Ketch2631

For those of you that came from a C6 Z51 or Z06 to a non Z51 C7 how much of a difference can you feel in the suspension? Are you happy with the way car handles and feels? I'm not interested in racing the car but love to take my cars out to mountains for a spirited day of driving. With the constraints I'm debating going to a non Z51 but I'm afraid the suspension may be too soft for me. I had a C6 with the Z51 and thought the ride was fine. Kind of hard to decided without being able to test driver either one. I think a lot of people have the same question.

Thanks all!

ghostRder

SRQStingray

I just traded my C6 Z51 for a non-Z51 C7. I like the ride of the C7 better than my C6. I think, if you aren't tracking the C7, there is no real need for the Z51. I would have preferred the ability to get the Z51style wheels, but other than that, for a daily driver my C7 is more than adequate. My buddy has a Zr1 and he drove my C7 and said what a better ride it is on the street. My wife also says she prefers the ride of the C7 to my C6. I loved my C6, but my C7 is awesome.

Turbooo2u

You can always add a few Z51 parts to the base coupe. I find this a good way to get the handling you want without getting a stiff ride. The base model doesn't come with a rear sway bar so your first option might be to get a set of Z51 sway bars from the parts counter. They're pretty cheap. The base car always gives you the softer springs and that's what gives you a good ride.

01VETTECOP

It doesn't come with a rear sway bar (Base C7) ????????????????

My base C6 has a sway bar, all cars come with sway bars Modern day !

PARANORMAL

I had the same reaction but there is no sway bar.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-t...-not-know.html

Turbooo2u

Check it out for yourself!

01VETTECOP

Unreal

shaan

I had non-Z51 C6, I hated the floaty feel to it, I added the Z51 strut bars and it helped a little. I am glad I went with the Z51, always useful when needed

Vic T

Non Z51 C7 does not have a rear sway bar. Has a very slightly smaller diameter front bar, but no bar in the back. Engineers felt that the transverse composite spring did an adequate job.
Another key is 35mm dia. shocks front and back, vs. 45/46mm for the Z51.
Also, the factory Michelins are slightly different. The base Stingray has a slightly more compliant ride due to different compounds and sidewall construction.
I ordered a base 3LT as well, since I want it for a daily driver and will never track it.
Can't go too wrong either way, though, IMO.

sccaracer46

Sway bars are "crutches"! If the car has adequate spring rates and proper shocks, for street use you don't need no stinkin' sway bars!

I do not have the Z-51 option and while the ride is very comfortable, it still handles great! If I was going to seriously compete in track events, then I would consider the Z-51 option with the magnetic shocks.

pietro c7

100%...And even in some tracking situations (damp weather or elevations) the loose or no sway bar approach ...might be the way to go,..it helps eliminate wheelspin.

ZL-1

I came from a C6 Z06 and C4 C5 and C6 Z51's. This 2014 C7 is the first base suspension Corvette that I've ordered. The car will be driven a lot of miles in all conditions and I wanted it as simple and light as possible. No need for faster wearing tires or dusty squeaky brakes or extra coolers and oil capacity. Been there done that. Those things are cool to have on a car that isn't driven much but they add to overall operating costs as you pile on the miles and after the warranty expires.

I was concerned that the car would be soft or floaty like previous base Corvettes. What a pleasant surprise, there's no float. Yet driving on worn concrete interstates there is none of that constant hip-hop over the expansion strips either. Just a pleasant controlled ride.

I've traveled through 9 states so far and some great twisty roads. Although all cars lean, even Z51's, you are not aware of any when pushing it hard through switchbacks. And when you hit a bump mid-corner the car stays planted. It doesn't do a little side step like previous stiffer Corvettes. Possibly the absence of a rear bar allows the suspension to absorb such irregularities with less drama? We know MRC-equipped Corvettes do well in such conditions but it's amazing how good the base car is.

You can drive fast over really bad roads and the ride is great. Solid, not a trace of any creak, squeak, or rattle at 5000 miles.



.

lgodom

Thanks for your review of the base suspension. This is the second review I've read saying the standard suspension isn't floaty, which was my criticism of the base C5 I owned. Saving close to $5k inc.taxes on the MRC and Z51 combo is a big plus since I don't plan on tracking the car.