Z51 worth it?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente California
Z51 worth it?
Looking at possibly getting a vette in the next few days. I drive my cars pretty hard, so I know I want the Z51, only thing is I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it, as my sales guy said its a super rare option (on the ones on the lot). So will I be ok if I get one with out it, or should I really hold out and bite the bullet till I get it? Also are there any suspension mods out yet for the C6?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
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From: Crestwood KY
Get ready for the firestorm of responses. The Z51 folks will tell you that you can't live without it. The base or Z55 guys will tell you that they love their cars.
It really depends on how you will drive the car. I wanted a Z51. But buying used with very low miles, my options were limited. I settled on the base model with all of the other options including Nav and most importantly my color. With not much money, you can mod the base to perform better all around than a Z51. If you plan to mod, the Z51 package won't make much difference at all. Although the coolers are very nice to have, I like the base model transmission gearing better than Z51. It is better for road course and auto-x IMO. If you are not going to mod and you want the tigher suspension, Z51 is the way to go.
Good luck and congrats on your impending purchase.
It really depends on how you will drive the car. I wanted a Z51. But buying used with very low miles, my options were limited. I settled on the base model with all of the other options including Nav and most importantly my color. With not much money, you can mod the base to perform better all around than a Z51. If you plan to mod, the Z51 package won't make much difference at all. Although the coolers are very nice to have, I like the base model transmission gearing better than Z51. It is better for road course and auto-x IMO. If you are not going to mod and you want the tigher suspension, Z51 is the way to go.
Good luck and congrats on your impending purchase.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by quickz28
Looking at possibly getting a vette in the next few days. I drive my cars pretty hard, so I know I want the Z51, only thing is I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it, as my sales guy said its a super rare option (on the ones on the lot). So will I be ok if I get one with out it, or should I really hold out and bite the bullet till I get it? Also are there any suspension mods out yet for the C6?
. Yes, they were extremely hard to get at one time. But now you should have no difficulty.It might not be available on his particular lot but shop around and by the end of the day you'll find the car you want at the price you are ready to pay. Also check the forum dealers
If I were you, based on what you have already said in your post, don't even consider getting anything besides the Z51. He is trying to sell you what he has available.
Don't make the mistake that so many have made and settle for what the dealer has on his lot as opposed to getting the Z51 when thats what you say you want in the first place. Then end up wishing you had bought the car you wanted. You are spending too much money to "settle" for less.
You shouldn't have to spend money modding your car to get it to perform like a Z51 when you can get a Z51 for an additional 1,675.00. A car which is more desirable and will hold its value better than a modded base car.
It is too easy to get it to do without it. For $1675.00 the Z51, especially in the manual, offers you way too many benefits to pass up.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jun 1, 2006 at 11:07 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 30
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From: Centreville VA
Originally Posted by quickz28
Looking at possibly getting a vette in the next few days. I drive my cars pretty hard, so I know I want the Z51, only thing is I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it, as my sales guy said its a super rare option (on the ones on the lot). So will I be ok if I get one with out it, or should I really hold out and bite the bullet till I get it? Also are there any suspension mods out yet for the C6?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by MamoVaka
Isn't the z51 a few tenths faster to 60 and in the QM?
The manual offers a gearing advantage in the first 3 gears and hence an acceleration advantage.
But where the Z51 really shines is on the road course which is the type racing that the C6 Vette was built for. And on the street where the gearing advantage and handling characteristics make it ideal for canyon carving and "fun" driving. .
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jun 1, 2006 at 11:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
Z51 was constrained for a while, but no longer. There are three z51 optioned vettes on the local lot here in Santa Barbara. If you don't mind waiting 6 weeks or so, order exactly what you want from a dealer. Look around and you will find what you want.
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente California
*puts on flame retardent suit* well I would definately order one if I had the money, but I will actually be leasing (gasp) the vehicle. There is a company here in SoCal that is offering a rate I just can't pass up. Especially when you factor in depreciation. Therefore, he has to search inventory with *his people* to find what I can get. No worries though, I will still be modding, and then just part out later on 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
But where the Z51 really shines is on the road course which is the type racing that the C6 Vette was built for. And on the street where the gearing advantage and handling characteristics make it ideal for canyon carving and "fun" driving. .
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: YOU SEE ... I'M NOT CRAZY ...I'M JUST AHEAD OF THE CURVE
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Based on what you get for the price - it's the best option package they have.
Aside from the tranny gearing, you can replicate the suspension, coolers and brakes - but no where near for the cost of the option.
Is it a neccesity - no. Just depends on what you use it for.
Aside from the tranny gearing, you can replicate the suspension, coolers and brakes - but no where near for the cost of the option.
Is it a neccesity - no. Just depends on what you use it for.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 9
From: Jacksonville FL
Z51 get it, you'll be happy you did. And lets face it, the bling factor of the cross drilled rotors really looks nice. Yup the brakes are larger than stock as well. I love mine as anyone with Z51 will tell you.
And yes the dealer feeding you that line about super rare, hard to find, is complete
And yes the dealer feeding you that line about super rare, hard to find, is complete
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Originally Posted by DrivnXcitment
Z51 get it, you'll be happy you did. And lets face it, the bling factor of the cross drilled rotors really looks nice. Yup the brakes are larger than stock as well. I love mine as anyone with Z51 will tell you.
And yes the dealer feeding you that line about super rare, hard to find, is complete
And yes the dealer feeding you that line about super rare, hard to find, is complete
By the way, the Z51's are quicker because the Z51 badges add 10rwhp and 10rwtq SAE.....dyno verified
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
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From: Crestwood KY
Originally Posted by xs650
Since when is a wider ratio spread gearbox better for canyon carving?
DSOM Z51 and I have had this very exchange a few times. It is always friendly though
A close ratio box is always better on the auto-x course and road course. I will be on Putnam Park's course in july (date in ? now) and August 5th, if anyone would like to see first hand
Of course with my better suspension, rubber, and extra torque and HP, the Z51 optioned car, can be show the way. It is acknowledged that the Z51 option is very slightly quicker in 0-60 and the 1/4. Part, at least a 1/10th is due to tires and the other is due to the tranny. So, a driver can easily overcome 2 1/10s. As I continue to learn my car as well as my 350Z with Nismo suspension, I will show better and better times with my better than Z51 handling, traction, and acceleration. Although, my car will likely run in the 11.9xx or better, I don't due strait line racing.
However, The Z51 package is an excellent option for the car and is a great value.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by DSOM Z51
But where the Z51 really shines is on the road course which is the type racing that the C6 Vette was built for. And on the street where the gearing advantage and handling characteristics make it ideal for canyon carving and "fun" driving. .
Originally Posted by xs650
Since when is a wider ratio spread gearbox better for canyon carving?
But the bottom line is don't spend money on a car you don't want. If the original poster wants the Z51 then thats what he should get.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jun 2, 2006 at 01:30 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 412
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From: Charleston SC
z51 is very much worth it. $1650 won't get even the extra coolers installed if you try to add them in later. I've had my z51 c6 on the track and done track events in a few C5's -- the coolers are NECESSARY for track events on hot days. I continually saw "high trans. temp" warnings on the C5 DIC (while on the track). Have not seen this message in the C6 Z51.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 188
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From: Rancho Cucamonga CA
just throwing my two cents in. I have the f55 package and have no complaints. I like to drive fast and straight, I might be two tenths slower stock but added a procharger and kooks so who cares. I lived with out the z51 because some magazines said it was a much stiffer ride than base or magnetic selective control. I found the car I wanted with all options including color except for z51 and chose it. No regrets, z51 is a great value, but will you ever utilize its potential? Or just have a bumpy ride most of the time. Either way, the layman does not know the difference, I have debated even upgrading sway bars and the tunnel plate but some on this site say ride is stiffer by doing that. I am only 37, but bumpy rides tend to annoy me now when commuting. I used to drive 200 miles per day for four years in a base f150 truck and the vibration and bumpiness finally got to me. To each his own, hell I have an A4 also, so that combined with the lack of Z51 and I am 4/tenths slower at the track. Oh well, I should have bought the Z06 but hell, than I couldn't take the top down or have an auto where my wife would equally enjoy the car. If I was younger, or a racer (not drag racer), I would go z51.
