c6 Z51 question

[Dom C]

Hello folks.

Current I drive an 04 Lemans Blue Commemorative edition coupe with an auto. Purchased it new and really enjoy it. I choose the auto because I wanted the wife and kids to drive occasionally. In hind sight, they don’t drive it enough and I would prefer a manual.

My question is would I see a huge difference in handling and power with the 400hp manual Z51 over the 350hp auto I currently have? I'd appreciate anyone's insight.

Thanks
Dom

 

[Tuna]

Depends on how you plan to use the car - you may not really notice it -- then again, you may.

The Z51 C6 should have a handling advantage over your current ride and the 50 extra HP does make a difference. If you plan to autocross the new car, definitely go for the Z51.

I went with the 6-speed auto with paddle shifters and F55 suspension. It's not quite Z51 but it's pretty darn good. I can switch between suspension modes at the flick of a switch. I don't have to deal with squeaky brakes and the F1 GS2 tires will definitely last longer than the F1 SuperCar tires that come with the Z51 option.
Also, the paddles let me play with the gears if I want to or be lazy and let it do the shifting.
Get to a local dealer that will let you drive one and check out the differences. Or, check out you local Corvette club and ask if someone would let you drive their car.

Whichever way you go, you can't go wrong.

Almost forgot - WELCOME TO THE CAC!!!

 

[Dom C]

Thanks for your insight.

Tuna,

Your advice was informative and valuable. Thanks again for the "Welcome".

Dom

 

[Norseman]

Like Tuna said you don't really need the Z-51 unless you plan on racing the car; the standard C-6 is a lot of car; and the suspension on the Z-51 might be just a little too harsh for your taste. The suspension on the standard C-6 is great and is adjustable; you really need to drive both at your dealership to make a intelligent choice; and you need to go for a good test ride not just once around the block.:cool

 

[catbert]

Ever - the contrarian, I see a noticeable difference between the C5 and C6 in terms of performance - any way you want to measure it. My C5 sure didn't turn in the 12s in the quarter, and wasn't as nearly agile as the new C6 Z51. The handling is great for base and Z51 suspensions, but the Z51 is far more controlable when driving "seriously" - roll and pitch are better than base, as you would expect. My Z51 is a comfortable ride - more so than the C5, and I attribute that to the new generation EMTs, although maybe I'm wrong about that. I have driven across the country twice (with my wife), and can't complain at all about the ride comfort.

I'm NOT ragging the C5s at all, but the C6 is a new generation, and I would expect wide improvements over the previous models - like the C5 was an overall improvement in a lot of areas over the C4.

 

[Dom]

from one dom to another :L

I recently traded in my 2001 c5 for a LBM 06
I have to agree with Tuna. It all depends upon driving habits.

I seem to notice some slight differences but it think that due to the fact my 01 had 56000 miles on it. I think you will always se better performance with a manual since your in control

Shifting in the c6 are short and crisp. The overall ride seems about the same, however I do notice much less wind noise due to the positive window setting on the c6

See you on the turnpike!!

 

[jdavis]

I think that you will be able to tell the difference between you 350HP Commerative Edition C5 and the C6. To me the cars feel very different. While the C5 is a good taunt car, the C6 is better in almost all respects. As far as RPO Z51 goes, you should expect a stiffer ride, no increase in power, supercar tires that will require much sooner replacement, brakes that squeal, and plenty of brake dust. (GM was replacing the pads but no longer will). If you do autocross, the transmission, oil, and steering coolers might prove useful but are unecessary in street use. Z51 gives you drilled rotors which are supposed to offer a slight advantage in keeping brakes cooler during hard braking in track situations. Again, not much of an advantage for street use but they do look good. The manual transmission has a different ratio in the Z51 equipted cars. This is to allow the driver to keep his RPMs up while gearing up or down through the turns on an autocross course. It is my understanding that the gap between the higher gears is greater than the regular MN6. Most drivers will never have the nerves or the skill to take the base suspension (FE1) to the limit much less the tighter sprung Z51. RPO Z51 is a fine package if you need it but, most really do not.

 

[Rat Race]

I have a Z 51, and since I never drove a base model I cant compare the two.

I have no complaints handeling wise whatsoever with my car, but it just feels like 1st gear winds up almost too fast, I hate that feeling of Im almost straining my motor, at least that what is sounds like to me, so I baby first gear, and get my thrills from 2nd gear up, well to 3rd anyway (you tend to run out of road in Jersey.)

I barely drive my car, cause I have a bunch of others, (old muscle and hot rods) and im always driving them to shows and stuff, but when time comes on a hot Friday or Sat twilight to head to the farthest watering hole, Man, there is just nothing like it. Really the cream of the crop, wouldnt you agree?

 

[Dom C]

Oh yes I agress

Yupe, I agree. night and day vs my c5 auto. 1st gear winds up a bit quick, but 2nd to 3rd is so much fun. I purchased a low mileage 05 z51 manual. No regrets.

 

[bassman]

I presently have an 04 Commorative M6 Z51 and just traded my 04 Spiral Gray Cpe. auto, Z51, for an 06 A6 paddleshift Z51 Vert. Having the opportunity to drive both daily there is a BIG difference between the C5 and C6. C6's rock. Glad I'm not the only one that has brake squeel.lol Only thing that I have real issues with are the CRUMMY polished aluminum wheels they totally suck. Waiting on dealer to replace with chrome...... Bought the Commorative new Mar of 04 presently have 21,000 miles Bought the 06 in April and already have 7,000 miles both are daily drivers.... gotta luv it

 

[Huey1]

Dom C,
The extra torque from the C6 is noticeable and can definately be felt by "seat of the pants". I drove both the F55 and Z51 versions of the C6 and felt the magnetic version may have been a little more sure footed on the poor surfaced undulating back roads here in Alabama - a lot of our roads are just black top "poured" over ground and many turns/corners/curves are banked in a negative direction. Both of the suspension systems have capabilities beyond my driving ability. I finally chose the Z51 package because this is my first vette and I still make a number of trips to south Florida so I wanted the extra coolers this package includes. In time I will find out if it was worth it. I found the F55 ride to be slightly softer but the Z51 is not harsh by no means. My 2002 Harley Road King rides stiffer than the Z51 unless I am on a really rough road then they both get my attention. I had to get the 6 speed paddle shift trans because I have a disabling spinal injury from Nam and had to wait 40 years to get a vette that I could drive. After these cars are on the market for a while I figure the aftermarket folks will come out with some programing for the shift times and that should make the slush box a little more responsive - at least GM programed the engine to rev slightly just before a down shift - I like the vette paddle shifter better than I like the Chryseler SRT8 slap stick - but neither can replace the feeling I used to get manual gearboxes but I enjoy the old 4 speeds over 5 or 6 speeds. But then again I have found nothing that scares me like the 426 GTX hemi I bought new in 1967 - that car was a screeming banshi as long as I did not deviate from a straight line. The Z51 brakes do make a little noise at slow speed but maybe I expect that since I upgraded all my vehicles to performance type brakes from OEM - even with the top down I do not hear the vettes brakes unless I am just ideling along in traffic or parking but the stock vette brakes work very well and do not fade in a panic stop even on the down side of the mountain. Brake dust is a way of life with me so I wash the cars and wheels at least once a week to ensure the dust does not embed into the paint. Like I said in the beginning this is my first vette but I have built numerous performance cars, trucks, and Harleys over the last 45 years and have spent thousands of hours trying to tune suspensions and brakes (trial and error) and I had some that would out handle or out stop or out run the C6 but I never could put a package together that gave me so many performance cudo's as this vette has. Thank God somebody got it together better than I could. Oh yea, the C6 is a daily driver - I drive all my vehicles regularly with the exception of my 1934 Plymouth rumble seat coupe - that old car has earned it's place as the centerfold of the stable.
Good luck with your decision and I hope you travel many thousands of miles in the vette of your choice.

 

[catbert]

Put it this way: Unless you can currently run the quarter mile in 12.8 or better, you will experience a big difference.