Suspension Option Question

[66dreams]

Hello All... Corvette Newbe here.

I'm looking to buy a C6. I test drove one today, 6 speed coupe with base suspension. Great power but the chassis was "floaty". This is not to start a flame war but it was not for me.

What are your opinions on the base vs. magnetic suspension vs. Z-51?

Your opinions are appreciated.

 

[TommyV]

Some have reported that the F55 in sport mode is as good as the Z51. For the base car, you can buy the Z51 sway bars and shocks for about $300.(plus install) The bigger and drilled rotors are just for bling. They fling rust all over and the agressive brake pads squeal and have mucho dust. So unless you track it, save $1,500. Get the base and add the sway bars and shocks.

 

[66dreams]

Some have reported that the F55 in sport mode is as good as the Z51. For the base car, you can buy the Z51 sway bars and shocks for about $300.(plus install) The bigger and drilled rotors are just for bling. They fling rust all over and the agressive brake pads squeal and have mucho dust. So unless you track it, save $1,500. Get the base and add the sway bars and shocks.

Thanks Tommy. Do you get the sways and shocks from Chevy or is there another source? Are the springs the same on the base and Z-51?

 

[TommyV]

Gene at Fred Beans 610.495.1700 or send me an email to gculley@fredbeans.com

||--Genuine GM Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||

10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 – Rear stabilizer insulators

Complete kit front and rear is 130.62 + 23.50 shipping

||--Genuine GM Z51 Shocks--||

10302857 – Front Z51 shocks
10302879 – Rear Z51 shocks

Complete set of 4 for 188.04 + 23.50 shipping

 

[WhalePirot]

I believe Rob did a great post on the Mag vs the Z51. I couldn't find it with my quick search.

In a nutshell, what I got from it was (suspension only considered), the MagRide, in the most aggressive setting, delivered performance very close to the Z's. As other posts indicate, and you probably already know, the Z has many other components in the package. Personally, I cannot have too much braking power, and like the extra driveline adds. I didn't however, like the Z's ride on the 405 southbound, near Long Beach.

 

[66dreams]

I believe Rob did a great post on the Mag vs the Z51. I couldn't find it with my quick search.

In a nutshell, what I got from it was (suspension only considered), the MagRide, in the most aggressive setting, delivered performance very close to the Z's. As other posts indicate, and you probably already know, the Z has many other components in the package. Personally, I cannot have too much braking power, and like the extra driveline adds. I didn't however, like the Z's ride on the 405 southbound, near Long Beach.

Thanks. I'll do a search and see if I can find the post. I'll have to drive the other 2 suspensions before I decide.

 

[bt944]

Hello All... Corvette Newbe here.

I'm looking to buy a C6. I test drove one today, 6 speed coupe with base suspension. Great power but the chassis was "floaty". This is not to start a flame war but it was not for me.

What are your opinions on the base vs. magnetic suspension vs. Z-51?

Your opinions are appreciated.

My 99 C5 had base suspension, and I regretted it. I added on the Z51 sway bars, but it still fell short. The additional add-on's of the Z51 package has are worthwhile, especially now for the C6.

My new C6 has the Z51, and it is awesome. Ride is excellent, even here in NY! You really get alot in this new package. I recommend it.

Bill

 

[Tuna]

The one thing I can add about MagRide is that it gives you a choice on the fly:
- Tour mode -- it's the smoothest ride you'll ever have in a Vette - It may seem 'floaty' on some sections of road but on others, you'll be glad to have it.
- Sport mode -- it's near Z51 feel and performance. Not always the best choice when the road is old style concrete blocks that thump every 20 feet.

You can switch on the fly when the road changes.

The drawbacks to MagRide: it ain't cheap as an option or to repair. Replacement shocks are a whole lot more expensive than standard shocks. Generally, they hold up very well though. I've got 30,000 miles on my 03 with MagRide now and not a single glitch.

 

[Greywolff]

My Z51 handles extremely well, yet rides comfortably, even over the occasional pothole.

One point though, a local performance Corvette shop has even beefier sway bars that can further tighten up the suspension. Before you purchase parts, see if you actually want to exceed some Z51 elements.

 

[catbert]

My Z51 handles extremely well, yet rides comfortably, even over the occasional pothole.

One point though, a local performance Corvette shop has even beefier sway bars that can further tighten up the suspension. Before you purchase parts, see if you actually want to exceed some Z51 elements.

There is a point of diminishing returns on stiffening the suspension. It would be very easy to stiffen the springs/etc on the Vette to a point where the wheels aren't connected to the ground enough. Ultra stiff suspension works well only on really smooth tracks or road. I wouldn't recommend exceeding Z51 settings for a sreet car, even it is tracked on weekends.

 

[05Vette]

I think you should consider the roads that you'll be driving on most of the time. I've got the Magnetic Ride Suspension, and I love it. There is a difference in the feel. Most of the time, I leave it in tour. But when a few good curves come up, it's nice to just turn a switch on the console for a firmer ride. Glad I've got it, if that helps.

 

[66dreams]

Thanks for the continued input. My freind is going to let drive his Z51... provided I give him the title to my house.

Does anyone know what those MagRide shocks cost?

 

[05Vette]

The only way to use the benefits of the Magnetic Selective Ride, is to have a switch that changes the current and thus the damping values of the shock fluid. As far as I know, this requires the whole system. In other words, the shocks alone would be useless. The F55 option is the cost. (1700+)

 

[66dreams]

The only way to use the benefits of the Magnetic Selective Ride, is to have a switch that changes the current and thus the damping values of the shock fluid. As far as I know, this requires the whole system. In other words, the shocks alone would be useless. The F55 option is the cost. (1700+)

My question about the shock price was in regard to replacing them if I opt for the F55 and need to replace the shocks when they wear out. Do you know who much they cost to replace?

 

[05Vette]

No idea. Hope I never find out, either. (know what I mean?) The F55 has been around a few years. I haven't heard of any problems with them.

 

[Billybeau1]

I think you should consider the roads that you'll be driving on most of the time. I've got the Magnetic Ride Suspension, and I love it. There is a difference in the feel. Most of the time, I leave it in tour. But when a few good curves come up, it's nice to just turn a switch on the console for a firmer ride. Glad I've got it, if that helps.

What he said.....

 

[Big Jimm]

Touring vs. Standard

But, isn't it true that the Touring mode is still stiffer than standard suspension?

Big Jimm
So. Fla.

 

[texas_c6]

But, isn't it true that the Touring mode is still stiffer than standard suspension?

Big Jimm
So. Fla.

I drove the base and F55 back to back and in my opinion the touring setting was the same as the base, the sport setting was firmer but not bad . In the touring setting I thought the ride was as smooth as a Lexus on the rough road I was on, the car appeared to stay level . I ended up with the Z51 which is not bad riding either mainly because I thought the larger brakes, transmission change and coolers were worth the extra money . I was a little worried about the long term cost of the F55. I had a C4 with the optional suspension package and it was always getting out of sinc ad from one setting to the next.