Z51 differences?

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Jan 21, 2013 | 11:42 PM

weez58

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 222

Likes: 3

From: Campbell CA

Z51 differences?

I'm looking to get an '05-'07 C6 M6. I'm curious as to what I'm giving up if I don't get a Z51. As far as I know, the differences are:

Different gear ratios in trans.
3.42 rear end ratio
bigger sway bars
different shocks
bigger brake rotors

Anything else?

Jan 22, 2013 | 12:15 AM

Z06LUST

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 1,987

Likes: 9

From: Citrus Heights CA

St. Jude Donor '12

All manuals have 3.42 rearends. The ONLY driveline change is the tranny gearing.
Oil and tranny coolers
softer/stickier tires but I assume the originals are long gone so not an issue
Brake pads are different (more aggressive)- but easily changable
Loss of .1 in 0 to 60 time (due to tires and tranny gearing)- .1 ain't substantial.
Street use changes don't account for squat for 95% of driving (better sways do substantially help if your a corner carver but buying and install those is easy)
Track use--the coolers are nice to have.
$500 will buy you the Z51 brake rotors and mounting brackets.
Really the only thing you ca;'t easily change is the tranny gearing-you just lose a little (and I mean little) quickness off the line.
Oh... If you do NOT get a car with the Z51 option you will not be able to become a Poser and slap a Z51 badge on it and tell everyone you have a "Z" car.

Jan 22, 2013 | 12:23 AM

Vette_DD

Team Owner

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 82,175

Likes: 1,319

From: McKinney TX

St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24

Description of the Z51 option package in the 2007 order guide:

Quote:

Performance Package,
performance-oriented package for the
Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast; includes
extra cooling, stiffer springs and stabilizer
bars, specific shock absorbers, larger brakes
with cross-drilled rotors, specific tires and
Z51-specific 6-speed manual when ordered
with 6-speed manual transmission

Jan 22, 2013 | 12:37 AM

weez58

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 222

Likes: 3

From: Campbell CA

So does the Z51 trans have a fluid pump built-in to go with the cooler?

Swaybars, shocks, and brake rotors are easy.

Thanks!

Jan 22, 2013 | 02:22 AM

torquetube

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 5,492

Likes: 807

From: West coast CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by weez58

So does the Z51 trans have a fluid pump built-in to go with the cooler?

Swaybars, shocks, and brake rotors are easy.

Thanks!

Yes, on the T-56 MZ6s (05-07) the pump is external, mounted on the front adapter below the input shaft.

Also, Z51 cars have different _springs_ front and rear. The rears are similar (slightly less stiff) but the front springs are significantly stiffer.

There's a bracket required for the rear calipers to accommodate the larger rotors. I believe the rear pistons are a different diameter as well, but they're close.

There are other differences, like the Zerk fittings on the rear radius rods and of course the tires, but these probably don't concern you.

Jan 24, 2013 | 11:44 AM

mabryusmc

Racer

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 475

Likes: 0

From: Prescott Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z06LUST

Oh... If you do NOT get a car with the Z51 option you will not be able to become a Poser and slap a Z51 badge on it and tell everyone you have a "Z" car.

Damn bro, hate much?

Jan 24, 2013 | 12:46 PM

Don 79 TA

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 967

Likes: 1

wasn't rear gear choices also part of Z51?
or were they available seperately?
mainly towards autos
our 05 is 3:15
standard was 2:73 if i'm not mistaken
i know all standards had 3:42

dont the auto6s have 2:56 and 2:73 option?