Z07 suspension differences
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2016
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
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St. Jude Donor '17
I own a 2009 Z06. Today I drove a C7 Z06. The ride by comparison was like riding in a caddalic. I will be ordering a C7 Z06. Right now, it will have the Z07 package. My only concern is ground clearance. I drag bad coming out of my driveway and street. I have no doubt, the Z07 ride will be significantly more comfortable than my C6.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
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Maybe I am blind and this has been answered but can I "upgrade" a non z07 car to the z07 suspension? I ask because I have a line on a car I like but want the option of adding the track aero & suspension. I understand the parts are available but is the computer programming available?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 769
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From: Tucson AZ
Couldn't agree more. Streets in southern Arizona have ridges about 2 in high every 30 feet or so due to expansion of the pavement in the summer sun. My C6 Z06 was stiff and bounced like a dumptruck on certain streets. My C7 Z06/Z07 has the same rough ride as the C6 on the same streets when in Sport 2 or Track but the car is tame in touring mode. It's all a matter of what you want the car for. Mine is not a daily driver but it does see more track time than the others in our Corvette club by a large margin.
Thread Starter
Track Rat
Joined: Oct 2006
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Originally Posted by drwuss
Maybe I am blind and this has been answered but can I "upgrade" a non z07 car to the z07 suspension? I ask because I have a line on a car I like but want the option of adding the track aero & suspension. I understand the parts are available but is the computer programming available?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 11
Maybe I am blind and this has been answered but can I "upgrade" a non z07 car to the z07 suspension? I ask because I have a line on a car I like but want the option of adding the track aero & suspension. I understand the parts are available but is the computer programming available?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Thread Starter
Track Rat
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 3,464
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
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From: Redmond WA
I find Z06 Tour just on the edge of what I'd call a touring ride. If the Z07 were much firmer, it'd be too firm for "Grand Touring", but I have no idea if it is because I haven't spent any time in one.
I know that I had to make the decision between "Do I want a more comfortable Touring ride" vs "Do I want a little more oversteer at the track" and I chose comfort, as I would do again given the chance.
If I ordered it as track duty car, it'd be Z07 no choice. But it's a sunshine cruiser that sees HDPE events, that's all, so it made no sense to me.
What makes even less sense is Z07 on the street exclusively. Any street-only car has no need for the Z07 I'd say (there are only so many onramps).
What I would -never- do is combine FE7 hardware with FE6 software, or vice versa, or mix front and rear. The spring rates take into account lift and aero, and you don't want the rear end getting light (or understeering at speed, but I'd take that over the rear). Do it all or do it none.
I know that I had to make the decision between "Do I want a more comfortable Touring ride" vs "Do I want a little more oversteer at the track" and I chose comfort, as I would do again given the chance.
If I ordered it as track duty car, it'd be Z07 no choice. But it's a sunshine cruiser that sees HDPE events, that's all, so it made no sense to me.
What makes even less sense is Z07 on the street exclusively. Any street-only car has no need for the Z07 I'd say (there are only so many onramps).
What I would -never- do is combine FE7 hardware with FE6 software, or vice versa, or mix front and rear. The spring rates take into account lift and aero, and you don't want the rear end getting light (or understeering at speed, but I'd take that over the rear). Do it all or do it none.
Last edited by davepl; Apr 30, 2016 at 10:29 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
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Yeah read ur reviews and talked into it lol.. If i keep the z06 im going that route.. But im going to start with just z06 shocks see how they do ..
Pro
Joined: Feb 2015
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There's been a fair amount of speculation on the suspension differences between a Z07 equipped car and a regular Z06 but so far I haven't seen anyone publish the details.
I reached out to a friend of mine and was able to get the details directly from the chief suspension engineer for the Corvette. As we already know the suspension on Z07 optioned cars (FE7) is stiffer than that on non-Z07 (FE6) cars. Specifically the springs, shocks, MR calibration, and stabilizer bar bushings are different from FE7 to FE6.
The front spring is 62% higher rate on the FE7 than the FE6.
The rear spring is 22% higher rate on the FE7 than the FE6.
The different stabilizer bar bushing tuning helps get the car the appropriate understeer level.
The MR shocks on the FE7 have a tighter gap which means a higher “passive” curve in addition to a more aggressive MR damping tuning.
I hope this helps folks trying to decide between Z07 or not. This also means that trying to convert between Z06 and Z07 suspensions will require quite a bit of work assuming you can even find a way to update the MR calibration.
I reached out to a friend of mine and was able to get the details directly from the chief suspension engineer for the Corvette. As we already know the suspension on Z07 optioned cars (FE7) is stiffer than that on non-Z07 (FE6) cars. Specifically the springs, shocks, MR calibration, and stabilizer bar bushings are different from FE7 to FE6.
The front spring is 62% higher rate on the FE7 than the FE6.
The rear spring is 22% higher rate on the FE7 than the FE6.
The different stabilizer bar bushing tuning helps get the car the appropriate understeer level.
The MR shocks on the FE7 have a tighter gap which means a higher “passive” curve in addition to a more aggressive MR damping tuning.
I hope this helps folks trying to decide between Z07 or not. This also means that trying to convert between Z06 and Z07 suspensions will require quite a bit of work assuming you can even find a way to update the MR calibration.
Thread Starter
Track Rat
Joined: Oct 2006
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I am contemplating going back to stage 2 aero to see the lap time differences now and in particular better quantify the affect on VMAX. Maybe at NCM VIR.
Thread Starter
Track Rat
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,466
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What I would -never- do is combine FE7 hardware with FE6 software, or vice versa, or mix front and rear. The spring rates take into account lift and aero, and you don't want the rear end getting light (or understeering at speed, but I'd take that over the rear). Do it all or do it none.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,683
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Let the experiment begin. Today I replaced the FE6 sway bar bushings with the FE7 items. Just by feel you can tell the FE7 rear bushings are stiffer. I'm not sure about the fronts but the FE7 bushing might be a little bit softer.
I'll have some track impressions after Friday.
Note that if you want to try this out you'll need to buy new bolts for the front sway bar clamps as they are single use.
I'll have some track impressions after Friday.
Note that if you want to try this out you'll need to buy new bolts for the front sway bar clamps as they are single use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,459
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From: Somewhere Out There
I was talked out of getting the z07 by the dealer. When I ordered, (one of the first orders with kerbeck) there is no real info on the z07 differences would be. I was told it would be a harsh ride and ruin the streetability. I can say that I've driven both, mine and a z07 car. I noticed no difference in ride quality. Maybe a few bit in track but not enough to even be sure. With that said I'm really disappointed I passed on the z07. I wish I had the suspension and brake upgrades. And I did some research, it's not possible to upgrade either system due to the tuning, even if you had the parts
That is good that you got the Corvette that you wanted. For myself, I would not trust what a salesman tells me because I'd be suspicious he or she was trying to alter my purchase according to the inventory or what type of Corvette they would be allotted. Unless the salesman was a real Corvette owner or racer and had actually driven those vehicles I was considering-- I'd be skeptical he was actually trying to help me. Rather, help him make a sale for the next available car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
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From: San Diego Ca
I've been really struggling with the Z06 / Z07 decision myself. I think I'm currently leaning Z07. I use my Z06 daily so it's kind of a big deal.
My 2009 Z06 which I've been driving for 5 years now has a pretty rough ride because it lacks MR. I'm pretty sure the Z07 will end up giving me a better ride than I'm used to now.
My 2009 Z06 which I've been driving for 5 years now has a pretty rough ride because it lacks MR. I'm pretty sure the Z07 will end up giving me a better ride than I'm used to now.
Frankly I didn't want the expense of the CC brake rotors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,122
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From: Syracuse-Central Square New York Winer of the all Corvette race WGI 8/23!
Z07 for the street? No problem were leaving tomorrow for another 3k trip to FL in it! For the second time ! Although I would of bought a stage 1 Z06 if I wasn't planning to track it as we do and it performs flawlessly.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 182
Likes: 45
Question:
Correct me if I am wrong but the DSC controller is not available to purchase as of yet.
So if you swap out the springs, sway bar bushings, and shocks from an FE7 into a Z06 AND take the controller out of a Z07 (FE7) and plug it in (in other words swap out the controller boxes under the fender) would you then have a fully functional FE7 suspension?
Would there be any other changes needed?
Thanks for input on this.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 199
Question:
Correct me if I am wrong but the DSC controller is not available to purchase as of yet.
So if you swap out the springs, sway bar bushings, and shocks from an FE7 into a Z06 AND take the controller out of a Z07 (FE7) and plug it in (in other words swap out the controller boxes under the fender) would you then have a fully functional FE7 suspension?
Would there be any other changes needed?
Thanks for input on this.
Correct me if I am wrong but the DSC controller is not available to purchase as of yet.
So if you swap out the springs, sway bar bushings, and shocks from an FE7 into a Z06 AND take the controller out of a Z07 (FE7) and plug it in (in other words swap out the controller boxes under the fender) would you then have a fully functional FE7 suspension?
Would there be any other changes needed?
Thanks for input on this.
The answer is this thread
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ndard-z06.html
Yes, DSC had a problem with manufacturing controllers as they posted on another thread and it seems that they are too busy with track support across the country to find the time to get to the next step and have a production run. Earlier in the year the whole thing sounded like a revolution and later it went quite.
There is no doubt that DSC complete system is one of the best performance upgrades available for a C7 corvette. I would rather have that over 100HP increase.
Last edited by 5thGear; Sep 25, 2016 at 11:29 PM.