Z06 Suspension on Base C6
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethown PA
Z06 Suspension on Base C6
Found a guy selling the sway bars, springs and shocks off his '08 Z06 with only 16k miles after upgrading. I have an '05 base C6, non Z51 and I am considering putting these on. He says the parts will fit and should improve my performance in AutoX. Any advice out there as far as is it worth $650 to improve the handling, will it make the ride too harsh, or will the parts really fit. I do believe him but wondering if anyone out there has tried this vs after market kits. Thanks for the help 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,505
Likes: 3,632
Z06 suspension goes hand and hand with the wider tires on the Z06, as well as the added ground effect splitter and rear spoiler for more downforce.
So on that note, what do you want to improve in your suspension now if you are going to run z-51 tires and not add ground effects to increase down force?
Think T-1 front end suspension without adding front end down force, which makes the front just too over spring to react correctly.
If flatter in the turns without going harsher for DD, the DRM Bilstein shocks on your z51 will do just that.
So on that note, what do you want to improve in your suspension now if you are going to run z-51 tires and not add ground effects to increase down force?
Think T-1 front end suspension without adding front end down force, which makes the front just too over spring to react correctly.
If flatter in the turns without going harsher for DD, the DRM Bilstein shocks on your z51 will do just that.
Last edited by Dano523; Sep 4, 2014 at 10:05 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles Area CA
I just upgraded my base suspension to a Z51. I used the front z51 springs, front/rear z51 sway bars and front/rear sport bilstein shocks. I paid around $920 for a brand new parts.
I can feel the difference on the suspension, a lot stiffer compared to the base suspension.
I like how the car feels on the curves.
contact gene at gmpartshouse.com
I can feel the difference on the suspension, a lot stiffer compared to the base suspension.
I like how the car feels on the curves.
contact gene at gmpartshouse.com
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 351
Likes: 24
From: New York
I did the same to my 2013 C6 and use it for Time Trials with NASA. I run 275 front and 305 back NTO1s which are smaller than ZO6 tires and I don't have any of the ZO6 splittters, etc for down force and the car works great on the track. It is very predictable and I can drift it around turns without any snap oversteer. I do tracks like Cal Speedway and Willow Springs with very high speeds (150 mph+) and don't seem to miss any of the aero of the ZO6 even with the stiff suspension and smaller tires. It rides well on the street too. Just be sure to max our the camber to 2.5 on the front and 1.5 on the back for turn in and tire wear.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 351
Likes: 24
From: New York
I did the same to my 2013 C6 and use it for Time Trials with NASA. I run 275 front and 305 back NTO1s which are smaller than ZO6 tires and I don't have any of the ZO6 splittters, etc for down force and the car works great on the track. It is very predictable and I can drift it around turns without any snap oversteer. I do tracks like Cal Speedway and Willow Springs with very high speeds (150 mph+) and don't seem to miss any of the aero of the ZO6 even with the stiff suspension and smaller tires. It rides well on the street too. Just be sure to max our the camber to 2.5 on the front and 1.5 on the back for turn in and tire wear.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I just upgraded my base suspension to a Z51. I used the front z51 springs, front/rear z51 sway bars and front/rear sport bilstein shocks. I paid around $920 for a brand new parts.
I can feel the difference on the suspension, a lot stiffer compared to the base suspension.
I like how the car feels on the curves.
contact gene at gmpartshouse.com
I can feel the difference on the suspension, a lot stiffer compared to the base suspension.
I like how the car feels on the curves.
contact gene at gmpartshouse.com
I bought a Pfadt kit with coilovers, alignment kit, bars etc for my Z51 car, but Pfadt is out of business and it was $4K.
Just another opinion.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 351
Likes: 24
From: New York
I agree the Z51 suspension is a great option too. It is very close the ZO6 suspension except the rear sway bar and rear spring is a little softer which will be a bit easier on oversteer. I have driven the Z51 suspension on the track and it feels good and only a hair slower than the ZO6 suspension. I have been racing Camaros and Corvettes for years and really believe GM has the best engineers in the business and they have won more races than all the aftermarket guys combined and have put millions of dollars into developing suspensions. Whenever the magazines take cars to the track, the ZO6 is always at or near the top for lap times. You can't go wrong with the Z51 or ZO6 suspension and the price makes it an even easier decision.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethown PA
Thanks for all the feedback. Sorry for not responding sooner but I've been out of town for a while.
Since I'm just getting started running AutoX and I'm not really planning on the track for a while. I think I will leave it stock and explore options later. I know $650 is a good price and is why I was considering it in the first place. But who knows, if he doesnt sell the parts I may pick em up later for a winter project. 
and thx for the info
Since I'm just getting started running AutoX and I'm not really planning on the track for a while. I think I will leave it stock and explore options later. I know $650 is a good price and is why I was considering it in the first place. But who knows, if he doesnt sell the parts I may pick em up later for a winter project. and thx for the info