When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi All,
I've had a 2014 Z51 2LT 7 manual coupe for two years & am now considering a 2019 Stingray 2LT 8 auto Convertible. It's already had upgrades including mag ride, 20/21 wheels, exhaust, PDR & is in beautiful condition. However, there is a significant difference between the ride of the Stingray & the Z51. I have no intention of getting it on a track so in many respects the softer ride of the Stingray suits our British roads! However, it lacks a bit of rigidity & firmness in the corners. Will a sway bar upgrade solve this while maintain the softer ride overall & if so, what recommendations would you make?
All suggestions & comments welcome.
Rob
Yes, sway bars can help tighten up cornering without ruining ride comfort, especially with Mag Ride. Check first that shocks, bushings, and end links are in good shape. Upgrading to Z51, LG Motorsports, Hotchkis, or aFe/Pfadt bars will reduce body roll and improve turn-in while keeping the ride compliant if you don’t go too stiff. After install, get a proper alignment. Tires and tire pressure also affect feel keep those in check for best balance.
Thanks for the response. I guess it's a question of replacing the existing bars. Are there any identifiable differences between those you mention?
By far the best upgrade for the least $ is to go to Z51 bars and or shocks. Here is info I have saved over the years. The prices may not be current.***note*** The Z06 and Z07 use identical swaybars as the Z51 w/MRC. C7 base Stingray
Front - 26.2mm (hollow, 7.85 lbs)
Rear - N/A
Rubber bushings
C7 base Z51 ($300)
Front - 28mm (hollow, 7.95 lbs)
Rear - 26.5mm (hollow, 6.9 lbs)
Polyurethane bushings
By far the best upgrade for the least $ is to go to Z51 bars and or shocks. Here is info I have saved over the years. The prices may not be current.***note*** The Z06 and Z07 use identical swaybars as the Z51 w/MRC. C7 base Stingray
Front - 26.2mm (hollow, 7.85 lbs)
Rear - N/A
Rubber bushings
C7 base Z51 ($300)
Front - 28mm (hollow, 7.95 lbs)
Rear - 26.5mm (hollow, 6.9 lbs)
Polyurethane bushings
If you decide to swap shocks make a tool like this from 3/16" or 1/4" steel rod.
I get the shock bolts out top and bottom but then you can't get the shock to come out between the control arms because the gas pressure extend it to full length.
So I work it to a slightly different position, get one end of the tool hooked, compress it by hand to get the other end hooked. Looks like this and now it is short enough to get out of the car.
Note the top of the tool is it's original long configuration. Not long after I took this pic, that end was shortened as in the first pic. I put Z51 bars on first on my 19 Stingray which really reduced body roll. But the rear of the car still had a float I didn't like. It happened on an interstate type road at 65-70 when there was a bridge in the middle of a curve and they never get the road surface to perfectly match the bridge. The shocks took care of that.
If you decide to swap shocks make a tool like this from 3/16" or 1/4" steel rod.
I get the shock bolts out top and bottom but then you can't get the shock to come out between the control arms because the gas pressure extend it to full length.
So I work it to a slightly different position, get one end of the tool hooked, compress it by hand to get the other end hooked. Looks like this and now it is short enough to get out of the car.
Note the top of the tool is it's original long configuration. Not long after I took this pic, that end was shortened as in the first pic. I put Z51 bars on first on my 19 Stingray which really reduced body roll. But the rear of the car still had a float I didn't like. It happened on an interstate type road at 65-70 when there was a bridge in the middle of a curve and they never get the road surface to perfectly match the bridge. The shocks took care of that.
Thanks Craig but I wasn't planning to swap the shocks as I like the softer ride the standard Stingray provides compared to the Z51 I have currently. What I don't like is the "sloppy" cornering which the sway bar upgrade you've suggested will hopefully overcome. It's just a case of choosing the best one for me?
C7 Stingray suspension upgrade
