power90801

Is it possible to purchase and install any of the Z51 Performance package items on a Base model C7? I was curious if you could get a base vette even remotely close...

SharkGrayStingray

sure you can. Many of us installed the front and rear sway bars (about $300), you can install the shocks (don't know price). You can find the rims online, and I'm sure the rotors and calipers are available. It depends on how far you want to go... I just went with sway bars, but i have the ZF1 package.

dovervold

Do you want to increase some handling and traction, then YES.

Do you want to get your car to Z51 specs, then NO. And that is why a lot of people opted for this package because you do get some pretty sweet upgrades:

- Electronic Differential.
- Dry Sump Oiling.
- Closer gear ratios.
- Cooling for brakes/transmission/Differential.
- Bigger brakes, wheels, tires.
- Sway bars.
- Available Magnetic Ride Control.

If you price that package out to convert a base to a Z51, won't make economical sense. You could do the spoiler, sway bars, wheels/tires and call it good.

Now for those of us who bought Z51's in 14' before the price increase, it was one hell of deal

FYREANT

You forgot to mention the shocks and slightly more aggressive leaf springs also

I am attempting to do basically what the OP is asking. Convert my base to a Z51 for the most part. I did the front and rear sways (~$300) and did the front and rear shocks (~$300). I have done the brake cooling kits front and rear (~$200) and will be getting some aftermarket 19/20" wheels soon (~$1,700 without rubber). I am planning to do Z51 brake upgrade front and rear as well and estimate the cost around $1,200-$1,500 for calipers rotors and pads based on several FS threads over the last six months.

Things I would like to note:

-When I bought my C7 in April, there were only two M7's available in Florida and neither was a Z51 so I didn't have a choice to get a Z51 as I was set on having an M7
-I did NOT want the dry sump or the available MRC.
-The spring rate difference between the base and the Z51 are so minuscule that I didn't feel the need the change the springs.
-I would like the E-Diff, but not being able to have it doesn't kill me.
-I am already due for a new set of tires on my base wheels so thats why I didn't include the cost for new tires in my assessment above because I need new ones either way.

So I will end up being close to $4,000 in for the upgrades and will have the best of both worlds in my opinion.

Hope that helps answer your questions OP.

Ant

OLD_GOAT

Also don't forget to add the multi mode exhaust system which came with the 2015 Z51 package.

FYREANT

In 2014 model this was an option and could be installed on the base model

B Stead

The best thing to do is just put on the Z51 springs, non-electronic shocks, and swaybars.

And then a racing oil pan is possible and a simple Accusump device is available.


Or build the car better than the Z51:

Bilstein or Penske coilovers (I've been suggesting spring rates of 600/750 or 650/800)

Name-brand big brake kit

Stainless steel X-pipe and mufflers

One-piece forged (monoblock) wheels (18 x 9.5 or 19 x 9.5 56mm front with 19 x 11 79mm rear and I suppose the 19" front wheel is wanted for the big brake kit)

Or for astounding appearance, real three-piece wheels (These are just heavier and require sealing)

265/ 305 autocross tires (265/35-18 or 275/30-19 front with 305/30-19 rear and there's a better selection of rear tires in the 19" diameter)

Easily, put in a 21-pound Braille battery


Want something more in a tire and wheel fitment ?

Front, 19 x 10.5 or 19 x 11 56mm, 295/30-19 Pilot Sport Cup 2
Rear, 20 x 11 79mm, 305/30-20 Pilot Sport Cup 2
.

Roadrogue

"Bilstein or Penske coilovers (I've been suggesting spring rates of 600/750 or 650/800)"

Bstead, I'm thinking of upgrading my stock shocks with something more upscale (ie. better damping) for the street. What are your thoughts on why you suggest the different spring rates? Thanks.

andoneward

I am researching the same project. I bought the car without the Z51 package because they were selling at MSRP last year and I didn't think I needed the additional performance even though I fell in love with the black wheels. Well, that all went out the window after I took it for a corvette club track event and fell in love with it. My brakes didn't fade during the event but I did have a couple of blue rings on the rotors at the end of the day.
The internal struggle I'm having right now is whether to get larger cast or forged wheels. I know forged is better but do I need that for the extra cost. Essentially, I am down between the sweet Verona wheels or the 365 autosports unless I get lucky and score some black Z51 wheels.

C7cmnthru

You may want to do a web search on 365 Autosports before you buy. No direct experience personally but just did a search to see the wheels that you referred to. Also, not sure if yhe same. Just passing it on fyi

B Stead

I look at the C6 Z06 spring rates of 531/782 and then I look at the percentage spread in the spring rates of the C6 Z51 which are 526/645. I use the percentage spread of the C6 Z51 because the C6 Z06 has 275/325 tires while a C7 setup will likely have 265/305 tires. So I arrive at spring rates of 600/750 or 650/800 .


There's another development of using both the OEM springs and coilovers. The car is lowered 1" on the OEM springs using aftermarket lowering bolts. Then coilovers setup for 1" lowering are put on the car with the coilover shocks valved for the total spring rate. A C7 with base springs has 300/200 springs on the coilovers while a C7 with Z51 springs has 200/200 springs on the coilovers. The total spring rate is guessed at 626/745 and that's allowing for the first 1" of less spring pre-load on the OEM springs.


There's one other thing to know and that is that the GM T1 race suspension for the C7 is expected at any time. For instance, the SCCA rule book is waiting on the part number. The T1 spring rates for the C6 were 582/850 !


There is something else. One spring maker makes springs for the C5 and C6 that are something like 990/650 and 1050/855 spring rates. Some autocrossers use spring rates like that but rates like that call for the front tire to be the same width as the rear tire. Also, the availability of 18" tires means that this setup often uses the same diameter tire front and rear. Non-staggered tire diameters might or might not be optimum
.

a5747844

Brother, we are on the same boat.I just got my non z51, 2lt 3 days ago. it was the only 2 with M7 in Arizona. after knowing that I'm losing a lot of goodies on non z51. I was wondering for days if i could upgrade my vette with Dry Sump Oiling and Cooling for brakes/transmission/Differential. these two is what i like about on the z51. the rest could be replaced with better aftermarket parts.

B Stead

Does the manual transmission need cooling ?

Also, it's the PTM use in track lapping that is overheating the rear brakes and then the entire rear of the car. In fact the brake pads are warping
.

EdJanetMegia

I didn't order the MRC on my 2016 2LT Z51 8 speed convertible. I would like to improve the suspension by adding the MRC. What changes are needed if any to the PTM?

FYREANT

This cannot be added afterwards.

xxaarraa

What is "best" about a base model? Best of both worlds implies base model has some advantages over a Z51 to begin with?

FYREANT

I am a drag racer, so the best to me is different from the best to others. The E-LSD is something I prefer not to deal with because replacement for it will end up being much more expensive than the non E-LSD. I much prefer the simplicity of the wet sump motor to the dry sump motor. Though on the flipside, I prefer the larger brakes, larger wheels and stiffer suspension that the Z51 offers..