What is required to convert a Base suspension to Z51?
My 07 is an A6, but it was ordered with Z51 brakes. Since I have owned it, I have replaced the F55 shocks with DRM/Bilsteins, replaced the bars with New GM Z51 Anti-sway bars w/new links, and installed a Trans Cooler. I have in hand a new OEM radiator to install soon.
Now I have finally found the FE3 front spring for less than $500.

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-pa...5962574?c=az0x

I'm also running Cooper RS3-S summer tires on lighter wheels than were on the car, with all-season tires on a second set of wheels.

 

Best money you will spend on a base model, Z51 front and rear sway bars GM is just fine, go to shock warehouse and get four Bilstein shocks you will be amazed, throw in a set of polyurethane sway bar bushings

 

Were did you put the trans cooler?

 

Post #4 pretty much sums it up....although you have gone a little outside of the window with the DRM shocks and tires. Also noted that the F55 package starting in 07 came with the Z51 brakes.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-details.html

 

I put a Derale trans cooler in place of the passenger side fog lamp.

 

I've been down this road... the first thing you want to do is add the Z51 Sway Bars. That makes a HUGE difference. This is without doubt the best performance upgrades per dollar spent you can make to a base. It keeps the car flat in the corners and stops the car from "wallowing" in the corners without sacrificing ride quality. It takes about an hour to install the sway bars and anyone can do it as it's a simple swap. Steinjager makes a set of Z51 swaybars ($270) that work great now that GM has stopped selling the Z51 swaybars.

Now how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?!?

Next up is add a set of Bilsten B8 or DRM shocks, which are much better than anything that ever came on any C6 and only slightly more money than OEM at about $400 at set. Install is a little more involved but still easy. It takes about 3 hours to do all four corners.

You can also add polyurethane bushings at sway bars ($40) and shocks ($25), but this is a step beyond OEM Z51. Zero time involved if done with above. You WILL feel the polyurethane bushings.

Next up is to upgrade base brakes (JL9) to Z51 brakes (J55). You can use your base calipers, but you will need Z51 caliper brackets ($240) and rotors ($275).

front brackets #88964166
rear brackets #88964167

I hate the OEM rotors as the left side are not drilled correctly and they rust/discolor. I use rotors from Brakemotive as they are correctly drilled and zinc coated so they do not rust or discolor. Installing new rotors, brackets and pads will take about 3 hours for all four corners.

If you plan to track the car you do not want drilled rotors as they will crack. For autocross or high performance street driving it's a non issue. The drilled rotors are worth it just for the appearance if nothing else.

I hope that helps. I'm sure you'll get many other opinions, I've spent lots of time playing with C6 suspensions and this is the road I'd follow for high performance street or autocross. YMMV