High Speed Stability Question
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 71
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From: Utah
High Speed Stability Question
I have an opportunity to a coupe with mag. ride. What really are the differences between the f55 and the z51 at higher speeds. As I read through old posts I find alot of different opinions that when explained make alot of sense for one or the other being more stable at higer speeds. Any thought on that topic would be helpful.
One other question I am wondering about is the signifigance of the oil and trans. cooler on the z51. If they were needed whouldnt it be important to put them on the f55 and the base cars as well. They also dont seem to be reflected by alot of cost in the z51 pkg.
One other question I am wondering about is the signifigance of the oil and trans. cooler on the z51. If they were needed whouldnt it be important to put them on the f55 and the base cars as well. They also dont seem to be reflected by alot of cost in the z51 pkg.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
If you are wanting to go fast for a long time then the z51 is the only package to go with. The f55 option is a pretty package for Techies. We have been T1 racing in the SCCA since the C5 introduction and it's all about setup. Also the coolers are a MUST. Fluid temps will kill your motor, trans and diff. As for set up, i.e. caster, camber etc. if you would like I can e-mail you some basic setup points to start with using the stock z51 parts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
The springs, shocks and sway bars in the Z51 cost about the same to make as the base parts, no real extra cost to GM there. The brakes cost a bit more, but not much to GM. The extra cost for the sticky tires is a lot less than the difference in retail we see.
The coolers and lines are probably the most expensive part of the Z51 upgrade for GM, but even they are cheap at OEM costs. Z51 is a very inexpensive option for GM to produce.
GM told us what they thought of the importance of good cooling when the dropped the engine oil cooler and started using synthetic oil in the c4s.
The coolers and lines are probably the most expensive part of the Z51 upgrade for GM, but even they are cheap at OEM costs. Z51 is a very inexpensive option for GM to produce.
GM told us what they thought of the importance of good cooling when the dropped the engine oil cooler and started using synthetic oil in the c4s.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 71
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From: Utah
Originally Posted by tommyc5
If you are wanting to go fast for a long time then the z51 is the only package to go with. The f55 option is a pretty package for Techies. We have been T1 racing in the SCCA since the C5 introduction and it's all about setup. Also the coolers are a MUST. Fluid temps will kill your motor, trans and diff. As for set up, i.e. caster, camber etc. if you would like I can e-mail you some basic setup points to start with using the stock z51 parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by tommyc5
If you are wanting to go fast for a long time then the z51 is the only package to go with. The f55 option is a pretty package for Techies. We have been T1 racing in the SCCA since the C5 introduction and it's all about setup. Also the coolers are a MUST. Fluid temps will kill your motor, trans and diff. As for set up, i.e. caster, camber etc. if you would like I can e-mail you some basic setup points to start with using the stock z51 parts.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: NY
Compromise
Or you could compromise and order the Z-51 sway bar kit.
I have one on order for my base suspension C6 in the hopes that it will flatten the car out in cornering and make it less floaty at high speeds. Hope it works...
I have one on order for my base suspension C6 in the hopes that it will flatten the car out in cornering and make it less floaty at high speeds. Hope it works...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Okay well here goes, as I am not sure what you are going to do with the car but this is a good starting point for road racing and street use.
First off you need to set the ride height on the car, As always lower is better but then with these corvettes and the ride height adjusters, the lower you go the LESS spring rate you have. Personal I started out by lower mine about an inch all the way around but was careful to make sure I left about a ½ in of rake. This will help with down force on the car.
Then its alignment time and this will give you good all around grip.
Front:
Camber: -1.5 degree
Caster: 6.4 to 7.4 the greater the number the faster the steering response
Toe in: .10 toeing the car out helps with stability
Rear:
Camber -.5 to -.6 if your car makes allot of power you will want to pick the lesser of the two. As the more negative you put in the rear the more lateral grip will increase but forward grip will decrease. This is a tread off here. I run -.55 in my car because it makes about 480 at the rear wheels and has to be throttled from the apex out of the turn.
Toe in: -10 toeing the rear in helps with Stability
First off you need to set the ride height on the car, As always lower is better but then with these corvettes and the ride height adjusters, the lower you go the LESS spring rate you have. Personal I started out by lower mine about an inch all the way around but was careful to make sure I left about a ½ in of rake. This will help with down force on the car.
Then its alignment time and this will give you good all around grip.
Front:
Camber: -1.5 degree
Caster: 6.4 to 7.4 the greater the number the faster the steering response
Toe in: .10 toeing the car out helps with stability
Rear:
Camber -.5 to -.6 if your car makes allot of power you will want to pick the lesser of the two. As the more negative you put in the rear the more lateral grip will increase but forward grip will decrease. This is a tread off here. I run -.55 in my car because it makes about 480 at the rear wheels and has to be throttled from the apex out of the turn.
Toe in: -10 toeing the rear in helps with Stability
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: debary fl
I will tell you one thing, do not try taking curves under hard accelleration and driving high speed with the magride set on tour. Make sure it is in the sport mode..I have had many vettes and I have just purchased an 06 vert. with the f55 - 3lt.and it is a nice ride for my old butt in touring mode and my wife likes the ride but I don't know as I would buy it again. I personally would like to have the sport mode be activated by the competive mode when used. I also consider it a dangerous practice driving it like you stole because eventually you will end up in the pea patch someplace. I have tried entering the interstate three times under high acceleration and any speed of 75 it floats way to much..Hope this will save someones vette, and life. If you like kicking it around alot I definetly would not recommend it.
Last edited by DIAMOND DAVE; Feb 1, 2006 at 08:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
Likes: 6
From: Providence RI
Originally Posted by tommyc5
If you are wanting to go fast for a long time then the z51 is the only package to go with. The f55 option is a pretty package for Techies. We have been T1 racing in the SCCA since the C5 introduction and it's all about setup. Also the coolers are a MUST. Fluid temps will kill your motor, trans and diff. As for set up, i.e. caster, camber etc. if you would like I can e-mail you some basic setup points to start with using the stock z51 parts.
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by tommyc5
Front:
Camber: -1.5 degree
Caster: 6.4 to 7.4 the greater the number the faster the steering response
Toe in: .10 toeing the car out helps with stability
Rear:
Camber -.5 to -.6 i
Toe in: -10 toeing the rear in helps with Stability
Camber: -1.5 degree
Caster: 6.4 to 7.4 the greater the number the faster the steering response
Toe in: .10 toeing the car out helps with stability
Rear:
Camber -.5 to -.6 i
Toe in: -10 toeing the rear in helps with Stability
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/toom...6alignment.htm
JK
