F45 Suspension mod to Z51 sway bars

[yellow_2002_germany]

Z51 sway bar part numbers

Does anyone have the GM part numbers of the Z51 spec sway bars and bushings that I would need to put them on my car? Also, are there any other parts that I would need?

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Anyone have these part numbers?

 

[MagRedSkull]

Sorry, I don't have the part numbers.

I recommend you e-mail Bob Wendorff, the Parts Manager - Fichtner Chevrolet. He can probably help with the numbers. I bought my Z06 sway bars from him for my F45 car.
bwendorff@fichtnerchevrolet.com

Good luck.

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Thanks for the lead!

 

[chevyorange]

Attn MagRedSkull

Can you tell me the difference in ride with the Z06 sway bar swap?

And can you tell a significant gain in stability?

Adam

 

[corvette184]

i also swapped the f45 bars in my 2002 vert for the Z06 bars.....very nice change in the corners.....the f45 is pretty sloppy in comparison!!!!!!!!wait till you see the bars side by side...this difference is crazy...looks like marlboros and cuban cigars

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Corvette184 -- Thanks for the words! I am looking forward to the change in handling. I already have a Z51 front bar and as soon as I get to Italy I will be ordering the Z06 kit (same rear bar) and try them both out to see which I like.

c5d -- Thanks for giving me a run-down on the tools I will need! Luckily, being in the USAF, I will have access to a garage with lifts and won't need to buy a floor jack and jack stands.

Chevyorange -- it may be a while before I get to the actual change since I am in the middle of moving from Germany to Italy. But, as soon as I do make the change, I will post my observations.

 

[chevyorange]

Thanks so much, I'd much appreciate your thoughts.

I'm wanting an F45 selective and if I can add Z06 or Z51 springs and still keep the system active, that would be great!

Adam

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

I just put the roll bar part numbers in the GM Parts Direct web site. The only description of the parts is "shaft". Kind of scary sounding.

 

[JBsC5]

I might suggest that there is a strong possiblity of converting the F45 suspension to the F55 for about 500 more than the F45 shocks when they need replacement.

The F55 conversion from F45 will be a hot ticket item due to performance improvement on bumpy roads and the fact that I think the difference between replacing the F45 shocks and going full out on F55 is relatively close.

Its not official yet so please don't quote on dollars or sense but the mod is pretty easy to do according to the information I've seen in the past.

As far as the bars go..friends with F45 that have gone to Z51 or Z06 have been very impressed.

Just throwing the fyi up there on the f55 upgrade for the future when your F45 shocks need replacing.

Must be cool to cruise a vette in Europe.

You got to let us in on some of your exploits when compared to Ferraris and porsches out there.

Would be very interesting reading.

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

JBsC5 -- My ears certainly perked up upon hearing about the F55 upgrade. It would be worth looking in to if it comes about.

Driving in Germany -- where do I start!

Road-Kill - Europeans don't seem to be much for that. Mostly they just like to ride your bumper and pass whenever they can.

Autobahn -- My normal driving speed is about 85-90 mph. However, I still get passed regularly at that speed. And not just by Porsches, BMWs and Mercedes. Volkwagens and Opels pass me quite often. Diesels at that!! One thing that gets me is when I do have the hammer down, 100+ mph, I sometimes get passed like I am standing still!

I was driving along the Mosel about a week ago and saw 3 Ferraris, a Modena, a 348, and a Mondial. Didn't see any vettes. However, Germany vette drivers do seem aware of the wave and almost always wave back. Well, the old guy with a German plated '62 didn't wave back. But he's about the only one.

I was parked along the street in Bitburg while I was looking for a map in a bookstore. As I was walking back to my car, I saw people looking at the back of my car to see what type it was. It always turn heads where ever I drive it. I think it is mostly to do with the color than being a vette. A buddy on base says people don't look at his too much. His is a black FRC.

If you have any specific questions just ask in the Off-road lounge and I will be glad to answer them.

 

[JBsC5]

Thanks Randy..sounds cool..'

BTW..it was Hib Halverston (sp) that specifically talked about the F55 being a replacement/wear item for F45 owners.

I feel that if Hib feels it will eventually be the option as a complete kit ..it should in fact become a fact.

He's pretty much in the know.

BTW..rumor is..the C6 Z06 will most probably use this technology as well because its a total performance package. Something that GM is hot on lately as we can see from the 2004 shock absorber package allowing sub 8 second "ring" performances..

Got to keep those tires in contact with even the bumps during mid corner activities..

I bet by the time your ready to replace portions of your f45 shock package..the upgrade to f55 will most probably be an option for you. If not sooner.

 

[JBsC5]

Here's the quote from Hib dated approximately 7/20/2003

Delphi wants to release MagneRide retrofit kit


Sources at Delphi have said about three weeks ago that all the development work is complete on a retrofit "kit" that enables owners of 97-02 Corvettes with Real Time Damping (RTD) to upgrade to Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MagneRide or MR).
RTD and MR use the same sensors, wiring harness and RTD cockpit selector switch, even though it has three positions, can be used with MR.

A C5er buying Delphi's kit would get an MR controller, a harness adapter and a set of MR shocks. The installation would involve replacing the RTD shocks with the 03/04 MR shocks, replacing the RTD controller with the MR controller, connecting the existing RTD harness to the adapter and then connecting the adapter to the new MR controller. For DIYs this would be a very simple installation.

The only thing holding this kit up is General Motors Service Part Operations. SPO is being quite slow to see the interest in this product and bring it to market.

 

[fhturner]

I know this isn't 100% true to the original thread, but I had some questions about F45 and F55 that I thought I'd ask...

I just bought a 2000 coupe with F45. It has 61,000 miles on it now. The ride seems fine to me and I haven't seen any oil leakage from the shocks, but I'm wondering about what point one should start considering replacement of the F45 shocks due to wear. At corvetteforum.com, I saw people reporting anywhere from under 30,000 miles to 75,000+. I'm sure it depends on driving style and conditions, but what should I expect, roughly, under average driving/conditions? Does anyone have any recommendations on how much I should expect to pay, and where a good place to purchase replacement shocks would be?

My ears perked up as well with the mention of the F55 MSRC retrofit option. From the previous 2 posts, this looks like a sure thing-- just a matter of time. Does anyone have any idea how much this might cost, compared to replacing the F45 shocks? Is there an ETA in the rumor mill for when GM SPO will stop holding this kit up and release it?

Thanks,
Fred