I am looking at some magazine test results for the base Corvette suspensions as I am looking at a 2012 C6 Convertible next week with base suspension. Why is the lateral acceleration numbers so low, in the neighbourhood of .83-.84 g's? I know this is only one aspect of handling, but I thought even C4's pulled more g's than this? Many sedans today also pull much more than this. The Grand Sports on the other hand are far better, much closer to the Z06/ZR1 numbers. Is it the stock tires that are not very good, or is the base suspension really that much worse for handling than the Grand Sports? And is this really noticeable on the street (the car is going to be strictly street driven).

Here at the articles I was referencing:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roada...2500d3c9be.pdf

http://media.caranddriver.com/files/...corvette-4.pdf

Thanks for any info in advance.

 

The stock runflats are garbage. The GS's have the same wide wheelbase as the Z06 and ZR1 which is why they perform better but they still lack the high performance tires that the Z06 and ZR1 usually get tested with.

The suspension of the base model C6 is great and with a performance handling package it definitely gets better but you can also feel the road more. I'm currently looking for used Z06 sway bars to add to my F55 equipped car but just from adding a decent set of front and rear tires I can already tell you the handling is way more improved in dry and wet conditions.

 

I had a z51 optioned car that I switched over to coilovers and z06 bars,car is dramatically better handling now. You do get some more road feel/feedback (i have them adjusted firmer than needed)but the handling is well worth the trade off.

 

I thought the 1LT suspension package sucked big time. I immediately changed the sways, added Koni FSD shocks and a Elite Engineering tunnel plate. Also got a proper alignment.

Car is much more stable feeling now. Especially the front end.

Oh ya also got rid of the RF junk.

What it corners at, no idea no "G" gauge. But the car handles and rides better and I am confident in pushing into the corners if needed.

 

You can easily change the base suspension. A set of Z51 springs, sways with bilstein shocks will do wonders...... and yes the very stiff sidewalls of the non Z51/GS Goodyear run flat tires do not help.

 

I started with the 1LT base and progressively went from there moving the car into autox and HPDE use while maintaining it as a DD.

First, as it sits, it will exceed any needs you have as a street driven car. So, you decide if you really want to spend the money for a slightly increased comfort level during the very few times you may really push your car in corners.

The GS, Z06, and ZR1 all have better tires than the base model. That is one area you can improve. You can gain better wet and dry traction. But again, do you need it?

Putting Z51 or Z06 sway bars on will reduce body roll which will feel better. Shocks will also improve the feel of the car. Skip the OEM Z51 and Z06 shocks as there is little to no improvement. A nice package is the JOC from Pfadt which several of my friends run on street and for autox. They are all impressed with it.

The base springs will give you the best ride on the street.

Beyond that, you're spending money for very little gain on the street. You will get bragging rights if that's important to you.

All that said I moved to full suspension modifications to include Pfadt COs, camber plates, poly bushings, sway bars, aggressive alignment, etc., and Dot R rubber on much wider wheels early on knowing that that is what I wanted for off-street use. This dramatically changed the character of the car, improving the handling at the expense of DD comfort. But, I knew that going in as I bought the car to play. I have yet to NEED these changes on the street even if out running faster than I should be.

--Dan

 

As mentioned above, tires are the most important part of the equation. I'd bet that if you simply put the Z51 Supercar tires on a base suspension, it would generate close to Z51 numbers in steady-state cornering. It just wouldn't do as well in quick transitions.

And of course, going to the wider tires of the GS/Z06/ZR1 would help even more, but they won't fit properly on the narrow body.

Since the Supercar tires are now seriously out of date also, Michelin Super Sports or the older PS2; will make a big difference. If you want more, installing the Z51 sway bars is relatively cheap and easy.

 

Thanks for the information guys. I was just surprised at how low the numbers were on the base suspensions. I thought it would be closer to the Grand Sports. Realistically the driving it will see will never be much more than "spirited" street driving. I have a lot of see time in a '99 C5 with base suspension and if the C6 base suspension is comparable to that, I would be happy. It was a fun car to drive in the corners.

 

what suspension are you running im looking to update 07 base

 

Phadt featherlights w/ z06 swaybars

 

I agree 100% JOC is the best handling mod you can do...other than some good tire! With good tires and some minor upgrades, you should have a car that won't hold you back in the twisties one bit.

Pfadt Race Engineering
888-972-2464
info@pfadtracing.com

 

I did the Pfadt Aggressor kit and Michelin Super Sports. Handles far better than I can ever drive it.

 

Save your dollars. You can do upgrades for relatively cheap to get you where you are having more fun than adults should have.

My setup:
Used Z06 sways. $130.
Barely used DRM Bilsteins. $300.

If you prefer new. Z51 sways: $200
Bilstein sports: <$350

Hard to beat that.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, seems like base suspension should be fine. Upgrading sway bars, tires and maybe shocks are easy things for me to do in the future if I feel I need more.

 

I swapped my base stuff for the Johnny O'Connell shocks and sways. Huge difference. That and some Michelin PSS's.