Suspension/Say bar
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
I'm assuming general street use since you didn't list any goal.
My suggestion:
Bilstein sport shocks. Z06 guys upgrade to custom valved bilsteins so I wouldn't use Z06 stock shocks if I were doing it unless you require the car to be all GM
ZR1 front sway (Z06 front bar is basically same as the Z51 bar)
Z06 rear sway
better tires
Alternatively Pfadt JOC for a combined shock and sway package. Its about $1k to buy.
My suggestion:
Bilstein sport shocks. Z06 guys upgrade to custom valved bilsteins so I wouldn't use Z06 stock shocks if I were doing it unless you require the car to be all GM
ZR1 front sway (Z06 front bar is basically same as the Z51 bar)
Z06 rear sway
better tires
Alternatively Pfadt JOC for a combined shock and sway package. Its about $1k to buy.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
Hey Tom. Our Johnny O'Connell package may be just what you're looking for. The package includes custom valved shocks, sway bars, endlinks and sway bar bushings. Designed with the daily driver in mind the shock valving is firm when you need it and compliant when you don't, and the sway bar upgrade provides improved turn in without becoming harsh on the street.
We are extremely happy with our our Johnny O'Connell Signature suspension line has turned out, and so are our customers. You can find more information here: Pfadt Johnny O'Connell Package
We are extremely happy with our our Johnny O'Connell Signature suspension line has turned out, and so are our customers. You can find more information here: Pfadt Johnny O'Connell Package
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I'd consider the Z51 sway bars front & rear, and Bilstein Sport shocks.
When you stiffen the suspension at one end of the car, the other end gets more grip. Since the Z51 factory setup has a stiff front spring and a stiff rear sway, they tend to even out.
If you install Z51 sways, that may give you some oversteer or at least less understeer. But most people seem happy with that setup.
You want to stay away from the ZO6 rear sway, unless you are somehow running wider rear tires. Or would be content with a tail-happy car.
When you stiffen the suspension at one end of the car, the other end gets more grip. Since the Z51 factory setup has a stiff front spring and a stiff rear sway, they tend to even out.
If you install Z51 sways, that may give you some oversteer or at least less understeer. But most people seem happy with that setup.
You want to stay away from the ZO6 rear sway, unless you are somehow running wider rear tires. Or would be content with a tail-happy car.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Hey Tom. Our Johnny O'Connell package may be just what you're looking for. The package includes custom valved shocks, sway bars, endlinks and sway bar bushings. Designed with the daily driver in mind the shock valving is firm when you need it and compliant when you don't, and the sway bar upgrade provides improved turn in without becoming harsh on the street.
We are extremely happy with our our Johnny O'Connell Signature suspension line has turned out, and so are our customers. You can find more information here: Pfadt Johnny O'Connell Package
We are extremely happy with our our Johnny O'Connell Signature suspension line has turned out, and so are our customers. You can find more information here: Pfadt Johnny O'Connell Package
Their parts are like jewelery for your car,
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
I'm assuming general street use since you didn't list any goal.
My suggestion:
Bilstein sport shocks. Z06 guys upgrade to custom valved bilsteins so I wouldn't use Z06 stock shocks if I were doing it unless you require the car to be all GM
ZR1 front sway (Z06 front bar is basically same as the Z51 bar)
Z06 rear sway
better tires
Alternatively Pfadt JOC for a combined shock and sway package. Its about $1k to buy.
My suggestion:
Bilstein sport shocks. Z06 guys upgrade to custom valved bilsteins so I wouldn't use Z06 stock shocks if I were doing it unless you require the car to be all GM
ZR1 front sway (Z06 front bar is basically same as the Z51 bar)
Z06 rear sway
better tires
Alternatively Pfadt JOC for a combined shock and sway package. Its about $1k to buy.
Definitely ZR1 front and Z06 rear sways.
The bilstein sports are the best option for shocks. Otherwise Z06 or Grandsport.
You can also Add in a z06 front spring and keep the base rear spring to get a similar spring ratio as the z51, except a bit stiffer with a little less understeer. The stiffer front spring will help prevent (along with the benefit of stiffer shocks) the bottoming out that is so common with the soft base front spring.
with the crap stock emt tires i can hit over 1 g. At lower acceleration (.5 to .8g) the car will feel very stable taking turns that Id usually feel much more with the stock suspension.
the way the car turns in and the way you can readjust yourself in a turn will also be changed.
An alignment with aggressive settings is recommended but is ultimately dependent on what you expect as far as tire wear.
Last edited by el es tu; Aug 15, 2011 at 08:52 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
That's why I suggested the ZR1 front bar. It's stiffer than the Z51/Z06 front bar and won't be as tail happy as simply adding the Z06 rear sway.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
