rkj427

Thanks for the unbiased assessment of the differences between the base car and wide bodied Grand Sport.

Congrats. on getting your convertible, very sharp looking!

falcon5619

Sure. The base Stingray Corvettes come with a front sway bar installed but it is slightly smaller than the Z51 front sway bar. In addition, the bushings for the front sway bar on the base are softer than the Z51. Furthermore, crazy as it may sound the base suspension corvettes do not include a rear sway bar at all. I could live with the front sway bar on the base but having no rear sway bar on the rear was quite noticeable to me. This "wallow" is a term that is thrown around to describe how that backend of the car just doesn't feel as planted as it should. When you would throw it into a corner it would roll around more than I would like. It obviously makes the rear very soft for cruising but leaves a lot to be desired from a performance perspective.

Installing the Z51 front and rear sway bars is a really popular suspension mod for folks with base cars since for like $300 you will feel a noticeable change in handling. Plus, there is some psychological satisfaction in seeing the empty space filled up where the rear sway bar is supposed to be installed.

rsvette12

Well done - yes I think they do look better also - good luck

Supersonic 427

Great looking GS Vert! Best with it! Also great assessment of the addition of the Z51 sway bars on the base Stingray suspension. First thing I did to mine even before taking delivery. Makes a huge difference in handling and feel... for not a lot of money!

iclick

I have a similar history going from a 2015 base FE1 A8 to a 2017 GS FE6 M7, both coupes.

My GS had the pre-upgrade suspension at first and found it a tad firmer than my 2015 base. A friend has a 2016 base FE3 (MRC) and we took back-to-back rides before my MRC upgrade to compare the ride. He didn't notice any difference but I would say the GS is a notch firmer--not harsher, just more "planted" as you noted. After the MRC upgrade earlier this year the ride is more compliant and IMO a worthwhile effort. I rarely move from Tour/Eco mode.

After much deliberation and research I added only a Z51 rear sway bar on the Stingray, which was a meaningful upgrade. No oversteer was ever experienced by keeping the base front base and adding the Z51 rear bar, as the difference between the two front bars is minimal.

Yes, that's a very noticeable quality that even with the added weight the GS feels stronger without the nannies holding it back. Magazine road tests back up this notion.

OTOH, I found the dust to be a major negative, so i installed Z26 pads. Problem fixed with no side effects in street use. I wash mine once per month just to remove what little dust is present and even that's more than I would like. Washing cars is not one of my most fun activities even though I like looking a clean car when finished.

NPP is the best option available for a C7, IMO. My C6 didn't have it and I now wouldn't be without it. I like Sport mode, which is a perfect blend for me, as track had too much popping on decel.

I, OTOH, would prefer the taller gearing for the street, as the base car had plenty of performance for my taste. Had there been an option I would've taken it, as highway gas mileage isn't quite as good in the GS with the 15% shorter gearing. I confess that mileage isn't something I want to reduce without a good trade-off.

It does when you park next to a Stingray, but I don't think most people would notice without the direct comparison, as both are striking designs as you point out. I don't get any more attention with the GS than I did with the Stingray. That said, I agree that the wide-bodies are more aggressive looking and I'm not in the least bit sorry I opted for the GS. For me it is near-perfect, and I share the opinion of more than one car mag that the GS is the "sweet spot" for the C7.

steve8

Nice choice on the wheels.

dvilin

Good review and great looking GS.

Skid Row Joe

I don't street race, so I haven't experienced any suspension shortcomings on my base Stingray with MSRC.

That said, I will definitely keep the Z51 sway bar upgrade(s) front & rear, in mind. I know that Supersonic427, swears by the sway bar upgrade.

Now, I know what to look for if cornering becomes squirrely.

MrMik001

Are these the same size pads and part number for the Z-51 ?

devnull

montanaman

Do you need to remove the wheels to install these mud flaps?

falcon5619

Vetteman Jack

Great review and congrats on the purchase of your GS. It is a beautiful car.

Maxpowers

Unbiased which should keep the thread on track. Congrats on the vert!

Skid Row Joe

$119.99 ^^^^ Is that such a good price for all four? There's one seller with the price of $55.99 for all four. Then, $109.00 from another seller. Wondering if the OEMs are as pricey?

falcon5619