Z51 vs base
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
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Z51 vs base
Recently I went on a trip and the rental agency let me pick anything on the lot - the best I found was a Chrysler 300s with a V8. Immediately after leaving I gave it some gas and the rear end slipped out, and it would do this essentially anytime I gave it moderate gas at lower speeds. Coming from a C7 Z51 this was totally foreign and I suppose I have been spoiled by the wide tires and eLSD.
But this got me to thinking- having never driven a base C7, how much of a difference is there in road holding versus a Z51?
I like the idea of a base car with a more "Cadillac" looser ride and higher ride height for convenience but if its anywhere near as slippy as that Chrysler I would regret going backwards.
But this got me to thinking- having never driven a base C7, how much of a difference is there in road holding versus a Z51?
I like the idea of a base car with a more "Cadillac" looser ride and higher ride height for convenience but if its anywhere near as slippy as that Chrysler I would regret going backwards.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
The ride is softer in a base than a Z51. Difference in wheel size puts more rubber between you and the road.
Also the difference in FE1 in Base and FE3 or FE4 in Z51 makes it a softer ride.
I enjoyed the base and how it drove. It was by no way as squiggly as you describe the 300S to be. It was pretty planted to the road.
The Z51 has more of a Corvette feel to it than a Base. I like the Z51 better.
Also the difference in FE1 in Base and FE3 or FE4 in Z51 makes it a softer ride.
I enjoyed the base and how it drove. It was by no way as squiggly as you describe the 300S to be. It was pretty planted to the road.
The Z51 has more of a Corvette feel to it than a Base. I like the Z51 better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 952
Likes: 440
From: FL
In 2019 form, I can't imagain there is much of a difference street driving. The base car "mine" has the same wheels & tires the Z51 has, no rear sway, softer springs & softer shocks, lessor brakes. But it handles just fine & way better then that 300S(I had a Charger, tail happy) Never driven a Z51 so I can't direct compare either. But I added the Z51 sways on my car & the handling was improved without much in ride change.
The Z51 is geared & setup for tracks, It may far out pace a base car on that but I don't go on tracks.
The Z51 is geared & setup for tracks, It may far out pace a base car on that but I don't go on tracks.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
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In 2019 form, I can't imagain there is much of a difference street driving. The base car "mine" has the same wheels & tires the Z51 has, no rear sway, softer springs & softer shocks, lessor brakes. But it handles just fine & way better then that 300S(I had a Charger, tail happy) Never driven a Z51 so I can't direct compare either. But I added the Z51 sways on my car & the handling was improved without much in ride change.
The Z51 is geared & setup for tracks, It may far out pace a base car on that but I don't go on tracks.
The Z51 is geared & setup for tracks, It may far out pace a base car on that but I don't go on tracks.
I guess I'm in a funny situation because I sold my 14 z51 a few years back, and now I'm in the market again. If I still had the z51 I wouldn't consider a trade to a base. But I have the elusive do-over
On my ol z51 I remember the ride was stiff but not old-car stiff, more like quality/communicative stiff. It was jarring with those tall speed bumps. The logical progression then would be to go grand sport with magnetic shocks, but the bent wheels are a sad issue. My z51 wheels were solid.
Here she was. Right before I sold her I put 20+hrs into the paint/ceramic coating
Intermediate
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 49
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To me this seems like a tire issue more than anything, my 2016 non z51 car has the z51 wheels optioned and thus i have z51 grip. I have magnetic ride and i will say the soft setting is an incredible balance and super soft, when in track it tightens up very nicley. I wouldnt have gone non z51 without magnetic ride as it would be pretty soft all the time.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
If you like a comfortable ride down the highway, but, also like to go hard through the "S's", get a Z51 with Magnetic Ride Control. If you do not, get a base model. 
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I prefer and order base Vettes every time, for a variety of reasons. If one isn't tracking, the base is preferable on the street for many people. It's not a loosey-goosey ride by any means. Drive one and see for yourself. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 952
Likes: 440
From: FL
Only times I lost the rear was with this cold weather FL has been getting. Tonight for instance I stomped it after a turn & the rear kicked out & the nannies kicked in. Nothing I couldn't control with some throttle, but it's still a RWD high HP car. And it will let you know on occasion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 998
Likes: 388
From: Tyrone, GA
I looked at a Z51 before I bought my '16 base and I am pleased with my choice. I'll never track it and the trans cooler, Summer tires, and other things that I do not need are just more things to go wrong. To me, it's sort of the big watch syndrome with people who want tons of hp and handling upgrades but will never approach their car's ability at even the base level. My base is so much more car than my C2 was that it is scary. As a fun car with more than enough power, I couldn't see the need for the Z51 extras. The ride is very comfortable and corners are nothing to this car. The magnetic ride would offer you more options but is the cost difference worth it?
Last edited by inspectorudy; Dec 22, 2023 at 03:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,515
Likes: 5,083
From: Chester VA
I never had a Z51 feature fail, per say, but the extra complexity was a pain sometimes. The dry sump for example. A nice track feature but if engine isn't idled for 5 mins the dipstick would read empty and dealers were overfilling these things into the cabin air filter. I ended up doing all the oil changes for that reason. Which leads you down the rabbit hole of wrenches, car lifts, 5w-30 vs 0w-40 and why the hell the capacity was 9.8 qts vs 10. But i guess thats car culture for ya
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,809
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From: Blacksburg Va
MRC is the obvious answer if you want a softer ride than a stock Z51. But if a Z51 does not have MRC, a pair of base spec rear shocks would do a lot to improve the ride. And they are cheap at <$100ea. I went the other way w/ my base 19. I was somewhat surprised that going base to Z51 front shocks really didn't change the ride much at all. But the rear shocks made an obvious difference.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: MN
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 183
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From: Pacific Northwest
Owned a 2019 base M7, and now own a 2017 Z51 M7. The Z51 has features that I really like, such as the dry sump, trans and diff coolers. Comes with a rear sway bar which the base doesn't have. The base was never squirrely but did tend to float over road wows. It was a great GT tho. I drove it over 2 lane back roads across the western US and it was probably the most comfortable car I've ever driven for long distance traveling. The Z51 IS a firmer ride but not bone jarring.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
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The base Stingray would have plenty of road holding ability. Any C7 Corvette can get rear end slip given enough throttle. Z51 and non Z51 are the same width of tire. The softest ride would be the base Stingray, without MSRC.