Z51 Package
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 356
From: Colorado
I have the chance to order a 2023 C8 right now. But it must include the Z51 and it is about a 6K cost. Is this a must have option if you will never track the car?
Maybe the package makes it better on the resale market. I will not flip the car. It will be keep for a few years. The last tow corvettes owned were a 76 and a 78 Pace Car. Please give me some advice.
Maybe the package makes it better on the resale market. I will not flip the car. It will be keep for a few years. The last tow corvettes owned were a 76 and a 78 Pace Car. Please give me some advice.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,846
Likes: 10,255
From: Garden Valley CA
I have the chance to order a 2023 C8 right now. But it must include the Z51 and it is about a 6K cost. Is this a must have option if you will never track the car?
Maybe the package makes it better on the resale market. I will not flip the car. It will be keep for a few years. The last tow corvettes owned were a 76 and a 78 Pace Car. Please give me some advice.
Maybe the package makes it better on the resale market. I will not flip the car. It will be keep for a few years. The last tow corvettes owned were a 76 and a 78 Pace Car. Please give me some advice.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 612
From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
At the rate we’re going, GM may never offer non-Z-51 cars again, or at least for the foreseeable future if they continue to be sold out of Z-51 cars. Why not? Their profit margin goes up about $4K off each Z-51 car sold.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 781
When I sold my C4 many asked if it was Z51 (it was not) but all wanted to see the car and it sold quickly. Z51 is not mandatory and when I looked at what it contained there were a few items I did not even want and the others were debatable. I just swapped a drive in my non-Z51 for a Z51 and could not tell any difference.
In any case isn't it odd the the constraint is non-z51? It seems like it would be the other way around. I wonder what part of the non-z51 is constrained or GM just trying to get that extra $6k. The no rear wing, The no front spoiler, The all season tires?
In any case isn't it odd the the constraint is non-z51? It seems like it would be the other way around. I wonder what part of the non-z51 is constrained or GM just trying to get that extra $6k. The no rear wing, The no front spoiler, The all season tires?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 52
From: Wentzville, MO.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 47
Likes: 34
From: Central Texas
Subjectively speaking, here are the features which make me want to check that Z51 box even though I have no aspirations of tracking my car once I get it:
1. Increased Cooling- I realize the engineers know what they're doing, but temps in Texas hover at or near triple digits for much of the summer. I like the peace of mind the extra cooling provides.
2. Transmission Cooler- Ditto with the transmission cooler
3. Bigger brakes- You don't need to track a car to have these be helpful.
1. Increased Cooling- I realize the engineers know what they're doing, but temps in Texas hover at or near triple digits for much of the summer. I like the peace of mind the extra cooling provides.
2. Transmission Cooler- Ditto with the transmission cooler
3. Bigger brakes- You don't need to track a car to have these be helpful.
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Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 151
Likes: 140
I will never track mine but I find it fun to put it in z mode and play around responsibly when I have the time. There is a certain stretch of road in dallas I love to play on. It is very fun to feel the change in suspension and gun it. But for me it’s like having a 4wd. Do you really need it no but it’s great to have the option if you ever do? So for me I would rather have the option then not have it and want it some day
Enjoy while you can.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,234
Likes: 3,361
From: 10th District Court OHIO
Ohio Events Coordinator
2025 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
I am in my 70's, retired and spent the extra to get a Z51 b/c I just wanted one. I never thought I would track the car, but after Spring Mountain I just might! After Spring Mountain I looked into "slow speed" autocross and will be doing that this summer for sure 
Going to do it while I still can!
Going to do it while I still can!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 648
Z51. Better brakes,better cooling,Better diff ,better gear ratios, Better aero for downforce at highway speeds and stability. A very cheap upgrade.Better tires. Add mag ride and you have something special in the world of low cost,,low maint sports cars. In europe and other places where they DRIVE their cars you cannot buy one that is not z51
GTS Bruce
GTS Bruce
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 141
Likes: 32
From: Dallas
I will never track mine but I find it fun to put it in z mode and play around responsibly when I have the time. There is a certain stretch of road in dallas I love to play on. It is very fun to feel the change in suspension and gun it. But for me it’s like having a 4wd. Do you really need it no but it’s great to have the option if you ever do? So for me I would rather have the option then not have it and want it some day
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 72
From: Orlando
The “Z51 or not” debate has been going on since the C6.
Many who have a C8 with the package will tell you in so many words that it’s a must have. Many that don’t will tell you it’s a waste of money, especially if you never put the car on a track. Neither of these takes are accurate.
Here are the facts…
1. If you want the option to run the car on the track, you need the Z51 package. If you take a C8 that doesn’t have the package on the track and experience a failure, GM likely will not honor the warranty on your car. Obviously, if you never track the car, this is a non-issue. I mention it only because it is important to know. If you want the option to track the car during the warranty period, then you will want the Z51.
2. Z51 does have a different feel on public roads. A difference that you might find desirable.
https://youtu.be/XVXTckxNz68
My points with the two facts above is that is that I’m not trying to justify my own purchase of the Z51 package by telling anyone it’s a must have nor am I trying to justify not spending the coin to have it (because I obviously bought the package). There are desirable features in the Z51 package that make a difference driving the car on public roads, so the notion that you only need it for track use is not accurate. There is a reason most C8s on the road are Z51s.
Many who have a C8 with the package will tell you in so many words that it’s a must have. Many that don’t will tell you it’s a waste of money, especially if you never put the car on a track. Neither of these takes are accurate.
Here are the facts…
1. If you want the option to run the car on the track, you need the Z51 package. If you take a C8 that doesn’t have the package on the track and experience a failure, GM likely will not honor the warranty on your car. Obviously, if you never track the car, this is a non-issue. I mention it only because it is important to know. If you want the option to track the car during the warranty period, then you will want the Z51.
2. Z51 does have a different feel on public roads. A difference that you might find desirable.
https://youtu.be/XVXTckxNz68
My points with the two facts above is that is that I’m not trying to justify my own purchase of the Z51 package by telling anyone it’s a must have nor am I trying to justify not spending the coin to have it (because I obviously bought the package). There are desirable features in the Z51 package that make a difference driving the car on public roads, so the notion that you only need it for track use is not accurate. There is a reason most C8s on the road are Z51s.
Mag ride. The best comparison I can make is the difference between a C7 Stingray and a GrandSport. The
Suspension is tighter and more compliant, the summer tires are stickier, gearing is a little closer ratio and the
Brakes just a hair more responsive and steering just a bit tighter. Those things give the car a slightly different feel.
Is it better? Is it a must have? Hmm, for the street it’s just a sharper tool. On the track where I used to spend my time
The better grip, braking and suspension do make a difference if you are chasing times. Though I have tracked many
Of my non-z51’s (c6 and c7) and experience was great. Bottom line, if you don’t have it you probably won’t miss it
Unless you are chasing ultimate performance. The key is to just drive the car and enjoy.
Last edited by Robrobin; Jun 27, 2022 at 04:44 AM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,049
Likes: 12,415
From: NE South Carolina
I have the chance to order a 2023 C8 right now. But it must include the Z51 and it is about a 6K cost. Is this a must have option if you will never track the car?
Maybe the package makes it better on the resale market. I will not flip the car. It will be keep for a few years. The last tow corvettes owned were a 76 and a 78 Pace Car. Please give me some advice.
Maybe the package makes it better on the resale market. I will not flip the car. It will be keep for a few years. The last tow corvettes owned were a 76 and a 78 Pace Car. Please give me some advice.
FWTW, GM says their estimate is about 5% of C8 owner's Track. Here are the statistics for those of us who bought 2020 C8s:Chevy built 20,368 C8 Corvette's in 2020 of which 15,476 came equipped with the Z51 Performance Package = 75.9 percent.
Yep, all my 6 Vettes have had HD options, including my C6 Z51, 2014 Z51, 2017 Grand Sport and now my C8 Z51. Although I don't Track I live in a rural area and lot's of "safe places to use it" but there are other places where an increased response is useful. Now if you drive in Touring and never exceed the speed limit even on highway entrance ramps etc, don't bother. BUT if it's a must because the 1960's Positraction you get with the base C8 is constrained, it's fine. It will ride a bit stiffer but my C6 Z51 and 2014 Z51 did not have MRC and rode fine for me. If you have bad roads MRC is a good extra dollar option to add.
In addition to the larger brakes, extra DCT cooler rad, higher performance tires you also get eLSD instead of 1960's Posi. Here is a PDF I produced that shows the difference that may be of interest: http://netwelding.com/eLSD_VS_Posi.pdf
It is working all the time to help stability and is very useful if a dear or some AH cuts in front assisting in possibly avoiding an accident.
Of interest, it quotes an Ask Tadge Forum Post stating: 1960's Positraction can lock a spinning wheel with 88 ft-lbs max torque while eLSD can lock either wheel with no need for one slipping with 1475 ft-lbs!
Last edited by JerryU; Jun 27, 2022 at 06:58 AM.