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High Perf suspension

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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:16 PM
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Default High Perf suspension

Sorry if this has been covered, but I have a 2008 coupe without the Z51 suspension. I would like to add a perf suspension (preferably the Z51) but when I go to the dealership, they look at me like they have no idea what I am talking about. Anybody know what would be involved and what the cost might be? Thanks.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:24 PM
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Add shocks - Bilsteins or Koni; Springs - Z06 or Z-51, Sways - Z06 or Z-51. Depends on what you want in terms of stiffness. Check GMPartsHouse.com for prices for the Z06/Z51 parts. Other vendors for the shocks.

Another option is to change to a coilover suspension with urethane bushings. I did that and love my Pfadt system - and mine was a Z51 to start.

Last edited by johnodrake; Apr 3, 2009 at 11:29 PM.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:27 PM
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so thats it? shocks, springs and sway bars? When I finally found someone at the dealership that understood me, they brought out a list of 28 items that they said "I needed"
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by johnodrake
Add shocks - Bilsteins or Koni; Springs - Z06 or Z-51, Sways - Z06 or Z-51. Depends on what you want in terms of stiffness. Check GMPartsHouse.com for prices for the Z06/Z51 parts. Other vendors for the shocks.

Another option is to change to a coilover suspension with urethane bushings.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by kgglonghorn
so thats it? shocks, springs and sway bars? When I finally found someone at the dealership that understood me, they brought out a list of 28 items that they said "I needed"
Other than shocks, springs and sways, what other parts did that list contain. If you want to change your brakes to Z51 brakes (just larger rotors) you need the rotors and brackets.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:37 PM
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I am not too technical, so I don't recall what all of the parts were, I just remember thinking that it was ALOT of parts. Total price for his list was $4500.00. I definitely am planning on the corss drilled rotors and larger brakes, too. My ONLY regret with my Vette is that I did not get the Z51 package.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kgglonghorn
I am not too technical, so I don't recall what all of the parts were, I just remember thinking that it was ALOT of parts. Total price for his list was $4500.00. I definitely am planning on the corss drilled rotors and larger brakes, too. My ONLY regret with my Vette is that I did not get the Z51 package.
Seems like a lot without knowing what the pieces were. A Pfadt coilover system is 2K plus installation. Z51 brake kit from Gene Culley at GMPartsHouse.com is under $500 shipped. You can spend more and get Baer Eradispeed Plus. They are great rotors.

Since you aren't technical, I guess you will be having a shop do the work. Fill out your profile and recommendations can be made for a shop in your area.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:44 PM
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For that much money I would get coilovers and slotted two piece rotors.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by beanfree
For that much money I would get coilovers and slotted two piece rotors.
As in the Baer Eradispeed
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by kgglonghorn
I am not too technical, so I don't recall what all of the parts were, I just remember thinking that it was ALOT of parts. Total price for his list was $4500.00. I definitely am planning on the corss drilled rotors and larger brakes, too. My ONLY regret with my Vette is that I did not get the Z51 package.
Be advised that the base calipers (brakes) and the Z51 are identical in the front, and only slightly different in the rear. Cross-drilled rotors are for looks only. Research twice, purchase once.

New shocks are cheap and I don't think any of the stock Corvette shocks (F-55 excluded) are anything special. Many change them out to try to cure the wheel hop and the "skittish" behavior of the rear of the Corvette when encountering bumps in corners.

San
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 02:19 PM
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The most cost effective ("stage 1") setup is this:

(1) get LGM (google: LG motorsports) Bilstein "sport" shocks (their coil-overs are better, but much more expensive).
(2) get Pfadt (google: pfadt racing) "street" adjustable sway bars and set them on the middle settings.

If you can afford more, get non-runflats like Mich. PS2's.

I have an '07 Z51, and the Pfadt street sway bars with Mich. PS2's totally transformed the handling. Next year: coil-overs.
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