Sway bars
#1
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St. Jude Donor '12
Sway bars
My car is a 2017 2lt vert. Looking under the car in the rear I can see the spot where the sway bar mounts, empty bolt holes. I only drive my car to breakfast and short trips to the store when my truck is not needed.
My question is would it be worth having the Z-51 sway bars put on the car. Mainly in the back so it dont look like its missing a part.
My question is would it be worth having the Z-51 sway bars put on the car. Mainly in the back so it dont look like its missing a part.
#2
Melting Slicks
My car is a 2017 2lt vert. Looking under the car in the rear I can see the spot where the sway bar mounts, empty bolt holes. I only drive my car to breakfast and short trips to the store when my truck is not needed.
My question is would it be worth having the Z-51 sway bars put on the car. Mainly in the back so it dont look like its missing a part.
My question is would it be worth having the Z-51 sway bars put on the car. Mainly in the back so it dont look like its missing a part.
The ride will be a bit stiffer in the rear, but handling will be snappier, body roll decreased, and understeer at the limit reduced. The dealer likely won't do the job for you since there are liability issues involved for suspension mods that are not strictly in accordance with factory specs, so you'll probably have to get the parts and DIY or go to an indy for the service work. I would leave it alone unless you find the handling prowess of the car lacking.
Last edited by iclick; 05-28-2017 at 01:16 PM.
#3
Drifting
After our trip home from Museum delivery (12 Days 3500 miles) I had Z51 bars installed on our Lt2 coupe for all the reasons mentioned above. The over-steer was particularly noticeable when the rear storage area was fully loaded. Just finished a 3700 mile road trip and the difference was easily noticeable particularly when in touring mode. Its a great compromise between touring and sport, with the softer ride of touring.
#4
Melting Slicks
I wouldn't do it just for the cosmetics.
I also wouldn't add just the rear Z51 bar - that is a recipe for disaster if you aren't comfortable with oversteer.
The C7, in every configuration (base, Z51, GS & Z06) is set up to understeer just a little - which is generally regarded as the safest set-up for non-experienced racers (and just ordinary folks).
The base car goes from a car that understeers a fair bit without bars to neutral with the front & rear Z51 bars added. If you add just the rear bar from the Z51, the car will oversteer, which can result in spins.
Btw - the feeling of sway in the rear that many on this forum advocating for just adding the Z51 rear bar feel is not oversteer, which you can only feel as you get to the actual limit of control (car dances) and confirm after you exceed the limit and the car breaks free - is nothing more than what it is - rear sway.
Also, keep in mind the car was tuned with nothing in the rear trunk/storage area, so if you add weight there, the back end will feel heavier.
I also wouldn't add just the rear Z51 bar - that is a recipe for disaster if you aren't comfortable with oversteer.
The C7, in every configuration (base, Z51, GS & Z06) is set up to understeer just a little - which is generally regarded as the safest set-up for non-experienced racers (and just ordinary folks).
The base car goes from a car that understeers a fair bit without bars to neutral with the front & rear Z51 bars added. If you add just the rear bar from the Z51, the car will oversteer, which can result in spins.
Btw - the feeling of sway in the rear that many on this forum advocating for just adding the Z51 rear bar feel is not oversteer, which you can only feel as you get to the actual limit of control (car dances) and confirm after you exceed the limit and the car breaks free - is nothing more than what it is - rear sway.
Also, keep in mind the car was tuned with nothing in the rear trunk/storage area, so if you add weight there, the back end will feel heavier.
Last edited by LIStingray; 05-29-2017 at 08:01 AM.
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jim spitzer (05-30-2017)
#5
Melting Slicks
Read the thread I cited earlier and you'll find another owner who did some extensive experimenting with different bars, including two rear-only setups, and found all to understeer. He even tried an MSRC rear bar only, which is even larger, and still wasn't happy with the result. He finally ended up buying an adjustable aftermarket brand.
If you have some empirical evidence that shows that a stock Stingray with an added Z51 non-MSRC rear bar added will produce non-power oversteer I'd like to see it.
#6
My car is a 2017 2lt vert. Looking under the car in the rear I can see the spot where the sway bar mounts, empty bolt holes. I only drive my car to breakfast and short trips to the store when my truck is not needed.
My question is would it be worth having the Z-51 sway bars put on the car. Mainly in the back so it dont look like its missing a part.
My question is would it be worth having the Z-51 sway bars put on the car. Mainly in the back so it dont look like its missing a part.
.
Last edited by Trihawk; 05-30-2017 at 05:09 PM.
#7
I wouldn't do it just for the cosmetics.
I also wouldn't add just the rear Z51 bar - that is a recipe for disaster if you aren't comfortable with oversteer.
The C7, in every configuration (base, Z51, GS & Z06) is set up to understeer just a little - which is generally regarded as the safest set-up for non-experienced racers (and just ordinary folks).
The base car goes from a car that understeers a fair bit without bars to neutral with the front & rear Z51 bars added. If you add just the rear bar from the Z51, the car will oversteer, which can result in spins.
Btw - the feeling of sway in the rear that many on this forum advocating for just adding the Z51 rear bar feel is not oversteer, which you can only feel as you get to the actual limit of control (car dances) and confirm after you exceed the limit and the car breaks free - is nothing more than what it is - rear sway.
Also, keep in mind the car was tuned with nothing in the rear trunk/storage area, so if you add weight there, the back end will feel heavier.
I also wouldn't add just the rear Z51 bar - that is a recipe for disaster if you aren't comfortable with oversteer.
The C7, in every configuration (base, Z51, GS & Z06) is set up to understeer just a little - which is generally regarded as the safest set-up for non-experienced racers (and just ordinary folks).
The base car goes from a car that understeers a fair bit without bars to neutral with the front & rear Z51 bars added. If you add just the rear bar from the Z51, the car will oversteer, which can result in spins.
Btw - the feeling of sway in the rear that many on this forum advocating for just adding the Z51 rear bar feel is not oversteer, which you can only feel as you get to the actual limit of control (car dances) and confirm after you exceed the limit and the car breaks free - is nothing more than what it is - rear sway.
Also, keep in mind the car was tuned with nothing in the rear trunk/storage area, so if you add weight there, the back end will feel heavier.
I wouldn't really recommend making a lot of changes to the car's suspension unless you have experience tuning chassis, or at least a big skidpad where you can test. Pick up a book from Carroll Smith called "Tune to Win."
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jim spitzer (05-30-2017)
#8
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St. Jude Donor '12
I wouldn't do it just for the cosmetics.
I also wouldn't add just the rear Z51 bar - that is a recipe for disaster if you aren't comfortable with oversteer.
The C7, in every configuration (base, Z51, GS & Z06) is set up to understeer just a little - which is generally regarded as the safest set-up for non-experienced racers (and just ordinary folks).
The base car goes from a car that understeers a fair bit without bars to neutral with the front & rear Z51 bars added. If you add just the rear bar from the Z51, the car will oversteer, which can result in spins.
Btw - the feeling of sway in the rear that many on this forum advocating for just adding the Z51 rear bar feel is not oversteer, which you can only feel as you get to the actual limit of control (car dances) and confirm after you exceed the limit and the car breaks free - is nothing more than what it is - rear sway.
Also, keep in mind the car was tuned with nothing in the rear trunk/storage area, so if you add weight there, the back end will feel heavier.
I also wouldn't add just the rear Z51 bar - that is a recipe for disaster if you aren't comfortable with oversteer.
The C7, in every configuration (base, Z51, GS & Z06) is set up to understeer just a little - which is generally regarded as the safest set-up for non-experienced racers (and just ordinary folks).
The base car goes from a car that understeers a fair bit without bars to neutral with the front & rear Z51 bars added. If you add just the rear bar from the Z51, the car will oversteer, which can result in spins.
Btw - the feeling of sway in the rear that many on this forum advocating for just adding the Z51 rear bar feel is not oversteer, which you can only feel as you get to the actual limit of control (car dances) and confirm after you exceed the limit and the car breaks free - is nothing more than what it is - rear sway.
Also, keep in mind the car was tuned with nothing in the rear trunk/storage area, so if you add weight there, the back end will feel heavier.
#10
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We sell the Z51 front & rear kit. You can checkout the thread here on the forum below.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rformance.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rformance.html
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#11
Burning Brakes
I wouldn't buy a rear bar just to fill a cosmetic void under the car where likely only you will notice. You could add only a Z51 rear bar without causing any adverse handling issues. I did it on my 2015 and there's a recent discussion of this topic here.
The dealer likely won't do the job for you since there are liability issues involved for suspension mods that are not strictly in accordance with factory specs, so you'll probably have to get the parts and DIY or go to an indy for the service work.
The dealer likely won't do the job for you since there are liability issues involved for suspension mods that are not strictly in accordance with factory specs, so you'll probably have to get the parts and DIY or go to an indy for the service work.
Overall a worthy upgrade as seems to be the consensus.
#13
Melting Slicks
When did you have your work done? I recall reading some time back that dealers were instructed by GM not to do suspension changes unless stock parts are used. When I bought my rear bar the dealer (gmpartsdirect.com) told me the only way they would sell it to me was if I provided a VIN with the Z51 option. I went on-line, found a dealer who posted VINs, and used one of those. That was in Feb. 2016.
#14
After our trip home from Museum delivery (12 Days 3500 miles) I had Z51 bars installed on our Lt2 coupe for all the reasons mentioned above. The over-steer was particularly noticeable when the rear storage area was fully loaded. Just finished a 3700 mile road trip and the difference was easily noticeable particularly when in touring mode. Its a great compromise between touring and sport, with the softer ride of touring.
I think you are confused. What were you carrying in the back? 500lb weights that were sloshing side to side while you hit 1g corners? Installing z51 sway bars should not fix an oversteer problem on a stock c7.