Z51 Vs. Regular C6
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
And everyone slamming the Z51 option is missing the point. It's a total "package" consisting of the tires/suspension/gearing/coolers/brakes. It's better performing then the base. 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.
I'm now seriously considering added Z51 fender badges just to tick off the base owners even more.
In the meantime, I do agree that I have settled for a very slight drop in performance for a much better ride with much less skitter over street driven rough roads. I will also say I am glad for the Z51 option, as those with the FE1 can move up to "ala carte" Z51 very easily and cheaply by adding Z51 swaybars while retaining the FE1's solid rotors, closer gear ratio's and better performing in wet/cold tires.
Last edited by siffert; Mar 7, 2008 at 04:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,844
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From: Alpharetta Georgia
Most ultra high performance tires give up grip in cold weather. Regardless, the Z51 tires are still crap IMO and will be replaced with a more appropriate performance tire when they are worn out. The cross-drilled brakes are dumb, I know they will crack....Porsches do as well. I got the Z51 option for the coolers, the gearing, and the stiffer suspension. A base suspension/tires WILL limit me around a track....I am not a novice to road courses/autox's. I also don't race during the winter, so you aren't going to catch anyone doing summertime racing down here in Ga in anything less than 80 degrees. The coolers will do nothing more than help keep temps in check, which is your number one priority from a reliability standpoint. How much will they help? I will report back after the TGP track rental I am attending.
Last edited by 1.8t; Mar 6, 2008 at 08:00 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
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From: Roxbury NJ
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.
I like all three suspension systems depending on the usage. Since my car's a weekend toy, it's Z51 all the way, but a daily driver would be a different story because the tires wear so quickly. The tires alone do make a big difference in the car when driven hard. Buying a set of the standard F1 tires after reading some reviews on this forum was a mistake for me, I can't wait to wear them out!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,252
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Unless that's a different 'Power Shifter'? LOL
Welcome the world of C6.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
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From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
The Z51 is a whole package. Tires, coolers, trans/ratio, suspension, breaks, etc. Certainly a bargain for $1700 however in my opinion it does not seperate itself from Base and F55 options in a significant amount to be classified as that much better. A higher performing option package? Perhaps slightly. But not enough for the be all end all, no other Vette is worthy mentality it sometimes gives to some of it's owners.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,252
Likes: 131
From: Short Hills, NJ
If that's how you want to simplify things....
The Z51 is a whole package. Tires, coolers, trans/ratio, suspension, breaks, etc. Certainly a bargain for $1700 however in my opinion it does not seperate itself from Base and F55 options in a significant amount to be classified as that much better. A higher performing option package? Perhaps slightly. But not enough for the be all end all, no other Vette is worthy mentality it sometimes gives to some of it's owners.
The Z51 is a whole package. Tires, coolers, trans/ratio, suspension, breaks, etc. Certainly a bargain for $1700 however in my opinion it does not seperate itself from Base and F55 options in a significant amount to be classified as that much better. A higher performing option package? Perhaps slightly. But not enough for the be all end all, no other Vette is worthy mentality it sometimes gives to some of it's owners.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
This is not legend, it was from the mouth also of Dave Hill on the capabilities and limits of Supercars. You can also read of guardrail and accident experiences with the Supercars in cold weather here too.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 1
From: Bedford Texas
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
This all sounds like a bunch of peniz51 envy to me! 
Who buys all the take off Z51 stuff on the forum. It's not the Z06s.
In before the lock...............................
Who buys all the take off Z51 stuff on the forum. It's not the Z06s. In before the lock...............................
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,844
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From: Alpharetta Georgia
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,252
Likes: 131
From: Short Hills, NJ
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
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From: Saint Albans, WV
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 12
From: Alpharetta Georgia
The front mounted oil cooler and the gearing were its selling points for me. The Z51 suspension rides like a cadillac compared to my old Evo and S2k .....I will eventually fix that problem
.....I will eventually fix that problem
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
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From: Frederick, MD
There really isn't a good Max Summer Performance tire out there that is great when it gets cold. Max performance involves compromises, one is cold weather performance.
I didn't know the Z51 had different seats also. They sure looked and felt the same on the two cars I drove (one Z51, one F55).
All suspensions are great IMO though but I love the F55 because it gives that comfort setting which is good for those long drives or over crappy roads while giving you 95% of the performance of the Z51. With an auto the gearing is the same when you order the performance axle with the base/F55 since the tranny has the same gearing no matter what suspension you get. Most people replace their OEM Supercar tires also from what I have heard which negates another difference in performance.
All excellent suspensions though. If the local dealer got off his high horse and gave me a great deal I would own a Z51 now.
I didn't know the Z51 had different seats also. They sure looked and felt the same on the two cars I drove (one Z51, one F55).
All suspensions are great IMO though but I love the F55 because it gives that comfort setting which is good for those long drives or over crappy roads while giving you 95% of the performance of the Z51. With an auto the gearing is the same when you order the performance axle with the base/F55 since the tranny has the same gearing no matter what suspension you get. Most people replace their OEM Supercar tires also from what I have heard which negates another difference in performance.
All excellent suspensions though. If the local dealer got off his high horse and gave me a great deal I would own a Z51 now.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
I have driven not only the Supercars (freebie usage from dealer) and Base F1 tires (my car) but also the GY Eagle F1 AS-C (all season) EMT's (now on my car). On stock C6's, I found the Supercars the worst of the three in temps below 45 degrees, particularly below freezing temps. I found the Base F1 EMT's had about 35-40% better grip in similar very cold temps and with the same pressures. The best of the three is easily the All Season EMT's which perform 100% better than both in those temps. You can actually do 0-120 WOT in 15 degree degree weather in a stock C6 with nary a spin or sideways and achieve similar G's from much higher temps on the other tires. It does sacrifice some very warm weather grip with its compound. This is from measured G readings from the HUD at a local traffic circle used as a "skidpad". This is not legend, it was from the mouth also of Dave Hill on the capabilities and limits of Supercars. You can also read of guardrail and accident experiences with the Supercars in cold weather here too.
This is not legend, it was from the mouth also of Dave Hill on the capabilities and limits of Supercars. You can also read of guardrail and accident experiences with the Supercars in cold weather here too.I don't see many posts about the all season tires around here. Daily driver in the winter?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 645
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From: Wellington fl
After Driving Both Befor Ei Bought My Car New, I Chose The Non Z51 For One Main Reason, The Z51 Rides Like A Bag Of Smashed Doorknobs. To Hard. I Live In Florida, Our Roads Dont Have Any Turns! I Am More Of A Dragracer, I Liek The Base Gearing Better, The Lighter Weight Without All The Extra Crap, Adn Saved Money. So For The Price Difference Over The Z51 I Got 30 More Hp, In My Headers And Vararam. I But That Will Get Me Aroud The Track Quicker, I Know It Will On The Drag Strip
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
Interesting results, thanks. I keep expecting to see a fall-off in Supercar performance in the cold since I read so much about it, but it's just not there in my usage. Maybe because I never push the car until the tires are up to temp no matter which tire I have? Pushing either tire in the cold if they aren't warmed up can definitely put you into a guardrail. I don't see many posts about the all season tires around here. Daily driver in the winter?