Sway bars
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 703
Likes: 76
From: leesburg fl
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
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; May 28, 2017 at 01:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 11
From: Seattle WA
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
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; May 29, 2017 at 08:01 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
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.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 20
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; May 30, 2017 at 05:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
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."
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 703
Likes: 76
From: leesburg fl
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 384
From: Williamsburg VA
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,295
From: SouthEast PA
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
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.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 546
Likes: 89
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.