Z51 Necessity
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Z51 Necessity
Considering a C8 non Z51 car to save the $6K. I own a C7 GS coupe. My questions are as follows:
1. How do the AS tires grip and feel?
2. How is the turn in compared to the C7?
3. How are the standard brakes?
4. How is the ride experience without the mag suspension?
5. Does it still corner well under hard throttle or will I regret buying the non Z51?
I know driving the 2 different cars will help make my decision easier but there are no cars to drive so I’m buying blindly.
Thanks for taking your time to answer.
1. How do the AS tires grip and feel?
2. How is the turn in compared to the C7?
3. How are the standard brakes?
4. How is the ride experience without the mag suspension?
5. Does it still corner well under hard throttle or will I regret buying the non Z51?
I know driving the 2 different cars will help make my decision easier but there are no cars to drive so I’m buying blindly.
Thanks for taking your time to answer.
Popular Reply
Feb 4, 2021, 10:39 AM
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,790
Likes: 10,218
From: Garden Valley CA
This question gets raised a lot and you will get answers varying from it is a must have to it is a waste if you don't track your car. Very few people have driven both in a C8. Do a search and you will find lots of threads.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,790
Likes: 10,218
From: Garden Valley CA
This question gets raised a lot and you will get answers varying from it is a must have to it is a waste if you don't track your car. Very few people have driven both in a C8. Do a search and you will find lots of threads.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
Last edited by RKCRLR; Feb 4, 2021 at 11:16 AM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 565
Likes: 143
From: Bedford VA
I suspect you won't find many (any?) who have driven both suspensions in the C8. However, my experience with previous generations drove me to the Z51 with mag ride for my C8. I had a Z52 C4 (basically a Z51 with an automatic transmission), both base and Z51 suspensions in my M6 C5s, and a base with mag ride suspension in my A8 C7. I never tracked any of these cars but there was a very noticeable feel of the "Z" cars that I liked a lot better in the feel, steering and suspension response during daily driving as well as spirited driving.
I don't notice quite as much suspension difference by mode in the C8 as I did in my C7 which never had the $300 mag ride update. However, the ride, response and overall feel of the C8 compared to the older generation cars make them seem like antiques.
I don't notice quite as much suspension difference by mode in the C8 as I did in my C7 which never had the $300 mag ride update. However, the ride, response and overall feel of the C8 compared to the older generation cars make them seem like antiques.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 776
Likes: 432
From: Florida
This question gets raised a lot and you will get answers varying from it is a must have to it is a waste if you don't track your car. Very few people have driven both in a C8. Do a search and you will find lots of threads.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
I personally am not going to be tracking so I went without the Z51 but definitely the performance exhaust (which is where the Z51 gets the roughly extra 5hp) and the MSRC (Mag Ride).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 823
From: Wilmington Ma
This question gets raised a lot and you will get answers varying from it is a must have to it is a waste if you don't track your car. Very few people have driven both in a C8. Do a search and you will find lots of threads.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
You are unlikely to get enough heat into summer tires on the street to notice the difference between AS and summer tires.
Historically, bigger brakes give more fade resistance and a better initial bite. You are unlikely to see brake fade in street driving and I don't know how much of the brake feel makes it through the eBoost system unaltered.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking the car then get the Z51.
The Z51 does have an advantage on the street, it gives you a "tighter" feel, more like a sports car than a grand tourer. So it depends what you are looking to get out of the C8.
If your main use will be touring then the non-Z51 is fine.
If you like spirited driving in the twisties get the Z51.
If you like the best of both worlds add MSRC to the Z51. It enhances the handling ability while allowing you to tame the ride down for touring.
If you want the best of both worlds but are trying to save some money add MSRC to the base. It will allow you to stiffen up the suspension for spirited driving and give you a better ride on bad roads. And you can you can add stiffer sway bars later on to get you close to the feel of the Z51. Keep in mind that the mode settings have no effect on the suspension without MSRC.
Also, there are some downsides to the Z51 for street use - summer tires and brake dust. But both of these can be addressed.
And if you decide against the Z51 make sure you consider getting the NPP performance exhaust.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 308
Likes: 177
From: Massachusetts
What about all the other stuff? People talk about the brakes, but is the upgraded cooling worth it? What about the limited slip differential and rear axle ratio?
If the package is $5900 and you were going to get the NPP anyway ( $1,100), is $4900 worth brakes rear axle, cooling, and eLSD?
If the package is $5900 and you were going to get the NPP anyway ( $1,100), is $4900 worth brakes rear axle, cooling, and eLSD?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 164
Likes: 63
From: Maryland
I went back and forth on this. Ultimately decided base with mag ride and NPP. Daily driver for me and I would have had to replace the tires for winter. Don’t want to deal brake dust situation. Don’t need bigger brakes and better cooling. Not tracking the car.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 566
Likes: 566
From: Kansas City
Modified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
What about all the other stuff? People talk about the brakes, but is the upgraded cooling worth it? What about the limited slip differential and rear axle ratio?
If the package is $5900 and you were going to get the NPP anyway ( $1,100), is $4900 worth brakes rear axle, cooling, and eLSD?
If the package is $5900 and you were going to get the NPP anyway ( $1,100), is $4900 worth brakes rear axle, cooling, and eLSD?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 2,605
From: Gettysburg PA
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I went from a '17 GS to the Z51 with MRC. I didn't want to be disappointed in any way coming from the awesome GS...... I had MRC on the GS.
I have recently swapped out tires to the All Season tires, but other than that, I wanted the eLSD with different ratio rear and all the other features, as mentioned such as additional cooling, larger brakes, etc.
The tires give me the ability to ride with more traction in the winter months here in the cold country, but I'm not feeling that I'm loosing track capability as I'm not tracking our car anyway. In addition, I wanted the Z51 spoiler.
I have recently swapped out tires to the All Season tires, but other than that, I wanted the eLSD with different ratio rear and all the other features, as mentioned such as additional cooling, larger brakes, etc.
The tires give me the ability to ride with more traction in the winter months here in the cold country, but I'm not feeling that I'm loosing track capability as I'm not tracking our car anyway. In addition, I wanted the Z51 spoiler.
Last edited by Strake; Feb 4, 2021 at 01:16 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 92
Likes: 49
Like others have said, I went back and forth but decided to go with the non Z51 but I went to the 3LT because I really wanted the Blue interior. If it wasn't for the blue interior, I would have stayed with the 2LT and probably got the Z51, although the 3LT interior is certainly an upgrade. My decision ultimately was about wanting the best ride. I thought If I got the Z51,I would then want the mag ride and so the price starts adding up. The mag ride not being a stand alone option on the 2020s. Also the tires and brake dust. But probably more because of resale value and marketability. When there are bunches of them on the road, are people not going to want the car because it isn't the Z51? I guess I will find out someday. The Z51 package is definitely the most value for your money, especially if your going to upgrade the exhaust anyway. With all of that said, I don't think most people would be taking advantage of what the Z51 offers. I know it sounds like I'm going back and forth but that's exactly what I have been doing in my mind. I still question if I made the right decision, but I'm very happy with the car, it is an incredible car and an incredible value.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 47
My perspective is different from what appears to be the consensus of those who respond to these posts with the "If you're not going to track the car, the Z51 package is not worth getting". Having had the Z51 package with manual transmission in my C6 & C7 I had already placed my original C8 order with the Z51 package with MRC back on March 13, 2020. My friend got his C8 with Z51 in October 2020 and he recently let me drive it. Now, I don't track my cars but my friend does and is quite an accomplished driver. He had me take a series of back to back "S" curves on a 2 lane road with 55 mph speed limit with the yellow, diamond signs with the diagram of the curves and a warning of 30 mph max speed. In my C7 I routinely did 45 mph and it was a blast. In my friend's C8, with his encouragement, I took the curves at 52 mph and can not explain how much fun it was. For the record my friend would take those curves in his C7 at 49 mph and would not tell me how fast he had taken those curves in the C8. I am fortunate that I live in an area where there are lots of good country roads, with banked curves that are so much fun to drive through and are in non residential areas. On any significant curve taken at "speed" I could feel the ediff working to push the car around the curve. The C8 is different in ways I don't understand as I don't have enough "seat" time from the C7 but I can honestly tell you that in this car, in my opinion if you do any aggressive driving at all you will not fully appreciate the car without the Z51 package. Also, as I mentioned above I placed my original order on 3/13/20 and when I placed my replacement order, I deleted the Z51 (kept the MRC) and went from a coupe to a HTC. After driving the C8, I went back to the coupe with the Z51 package as I do a lot of driving in the country and will want all the advantages the Z51 provides in order to be as quick as possible as safe as possible. Please don't think I am reckless, I rarely speed and the only one that will be hurt if I should crash on these curves will be me! If you will be only doing urban and interstate driving then I think the Z51 would not be worthwhile from a cost/benefit point of view.
One next to the last thought, the additional radiator can only help reliability and the suspension is very different and there is no way to "after market" it if for no other reason than there is no ediff without it.
Last thought, regardless of how we spec our cars we should all take time to think about how blessed we are to have such a "dilemma" in the first place!!
One next to the last thought, the additional radiator can only help reliability and the suspension is very different and there is no way to "after market" it if for no other reason than there is no ediff without it.
Last thought, regardless of how we spec our cars we should all take time to think about how blessed we are to have such a "dilemma" in the first place!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,790
Likes: 10,218
From: Garden Valley CA
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 86
Likes: 39
From: Western Chicago suburbs
You need to ask yourself if you want the best handling variant of the base model
you get
NPP exhaust
eLSD which is a factor in everyday spirited driving and non during cornering
better gearing
bigger better brakes
added cooling
titanium sway bar
better springs/shocks
aero Front and rear spoilers
More aggressive mode tuning
It is a huge value for what you get.
To me it is worth more than a 2lt package as I am getting it as a sports car that rides great. I would second guess myself as to what the car could be if I I'd not get it. It is all about the driving experience.
Nothing on on this car is a necessity as in its stripped down form is an amazing car.
Not a factor in my purchase because you only get a dime on the dollar for options, but I know it will be worth more and appeal to a larger audience when it is time to sell.
you get
NPP exhaust
eLSD which is a factor in everyday spirited driving and non during cornering
better gearing
bigger better brakes
added cooling
titanium sway bar
better springs/shocks
aero Front and rear spoilers
More aggressive mode tuning
It is a huge value for what you get.
To me it is worth more than a 2lt package as I am getting it as a sports car that rides great. I would second guess myself as to what the car could be if I I'd not get it. It is all about the driving experience.
Nothing on on this car is a necessity as in its stripped down form is an amazing car.
Not a factor in my purchase because you only get a dime on the dollar for options, but I know it will be worth more and appeal to a larger audience when it is time to sell.
Last edited by Lumberdog1; Feb 4, 2021 at 04:40 PM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,980
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
Considering a C8 non Z51 car to save the $6K. I own a C7 GS coupe. My questions are as follows:
1. How do the AS tires grip and feel? Probably fine as the Z51 tires are NOT the super performance tires on my two C7s. Proof? No chatter or Ackerman set for handling!
2. How is the turn in compared to the C7? Much faster.
3. How are the standard brakes? Both different then particular my 2017 6 piston Grand Sport as they DO NOT have vaccum assist and use more of a brake by wire GM calls eBoost (a motor drive pump that puts out up to 3000 psi.) Unless Tracking (which because of your questions you probably are not) you won't tell the difference. I think the one week point even the Z51 could be bigger for my street use. AND if you get the Z51 plan on changing to low dust pads. I did week one on my C8 Z51 (also switched to Carbotech 1521 low dust ceramic street pads on my 2014 Z51 and 2017 Grand Sport.
4. How is the ride experience without the mag suspension? Doubt you'll see much difference if you get the base car. It has the softest ride probably close even if you get MAG ride. I found I had to drive my 2017 Grand Sport in Touring until I paid for and got the MRC software upgrade to match my none MRC 2014 Z51! Drive my C8 with MRC with ride set to Sport. What MRC does do is make the car stiffer in Sport and Touring (and other benefits in transient maneuvers.) No downside so I bought for my C8 but it stays in Sport!
5. Does it still corner well under hard throttle or will I regret buying the non Z51? Unless you're an aggressive driver probably won't be able to tell the difference. If you are, would not be asking the question and would just get the Z51
I know driving the 2 different cars will help make my decision easier but there are no cars to drive so I’m buying blindly.
Thanks for taking your time to answer.
1. How do the AS tires grip and feel? Probably fine as the Z51 tires are NOT the super performance tires on my two C7s. Proof? No chatter or Ackerman set for handling!
2. How is the turn in compared to the C7? Much faster.
3. How are the standard brakes? Both different then particular my 2017 6 piston Grand Sport as they DO NOT have vaccum assist and use more of a brake by wire GM calls eBoost (a motor drive pump that puts out up to 3000 psi.) Unless Tracking (which because of your questions you probably are not) you won't tell the difference. I think the one week point even the Z51 could be bigger for my street use. AND if you get the Z51 plan on changing to low dust pads. I did week one on my C8 Z51 (also switched to Carbotech 1521 low dust ceramic street pads on my 2014 Z51 and 2017 Grand Sport.
4. How is the ride experience without the mag suspension? Doubt you'll see much difference if you get the base car. It has the softest ride probably close even if you get MAG ride. I found I had to drive my 2017 Grand Sport in Touring until I paid for and got the MRC software upgrade to match my none MRC 2014 Z51! Drive my C8 with MRC with ride set to Sport. What MRC does do is make the car stiffer in Sport and Touring (and other benefits in transient maneuvers.) No downside so I bought for my C8 but it stays in Sport!
5. Does it still corner well under hard throttle or will I regret buying the non Z51? Unless you're an aggressive driver probably won't be able to tell the difference. If you are, would not be asking the question and would just get the Z51
I know driving the 2 different cars will help make my decision easier but there are no cars to drive so I’m buying blindly.
Thanks for taking your time to answer.
- Did I need to stuff a bored out Olds engine in my 1st car, a '41 Ford Coupe? Nope.
- Did I have to order my 1st new car in 1967 with every HD option, including quick steering, HD shocks, springs and sway bar, metallic brakes? No but did and added Plus 1 performance radial tires, headers etc.
- Did I need to install headers and make carb and ignition mods on my new 1974 260 Z? Well yes as that was a bad year for cars, exhaust air pumps, hot water going to carbs with lean mixtures, etc.. EPA force lower emissions and the car companies were not ready with CATs etc
- How about all 6 Vettes, did they need the HD options offered? Probably not BUT I would have regretted that decision so ordered every one made just for me in Bowling Green with them.
- Even ordered my StepSide S-10 with quick steering, HD springs, shocks, wider aluminum wheels, posi. Added engine modes, dual exhausts and polyurethane sway bar bushing as I had on other cars as well.
Perhaps when I get "old" I'll feel differently but I'm "only" 78 but turn 19 when I get in the C8!
Last edited by JerryU; Feb 4, 2021 at 02:34 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,785
Likes: 1,417
Necessary? No.. lots of people don’t think so. I did, so I got it. Along with a more expensive color, and edge red brakes, and black wheels, and MRC, and the GT2 suede wheel and seats, and HTC... How much it cost wasn’t a factor.
It’s up to you...
It’s up to you...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,281
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
You can do a search we’ve beat this topic to death. Seems folks still want to justify having to spend the most money when these features will never be used. Not sure it’s ego or what..... I see the same lining up for the z and they will never used that performance.
And don’t forget you want to add in the cost of changing out the dusty brake pads.
And don’t forget you want to add in the cost of changing out the dusty brake pads.
Last edited by Greg00Coupe; Feb 4, 2021 at 04:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 82
I live in the same area as you and went back and forth with the same questions. My previous corvettes were a 2014 Stingray with z51, a 2018 ZO6 that I still own, and my soon to be delivered C8. My C8 started out as a coupe with Z51. Before the final decision had to be made I changed it to a HTC non Z51 with mag ride and NPP. The main reasons for not getting the Z-51 are
1: tires, the summer only tires are terrible when the temperature gets below 50 degrees. Before I put the ZO6 away for the winter the tires were breaking loose in 4th gear at 50 mph!
2: I prefer the look of the back without the spoiler, looks more clean to me.
3: the money I saved omitting the Z51 went towards the HTC.
Try a similar approach, it might help your decision
1: tires, the summer only tires are terrible when the temperature gets below 50 degrees. Before I put the ZO6 away for the winter the tires were breaking loose in 4th gear at 50 mph!
2: I prefer the look of the back without the spoiler, looks more clean to me.
3: the money I saved omitting the Z51 went towards the HTC.
Try a similar approach, it might help your decision