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You can always put thicker sway bars on in addition to swapping out shocks. The Non Z51 C6 and C7 didn’t even come with a rear sway bar, not sure if the non Z51 C8 has one.
Does anyone know?
The C7 FE1/FE2 suspensions didn't have a rear stabilizer bar because there is some inherent stabilization (crosstalk) in the transverse spring setup. GM determined that was sufficient for the FE1/FE2 suspensions.
The C8 has coil springs so a rear stabilizer bar is necessary.
The C7 FE1/FE2 suspensions didn't have a rear stabilizer bar because there is some inherent stabilization (crosstalk) in the transverse spring setup. GM determined that was sufficient for the FE1/FE2 suspensions.
The C8 has coil springs so a rear stabilizer bar is necessary.
Yup, they had to add one!
Last edited by The Successful Plumber; Aug 2, 2020 at 11:26 AM.
No surprise w the OPs observations.......... FE1 is not a race suspension for the Corvette. Certainly a great suspension but not a track suspension......... GM even tells you that.
That would have been $8k (or whatever extra), and I decided not to do it. This thread is not meant to be a complaint, I have no regrets and no problems changing out springs/shocks.
Rather the point is to be an advisory to others who are debating the options on their order.
At the press / blogger days at Sprint Mountain, a number of the testers thought the base car was easier to drive on the autocross course because it provided more feedback.
One man's meat is another man's poison. Opinions are like ...... Everyone's got one.
The corvette standard suspension in my C6 was floaty too. Immediately changed sways and shocks. IMO for a sports type car with this much power needs to handle better even at the basic level. But I suppose that there target buyer fits the suspension for the most part. Hence the upgrade options.
True Dat ! Betting the issue is to much Cuervo .......................
No, most of it is pure ignorance, half these guys have never driven a C8 and they're chiming in that a C6 did this and that. ANY other car or model is not part of the equation. If you haven't driven one, you simply don't know. I drove mine again today and it's firm but not harsh, nothing floaty at all. If you want to drive triple digits on the street then you won't be around long anyway, dead or in jail.
Who's trying to hit triple digits on public roads with ALL SEASONS!? Noob move there captain, especially if you're complaining about "floating".....
Sell the car
There is nothing magical about triple digits. I used to drive at just over 100mph all day long in my MB 230E, 2.3 liter, 4 cylinder, 134hp, 4 door sedan. That was on public roads as well, in Germany on the autobahn, so no legal infractions. Trucks going slowly and sports cars going 150mph require everyone to pay attention! Nobody but the really fast movers would EVER cruise in the left lane. If US drivers knew how to drive it would help a lot. If the tires are rated for the speed, which the C8s are, all season tires can cruise at speed all day long. At 125mph the sedan was definitely “floaty” hence I didn’t drive that fast but it was perfectly comfortable at 100.
The springs are the main difference - the shocks, by what me and my mechanic have been able to tell, are nearly identical in valving/etc with the only difference being the adjustability. I swapped the rear in my non-Z51 Ti the FE3s and lowered the car the max to match the Cicio front lowering collars - dialed in a good alignment at -2.1 front / -1.6 rear camber and fixed the caster discrepancy as delivered. Did my first track day today at MSR Houston and the suspension held up great - just need more tire (when I get my new street setup I’m doing R888Rs on the stock wheels) and some track brake pads - those were really the weak points but the A/Ss still put down decent lap times for what they are and held up fine wear wise.
99% of people still won't exploit the limits of the FE1 on the street or track. Yes, I bet it feels more loose and in comparison to other suspension options "floaty" but most can't reach the limit of the base base base base....um base car.
99% of people still won't exploit the limits of the FE1 on the street or track. Yes, I bet it feels more loose and in comparison to other suspension options "floaty" but most can't reach the limit of the base base base base....um base car.
so true! But hey I’m understand wanting to check all the option boxes when ordering a car like this. It’s comes down to how much ego you got and if you think spending an extra 7 to 8 k gives you that much of a return.
Many folks get the z51 and never see any benefits then will come on here complaining about rusty rotors and extra brake dust dud.......you got the race brakes......what did you expect?
No, most of it is pure ignorance, half these guys have never driven a C8 and they're chiming in that a C6 did this and that. ANY other car or model is not part of the equation. If you haven't driven one, you simply don't know. I drove mine again today and it's firm but not harsh, nothing floaty at all. If you want to drive triple digits on the street then you won't be around long anyway, dead or in jail.
Phil got it right. I know because I’ve owned a ‘05 C6 Coupe Z51, a ‘14 C7 Coupe Base with Front and Back Z51 Sway Bars added, and now a C8 Coupe Base. My C7 with the added Z51 Sway Bars helped remove most apparent “Floaty” with the tall tires part of the problem. Now with the C8 Base having lower profile tires than my ‘14 C7 Base the C8 is at least on par with my C7 Z51 Bars added. I am quite pleased and will not change the suspension. To those that selected C8 Z51, I’m sure it is well worth it to them, especially the trackers.
There is nothing magical about triple digits. I used to drive at just over 100mph all day long in my MB 230E, 2.3 liter, 4 cylinder, 134hp, 4 door sedan. That was on public roads as well, in Germany on the autobahn, so no legal infractions.
In Germany you actually have to prove you know how to control a car to get a drivers license. In the US, you have to prove you can remember to use turn signals. Big difference.
In Germany you actually have to prove you know how to control a car to get a drivers license. In the US, you have to prove you can remember to use turn signals. Big difference.
Sounds good on paper. Having lived there, with plenty of experience driving, my observation is that the average driver over there is no better than the average driver here in the U.S. It's just that their oppressive government makes them jump through more hoops than ours has figured out a way to implement. But to be fair, at least the Germans know how to use the gas pedal when the light turns green, compared to many morons in the U.S.
Noob move there captain, especially if you're complaining about "floating".....
