deal but if you are happy with it that is great

 

Sure you can replace all rotors, add the Z51 sway bars, etc. All it takes is more money. So you buy the F55 and add these parts and for what? If you are trying to make a Z51 just buy it, it will be cheaper.

Now if you have the base and add all these parts that is a different story.

The F55 can stablizie the ride over base suspension, not the Z51. When is the last time you took your Vette out and tried to jump hills so it can kick in and keep your tires planted.
Gee, is this like trashing your Corvette on the track, as you say.

I sure dont see any problems with coolers leaking as you have rumored here.

This is one of those things that is so subjective, just like the color. I have driven both and about the only time, I THINK (It may not be, due to subjectivity) the F55 ride may be better, is when driving on really poor roads. Driving on decent roads and I found no difference in ride quality. Oh and what did you say one of the F55 shocks cost to replace when it starts to leak? So there are Pros and Cons for both types of suspension.

I am not against the F55, it is just different and one of personal choice. To say the F55/z51 is better or worse really depends on your point of view.

This debate has been posted over and over and over. There is no winner. Just choices the buyer can make.

 

Since I drive nearly 50 K miles per year and probably see some things that may not be realized by the causal driver. With the Z51 not only is there a transmission cooler but a different gear ratio in 6th. With my C5 the instruction book indicated no need to replace the transmission oil. Having some work done at around 40 K miles I'm posting some pictures of my transmission internals. Oil and bearings show signs of heat stress probably caused by all my cross country trips in 6th. With that tall of a gear there must be a lot of stress on that final drive gear. So in conclusion with the cooler and reduction of ratio it has to benifit the longevity of the transmission.

 

What it really comes down to, is that the Z51 is MORE than "just" a suspension package - and as commented elsewhere in the thread. The cost of upgrading the brakes & suspension, adding the coolers, the difference in the gearing, etc. - could not be done NEARLY as inexpen$ive in the aftermarket, as it is done with the Z51 package.

I test drove both, and aside from the "flexibility" of choosing a softer/stiffer ride, the Z51 handles noticably better in high speed maneuvering than the F55. I have a "favorite off-ramp", that I try these on (scares the dogsnot out of the salesman too). The F55 is not rated to .98g's, and I've seen that, more than once on my Z51, without breaking a sweat (or squeeling a tire). Throw in all the other goodies, and one can see why most folks that want more than a 3.5KRPM-shift/boulevard-cruiser go for the Z51 (if they can FIND IT).

So again, you have two options that are exactly the same price - but one gives you so much more in the way of performance upgrades, and one only upgrades the suspension.

Rick

 

But having said that, it really makes me wonder about the General, when he markets a performance package and then only provides the correct brake rotors for one side of the car only. It looks very wrong IMO to know how they are supposed to work, and see them facing the WRONG WAY
Very GM and very dumb.
I hope they fix that for 06.

 

Z51

 

I also am not against any of the 3 choices we get for the corvette as it is a good thing. It will come down to an individuals driving style and what that individual will use the Corvette for is what will determine what option is the best for the $$$$.Some people will buy the corvette and not too soon later put the car up for sale because it wasn't what they thought it would be as far as ownership goes...
They can spend all the $$$ to do this as some are combining both F-55 with Z-51 swaybars or whatever modifications one can think of and still end up spending lots of $$$ which is fine because it is their $$$ do as they please.
I wouldn't do neither because my lifestyle doesn't apply here. Yeah when a shock goes out it is $500.00 to $750.00 a piece+ labor (I already knew this before I decided on this option) but realize you get what you pay for and you have to pay to play just like those high performance tires..those will cost alot more to what most people may be accustomed to but everyone who knows corvettes already knew this before buying one so no problem with that as you know what you are getting into I hope . So really it is your choice and that is a good thing being able to have these many choices: F-55, Z-51, base suspension..
Remember it is a Corvette so you can't go wrong either way it is still top dog just depends on how you are going to use the car and on your driving style and types of surfaces you will be driving on.
Well I can't be jumping hills right now till I get my pilots license renewed but when I do I will let you know how the F-55 performs in flight especially with those F-18's

 

Why can't we have a Z51/F55 combo? OH YEAH, They'd charge $3,100 & it would work too well.