I have a 2016 Z51 and I would like to know what would be the next stage after Z51 suspension that would be a direct fit for my car? It is my daily driver but I may track it time to time but would like the next stage for suspension: sway bars, shocks, etc. but still keeping it a daily driver. Thank-you.

 

Does your Z51 have the mag ride

 

no.

 

I would first track it a few times as it is and see how you like it. Once you know the car needs suspension improvements then you can decide how you want to proceed. From a C7 stock parts standpoint, the only options you have are using GS/Z06 springs and stabilizer bars. Using their shocks won't help you since you don't have MRC. Another option would be going with the GMPP T1 suspension setup: https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/23336064.html however, it is a pure race track suspension that would be fairly stiff riding on the street. Since you can't use GS/Z06 shocks you may want to think about Coil Overs, however, that requires some understanding of how to set the suspension up. You could add the Z06 carbon fiber underbody braces right away to help reduce chassis flex.

Bill

 

https://krakenperformance.com/produc...en-motorsports

 

I agree with Bill, you need to track it first and then determine specific handling qualities you would like to change. A C7 Z51 even without Mag Ride is a pretty good handling machine. Tires also come into play. If you are running Hoosiers or 200 TW tires, those might welcome some suspension changes. If you are running all season tires, your suspension is already more than enough for them. The suspension was optimized by GM for the Pilot Super Sport tires. So if you are still running those, your suspension is probably right on the money.

Note in all cases I said suspension changes - not upgrades. That is because suspension is always a trade off of performance variables. What works best for the track is not necessarily good for autocross or street driving or drag racing. You really need to figure out what handling parameters you want or need to change. Such as, is the car understeering mid corner. Or oversteering on corner entry. Then you can look into suspension changes that address the problem you found.

The Z51 C7 comes from the factory well setup. Just going to stiffer springs and or sway bars is likely to make it handle worse not better. The Z06 and Grand Sport do get stiffer springs, but they are also heavier cars. The front sway bars on the Z06 and Grand Sport are the same as your car. The rear sway bar is stiffer. If your car has too much mid corner understeer, you can easily (and rather cheaply) get the bigger rear sway bar that comes on the Mag Ride C7s. I put that bar on my C7 Stingray and I am very happy that the balance is now pretty close to neutral. There are also different stiffness sway bar bushing available from GM to let you fine tune the sway bar balance.

 

Thank-you for the responses.

 

If you decide to upgrade one choice would be just double adjustable shocks. Not the coilovers. I would buy just the shocks from a coilover setup. That way, if you want to get closer to a track setup later on, all you need is springs. If you can get assurances that the shocks will be just as soft as stock shocks at their soft setting this can work out real well. Right away you just have to install shocks. No removing the fiberglass springs, no figuring our ride heights etc. I had QA1 coilovers on my previous car. When I got the Stingray my plan was Z51 shocks and bars. The rears were on BO at the time so I bought a pair of the QA1s. I had to make my own mounts though. But my point is I have a setting for street and a setting for autocross. The shocks have 2 *****. I lay on the ground next to the rear tire and reach up to make a couple of clicks adjustment to go from one setting to the other. 3-4 minutes maybe less.