Visual differences for Z51?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 4
From: Portland OR
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?
Slotted rotors? Anything else you could actually see in an Autotrader ad for example?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
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.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 4
From: Portland OR
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 573
Likes: 91
From: Carlsbad, CA
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
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 506
Likes: 54
From: Tulsa OK
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.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 465
Likes: 29
From: Las Vegas NV
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
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.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
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.