Base Corvette non Z51 Performance?
Popular Reply
Jan 2, 2023, 11:32 AM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 536
From: Hampshire, IL
Great. Do you want a drag facer or a curve/corner feel?
The base Vette will hang onto more corners than you .
Enjoy!!
The base Vette will hang onto more corners than you .
Enjoy!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 358
Likes: 227
I then added a procharger D-1X, Corsa headers and exhaust system, and a tune and that’s when the fun REALLY began. At 650 RWHP at altitude it’s all I need. It’s a hoot to drive and row the gears. I’m hanging on to this car!!!
By the way, I’ve also owned a ‘15 Z51 3LT M7 SR, ‘16 ZO6 M7 1LZ, ‘17 ZO6 ZO7 3LZ A8, ‘19 ZR1 3ZR M7 and now have the ‘19 base SR. (I bought my wife a ‘21 C8 2LT non-Z51. She loves it, it’s fun to drive, but I wouldn’t trade her).
Bottom line is if you find what you like, build it the way you want, then drive it and enjoy it!
Hope that helps,
Hawkbarr
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,887
From: Toronto
Easy question, complex answer! I have a ‘19 non-Z51, M7, SR(about as base of a car as you could get). Before the mods I would put it in sport mode and enjoy all the spirited driving I could want here in the Colorado mountains. So to answer your question, with the M7 it’s a fun car to drive.
I then added a procharger D-1X, Corsa headers and exhaust system, and a tune and that’s when the fun REALLY began. At 650 RWHP at altitude it’s all I need. It’s a hoot to drive and row the gears. I’m hanging on to this car!!!
By the way, I’ve also owned a ‘15 Z51 3LT M7 SR, ‘16 ZO6 M7 1LZ, ‘17 ZO6 ZO7 3LZ A8, ‘19 ZR1 3ZR M7 and now have the ‘19 base SR. (I bought my wife a ‘21 C8 2LT non-Z51. She loves it, it’s fun to drive, but I wouldn’t trade her).
Bottom line is if you find what you like, build it the way you want, then drive it and enjoy it!
Hope that helps,
Hawkbarr
I then added a procharger D-1X, Corsa headers and exhaust system, and a tune and that’s when the fun REALLY began. At 650 RWHP at altitude it’s all I need. It’s a hoot to drive and row the gears. I’m hanging on to this car!!!
By the way, I’ve also owned a ‘15 Z51 3LT M7 SR, ‘16 ZO6 M7 1LZ, ‘17 ZO6 ZO7 3LZ A8, ‘19 ZR1 3ZR M7 and now have the ‘19 base SR. (I bought my wife a ‘21 C8 2LT non-Z51. She loves it, it’s fun to drive, but I wouldn’t trade her).
Bottom line is if you find what you like, build it the way you want, then drive it and enjoy it!
Hope that helps,
Hawkbarr
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 2,206
From: Massachusetts
MaxPowers, I am going to follow your wife's thoughts.
I plan to order a 2024 C8, 2LT,HTC, non-Z51, high-wing.
On the fence for NPP exhaust(probable) and GT2 seats(unlikely)?
I would enjoy a summary of your Vettes, likes and dislikes.
I really like my Grand Sport but want a smoother ride. And I like the tech of C8.
I plan to order a 2024 C8, 2LT,HTC, non-Z51, high-wing.
On the fence for NPP exhaust(probable) and GT2 seats(unlikely)?
I would enjoy a summary of your Vettes, likes and dislikes.
I really like my Grand Sport but want a smoother ride. And I like the tech of C8.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 820
From: Bay Area, CA
My car had base suspension and it was wallows and floating, the back end had a lot of movement when accelerating hard. I put on Z51 shocks and sway bars and now it handles how I think a C7 should handle.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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I have the base suspension on my '14 Stingray and me, it handles and rides just fine for how I use the car. At some point I may try adding some Z51 stuff (shocks and sway bars).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,770
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Mine has perfectly met my needs on the street for over 5-years (never had GAGS engaged, so I do drive it like a sports car). Highly recommended as is. All the other crappola is totally unnecessary and more to deal with down the road if one keeps such cars for the duration, as I always do. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 354
Likes: 193
my 2014 M7 Base SR Convertible was just fine for spirited, but not stupid, driving on Mountain roads.
then i added Z51 sway bars and shocks, i would currently rate it "more than fine"
less bounce, less wallowing, more flat. all the car i need to have fun.
then i added Z51 sway bars and shocks, i would currently rate it "more than fine"
less bounce, less wallowing, more flat. all the car i need to have fun.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 329
Power is more than most need or can use. Z51 suspension components can be added easily and inexpensively if suspension doesn’t thrill you. Base model is more than enough though some like the prestige/goodies of upgraded options. If you need the baddest car around, Z06. If you track, Z51 and or GS. If you just want a car that will hold its own in power and style with most cars on the road, base will work.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
I used to own the first year C7 '14 6AT w/. the Z51 package. I had to let it go because of its many teething issues. Since I'm not planning to track the upcoming '18 or '19 C7 that I'm planning to get, for street use, don't see the reason to expend additional cash on replacing Z51 wearables like brakes or tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
If you plan frequent trips to the track, the Z51 will make use of its track oriented equipment and would be a better choice. If you plan mostly spirited street driving and touring, the M7 Stingray will allow you to gather speeding and reckless driving certificates in all 50 states.
The Stingray is intended for street use and occasional track days, and it has impeccable handling and performance for spirited non track driving. Additionally, if the track goodies aren't on the car, they can't require maintenance, repair or replacement.
The Stingray is intended for street use and occasional track days, and it has impeccable handling and performance for spirited non track driving. Additionally, if the track goodies aren't on the car, they can't require maintenance, repair or replacement.
Last edited by jimmbbo; Jan 3, 2023 at 03:14 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 240
Likes: 105
From: Dallas Oregon
Having owned a base c7 m7 non npp, for three yrs, and it was a daily driver. I now own a 2019 z51 A8 npp. Here’s the performance differences I found. Z51 is a faster vette, with lower gearing, faster shifting, and performance exhaust. The handling is crisper and more road feel in the Z51. The base c7 felt soft in corners, no matter where I was in performance selection.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 797
Likes: 283
If your "fast spirited driving" includes any corners and you honestly have decent performance driving skills you'll definitely want to upgrade the suspension. If your skills are not what they should be the base car will warn you that you should slow down. No shame in that.