Any recommendations on Z51 package?

[JED]

I am considering ordering a 2006 C6. I would like any recommendations on the Z51 package. I'm concerned that the Z51 suspension may be too stiff and harsh for the daily driver. Any comparisons you may offer would be appreciated.
JED

 

[6 Shooter]

Welcome to the

Have you driven late model C4 or C5 Corvettes with the Z51 suspension?

I think they are very comparable, not to harsh but definitely not that soft sedan feel.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[JED]

6 shooter,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm trying to arrange a test drive so I can determine for my self.
JED

 

[6 Shooter]

You are welcome, let us know what ya think. What color would you be going for?

 

[JED]

I like the Monteray Red Metallic.

 

[gmjunkie]

I love my Raggity ole Z-51 Handle's Ride's Run's Like a Raped Ape!! junk!!

 

[connor]

I am considering ordering a 2006 C6. I would like any recommendations on the Z51 package. I'm concerned that the Z51 suspension may be too stiff and harsh for the daily driver. Any comparisons you may offer would be appreciated.
JED

Just get it, I use my Z51 as a daily now and its real smooth. I did test drive the magnetic ride vette.........yuckkk felt like a caddy and that stupid switch did nothing.

 

[David0502]

2006 Z51

I am considering ordering a 2006 C6. I would like any recommendations on the Z51 package. I'm concerned that the Z51 suspension may be too stiff and harsh for the daily driver. Any comparisons you may offer would be appreciated.
JED

Jed, Took delivery about a month ago of a 2006 Z51 and plan on using it as a daily driver (as I did with my '77, '84, and '94) and have found the suspension satisfying for daily driver activites (unlike my Z51 equipped '84). The ride and handling is remarkably similar to my '02 Lincoln LSE with the sport suspension.
David

 

[Timd]

I find it rather intersting that my daily driver is a Lincoln LS and my weekend car was/will be a 2006 Z51. I had a 2006 Z51 and hope to have my new one in a couple of weeks, just like the old one. The Lincoln actually has better balance than the Corvette. My wife says that the Z51 rides much better than her new Jeep.

 

[Jeffvette]

Jed, do the Z51. It's so much more than the suspension. The ride is not harsh, it is a bit firmer than the C5 Z51 which was garbage.

By the way, the Monty red is awesome, got mine this past Tuesday, ordered through Kerbeck.

 

[04cmnthru]

I have an 04 C5 with Z51. Although GM has changed the content of the Z51 option for the C6, I can tell you the Z51 is the way to go. Its marginally stiffer on good road surfaces and a little harsher on really bad roads, but the fun starts in the twisties when you start to push it. I was reluctant to order it because I had heard that the ride was brutal. The sales person talked me into it and said I wouldn't be disappointed. I wasn't. Friends with nonZ51 C5s, after driving mine, regretted not getting the option. When I get a C6, it will have the Z51 option.

 

[iluvmyc6]

get it

Just get it.

The z51 option is more than just swaybars.

It adds a rear diff cooler,
bigger brakes 13.4 compared to 13 (front),
drilled rotors,
different gearing in the transmission (on mn6 cars, anyway),

i'm sure there are other parts as well.

The z51 option is worth every penny.

 

[self1]

I am considering ordering a 2006 C6. I would like any recommendations on the Z51 package. I'm concerned that the Z51 suspension may be too stiff and harsh for the daily driver. Any comparisons you may offer would be appreciated.
JED

This is one of those questions that probably tells you more about the person answering the question than anything. Those who want all the features the Z-51 brings for themselves will likely tell you that for the fifteen hundred bucks it costs, it's absolutely the best money you could possibly ever spend. And for you, that may be right. If you want all that it brings, then you sure can't put those features into the car after the fact as aftermarket pieces, for anything near that low a cost.

However, a very few others will tell you that if you don't want extra expense of special tires, the the added oil cooler and different brakes, the slightly stiffer ride every day, because you will not be tracking the car, that not only can you save yourself $1500 to buy the S.O. a little trinket, you will also enjoy lower maintenance costs forever due to cheaper & fewer parts to break, and will never notice the difference between your base model and the Z-51.

You can click the link below to see how many people purchased which options, if that gives you any additional guidance. For the Z-51, a little over 41% of all C6s came with it.

Less than one in four 2005 Corvettes came with the base suspension.


But of course, those owners never had to deal with squeaky brake pads.

They also did not need to worry about a possibly excessive time for oil warm-up to operating temp on cold days.

They will also save money when they buy replacement rotors.

And tires.

And shocks.

And power steering, oil, and transmission fluid changes.





http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showpost.php?p=668168&postcount=9




Z51- Performance Handling Package:
Cost: $1,495
Total number produced for 2005: 15,345
Percent of all production: 41.1%

"Package – Z51 Performance: includes specific gear ratios for manual transmission, specific tires, sport suspension with stiffer springs and stablilizer bars, specific shock absorbers, larger cross-drilled rotors and power steering, engine oil and transmission coolers (not available with Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension)"

 

[self1]

Hopefully this will be of use, also. It is an excellent article on the C6 Z-51, in which comparisons (and actual performance figures) are compared with the C5 Z06.

All in all very favorable.

HOWEVER, it does not give you the difference between the C6 base and the C6 Z-51, but still, a useful and entertaining read.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0409_corvette/




Edited to add yet more links discussing merits of Z-51 package during road testing.


http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Chevrolet/review/2005-chevrolet-corvette-z51-road-test/1132/1

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/New/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38639/Act/RoadTest/

 

[Nick Smith]

i have had the 05 c6 with z51 package for 2 months and i also testdrove a c6 without the package. Both cars on the street arent too bad the regular c6 is alittle softer. now at Road ATlanta the 2 cars where a totally different story in the z51 i spanked the stock coupe by about 1.5 seconds around the track

 

[Tyson]

I have a 2005 C6 Z51 and I have to say it is a stiff ride. Of course if you are comparing it to other performance cars then you know what to expect. I do happen to drive my Vette on a daily basis and depending on road conditions, the drive can feel hard. But when the road is smooth and I'm taking turns, the controll is fantastic! Don't compair the ride to a sedan however. The Vette picks up every distortion in the road. I personnally like that, but to each his own. No body roll or sway, that's how I like it!

 

[Norseman]

Get a Z-51 coupe and a standard convertible.

 

[JBHAMC40]

Get it I enjoy the ride on my current c6 than the 1st one I had without it

 

[korvettekarl]

I've had my 05 DSOM coupe for just over a year now. I use mine as my daily driver. I would only order another one with the Z51 package. It is sometimes a little rough, but only when the road is a piece of crap and you soon learn to avoid those. Get it with Z51, you won't regret it.

 

[Norseman]

If you don't drive at 7-8/10 you'd be better off in a standard Corvette the Z-51 package is definitely a harsher ride and your woman or girl friend will like the standard vet with adjustable magnetic suspension a lot better; you really need to drive both to make a intelligent decision. You'll save money and be just as happy.
Trust me on this one.