I've read thru a bunch of threads on handling mods to base and Z51 C6's for auto-X or track. All about sway bars and shocks and tire width. But I can't find anything where anybody has changed the leaf springs from Z51 to Z06.

How does this mod fit in to the mix? Anybody done this?

Thanks,
Stuart

 

have you ever looked under your C6 ? just curious

 

On a serious note. As far as handling goes there are some improvements to be made by changing the shocks and swaybars but I very much doubt you would see any improvement by replacing the leaf springs. You would, however, see a noticeable decrease in ride quality.
Some people go with coil-overs but I am a fan of the leaf spring. The z51 suspension itself has not been improved on drastically in several years. I may be wrong but I believe that gm used it in their racing vettes for a period of time.

Really in just stock form it is highly unlikely you will improve upon the cars handling in any major way by changing the suspension at all (if equip with Z-51) It is extremely doubtful that you will even come close to tapping the cars full potential of handling unless you find a serious almost, if not, strictly racing tire.

Alignment is a different story though. You can change the alignment to your own specific tastes so that you may feel more comfortable actually pushing your car to the limit.

 

I should have clarified. I'm looking for how leaf spring changes in concert with the other mods (sway bars, shocks, tires) would help / hinder / make no difference. It seems like a **** that isn't being turned in this forum.

My Z51 C6 has the Hotchkis front bar, Pfadt adjustable shocks, the Pfadt camber kit, Hawk HP Plus pads, plus A6's for auto-X and R888's for the track. I'm in the process of adding wide-body quarter panels on the rear, since my 305 R888's rubbed the lips of the quarter panels on the track last month.

Ever since I put in the camber kit, I have great turn-in, but the back end has gotten loose, mainly at auto-cross. I've been stiffening up the front shocks to compensate, but I'd like to find a better solution. Wider rear tires, a little more toe-in on the rear, a stiffer front bar? A stiffer rear sway bar doesn't seem to be indicated now, but that might change when I put on 335-size rear tires (previous threads seem to say so).

I also don't know how the stiffer springs would contribute. Maybe they make it worse. Just looking for someone with experience.

Current tire sizes, for reference: R888's - 285/30-18; 305/35-18. A6's - 295/30-18; 315/30-18.

Comments welcome.

Thanks all,
Stuart

 

Hyperco makes different spring rates for the transverse springs--Perhaps Aaron from Pfadt could lend a knowledgeable input as to how changing the spring rate would tie in with other plans for the suspension.

 

Hyperco's rock imo .

I used the heavy duty front and high performance on the rear .

Major difference in cornering imo but a much harder ride around town for sure .

 

There are many variables and depending upon the application stiffer springs can make an improvement in 'handling.' There are pros and cons no matter what you do but if you don't want to go to a true, 4-corner independent suspension (coil-overs) using the stiffer Hyperco transverse leaf springs might be a good option. I know LG Motorsports handles the Hyperco transverse leaf springs (possibly Pfadt as well). I'd give them a call and explain what you've done to the car and what you do with it. These guys are pretty good at getting your car setup properly.

 

Thanks all. I guess I'll call Aaron at Pfadt for starters. I'll report back what he says.

 

Actually spoke with Josh at PFADT. He said that Z06 leaf springs would stiffen up / stabilize the ride "a bit," but that mods to sway bars would have much more impact. He recommends staying with Z51 bars until you find yourself having a loose rear end, and then stiffen the front up. He recommends either the Pfadt C6Z SS bar or the Pfadt Racing Low Rate bar (which appear nearly identical on their rate comparison chart).

Since a Vette's main issue is usually putting power down coming out of corners, you don't want to do anything to stiffen up the rear. I asked about the notion that you can go with the stiffer Z06 bar if you mount the bigger Z06 rear tires. He said he would never put on a rear Z06 bar. (I don't think he likes them very much, even on Z06's.) The OEM (Z51) bar works fine.

Bottom line, I'm leaving the rear suspension alone. Once I get new wider tires on the rear (~335's), I'll see if I still have a loose rear end problem. If so, I'll try one of the Pfadt bars.