Z51 Vs. Regular C6
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,733
Likes: 15
From: SC
Of course suspension makes a difference at the track. But we're not talking about the track. How many C6 owners actually race their cars? Like I posted, most who will competively race their cars will make their own alterations to the suspension anyway. On the street where 99% of C6 owners drive their cars 99% of the time. Your car's performance will most likely not be effected by the suspension in a way that will make you lose to a different optioned C6. Even just a straight run will come down more to the driver than the Z51 vs... I'm not putting down the Z51, I'm just saying people put too much thought into what it will do.
Get what you want and what you can afford. Just don't think it's THAT much better than the others.
Oh and by the way.....
V
V
V
Get what you want and what you can afford. Just don't think it's THAT much better than the others.
Oh and by the way.....
V
V
V
The main thing is some people who buy a C6 and don't want the Z51, hate the thought that they are buying a slightly lesser performing vette despite it having the same engine....to some that really irks them and it makes them feel better to put down the Z51 and claim it offers no real advantages.
Last edited by Silver05GTO; Mar 5, 2008 at 01:44 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
Likes: 129
From: Short Hills, NJ
Excuse me, but when the temps drop below 50 degrees, you'll find the Z51 "Supercar" tires got lots LESS grip than the Base FE1 tires. Unless you like washboard ride, the Base FE1 handles choppy surfaces much better. Z51 vette might have to cut back on hot lapping too when the cross drilled rotors start cracking, especially if you use race pads. 
Very, very true...especially this part:
Unless I lived in places such as South Florida, Arizona or Southern California I would probably never get the Z51 suspension package.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
I have a base C6 and can vouch that the Z51 package makes a huge difference. I have tracked and autox my car with base susp and upgrades.
Lowering the car on base susp made it extremely sloppy and body roll almost sickening to be on the autox course. Upgraded sway bars, C6Z shocks have much improved the handling.
Although the front is still very rolly due to the base leaf spring. Reason why I am looking for a Z51 spring today.
Coolers I cant speak on as I have not gotten there yet. Might look into a oil cooler but not so much the tranny cooler.
Just my .02
Lowering the car on base susp made it extremely sloppy and body roll almost sickening to be on the autox course. Upgraded sway bars, C6Z shocks have much improved the handling.
Although the front is still very rolly due to the base leaf spring. Reason why I am looking for a Z51 spring today.
Coolers I cant speak on as I have not gotten there yet. Might look into a oil cooler but not so much the tranny cooler.
Just my .02
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Please post the differences betwen a regular C6 and Z51, I don't see major differences, but I may be wrong.
Guys buying a Z51 think they are buying a different car , they don't think they have a C6 but a Z51 and that they belong to another "league", like a ZO6. I can see the differences on a ZO6.
Guys buying a Z51 think they are buying a different car
, they don't think they have a C6 but a Z51 and that they belong to another "league", like a ZO6. I can see the differences on a ZO6.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Philly Area PA
I own an 08 coupe with Z51 and recently drove a non-Z51 vert for 3-days and about 500 miles.
There is a BIG difference in the way the suspension on these cars affects the driving experience. I've driven a fair amount of performance cars and I was really not expecting to feel much difference between the two cars and was frankly very surprised by my real-world experience.
The non-Z51 car was VERY soft, with more fore/aft and side-to-side body roll than my wife's Acura TL. My Z51 is confidence inspiring and firm and I found the non-Z51 car pretty hard to get a feel for the limits on. Given the small cost for the Z51 I would NOT consider the base option unless I had specific plans to mod the suspension for racing, etc... and wanted to put the dollars toward some track-only stuff.
Caveat: I'm an speed freak and value handling way more than a comfortable ride. That said, to me the Z51 is actually a more comfortable and predictable sports car.
Scott
There is a BIG difference in the way the suspension on these cars affects the driving experience. I've driven a fair amount of performance cars and I was really not expecting to feel much difference between the two cars and was frankly very surprised by my real-world experience.
The non-Z51 car was VERY soft, with more fore/aft and side-to-side body roll than my wife's Acura TL. My Z51 is confidence inspiring and firm and I found the non-Z51 car pretty hard to get a feel for the limits on. Given the small cost for the Z51 I would NOT consider the base option unless I had specific plans to mod the suspension for racing, etc... and wanted to put the dollars toward some track-only stuff.
Caveat: I'm an speed freak and value handling way more than a comfortable ride. That said, to me the Z51 is actually a more comfortable and predictable sports car.
Scott
Last edited by NOSLO6; Mar 5, 2008 at 02:59 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
It all comes down to who's the better driver.
Realistically there are probably more people with the base Corvette who could defeat people who have the Z51 package at the track or roadcourse. Maybe even a Z06 in some cases depending on skill level and track.
Bottom line: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER
Realistically there are probably more people with the base Corvette who could defeat people who have the Z51 package at the track or roadcourse. Maybe even a Z06 in some cases depending on skill level and track.
Bottom line: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
Likes: 129
From: Short Hills, NJ
It all comes down to who's the better driver.
Realistically there are probably more people with the base Corvette who could defeat people who have the Z51 package at the track or roadcourse. Maybe even a Z06 in some cases depending on skill level and track.
Bottom line: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER
Realistically there are probably more people with the base Corvette who could defeat people who have the Z51 package at the track or roadcourse. Maybe even a Z06 in some cases depending on skill level and track.
Bottom line: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER
Not that the handling/cornering differences between Z51 and non Z51 cars are that drastic to begin with though I'd assume that the differences are somewhat notable on a smooth surface.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
) with the same top end speed. Though FE1 is a whopping 4' less in braking 70-0, and .04 g's on skidpad when done on, you guessed right, smooth surfaces.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
I own an 08 coupe with Z51 and recently drove a non-Z51 vert for 3-days and about 500 miles.
There is a BIG difference in the way the suspension on these cars affects the driving experience. I've driven a fair amount of performance cars and I was really not expecting to feel much difference between the two cars and was frankly very surprised by my real-world experience.
The non-Z51 car was VERY soft, with more fore/aft and side-to-side body roll than my wife's Acura TL. My Z51 is confidence inspiring and firm and I found the non-Z51 car pretty hard to get a feel for the limits on. Given the small cost for the Z51 I would NOT consider the base option unless I had specific plans to mod the suspension for racing, etc... and wanted to put the dollars toward some track-only stuff.
Caveat: I'm an speed freak and value handling way more than a comfortable ride. That said, to me the Z51 is actually a more comfortable and predictable sports car.
Scott
There is a BIG difference in the way the suspension on these cars affects the driving experience. I've driven a fair amount of performance cars and I was really not expecting to feel much difference between the two cars and was frankly very surprised by my real-world experience.
The non-Z51 car was VERY soft, with more fore/aft and side-to-side body roll than my wife's Acura TL. My Z51 is confidence inspiring and firm and I found the non-Z51 car pretty hard to get a feel for the limits on. Given the small cost for the Z51 I would NOT consider the base option unless I had specific plans to mod the suspension for racing, etc... and wanted to put the dollars toward some track-only stuff.
Caveat: I'm an speed freak and value handling way more than a comfortable ride. That said, to me the Z51 is actually a more comfortable and predictable sports car.
Scott
The arguments over C6 vs Z51 amazes me even more whenever I read about people that will drop THOUSANDS of dollars into after market products for hundreths of a second improvements (and much more money for tenths of a second) in straight line improvements, but then question the value of spending $1700 on the Z51 suspension which, according to GM and the car magazines, will outperform the C6 on the skid pad, stop in shorter distance and give you the speed advantage in a tight freeway cloverleaf on-ramps.
I didn't have the money to order the Z51 package so I just driled my rotors and nobody knows it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
HI Guys, I used to be active on this fourm, health issues sidelined me for awile;( But I am back with a new 08 A6. I opted for the F55 a better rideing car than my 02 Z. I need that now. SO is this concidered between the Z51 ad base? Ric
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Personally I like all 3 suspensions on the Vette. I went with the F55 though because it is the more advanced suspension and provides 95% of the grip as the Z51 but has the ability to be probably 10 times softer when needed.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
Its more considered having both! You get almost the Base suspension ride/feel with the Touring mode and almost the Z51 ride/feel (albeit a bit smoother over rough roads) in Sport mode.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Philly Area PA
That's VERY true...a great driver in a lesser handling car will still beat a weak driver in an awesome handling car almost EVERY time.
Not that the handling/cornering differences between Z51 and non Z51 cars are that drastic to begin with though I'd assume that the differences are somewhat notable on a smooth surface.
Not that the handling/cornering differences between Z51 and non Z51 cars are that drastic to begin with though I'd assume that the differences are somewhat notable on a smooth surface.
However, in my view they ARE drastic. I was actually amazed that GM would equip a vette with so much body roll. I'm not being sarcastic when I say my wife's TL (base model) is set up with a stiffer suspension.
It would take a MUCH better driver to keep up with a Z51 car in the corners. With two experienced drivers who could drive each at their limits the Z51 would smoke a base car on a road course.
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
You are missing an important point. Tires. The Z51 has "supercar" tires that gives it more grip in warm weather than the base tires. So there would be no smoking if both used the same tires. On the other hand, if both used their own tires in cold weather, the base would smoke the Z51 as those "supercar" tires have very poor grip below 45-50 degrees.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,733
Likes: 15
From: SC
You are missing an important point. Tires. The Z51 has "supercar" tires that gives it more grip in warm weather than the base tires. So there would be no smoking if both used the same tires. On the other hand, if both used their own tires in cold weather, the base would smoke the Z51 as those "supercar" tires have very poor grip below 45-50 degrees.
Someone tell me why base owners can't get it and just accept that they traded in some performance for a comfy ride.....freakin unreal that people try and explain how the Z51 isn't an upgrade over base
I'm now seriously considering added Z51 fender badges just to tick off the base owners even more.