Do I need Z51?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,045
Likes: 12,412
From: NE South Carolina
On the flip side, had I gone with the Z51 I would be out a few thousand dollars, cleaning my wheels of break dust every day, and with no tangible benefit, since I don't track the car.
I custom ordered so added what I considered to be 2 essential Z51 components to the base Stingray:
1) Performance Exhaust
2) Z51 Spoiler
I custom ordered so added what I considered to be 2 essential Z51 components to the base Stingray:
1) Performance Exhaust
2) Z51 Spoiler
For those of us who use the Z51 features it's a must but I would not buy one for the negatives hoping for a few more bucks when selling!For my 2014 Z51 that I only paid $2800 for the option and changed to ceramic brake pads so I wasn't cleaning my wheels every 100 miles! It not only looked bad it was pitting my black wheels! (In fact changed to ceramic pads for my new Grand Sport the day I got it home with 30 miles! Would not live for months cleaning wheels as I did with he 2014!)
For the 2014 I did not get mag shocks that were also an option. Didn't have them on my C6 Z51 and the stiffer ride was fine for me.
NPP was a $1195 option at the time and did not come with the Z51 package.
Starting in 2015 GM offered a lower cost "Z51 Look" package that was very logical IMO. It avoided folks getting things they would never use and provided the larger wheels/tires and Z51 spoiler. I recall one Z51 owner who posted, "I won't use a watch to check my oil!" Perhaps not but with a dry sump you won't get an accurate reading unless you use one! Hope some Grand Sport buyers who only got it because they liked the looks learn the proper way to check oil level!
Last edited by JerryU; May 18, 2017 at 07:38 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
For the OP, the base car is far more capable than can reasonably be used on the street - so get what you want. To me, the Z51 w/o MSRC is just a horrible riding car for any longer trips.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
The base car's manual 7 speed has the best spacing (most linear) from 1 to 6 of all three transmissions offered (base, Z51/GS & Z06). The Z51's lower 1st gear gives it a little boost in launch, but otherwise from 10 mph to 150 mph, the base car being lighter than the Z51, is probably faster. For most of us, the biggest issue, especially with any C7 besides the GS, is keeping the tires from spinning in 1st gear once you get to about 4,500 rpms.
For the OP, the base car is far more capable than can reasonably be used on the street - so get what you want. To me, the Z51 w/o MSRC is just a horrible riding car for any longer trips.
For the OP, the base car is far more capable than can reasonably be used on the street - so get what you want. To me, the Z51 w/o MSRC is just a horrible riding car for any longer trips.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I had a 16 stingray non Z51 and loved it but had issues with it and GM bought it back but it rode good and was quieter and smoother than the 17 GS I currently have. IF you are looking for a softer smoother ride stick with the base non Z51. Tires are cheaper and no added expense if your ever need to change shocks.
