66dreams

With the difficulty in ordering the Z51 option, I am looking at going aftermarket to improve a non Z51 car. I searched for what I though was a comparison by Car and Driver on the 3 suspensions but can’t find it. Does anyone know where this write up is?

Some advice on the following topics would be appreciated.

First is handling, this is mainly why I want the option. A forum vendor has told me I can actually get better handling with aftermarket sways and shocks and he would lower the car as well. Does this sound right? Would the springs and any bushings need to be changed as well to get better handling and turn in?

Second is brakes. Anyone know the differences in stopping distances between Z51 and standard brakes?

Third is the first three manual gear ratios. Chevy claims it makes only a one tenth difference in 0-60. That seems imperceptible. Is there any real difference in acceleration?

I don’t think I need the coolers as I won’t track the car. I’ll do spirited driving but not for extended periods of time.

I’m not going to give up on Z51 yet but even the forum dealers are having difficulty ordering the option so I am considering alternatives. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

'06 Quicksilver Z06

I wouldn't even think about it. I'd start looking for a car with MN6 Z51 in dealer stock. Why order it?????? In this day and age you can buy a car from any dealer in the country and have it shipped or pick it up.

A modded car is just that. A modded car. You let someone lower your car and put aftermarket suspension components on your car and it is no longer original. Sure you can mod your way to better performance, but it won't be cheap. Buying something that you really didn't want and attempting to mod it to what you did want is a dead end.

As for the brakes. The rotors are a larger diameter on the Z51s than the stock rotors. But the tires are the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMTs which also contribute to the superior stopping power of the Z51 equipped cars.

And finally the gearing. You would have to put 3.90 gears into a base MN6 C6 to get comparable gearing to the Z51 equipped car.

With the gearing advantage and equal drivers, the Z51 MN6 should out accelerate the base manual transmissioned car. GM says by 1 tenth, but its probably at least that.

SMJBA

..nothing more to add...

66dreams

I have two orders pending now. Niether has been picked. I spoke to a couple of forum dealers. They can't get Z51's picked right now either. I'm going to call the remainder of the forum dealers to see if they can order the car before I drop the Z51. Right now it's a very hard option to find and I can't find what I want locally or through internet searches.

2006 Coupe
Silver/Ebony
6 Spd Manual
2LT
Z51

If you know where one is I'll be glad to buy it.

Thanks.

Wass

The Z51 sway bars will make a big difference in body roll. And the Z51 is only 1/10th second faster in the quarter mile. The Z51 and non-Z51 are tied at 115 mph in the quarter.

mlongo99

If you don't want to go aftermarket then you can always buy Z51 or even Z06 suspension components. But I would just wait or try to find a Z51 car if I were you.

NewC6Toy

Wait for the Z51 package... it comes with more than just suspension and brake up grades. I wanted the tranmission, oil and power steering coolers that are on the Z-51. I think those would be harder to install after market if you found you really needed them.

6 speed Sid

It's amazing with all the financial trouble GM is having that thay have a product people want, yet it is not available??

railgun

I have the exact car you want down to every option you listed. It has 1900 miles on it now and I'd be willing to let it go for $59,500.

(just kidding about the letting it go part)

66dreams

Thanks for the replies folks. Keep them coming. I really do want the Z51 but it's tough to order right now.

A friend ordered from a dealer this past summer and got the Z51 car in about 5 weeks. I ordered from the same dealer and have been at Event Code 1100 for 7 weeks. Forum dealers I call have unpicked Z51 orders as well.

nascar5212002

WITH WESS

66dreams

A local dealer has something close to what I want as well. I'd buy it except for the fact...

IT WAS STOLEN AND RECOVERED!

Man that's the Vette I want!

railgun

Right on about the recovery thing...I've always thought if a car I own is stolen, I don't want it back!

Vet

This is the EXACT car I just ordered a few weeks ago. My local dealer had the order accepted almost immediately. I'm supposed to get the car in about 3 weeks. I'll sell you the order now for $65k! (Just kidding of course... make it 80k!!! )

As others have suggested above, keep searching. You'll be able to get one, just need to have a little patience. Make some more calls. Don't rush into anything.

For me, the lower tranny gears of the Z51 are a big deal. I'm not concerned about gaining an extra tenth in the 0-60, that's just silly. Let's get realistic here. But I know from driving a lot of different manual cars, including a non-Z51 C5, and then a z51 C6, that a lower first gear makes it much easier to take off from a dead stop. Makes the car a bit more pleasant to drive around town, getting into 1st is easier, less clutch wear. I much prefer the Z51 gearing for this reason. If you're not super fussy about clutch operation etc, you may not even care about this.

The first time I drove a non-Z51 C5 (which supposedly has the same gearing as the non-Z51 C6, correct me if I'm wrong), I immediately felt that the first gear was too steep. This was one of the few things on my list of stuff that bothered me about that car. Then I drove a Z51 C6 and it felt PERFECT. Yes, I am fussy... in the past I've swapped trannies and rears more than once in my cars just to get the gearing the way I wanted it. But I have no time for that anymore... I'm glad the engineers were able to offer a golden recipe.

If handling is all you're concerned about, and if you cannot wait for a Z51 car, a non-Z51 C6 with the mere addition of Z51 anti-sway bars (which can be added easily) might be all you need. You'll save a few bucks too. And from what I've heard, the non-Z51 brakes will be just fine for all but the most extreme race use.

LTC Z06

Don't worry about stopping distances, same caliper, same pads, and even though the rotors are wider with the holes they probably have less swept area (or the same) as the the smaller ones. If the brakes can lock up the tire then they are good enough. Go here www.stoptech.com for a good education on brakes.

JELSIS

PM sent.

scrannel

The Z51 is the all time bargain of the century on the C6 -- can't you find a bitchin' '05? You are going to kick yourself in hell for eternity if you do not get your car the way you want her.

Paul Scarpelli

The first three gears are considerably shorter, like having a 3.73 rear end. I'll bet the difference to 100 mph is at least .2-second faster. The problem with 0-60 with Z-51 is traction in 1st due to the added multiplication.

Black04Vert

You can buy most of the Z51 stuff easily:

Z51 sway bars (all) shipped $160
Z51 shocks (all) shipped $227
Z51 brakes (all) shipped $482
Z51 springs (both) dunno, $450?

The only way to get the tranny higher ratios (without going to the A6 ) is to up your rear-end to something around 3.90

That leaves coolers (which you didn't care about) and tires.

Deep Silver C6 Z51

The Z51 is worth the wait.

I don't think GM makes a lot of C6's with either of the base interiors. I had a lot of trouble finding my '05 1SA Z51 until I stumbled on it at my local dealership. I had stopped to look at an Torch Red '04 vert, walked into the showroom, and there was my car.

The options you're looking for make the C6 the best sports/performance bargain around.

Stay the course.