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Im ready to upgrade my base c7 shocks to the z51 (fe3) shocks. Im doing this soon as im also replacing tires. Based on how this feels, I may or may not add the z51 sway (pwr the great advice from racerrick).
Im not sure what the correct z51 shocks are, hoping someone here can guide me. thankd
Go to RockAuto and buy two GM GENUINE 84513885 and two GM GENUINE 84513884 shocks. They have the best prices (about $93 each) quick shipping and genuine parts.
Thanks again RacerRik, you have been extremely helpful and prompt! I added them to my cart and will wait till tomorrow in case there is a black friday discount. Hope to have a ride a I can be thankful for soon 😅
I have two sets of American Racing AR 924 wheels in 18 x 8.5 front and 19x10 rear sizes so one inch smaller diameter than stock but the same width. I use Falken RT660s for summer driving and autocross. I have Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate All Season tires for winter use - I do not drive in snow but I do take it out when it is cold so summer tires are no good for that. The Goodyear tires have been great. Excellent grip even in rain. I have driven on the DWS Extreme Contacts (on a friends C6 Vette) and they were alright. Based on TireRack tests, the Goodyears have better grip than the Contis and they were less expensive. If you want run flats, you are stuck with Michelins.
Quote from year old post. I am checking out those AR wheels on Tire Rack. I have a Z51, and was wondering if those one inch smaller wheels have any brake clearance issues? Assuming you are base because you added Z51 shocks, but thought you might know. Thanks
I have a 2019 base Stingray with M7 transmission. Love the car but, one thing that has bothered me since day one has been how the car handles over elevation changes on the road. It's comfortable, but the up and down feeling like a soft pogo motion is less than confidence inspiring at speed and is even worse when it occurs in turns on a twisty road.
The spring rates between the base and Z51 suspensions appear almost identical in the front but the Z51 rear spring appears to be stiffer on paper.
My question is if changing to Z51 sway bars/bushings and Z51 shocks will be enough to reduce the pogoing and wallowing feeling without a spring change or will it only result in stiffer ride over small sharper bumps and still wallow over longer more gradual elevation changes in the road.
This is not a "should have went with MRC" and "should have went with Z51" question. It's how to best modify the base suspension to reduce the wallowing up and down motion. Thanks for any responses.
Should have went with the MRC and... a DSC controller. 😛
Quote from year old post. I am checking out those AR wheels on Tire Rack. I have a Z51, and was wondering if those one inch smaller wheels have any brake clearance issues? Assuming you are base because you added Z51 shocks, but thought you might know. Thanks
The Z51 brakes are somewhat larger than the base Stingray brakes, so I cannot tell you for sure that there would be no clearance issues. I can tell you there is nearly an inch clearance between the brake calipers and the wheels on my car. So unless the Z51 brakes are lot larger, there should still be clearance.
The Z51 brakes are somewhat larger than the base Stingray brakes, so I cannot tell you for sure that there would be no clearance issues. I can tell you there is nearly an inch clearance between the brake calipers and the wheels on my car. So unless the Z51 brakes are lot larger, there should still be clearance.
Sorry I am bothering you with another question about those AR wheels. I can't tell how much gloss those wheels have. They list them as satin. I like gloss black the best, but how do the AR's look in person, more towards matt or gloss or just smack in between. ? Thanks
Sorry I am bothering you with another question about those AR wheels. I can't tell how much gloss those wheels have. They list them as satin. I like gloss black the best, but how do the AR's look in person, more towards matt or gloss or just smack in between. ? Thanks
I have the gunmetal finish. It is a gloss finish. I can't say what the black finish looks like.
I own a C7 Z51 with Magnetic Ride Control and am planning some upgrades to improve its performance for autocross. I’d greatly appreciate your input.
I’ve done quite a bit of research, but unfortunately, there isn’t much detailed information on how aftermarket parts affect performance. My biggest concern is spending a lot of money on upgrades that might actually make the car handle worse.
So far, I’ve installed stainless steel brake lines and racing brake pads, and the car feels fantastic. Handling has improved noticeably, and I even managed to podium last season, especially after switching to Michelin Cup 2 tires. However, I’m still looking to reduce body roll and understeer.
I recently purchased a set of stiff bushings and AFE sway bars with end links (not installed yet). I’m also considering coilovers but am unsure which option would deliver the best results. Here are the options I’ve found:
• BC Racing Coilovers
• AFE Coilovers
• LG GT2 Coilovers
• KW V3 Coilovers
The prices range from $1,460 to $4,500, and I’m trying to determine if the performance gains would justify the cost. There are also multiple spring rate options, which adds to the complexity.
A friend suggested simply installing Bilstein shocks, lowering the car as much as possible, and saving money for other upgrades. However, I’m not sure if this would outperform the OEM Magnetic Ride Control.
I’d love to hear your experiences or recommendations. Thank you in advance for your suggestions
I own a C7 Z51 with Magnetic Ride Control and am planning some upgrades to improve its performance for autocross. I’d greatly appreciate your input.
I’ve done quite a bit of research, but unfortunately, there isn’t much detailed information on how aftermarket parts affect performance. My biggest concern is spending a lot of money on upgrades that might actually make the car handle worse.
So far, I’ve installed stainless steel brake lines and racing brake pads, and the car feels fantastic. Handling has improved noticeably, and I even managed to podium last season, especially after switching to Michelin Cup 2 tires. However, I’m still looking to reduce body roll and understeer.
I recently purchased a set of stiff bushings and AFE sway bars with end links (not installed yet). I’m also considering coilovers but am unsure which option would deliver the best results. Here are the options I’ve found:
• BC Racing Coilovers
• AFE Coilovers
• LG GT2 Coilovers
• KW V3 Coilovers
The prices range from $1,460 to $4,500, and I’m trying to determine if the performance gains would justify the cost. There are also multiple spring rate options, which adds to the complexity.
A friend suggested simply installing Bilstein shocks, lowering the car as much as possible, and saving money for other upgrades. However, I’m not sure if this would outperform the OEM Magnetic Ride Control.
I’d love to hear your experiences or recommendations. Thank you in advance for your suggestions
Get the DSC controller. You won't be disappointed.
If autocross performance is really your goal, you are missing the most important upgrade. You need Bridgestone RE71RS tires. Seriously, those are the biggest performance improvers you can get for your car. The Michelins are good tires, just not the right tires for autocross.
You do not want to lower your car unless the pavement you run on is absolutely flat and perfect - the suspension needs to be able to work to keep the tires in contact with the ground and lowering the car hurts that capability.
Body Roll is not your enemy - don't go chasing it because that usually will end up making the car handle worse.
Understeer can be a problem, but get the RE71RS tires before you decide you really have understeer. By the way, a little understeer is not a bad thing for autocross in a RWD car. Oversteer will hurt you run times a lot more than understeer.
Leave the suspension alone - absolutely do not put coilovers on that car unless bragging about putting coilovers is your goal. They will not make the car faster for autocross. They will kick you into a harder class.
Get the DSC controller. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you for your advice, I never heard of it but is looks very interesting, probably will buy it if i decided to keep OEM suspension
Originally Posted by RacerRik
If autocross performance is really your goal, you are missing the most important upgrade. You need Bridgestone RE71RS tires. Seriously, those are the biggest performance improvers you can get for your car. The Michelins are good tires, just not the right tires for autocross.
You do not want to lower your car unless the pavement you run on is absolutely flat and perfect - the suspension needs to be able to work to keep the tires in contact with the ground and lowering the car hurts that capability.
Body Roll is not your enemy - don't go chasing it because that usually will end up making the car handle worse.
Understeer can be a problem, but get the RE71RS tires before you decide you really have understeer. By the way, a little understeer is not a bad thing for autocross in a RWD car. Oversteer will hurt you run times a lot more than understeer.
Leave the suspension alone - absolutely do not put coilovers on that car unless bragging about putting coilovers is your goal. They will not make the car faster for autocross. They will kick you into a harder class.
Regarding the tyre I argree with you it make big difference, at the time I thought pilot sport CUP 2 is best option, I just found out about RE71RS , but my tires still new with only few miles on it and two auto cross sessions
and am considering your advice to keep the suspension, am just looking for any enhancement to start with , I am not in US and the classes here is different am allowed to change the any suspension component , brake system , wheel/tires , headers/exhaust , racing seat and stay in same class
So I am looking to gain any advantage here
even full slick tyres is allowed
and if you wonder why I am in this class with stock car it’s because in stock class they don’t separate AWD
so If went with modified cars class and I am able to compete until some one shows up will full slick and tire warmer 🤷🏻♂️
Has your car had the upgrade program for the Mag Ride shocks? If not, I'd get that done. From all I have read, there was a LOT of testing/programming/aligning done by Chevy engineers including Jim Mero. Coil overs offer a lot of shock adjustments, and relatively easily changed spring rates but changing to them in the hopes of doing better than Mero and others did I think would be a mistake.
Anyone know if there is any difference between the FE2 and FE4 shocks? The front appears to have the same part number; the rear is harder to ascertain.
I have a similar question to the original post. I have a base stingray I just added a blower and other stuff which caused the car to drop down real low up front. Cars equipped with Mag ride already. but even in track or sport car is still very unreliable up front One bump can make it bounce and sway. Do I need to just upgrade my front spring to z51? since I already have MRC.
Also I just ordered a rear LG bar to tighten up the sway out back.
Hello Josue,
What year is your Stingray. If it is 2014 to 2018, I would strongly suggest the Mag Ride Upgrade offered through the dealership network. Having said that, the dealers have been sub par at best knowing about and installing the upgrade. If you had any issues with the dealers, please send me a message at jim@jimmero.com, I can help out.
The new calibrations are a dramatic improvement for both ride and handling, especially over big bumps and rough roads. They could save a lot of money when compared to installing a bunch of hardware you might not need.
Fe3 upgrade on c7
