Z51 suspension upgrade
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 20
From: SoCal
Z51 suspension upgrade
It took me a day and half, but I upgraded my LT1 with all the Z51 suspension bits. Pretty straight forward process and no ugly surprises. When I drove the car I was in Heaven!
The package is the perfect street setup with a decent ride, very little body roll, sharp turn-in and precise handling. With the bigger rear bar the chassis is still very well
balanced with a more responsive rear end, but still no trailing-throttle-oversteer. I pound a twisty canyon road and found if I missed my line on entry, I could kick the
throttle and rotate the car to the correct line.....fantastic.
If you remember, a year ago I complained out sloppy-rolly the Z51 C8s were at the Ron Fellows Racing School. Now I know why: my brand-new GM Z51 performance shocks deliver precise
control and very crisp at corner entry and great stability through corner....However, the Ron Fellows car had DEAD shocks allowing all the rolling and slop. Since it's 100+ degrees at the school
much of the year and a lot of miles logged on the cars, it's easy to see how the shocks died early. Also, given all the work, I can see the mechanics NOT wanting to change shocks often. The tires cook off early too.
The package is the perfect street setup with a decent ride, very little body roll, sharp turn-in and precise handling. With the bigger rear bar the chassis is still very well
balanced with a more responsive rear end, but still no trailing-throttle-oversteer. I pound a twisty canyon road and found if I missed my line on entry, I could kick the
throttle and rotate the car to the correct line.....fantastic.
If you remember, a year ago I complained out sloppy-rolly the Z51 C8s were at the Ron Fellows Racing School. Now I know why: my brand-new GM Z51 performance shocks deliver precise
control and very crisp at corner entry and great stability through corner....However, the Ron Fellows car had DEAD shocks allowing all the rolling and slop. Since it's 100+ degrees at the school
much of the year and a lot of miles logged on the cars, it's easy to see how the shocks died early. Also, given all the work, I can see the mechanics NOT wanting to change shocks often. The tires cook off early too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Glad you are happy with the results. I've always been mystified at the 'prevailing wisdom' that says Z51 is a total waste if you don't track the car. They feel so night and day different to me even on a curvy back road. The real magic in this platform is the Z51 with MagRide. That's really where it's at.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 20
From: SoCal
I think the Z51 spring & bar rates are perfect for the street...great job GM Engineers.
-The ride is still good. I feel bumps at about the same as a BMW or Audi. Of course I'd slow for speed bumps, but more for concern for the front splitter.
(I actually like the solid feel)
-My Z51 upgrade is with the GM performance gas shocks, not MagRide. I forgot to mention that the "dead shocks" on the Ron Fellows cars were MagRide.
-I found my car transformed. Months ago I drove up Mulholland Hwy, bottom to top and down the other side. The car was SO sloppy I found I had to put on steering lock and WAIT for the car to respond. In the end, I was running at 37 MPH for the tighter corners. However, now the car is TIGHT, responsive and precise with very little body roll.
-If you are looking to do the same upgrade, here are the P/N:
Front Springs: 84747902 $51.79 (last year pricing)
Rear Springs: 84825096 $56.70 "
Rear swaybar: 84808976 $105.70 "
Front Performance shocks: 86806222 $142.01 (current pricing)
Rear Performance shocks: 84905755 $ 155.11 "
I'm sure on the springs/swaybar P/Ns, and am pretty sure on the shock P/Ns, but suggest verifying them yourself.
-The ride is still good. I feel bumps at about the same as a BMW or Audi. Of course I'd slow for speed bumps, but more for concern for the front splitter.
(I actually like the solid feel)
-My Z51 upgrade is with the GM performance gas shocks, not MagRide. I forgot to mention that the "dead shocks" on the Ron Fellows cars were MagRide.
-I found my car transformed. Months ago I drove up Mulholland Hwy, bottom to top and down the other side. The car was SO sloppy I found I had to put on steering lock and WAIT for the car to respond. In the end, I was running at 37 MPH for the tighter corners. However, now the car is TIGHT, responsive and precise with very little body roll.
-If you are looking to do the same upgrade, here are the P/N:
Front Springs: 84747902 $51.79 (last year pricing)
Rear Springs: 84825096 $56.70 "
Rear swaybar: 84808976 $105.70 "
Front Performance shocks: 86806222 $142.01 (current pricing)
Rear Performance shocks: 84905755 $ 155.11 "
I'm sure on the springs/swaybar P/Ns, and am pretty sure on the shock P/Ns, but suggest verifying them yourself.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 2,036
From: Columbus OH
Glad you are happy with the results. I've always been mystified at the 'prevailing wisdom' that says Z51 is a total waste if you don't track the car. They feel so night and day different to me even on a curvy back road. The real magic in this platform is the Z51 with MagRide. That's really where it's at.
