Handling Issues
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Handling Issues
Hi guys. I have a 2016 Stingray and the suspension seems a little off to me and looking for thoughts. First of all, I'm comparing the ride / handling characteristics to my 2011 Caprice PPV, which may be a mistake, but it is what it is. My Caprice had a choppy ride that I often compared to other sports cars that I owned. It was stiff and firm. My C7, on the other hand, has almost a floaty ride, something similar to a luxury sedan. Also, it feels like the passenger's side, rear shack is weak, or unresponsive, as the rear feels like it's popoising going over bumps. My question is, could this car, with only 20K on the odometer, need shocks? The mounts are all good and there's no sign of anything wrong with them visually. I have not removed the suspected shock. Anybody else have shock issues? Is this normal for a C7? If I were to replace the shocks, any recommendations? Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 35
From: USA
The base stingray has a soft suspension and is missing the rear swaybar. Install the z51 swaybars (front / rear) and z51 shocks. I'm sure you'll like it.
Last edited by rmm82; Sep 14, 2021 at 06:21 PM. Reason: Correct text
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,770
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Have you just gotten the car? Sounds like it. What do you know about it? Has it ever been badly curbed? Aligned; do you know? Also, you don't say if you have the computer-controlled shocks or not. If they look okay, you must not have seen leaking oil, so I'm thinking conventional shocks (conventional are also yellow); btw the electronic have a wire at the top. Anyway, my first suggestion is to find another C7 to ride in so you have a known quantity to compare with, not something totally in a different ballpark.
That said, I've owned and driven many performance and race cars, finding my '18 St'ray NOT as you seem to be describing... hardly floaty by any means, and much more "solid" than my C5, which I still own). If you have conventional shocks, they don't cost that much to replace, but I'm not sure that's truly the issue. All the best.
That said, I've owned and driven many performance and race cars, finding my '18 St'ray NOT as you seem to be describing... hardly floaty by any means, and much more "solid" than my C5, which I still own). If you have conventional shocks, they don't cost that much to replace, but I'm not sure that's truly the issue. All the best.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Does it have mag-ride? In Tour mode the C7 seems soft to me too especially compared to my 350Z which was brutal stiff (main reason I sold it). I keep my mag-ride equipped Z51 in Sport which is a good compromise because in Track it is truly sports car stiff which can be a bit much for daily driving.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Thanks for replying. I've had the car about a year now. It's been 4-wheel aligned and it met specs w/o any issue. It does have conventional (yellow) shocks, non-mag ride. I haven't really diagnosed anything, yet. Was just wondering if anyone else has has a problem that necessitated replacing the factory shocks. It is def 'floaty' on the right rear, with no unusual noises, or tire wear. I Need to spend more time underneath and go from there. Also, thanks, rmm82. One way, or the other, the car will see a rear sway bar addition and a front bar change. Thanks, again.
Last edited by FLTransplant; Sep 17, 2021 at 02:38 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 616
From: Blacksburg Va
Yep the base suspension is on the soft side. It was fine around town for me but interstate bridge transitions made the rear feel too floaty. And if the bridge was in the middle of a curve it felt just a bit on the scary side. Z51 shocks fixed that. Nice thing is they are about $90 each so not an expensive upgrade. You can do Z51 bars also but I recommend do just the shocks and see how you like it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 563
From: Margaritaville Daytona
Yep the base suspension is on the soft side. It was fine around town for me but interstate bridge transitions made the rear feel too floaty. And if the bridge was in the middle of a curve it felt just a bit on the scary side. Z51 shocks fixed that. Nice thing is they are about $90 each so not an expensive upgrade. You can do Z51 bars also but I recommend do just the shocks and see how you like it.
