Z51 Option
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Washington Twp. MI.
Z51 Option???
Is the Z51 option worth it? I'll probably never take the car out on an autocross track. It will be mostly driven on the street and possibly to the drag strip once a year.
Last edited by scichoski; Jun 26, 2006 at 11:48 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: fort mill sc
IMO it is more of what it was intended to be with the Z51 option. But hey, every Corvette is just what the buyer wanted. The handling, track readiness of the suspension/tires and particulary, often under appreciated auxiliary coolers,make it better even if you don't romp it!
It is the best value option available. For $1695 it is an unbeatable value.
It is the best value option available. For $1695 it is an unbeatable value.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area California
It all depends on what YOU are looking for. For me the option was worth every penny. I really felt the Z51 ride was still too soft so I even swapped out the shocks and sway bars for a stiffer, firmer ride.
I like the feel of the road. But, everyone has different tastes for everyday street driving.
I like the feel of the road. But, everyone has different tastes for everyday street driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
Originally Posted by scichoski
Is the Z51 option worth it? I'll probably never take the car out on an autocross track. It will be mostly driven on the street and possibly to the drag strip once a year.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 137
From: Short Hills, NJ
It wasn't worth it for me for I live in NJ, home of some of the worst choppy, pothole ridden roads in the nation. On roads such as these my still awesome handling base/FE1 suspension is far more compliant/planted and likely handles better than the more jouncy/bouncy Z51 car overall IMO.
If I lived in FL, AZ, CA etc with their glass smooth roads I would have Z51 though.
The Z51 brakes do look cool but with all those holes (historically, cross drilled rotors have been prone to cracking) in them reducing swept braking area (though the rotors are slightly bigger) they likely provide no more stopping power/fade resistance than the base brakes.
The extra oil/power steering/transmission (which might be standard on all automatics anyway) coolers are a nice plus and the tires are stickier (and wear faster) for sure though.
If I lived in FL, AZ, CA etc with their glass smooth roads I would have Z51 though.
The Z51 brakes do look cool but with all those holes (historically, cross drilled rotors have been prone to cracking) in them reducing swept braking area (though the rotors are slightly bigger) they likely provide no more stopping power/fade resistance than the base brakes.
The extra oil/power steering/transmission (which might be standard on all automatics anyway) coolers are a nice plus and the tires are stickier (and wear faster) for sure though.
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Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
Z51 option is probably the best value of any C6 option....tires, brake rotors, shocks, sway bars, oil cooler, trans cooler, gear ratios (MN6)....you just can't beat it for the price. And it absolutely adds more precise handling. If you want a boulevard cruiser, nothing wrong with F55, but if you want something better (and yes, "better" is in the mind of he who is behind the steering wheel) go for the Z51.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 82
From: Ridgeland MS
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by rmd8136
IMO it is more of what it was intended to be with the Z51 option. But hey, every Corvette is just what the buyer wanted. The handling, track readiness of the suspension/tires and particulary, often under appreciated auxiliary coolers,make it better even if you don't romp it!
It is the best value option available. For $1695 it is an unbeatable value.
It is the best value option available. For $1695 it is an unbeatable value.
If you have a choice, I could not imagine a vette without it. The drilled brake rotors and manual transmission gearing are worth it alone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 8
From: Whitehall PA
Originally Posted by CYA-Vett
What a bunch of cheerleaders.
Drive all 3 suspensions and get the one you like best. All 3 can take more performance than you can give.
Drive all 3 suspensions and get the one you like best. All 3 can take more performance than you can give.
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I'm not sure why you wouldn't get it. If you're going to pony up the cash to purchase a car of this caliber you better do it right. Anyone who tells you not to get it or gives you an excuse why they didn't get it, is just giving you an excuse. cross-drilled rotors, sway bars, coolers, upgraded tranny, why anyone would order this car without it, I couldn't tell you. To me, this was more important that color.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 0
From: Upper St. Clair PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by Dave S
Z51 option is probably the best value of any C6 option....tires, brake rotors, shocks, sway bars, oil cooler, trans cooler, gear ratios (MN6)....you just can't beat it for the price. And it absolutely adds more precise handling. If you want a boulevard cruiser, nothing wrong with F55, but if you want something better (and yes, "better" is in the mind of he who is behind the steering wheel) go for the Z51.
If you want a great car, buy a Corvette. If you are know you want to mod the car, I'd definitely buy a Z51. It is the cheapest, most cost effective mod available, and a great way to start down that highway to better and better performance. 
Total cost/optimum performance is, of course, entirely up to your personal pocketbook.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by 1bdasvt
YES IT IS!!!!!!!!!
Lower gearing 1/2/3
Oil Cooler
Better Breaks
Better tires
Better Suspension
Better Resale $
I’m 57 and had the same issues upon purchase. Wanted F55 but it was unavail. Got the Z51 and am thrilled with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
Originally Posted by JFTaylor
Lower gearing 1/2/3
Oil Cooler
Better Breaks
Better tires
Better Suspension
Better Resale $
I’m 57 and had the same issues upon purchase. Wanted F55 but it was unavail. Got the Z51 and am thrilled with it.