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Visual differences for Z51?

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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 10:49 AM
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Default Visual differences for Z51?

Is there an easy way to tell if a C7 is a Z51? I know it comes with an aero package, but you can also add that to any C7 as an option (or am I wrong?).

Slotted rotors? Anything else you could actually see in an Autotrader ad for example?
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 10:50 AM
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You can check the VIN number to be sure it is a Z51.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 10:57 AM
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They all have NPP exhaust.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by relson
Is there an easy way to tell if a C7 is a Z51? I know it comes with an aero package, but you can also add that to any C7 as an option (or am I wrong?).

Slotted rotors? Anything else you could actually see in an Autotrader ad for example?
Z51 has a larger and different wheel design.


If there are open-hood photos, you should be able to spot the location of the dry sump and dipstick (yellow dipstick and "Dexos" oil cap near passenger-side firewall in engine bay). Non-Z51 cars don't have the dry sump oil system.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 11:05 AM
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The Slotted rotors from the outside...
and as shown, with the hood open, the external oil reservoir for the dry sump.

I think you can get the NPP on a base as an extra cost option..
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 11:09 AM
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You can get the NPP on a base and you can get the larger wheels on a base with the mag ride, which may or may not give you the larger brakes.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by ssidekickbp
You can check the VIN number to be sure it is a Z51.
How could I do that? I'm assuming there is a "VIN decoder" somewhere, and part of it designates "Z51"?
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by relson
How could I do that? I'm assuming there is a "VIN decoder" somewhere, and part of it designates "Z51"?
It will have "51" in the VIN followed by the 5-digit production number at the end.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Foosh
It will have "51" in the VIN followed by the 5-digit production number at the end.
Nope
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by relson
Is there an easy way to tell if a C7 is a Z51? I know it comes with an aero package, but you can also add that to any C7 as an option (or am I wrong?).

Slotted rotors? Anything else you could actually see in an Autotrader ad for example?
G, H, J, K L, M are Z51.

From Zymurgy:
2015 VIN Decoding: This is an example of a VIN # for a 2015 Corvette Coupe (3LT, Z51, MN7):

1 G 1 Y L 2 D 7 X F 5 1 0 0 0 0 1

There are 17 characters. Starting with first character on left the codes are:
01. "1"= Built in US
02. "G"= General Motors
03. "1"= Chevrolet
04. Denotes the car line: Corvette is a "Y" body.
05. Provides more info about the car:
.. A=1LT M/T
.. B=1LT A/T
.. C=2LT M/T
.. D=2LT A/T
.. E=3LT M/T
.. F=3LT A/T
.. G=Z51 1LT M/T
.. H=Z51 1LT A/T
.. J=Z51 2LT M/T
.. K=Z51 2LT A/T
.. L=Z51 3LT M/T
.. M=Z51 3LT A/T
.. N=Z06 1LZ M/T
.. P=Z06 1LZ A/T
.. R=Z06 2LZ M/T
.. S=Z06 2LZ A/T
.. T=Z06 3LZ M/T
.. U=Z06 3LZ A/T
.. 9=export (Non US, Non Canada)
06. Body style: "2" = Coupe, "3" = Convertible
07. Restraint code: D – AJ7 Active Manual Belts, Airbags – Driver & Passenger and Seat Side
08. Engine: LT1 = "7", LT4 = "6"
09. Check Digit – 0 to 9 or X
10. Model year: F (2015)
11. Plant: Bowling Green = "5"
12-17. Production sequence number that starts with the #100001 for each model yr. Z06s will start with #600001
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by relson
Is there an easy way to tell if a C7 is a Z51? I know it comes with an aero package, but you can also add that to any C7 as an option (or am I wrong?).

Slotted rotors? Anything else you could actually see in an Autotrader ad for example?
On the 2014's (and, maybe the newer C7's) the front air dam under the grill is solid across the whole front on the Base and ZF1, while on the Z51, the center portion is missing with only the left and right sections visible.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by pdpratt
They all have NPP exhaust.
NPP was a separate option for 2014 & 2015. Only included in 2016 Z51 option.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by pdpratt
They all have NPP exhaust.
Not in 2014. It was an option the first year.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 01:19 PM
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I can usually tell by the rotor size on a ZF1.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Foosh
It will have "51" in the VIN followed by the 5-digit production number at the end.
It looks like a 51 but it's really number 5 for the Bowling Green Plant, and the number 1 is the start of the 6 digit serial number.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by checkur6
It looks like a 51 but it's really number 5 for the Bowling Green Plant, and the number 1 is the start of the 6 digit serial number.
Yep, my mistake.

Although I'm not new to Corvettes, I am new to C7s, and I've been away from this forum since 2008 when I sold my C6 Z06. I just returned a couple of weeks ago when I picked up a CPO '14 Z51 2LT after selling a Jaguar F-Type.


Last edited by Foosh; Jun 17, 2016 at 02:10 PM.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Foosh
Z51 has a larger and different wheel design.

]
Beautiful car, Foosh. If I didn't buy the best color, white, this is the color I would have wanted.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 05:51 PM
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ENOUGH SAID!
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 07:03 PM
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Here is one...
Check out front air dam



Last edited by PapaLeo67; Jun 17, 2016 at 07:05 PM.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 08:38 PM
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All of these are visual appearances that can easily be changed by the package ordered or by the owner. (Wheels, rotors, NPP, front air dam.) None except the dry sump come close to guaranteeing it is a Z51.
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