Base Stingray suspension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 422
Likes: 129
Base Stingray suspension
I recently purchased my first Corvette (used 2019 Stingray coupe 1 LT), base model with 7 speed manual and no Z51 package or magnetic ride. Only had 1200 miles and got a smokin deal. I've been playing around with the different drive modes and don't notice any difference in the suspension between the sport mode and track mode. Am I correct in assuming the suspension is the same in those two modes since no Z51 package or magnetic ride? I also believe the throttle progression is improved in the track mode compared to sport mode and the steering a bit stiffer. I appreciate the feed back, thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach FL
Correct I have a 17 base the suspension will not react to the modes but if you have the npp exhaust you should hear the tone change, the steering should also get tighter or loser and the throttle response. If you go into the settings on the infotainment screen you can set your preferred steering and exhaust tone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 416
From: San Diego
if you have the base exhaust, the settings in the config wont do anything either. i dont have npp either, but that means we're free to put whatever want on there, where aftermarket is concerned.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 422
Likes: 129
Thanks. The owners manual is so broad that it doesn't properly explain the differences between the base Stingray without the Z51 and performance exhaust to the ones that have the Z51, magnetic ride etc. So really the only thing that changes with the driver modes for us is the throttle progression it seems....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,770
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
If you want to make a simple improvement to your base suspension, do as many of us here have... spend a little over $300 and get the Z51 sway-bars. Simple addition, but I recommend checking and topping-off your differential before adding the rear bar (easier to get to), since many if not most are shipped low (unlike the tranny).
Btw, I bought my bars as a complete kit from Cultrag's and I highly recommend them.
There are a number of threads here about the bar swap 
Btw, I bought my bars as a complete kit from Cultrag's and I highly recommend them.
There are a number of threads here about the bar swap
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 422
Likes: 129
Thanks for the info. I see the Cultrag's parts also have the magnetic ride option which I do not have. If I add the Z51 sway bars, will the suspension sync up with the driving modes like the factory Z51 equipped vehicles? ie: will the suspension change from Track, Sport, weather mode etc with the dial change? Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 37
From: Waxahachie, TX
Thanks for the info. I see the Cultrag's parts also have the magnetic ride option which I do not have. If I add the Z51 sway bars, will the suspension sync up with the driving modes like the factory Z51 equipped vehicles? ie: will the suspension change from Track, Sport, weather mode etc with the dial change? Thanks
It is possible to add the NPP exhaust to your car. Do a forum search and you can see how to do it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 35
My advice, get the z51 hp shocks(non mad ride), springs and sways all for the non mag ride z51 cars. The springs on your car are really soft, sways will limit the body roll but the car needs stiffer springs to handle correctly.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 91
From: Camarillo CA
Actually, you can't add NPP to a non-NPP car. The wiring in the mode selector is not there, and can't be added. What you CAN do is replace the axle-back mufflers with NPP mufflers, which will provide the louder exhaust at all times, which is what I did. Perfect for me.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 422
Likes: 129
Hello,
Please explain what I would need to do to replace the stock axle-back mufflers with NPP mufflers. I have a base Stingray without the performance exhaust or NPP. I've been looking at Borla exhaust packages, but as I read your post from last month I may only need mufflers and not new pipes ore the entire exhaust. Please explain what you did to your Vette. Thanks!
Please explain what I would need to do to replace the stock axle-back mufflers with NPP mufflers. I have a base Stingray without the performance exhaust or NPP. I've been looking at Borla exhaust packages, but as I read your post from last month I may only need mufflers and not new pipes ore the entire exhaust. Please explain what you did to your Vette. Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 88
From: NJ
You can install NPP mufflers. Add a 12 volt power supply and a remote switch to the NPP mufflers.
Last edited by phantom1; Aug 26, 2019 at 01:13 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 91
From: Camarillo CA
Hello,
Please explain what I would need to do to replace the stock axle-back mufflers with NPP mufflers. I have a base Stingray without the performance exhaust or NPP. I've been looking at Borla exhaust packages, but as I read your post from last month I may only need mufflers and not new pipes ore the entire exhaust. Please explain what you did to your Vette. Thanks!
Please explain what I would need to do to replace the stock axle-back mufflers with NPP mufflers. I have a base Stingray without the performance exhaust or NPP. I've been looking at Borla exhaust packages, but as I read your post from last month I may only need mufflers and not new pipes ore the entire exhaust. Please explain what you did to your Vette. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Akrapovic makes a control unit ( P-HF886 ) that will send the proper signal to the actuators and allow control thru the driver mode settings just like the factory but you would need the NPP mufflers and actuators and the cost of the control unit is $569.00 . Not sure how it interfaces with the car though ...
I researched this before purchasing my car and decided to just buy one that had the factory NPP
Dave
Last edited by Dcasole; Aug 26, 2019 at 12:57 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 88
From: NJ
Not that simple , the C7 NPP actuators are servos and depend on a PWM signal sent thru the CANBUS to determine their position . Without this signal, just feeding 12 volts to the actuator will cause it to keep trying to open or close because the actuator has no idea of what position it is in , this just leads to a burned up actuator .
Akrapovic makes a control unit ( P-HF886 ) that will send the proper signal to the actuators and allow control thru the driver mode settings just like the factory but you would need the NPP mufflers and actuators and the cost of the control unit is $569.00 . Not sure how it interfaces with the car though ...
I researched this before purchasing my car and decided to just buy one that had the factory NPP
Dave
Akrapovic makes a control unit ( P-HF886 ) that will send the proper signal to the actuators and allow control thru the driver mode settings just like the factory but you would need the NPP mufflers and actuators and the cost of the control unit is $569.00 . Not sure how it interfaces with the car though ...
I researched this before purchasing my car and decided to just buy one that had the factory NPP
Dave
Last edited by phantom1; Aug 26, 2019 at 01:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
I didn't know that, thought they were like the C6 actuators which only need 12 volts to activate them. I have a couple of actuators I'll experimnt with. I'll connect 12 volts to one and see what happens. Worse case scenario the op can use NPP mufflers now, and add the actuator control unit later, if he wants to tone it down.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-retrofit.html
The PWN signal is similar to the servo signals for radio control models like airplanes and cars , the transmitter sends a signal to the servo control circuit , then a pot sends a positioning signal to the same circuit and when they equal the servo stops moving , in the case of the NPP actuators its a simple open and close but recreating this signal is the challenge , Theta experimented with different resistors and variable pots to get it right
Here is the Akrapovic controller that you can use .....
https://www.akrapovic.com/en/car/pro...37&yearId=5058
Dave
Last edited by Dcasole; Aug 26, 2019 at 02:32 PM.