F55 modifications
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by blznsdl
z51= coupe,stick.... for racers
f55= verts and a/t coupes
End
f55= verts and a/t coupes
End
I have a close friend who used to race -- a girl. I guarantee that I could hand 99% of the members of this forum the keys to a Z06, and rent her a Buick from Hertz, and she would crush you. The real joke here is 99% of the people with Z51 never use the suspension as intended, and 99% of those with F55 do, but don't know it. By the way, when I was shopping for my Vette I noticed plenty of Z51, a/t verts. End.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Wow im not a enginer or a rocket scientist but i have z51 sway bars and big brakes on my F55 package and there is no problem at all the ride is a little stiffer than before but not in a straight line . And to answer the question the F55 thumps when the suspension is hit hard just like a Z51 if you lower the car raise the sensors up a little and you are rollin . 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
I have an F55 vert. My first suspension mod was the Z51 sway bars. There was not much difference in ride quality - a little but not much. Then I added the Baer Eradispeed slotted and cross-drilled rotors with Hawk brake pads. The difference now is more noticeable. When I hit a good sized bump in the roadway I do get a "thump" that I did not get before. The ride on an open highway in good condition is still excellent, but the rougher roads are just that - a little rough. If I had it to do over again......well, I'm not sure. I love the looks of the car with the rotor mods, but there has been some deterioration in ride quality. I guess what I'm saying is that if you want F55 strictly for soft ride quality keep the suspension stock. If you are going to do some spirited driving add the sway bars. If you are going for appearance get what looks good to you but be prepared to pay a ride quality price.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by benspruce
I have an F55 vert. Then I added the Baer Eradispeed slotted and cross-drilled rotors with Hawk brake pads. When I hit a good sized bump in the roadway I do get a "thump" that I did not get before.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Who says the eradispeeds weigh more ? anybody ever weigh them I bet they dont if so not much look at the two side by side . The F55s come from the factory with all different rides heights no two are the same but the factory ride sensor is always in the same spot , it reads of the a arm so a car that sits alittle lower is going to ride stiffer thru the bumps . This sensor is easy to move and makes the suspension very tuneable and it works .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by haulina29
Who says the eradispeeds weigh more ? anybody ever weigh them I bet they dont if so not much look at the two side by side . The F55s come from the factory with all different rides heights no two are the same but the factory ride sensor is always in the same spot , it reads of the a arm so a car that sits alittle lower is going to ride stiffer thru the bumps . This sensor is easy to move and makes the suspension very tuneable and it works .
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
scrannel yes the sensor hangs off a bracket above the a arm you can move it up a little and it allows the car to come down further before the shocks stiffens up and reverse is also true if you go lower with the sensor , how you move it is up too you. pull a wheel of and you will see the sensor , go slow with the amount you move it "dont go a quarter inch at a time lol try 1/8 at a time " !! at1/16 to 1/8 inch you should see a noticable difference H29
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by haulina29
scrannel yes the sensor hangs off a bracket above the a arm you can move it up a little and it allows the car to come down further before the shocks stiffens up and reverse is also true if you go lower with the sensor . pull a wheel of and you will see the sensor , go slow with the amount you move it "dont go a quarter inch at a time lol try 1/8 at a time " !! at 1/8 inch you should see a noticable difference H29
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by jschindler
Jeff, have you ever ridden in a F55 car? Come to Houston, I have one. Bring a Z51 car, and bring cash. We'll go to an autocross and see how much difference it makes 
I've had both Z51 and F55 C6's. You people who think the Z51 is the end all, and that all Corvettes should have it sure are narrow minded. I don't criticize anyone for their choices. But I see an awful lot of Z51 fans acting like if you don't by Z51 you are some kind of second class citizen. The really annoying part of it is that most of the Z51 zealots have never spent any time driving the other variations.
If you have Z51, and it's the only way you would by a Corvette, that's fine. But please quit talking down to those who don't have it as if they are idiots.
I've had both Z51 and F55 C6's. You people who think the Z51 is the end all, and that all Corvettes should have it sure are narrow minded. I don't criticize anyone for their choices. But I see an awful lot of Z51 fans acting like if you don't by Z51 you are some kind of second class citizen. The really annoying part of it is that most of the Z51 zealots have never spent any time driving the other variations.
If you have Z51, and it's the only way you would by a Corvette, that's fine. But please quit talking down to those who don't have it as if they are idiots.
Amen!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by fts
Amen!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Whittier California
Eradispeed rotors
Originally Posted by haulina29
Who says the eradispeeds weigh more ? anybody ever weigh them I bet they dont if so not much look at the two side by side . The F55s come from the factory with all different rides heights no two are the same but the factory ride sensor is always in the same spot , it reads of the a arm so a car that sits alittle lower is going to ride stiffer thru the bumps . This sensor is easy to move and makes the suspension very tuneable and it works .
I put huge tubular (lightweight) swaybars on my Mustang GT and had no change in ride other than situations where there was a difference in wheel movement side-to-side on the same axle. (For example, when going into a driveway at a diagonal, the car was noticably stiffer since one side of the suspension was being compressed through the sway bar). There was very little lean around corners so it got rid of the "seasick" feeling and worked quite well on the street.
Thanks for the excellent comments on the F55 sensor adjustment.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
Haulina, thanks for your comments about tunning the F55 system. I definitely want to check that out. Sounds like it will make for a good improvement in the ride I am getting now. Again, thanks.
