Is the Base suspension enough for me?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
Interesting, but is this the website? http://www.ttcautomotive.com/
It doesn't list the TR-6060 except in a paper at the end.
It doesn't list the TR-6060 except in a paper at the end.
both 6-spd's are the same (gearing wise). The tr-6060 is a strength and smoothness upgrade from the t-56.The purpose for both is the same.
Last edited by Fuego; Feb 29, 2008 at 08:56 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
The base suspension is compliant for a sports car.
Enough said!
By the way this car has so much power that unless on track or strip your'll never see the potential of the C6.
And if you do you driving like a mad man on public streets. Not COOL
Enough said!
By the way this car has so much power that unless on track or strip your'll never see the potential of the C6.
And if you do you driving like a mad man on public streets. Not COOL
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
There is one very important detail that you are all missing.
If the choice is between a base C6 or no C6....well then that's a pretty easy decision to make.
Asking if you will be able to notice the difference implies that you will be regularly driving all 3 suspension types. I'm assuming you wont be. So you are not going to notice any difference. All you're going to notice is how much you're enjoying your brand new Corvette. To hell with all the suspension options. None are significantly better than the other. Just get what you can afford.
and this is coming from a Z51 owner
Originally Posted by NB68
I'm looking to get into a new '08 Corvette and my budget is really tight.I like a lot of what I'm reading about the two options but if the car can perform very well with the Base, well that get's me that much closer to my $$ goal and may allow for other options.
Asking if you will be able to notice the difference implies that you will be regularly driving all 3 suspension types. I'm assuming you wont be. So you are not going to notice any difference. All you're going to notice is how much you're enjoying your brand new Corvette. To hell with all the suspension options. None are significantly better than the other. Just get what you can afford.
and this is coming from a Z51 owner
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Folks, let's remember one thing: the OP said his budget is tight, and he's not going to race or track it and seemingly he hasn't owned a Corvette before. I've sat in and looked very carefully at a 1LT---it is a helluva good bargain.
While I agree there is a reason and a good one for every option, be it 2LT or Z51, it all adds up. Three or five years down the road, if he can afford more and wants more car, he can always trade or buy another one.
No reason to put him into financial jeopardy in today's economy for the marginal gain or benefit of having something special but that he will eventually not be able to afford.
After all, it's not like the difference between getting two wheels or four.
Note: I see wisdom has preceded me in the form of Mr. Kobun. And this is from another Z51 owner. I second his opinion.
While I agree there is a reason and a good one for every option, be it 2LT or Z51, it all adds up. Three or five years down the road, if he can afford more and wants more car, he can always trade or buy another one.
No reason to put him into financial jeopardy in today's economy for the marginal gain or benefit of having something special but that he will eventually not be able to afford.
After all, it's not like the difference between getting two wheels or four.
Note: I see wisdom has preceded me in the form of Mr. Kobun. And this is from another Z51 owner. I second his opinion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Folks, let's remember one thing: the OP said his budget is tight, and he's not going to race or track it and seemingly he hasn't owned a Corvette before. I've sat in and looked very carefully at a 1LT---it is a helluva good bargain.
While I agree there is a reason and a good one for every option, be it 2LT or Z51, it all adds up. Three or five years down the road, if he can afford more and wants more car, he can always trade or buy another one.
No reason to put him into financial jeopardy in today's economy for the marginal gain or benefit of having something special but that he will eventually not be able to afford.
After all, it's not like the difference between getting two wheels or four.
Note: I see wisdom has preceded me in the form of Mr. Kobun. And this is from another Z51 owner. I second his opinion.
While I agree there is a reason and a good one for every option, be it 2LT or Z51, it all adds up. Three or five years down the road, if he can afford more and wants more car, he can always trade or buy another one.
No reason to put him into financial jeopardy in today's economy for the marginal gain or benefit of having something special but that he will eventually not be able to afford.
After all, it's not like the difference between getting two wheels or four.
Note: I see wisdom has preceded me in the form of Mr. Kobun. And this is from another Z51 owner. I second his opinion.
It didn't precede you. You just explained it better than I did.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
You need to drive the base and Z51 suspensions to decide. I prefered the Z51 for several reasons:
1. The car feels more responsive in the turns and with less lean in the turns. The stiffer shocks and springs complement each other without giving a harsh ride.
2. The lower gearing allows you to accelerate a little quicker out of the turns and from a dead stop.
3. Cross drilled rotors look agressive and are larger than the base, thus filling in behind the rims more (cosmetics).
4. Added oil coolers.
5. Stickier tires.
I believe the Z51 package is a bargain.
I would also drive the NPP optional exhaust before you buy, that was a must have option for me.
Good luck!
1. The car feels more responsive in the turns and with less lean in the turns. The stiffer shocks and springs complement each other without giving a harsh ride.
2. The lower gearing allows you to accelerate a little quicker out of the turns and from a dead stop.
3. Cross drilled rotors look agressive and are larger than the base, thus filling in behind the rims more (cosmetics).
4. Added oil coolers.
5. Stickier tires.
I believe the Z51 package is a bargain.
I would also drive the NPP optional exhaust before you buy, that was a must have option for me.
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,248
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
I've found a lot of spirited comps btw the Z51 vs. F55 suspension but I'd like to know what's wrong with the Base suspension?
I'm looking to get into a new '08 Corvette and my budget is really tight.
I like a lot of what I'm reading about the two options but if the car can perform very well with the Base, well that get's me that much closer to my $$ goal and may allow for other options.
This will be my almost-daily driver (2-4 days a week ) and weekend car for "spirited" back road driving & such.
I'm not going to drag/track/autocross.
So, is the base sufficient?
I'm looking to get into a new '08 Corvette and my budget is really tight.
I like a lot of what I'm reading about the two options but if the car can perform very well with the Base, well that get's me that much closer to my $$ goal and may allow for other options.
This will be my almost-daily driver (2-4 days a week ) and weekend car for "spirited" back road driving & such.
I'm not going to drag/track/autocross.
So, is the base sufficient?
I love my Z51. But the base model is STILL a Corvette. As they say: "it doesn't suck".
It's still a Corvette and it will be an awesome car. If that's what your budget needs - then buy the base model suspension, and it will still be a kick *** car. You will love it. You will smile everytime you drive it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 853
From: Daytona Beach FL
I have the F55 in my '05 coupe, and can't tell the difference between Tour and Sport unless you really start thrashing the car around.
I've driven a friends base suspension (not for a real long drive, and our roads in FL are pretty good).
I've got an '06 Z06.
I have never driven a Z51.
I've had my Z06 on the track, and it's a helluva beast!!! I thought it was going to be a lot stiffer on the street than my F55, but it's not - it's a great road car or track car.
Butt....driving around on the public roadways where you can't push a C6 to anything but about 30% of what it's really capable of, I can't tell the difference between the base, F55, or the Z06.
I say get the base suspension and you'll be very happy with it. Just my $.02, YMMV.
Bob
I've driven a friends base suspension (not for a real long drive, and our roads in FL are pretty good).
I've got an '06 Z06.
I have never driven a Z51.
I've had my Z06 on the track, and it's a helluva beast!!!
I thought it was going to be a lot stiffer on the street than my F55, but it's not - it's a great road car or track car.Butt....driving around on the public roadways where you can't push a C6 to anything but about 30% of what it's really capable of, I can't tell the difference between the base, F55, or the Z06.
I say get the base suspension and you'll be very happy with it. Just my $.02, YMMV.
Bob
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23
I just went through this very thing...analyzing Z51 vs Base suspension...
I test drove both, back to back, by myself, for the better part of an afternoon. The Z51 ride is utterly surprisingly very nice, and I have a bad back that would tell me otherwise.
The every day ride quality is very similar between the 2 cars, however, the performance difference is huge. The difference becomes very apparent when you drive it aggressively.
If you are not going to drive it like the world class sports car that it is, but rather more like a nice classy automobile instead, get the base suspension, and don't waste the bucks on something you are not going to use.
Food for thought:
You can not buy the parts you get in the Z51 pkg for anywhere near $1,695 - much less buy them plus have them installed for anywhere remotely even close to $1,695...
Also keep in mind, with the way dealers are currently discounting C6 prices, you are not even spending $1,695 more than a base suspension car...
All the Z51 items come installed for something more like $1400 - $1500 over what you'd pay for a base car, which is is ridiculously cheap for what ALL you get in a Z51 car:
Bigger Brakes with Cross Drilled Rotors - installed
Bigger Sway Bars - installed
Performance Shocks - installed
Performance Rear Control Arms with Grease Zerks - installed
Oil Cooler - installed
Z51 Transmission with lower gearing - quicker more responsive car throughout the rpm band
And then top ALL OF THAT off with a set of Goodyear SUPERCAR Tires
That is one tremendous amount of expensive installed parts at a truly amazing value.
After you think about it, it just might be the case of stepping over the dollar to pick up the nickel...now and at resale time.
.
I test drove both, back to back, by myself, for the better part of an afternoon. The Z51 ride is utterly surprisingly very nice, and I have a bad back that would tell me otherwise.
The every day ride quality is very similar between the 2 cars, however, the performance difference is huge. The difference becomes very apparent when you drive it aggressively.
If you are not going to drive it like the world class sports car that it is, but rather more like a nice classy automobile instead, get the base suspension, and don't waste the bucks on something you are not going to use.
Food for thought:
You can not buy the parts you get in the Z51 pkg for anywhere near $1,695 - much less buy them plus have them installed for anywhere remotely even close to $1,695...
Also keep in mind, with the way dealers are currently discounting C6 prices, you are not even spending $1,695 more than a base suspension car...
All the Z51 items come installed for something more like $1400 - $1500 over what you'd pay for a base car, which is is ridiculously cheap for what ALL you get in a Z51 car:
Bigger Brakes with Cross Drilled Rotors - installed
Bigger Sway Bars - installed
Performance Shocks - installed
Performance Rear Control Arms with Grease Zerks - installed
Oil Cooler - installed
Z51 Transmission with lower gearing - quicker more responsive car throughout the rpm band
And then top ALL OF THAT off with a set of Goodyear SUPERCAR Tires
That is one tremendous amount of expensive installed parts at a truly amazing value.
After you think about it, it just might be the case of stepping over the dollar to pick up the nickel...now and at resale time.
.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
1. OP said he was on a tight budget.
2. OP said he wasn't going to autocross or put the car on the track.
3. Tires - Supercar tires typically get half the mileage of supercar tires. In other words, you have to buy tires more frequently. Which returns us to no. 1. above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NB68, get the base suspension and put a set of Z51 sway bars on it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23
.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
I just traded my 07 with the Z51 package and ordered my 08 without it. Why ? Well because I never ran my car hard enough (in the twisties) to take advantage of the Z51. I never had a problem with the Z51 but the base suspension does ride better. A lot ? No, but it is noticeable. I test drove both before I bought my 07 and didn't think there was much difference. After spending more time in both though, there is a difference. As far as performance (gearing) in a straight line it's hard for me to say because the LS3 is definitely stronger than the LS2. Considering that you,like me, don't plan on road racing I'm sure the base suspension will be just fine for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
I just traded my 07 with the Z51 package and ordered my 08 without it. Why ? Well because I never ran my car hard enough (in the twisties) to take advantage of the Z51. I never had a problem with the Z51 but the base suspension does ride better. A lot ? No, but it is noticeable. I test drove both before I bought my 07 and didn't think there was much difference. After spending more time in both though, there is a difference. As far as performance (gearing) in a straight line it's hard for me to say because the LS3 is definitely stronger than the LS2. Considering that you,like me, don't plan on road racing I'm sure the base suspension will be just fine for you.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Actually, what is truly unfortunate, is sharing bandwidth with judgmental narrow minded people who lack the ability to let others share their opinion without feeling the need to criticize and insult opinions they disagree with to make themselves feel better about being narrow minded.
.
.
Last edited by Vette_DD; Mar 1, 2008 at 10:24 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35,248
Likes: 3
From: San Diego Ca
The base model is great. You won't be disappointed at all.
That said, the Z51 package is the best performance upgrade bargain in motorsports for a new car, hands down. If you think you'll be aggressive with the car at all, get the Z51 and don't look back. When you get to 75% of the car's capability, the Z51 really starts to shine compared to the base model.
I use my Z51 as a DD, and it's fine. Don't worry about ride harshness.
That said, the Z51 package is the best performance upgrade bargain in motorsports for a new car, hands down. If you think you'll be aggressive with the car at all, get the Z51 and don't look back. When you get to 75% of the car's capability, the Z51 really starts to shine compared to the base model.
I use my Z51 as a DD, and it's fine. Don't worry about ride harshness.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Orlando Fl
I was on a tight budget as well when I bought my Vette. I knew though that it would see auto-x and strip duty. I wanted to go for the best performance for the lowest dollar. So I bought it with only the Z51 option.
If I wasn't going to be racing it I would have gone for the base model to save money. When it comes down to it a Corvette is a awesome car no matter which options you get.
If I wasn't going to be racing it I would have gone for the base model to save money. When it comes down to it a Corvette is a awesome car no matter which options you get.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 12
From: Sin City NV
To answer you question "Is the Base suspension enough for me?" base on your budget and need.
It is a resounding YES, the base suspension is PERFECT for you. You can always upgrade the suspension later if you need to.
F55 owners are upgrading sways and Z51 are upgrading to Koni FSD.
One more thing, only believe 35% of what is posted on your thread.
It is a resounding YES, the base suspension is PERFECT for you. You can always upgrade the suspension later if you need to.
F55 owners are upgrading sways and Z51 are upgrading to Koni FSD.
One more thing, only believe 35% of what is posted on your thread.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Like I said in my other post, I am a Z51 owner. The only truely unfortunate thing is that with the 3 suspension options comes a subliminal brainwashing put into the minds of shoppers that the "Base" is somehow bad or not good enough to be in a Vette. This is rediculous. I'm glad everyone is proud of what they chose/own. That is really all that's important. However do you really think your Z51 is that much better than someone elses F55? Or that the Base suspension doesn't even count? Show me one, ONE documented example of when a C6 lost out to another C6, in any type of driving/racing event, soley because of the suspension option. GM's supposed testing for the car doesn't count. I want real results from real drivers. Because most who aggressively compete with their cars on a regular basis will change out the suspension to aftermarket parts anyway.
NB68 if you can't afford the Z51 or F55 or you don't feel they're what you want or worth it, get the base and don't look back.
NB68 if you can't afford the Z51 or F55 or you don't feel they're what you want or worth it, get the base and don't look back.