Z51 vs Z52 Handling Packages

[McSnagg]

What is the difference in detail between the Z51 Performance Handling Package and the Z52 Sport Handling Package on an 88 Vette? I have an 88 convertible with the Z52 option.

Thanks!

 

[jrzvette]

The Z52 combined some of the elements of the Z51 with the softer suspension of the base model. I believe the biggest difference was Z52 was essentially a Z51 package with the base springs and was available on automatic cars. Z51 was only available with the manual transmission.

 

[Mart]

Not sure about 88's but this is not true far all years.

(JRZvette "Z51 was only available with the manual transmission.")

My 86 is a Z51 and it's an auto, the main difference between the auto and manual was the rearend, the auto was a Dana 36 while the Manuals had the beefier 44's.

The 88 Z51 had bigger front and back rotors 12' rears & 13' fronts vs the 11.5 standard, there are other differences, of which offhand I cannot recall, but I'm working of them.

Mart

 

[raidoman]

87 Z52

My 87 has Z52 and my understanding is that it is Z51 with standard rate springs. Has the faster steering ratio, Bilstein shocks and tranny cooler.

Not sure about 88's but this is not true far all years.

(JRZvette "Z51 was only available with the manual transmission.")

My 86 is a Z51 and it's an auto, the main difference between the auto and manual was the rearend, the auto was a Dana 36 while the Manuals had the beefier 44's.

The 88 Z51 had bigger front and back rotors 12' rears & 13' fronts vs the 11.5 standard, there are other differences, of which offhand I cannot recall, but I'm working of them.

Mart

 

[jrzvette]

Not sure about 88's but this is not true far all years.

(JRZvette "Z51 was only available with the manual transmission.")

My 86 is a Z51 and it's an auto, the main difference between the auto and manual was the rearend, the auto was a Dana 36 while the Manuals had the beefier 44's.

The 88 Z51 had bigger front and back rotors 12' rears & 13' fronts vs the 11.5 standard, there are other differences, of which offhand I cannot recall, but I'm working of them.

Mart

According to "The Corvette Black Book" the availability of Z51 changed throughout the years:

1986

 

[jrzvette]

Not sure about 88's but this is not true far all years.

(JRZvette "Z51 was only available with the manual transmission.")

My 86 is a Z51 and it's an auto, the main difference between the auto and manual was the rearend, the auto was a Dana 36 while the Manuals had the beefier 44's.

The 88 Z51 had bigger front and back rotors 12' rears & 13' fronts vs the 11.5 standard, there are other differences, of which offhand I cannot recall, but I'm working of them.

Mart

According to "The Corvette Black Book" the availability of Z51 changed throughout the years:

1986 Limited to coupes
1987 Coupes and manual transmissions
1988 - 1990 Limited to manual transmission coupes

So it appears it could be ordered on automatics in 1986 and 1987.

 

[3dale1]

The 88 Z51 had bigger front and back rotors 12' rears & 13' fronts vs the 11.5 standard

,

Anyone know if this would apply to an 85 Z-51, or were all the early C4's with the older spindle setups the same?

 

[c4cruiser]

All The 84-87 cars used the same spindles and the smaller 11.5" brakes all around. The suspension design change with the 88 model year. The J55 big brake option (13" front rotors) started in 88 with it becoming standard in 95.

The 84-87 wheel offest was different at 38mm while the 88 and later cars used the new 56mm offset.

RPO Z52 also came with the auxilary radiator fan,
HD radiator, and the KC4 oil cooler. The coupes also got the welded-in stiffening braces at the front corssmember that the 'verts and Z51 cars had.

The shocks were the Bilstein 'Sport' shocks and had a slightly softer valving than the Z51-specific shocks. The lower A-arm bushings were the standard ones (Z51 bushings were a HD version), the Z52 rear sway bar was slightly smaller.

Z52 also got the optional wheels (16x9.5 in 87 and 17x9.5 in 88). You could get Z52 on either coupes or 'verts in 87 and 88

 

[Hib Halverson]

What is the difference in detail between the Z51 Performance Handling Package and the Z52 Sport Handling Package on an 88 Vette? I have an 88 convertible with the Z52 option.

Thanks!

Z52 was a mix of FE1 suspension with some other parts that were part of Z51.

For that model year, Z52 used base-level springs, stabilizer bars, front lower control arms and the base front brakes.

It also used the, the new 17" wheels, the power steering cooler and the cooling enhancements. As for the shocks, all the info I have from MY88 shows Z52 and Z51 using the same shock, FG3.

As for the "stiffeners" up by the front x-member, I can't say for sure, but I thought that by MY88, all C4s had them.