Magnetic Ride Control
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 84
From: Miami FL
Magnetic Ride Control
Will Magnetic Ride Control soften the ride of the Z51 in touring mode to as quiet and soft as the base model in the same mode? Or will the stiffness of the Z51 suspension make the ride harsher even despite the Magnetic Ride Control set to the most comfortable mode? Conversely, will Magnetic Ride Control make the touring mode even smoother and quieter than the base model in the touring mode?
Popular Reply
Jul 26, 2019, 06:33 PM
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 10,274
From: Garden Valley CA
For a C7:
Base is softest ride.
Adding MSRC to base allows you to firm up the ride when needed. (Not currently an option for C8)
Z51 has stiffer springs, sway bars, and shocks. The ride is firm.
Adding MSRC to Z51 includes reverting the spring rates back similar to base spring rates. The ride in Tour is similar to base but perhaps slightly firmer.
Base is softest ride.
Adding MSRC to base allows you to firm up the ride when needed. (Not currently an option for C8)
Z51 has stiffer springs, sway bars, and shocks. The ride is firm.
Adding MSRC to Z51 includes reverting the spring rates back similar to base spring rates. The ride in Tour is similar to base but perhaps slightly firmer.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 254
From: Woodinville, WA
The question is still a good one past z51 owners with msrc can answer... Is touring mode from MSRC comparable, better, or worse (primarily in terms of comfort) to the non-z51 suspension?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 10,274
From: Garden Valley CA
For a C7:
Base is softest ride.
Adding MSRC to base allows you to firm up the ride when needed. (Not currently an option for C8)
Z51 has stiffer springs, sway bars, and shocks. The ride is firm.
Adding MSRC to Z51 includes reverting the spring rates back similar to base spring rates. The ride in Tour is similar to base but perhaps slightly firmer.
Base is softest ride.
Adding MSRC to base allows you to firm up the ride when needed. (Not currently an option for C8)
Z51 has stiffer springs, sway bars, and shocks. The ride is firm.
Adding MSRC to Z51 includes reverting the spring rates back similar to base spring rates. The ride in Tour is similar to base but perhaps slightly firmer.
Last edited by RKCRLR; Jul 26, 2019 at 08:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 84
From: Miami FL
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas
I just traded a 2014 Z51 without MRC for a 2019 Z51 with MRC. The extra stiffness of the Z51 suspension comes through even in Touring Mode with MRC and in Race mode the car is an absolute beast when it comes to cornering! I have also owned a base C6 (no Z51 package) without MRC and that ride was much softer. Just another reference that may or may not be relevant to the question...
If you're debating whether to get MRC with Z51? Believe me you won't be disappointed if you're going for performance...it is much superior to the standard Z51 package! Good luck!
If you're debating whether to get MRC with Z51? Believe me you won't be disappointed if you're going for performance...it is much superior to the standard Z51 package! Good luck!
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 337
Likes: 96
From: Calgary Alberta
The Z51 will be stiffer than base as others have explained. Comparing a base model with and without MSRC is an interesting question.
My 17 Z06/07 with MSRC was so stiff, I could tell the difference between a nickel and a dime when I drove over them. Not fun on bumpy roads, but a cornering/handling beast. The MRC software update Chev introduced in 2018 softened the ride considerably in tour mode. It's standard on 2019's so I expect GM will push this learning into the C8 and the base model with MSRC tour mode should be close to the non MSRC car. Again, moving to the Z51 stiffens things up a bit.
This is my guess at how the suspension will stiffen:
1) Base model without MSRC - softest
2) Base model with MSRC - also soft in tour mode. Ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
3) Z51 without MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2)
4) Z51 with MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2), the same as 3) in Tour, with the ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
My 17 Z06/07 with MSRC was so stiff, I could tell the difference between a nickel and a dime when I drove over them. Not fun on bumpy roads, but a cornering/handling beast. The MRC software update Chev introduced in 2018 softened the ride considerably in tour mode. It's standard on 2019's so I expect GM will push this learning into the C8 and the base model with MSRC tour mode should be close to the non MSRC car. Again, moving to the Z51 stiffens things up a bit.
This is my guess at how the suspension will stiffen:
1) Base model without MSRC - softest
2) Base model with MSRC - also soft in tour mode. Ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
3) Z51 without MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2)
4) Z51 with MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2), the same as 3) in Tour, with the ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,557
The Z51 will be stiffer than base as others have explained. Comparing a base model with and without MSRC is an interesting question.
My 17 Z06/07 with MSRC was so stiff, I could tell the difference between a nickel and a dime when I drove over them. Not fun on bumpy roads, but a cornering/handling beast. The MRC software update Chev introduced in 2018 softened the ride considerably in tour mode. It's standard on 2019's so I expect GM will push this learning into the C8 and the base model with MSRC tour mode should be close to the non MSRC car. Again, moving to the Z51 stiffens things up a bit.
This is my guess at how the suspension will stiffen:
1) Base model without MSRC - softest
2) Base model with MSRC - also soft in tour mode. Ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
3) Z51 without MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2)
4) Z51 with MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2), the same as 3) in Tour, with the ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
My 17 Z06/07 with MSRC was so stiff, I could tell the difference between a nickel and a dime when I drove over them. Not fun on bumpy roads, but a cornering/handling beast. The MRC software update Chev introduced in 2018 softened the ride considerably in tour mode. It's standard on 2019's so I expect GM will push this learning into the C8 and the base model with MSRC tour mode should be close to the non MSRC car. Again, moving to the Z51 stiffens things up a bit.
This is my guess at how the suspension will stiffen:
1) Base model without MSRC - softest
2) Base model with MSRC - also soft in tour mode. Ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
3) Z51 without MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2)
4) Z51 with MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2), the same as 3) in Tour, with the ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
Your car felt stiff because you had the Z07 package with the stiffest springs GM put on the C7.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,557
3) Z51 without MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2)
4) Z51 with MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2), the same as 3) in Tour, with the ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
4) Z51 with MSRC - stiffer than both 1) and 2), the same as 3) in Tour, with the ability to stiffen in more advanced modes
This portion is wrong... the Z51 MSRC in tour will not be the same as Z51 w/o. It is much softer. MSRC in sport mode is similar to non-mag and track mode is stiffer.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,997
Likes: 2,615
From: Gettysburg PA
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just keep in mind, trying to compare former C7 experience to what a C8 might feel like is apples and oranges no matter how you try to rationalize it. Two completely different suspensions, shocks, and on the C8 the MRC is 4th generation. I don't think you will get an appropriate comparison. What ever the differences were on the C7 between base Stingray, and Z51 don't matter for what a C8 might be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
Regardless of Z51 or base, the single biggest factor in softening the ride is replacing run-flat tires with non-runflat.
You can also replace the Z51 or Z06 factory shocks with aftermaket Bilsteins and soften the ride while enhancing performance. Another member reported non magnetorheological OEM factory shocks cost GM $9 each. That should give a clue as to quality.
You can also replace the Z51 or Z06 factory shocks with aftermaket Bilsteins and soften the ride while enhancing performance. Another member reported non magnetorheological OEM factory shocks cost GM $9 each. That should give a clue as to quality.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 615
From: Springfield TN
Will Magnetic Ride Control soften the ride of the Z51 in touring mode to as quiet and soft as the base model in the same mode? Or will the stiffness of the Z51 suspension make the ride harsher even despite the Magnetic Ride Control set to the most comfortable mode? Conversely, will Magnetic Ride Control make the touring mode even smoother and quieter than the base model in the touring mode?
I have a 2017 C7 Grand Sport with the base (non Z07) suspension, which is also the base Z06 suspension. I also had the MRC software update done. In "touring", the softest setting for daily driving, the MRC gives a very comfortable ride even with that track ready suspension under me. No harshness at all. Still feels like a sports car in that the car is not "floaty", but quite comfortable. No idea if a C8 will be exactly the same, but the MRC is amazing. I am running a new set of OEM MPSS run-flat tires.
Last edited by quick04Z06; Aug 22, 2019 at 05:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 615
From: Springfield TN
Regardless of Z51 or base, the single biggest factor in softening the ride is replacing run-flat tires with non-runflat.
You can also replace the Z51 or Z06 factory shocks with aftermaket Bilsteins and soften the ride while enhancing performance. Another member reported non magnetorheological OEM factory shocks cost GM $9 each. That should give a clue as to quality.
You can also replace the Z51 or Z06 factory shocks with aftermaket Bilsteins and soften the ride while enhancing performance. Another member reported non magnetorheological OEM factory shocks cost GM $9 each. That should give a clue as to quality.
Last edited by quick04Z06; Aug 22, 2019 at 05:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 10,274
From: Garden Valley CA
The MotorTrend article said the C8 non-Z51 and Z51 w/MSRC in Tour were comparable.
Adding MSRC to a non-Z51 C7 really didn't make the ride any softer. It allowed you to firm up the ride in other modes and take advantage of the MSRC attributes.
Last edited by RKCRLR; Aug 22, 2019 at 05:44 PM.
