M1Cruiser

1. Are the Z51 spring rates the same as the base suspension?
2. Has anyone put softer shocks on a Z51 to soften the ride? Were you happy with the results?

Larry R

The spring rates on the Z51 are stiffer. I can't answer about the shocks, but my feeling is that would not be a good idea as the Z51 suspension is a total package, designed to work together. You mess with one of the components, you may mess up what it is supposed to do.

VetteVinnie

Sounds like you would be happiest with the Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

MannyS

Koni FSD takes the harshness out of bumps and rough surfaces while still maintaining stiff ness

jim213

However, I really do like my Z51.

Wayne88

I assume you don't have your new Corvette yet. If so, don't worry about softer shocks. I have a Z51 and its not a harsh ride at all. I like it. Its what a sportscar is supposed to be.

lefthander

DAYCRZ

100 %

Dan

TCKT B8

PowerLabs

Putting softer shocks on a stiffly sprung car will result in underdampening, which will make the car bouncy and prone to skipping around when it hits bumps mid corner.
I have a Z51 equipped car and for me it is FAR from being a harsh ride. That said, for those of us who have arthritis or hemorroids there is always the F55 or base suspension.
I've also heard good things about koni shocks.

djfullshred

funny, but I keep thinking that one day I'd like to stiffen my Z51 car.

PowerLabs

The Z51 is the "softest" car I've ever owned. Honest!

You haven't seen harsh ride untill you've ridden in a car with full coilovers....

LTC Z06

Shocks are dampers, they dampen the springs, you don't want softer dampers on a Z51, the ride will become "floaty" or unstable; and I don't know who makes one, I guess you could use base dampers.

Spring rates

JSB LS3

I REALLY don't find the ride of my Z51 to be all that harsh....no, it doesn't ride like a buick, but do you really want it to?

It's really quitr comfortable unless you REALLY smash the crap out of a bump or pothole.

EvilBoffin

M1Cruiser -

I agree with the others, and find the Z51 ride to be extremely civilized given the car's capabilities. I've had a BMW M3, Porsche Boxster S & MINI Cooper S recently, and my Vette rides better then any of them.

But, you may want to consider a simpler change if you want a better ride - replace the stock runflat tires with NON-runflats, such as Michelin Pilot Sport 2's or BFGoodrich KDW-2's.

This simple change will NOT ONLY improve the ride, but dry handling, wet grip and noise levels as well. The stock GY Supercar runflats can be down-right dangerous in heavy downpours and low temperature (near/below freezing) conditions, too. Obviously, you lose the runflat capability by doing this, but that trade-off is worth it in so many ways.

You might want to do some research on the TireRack.com website to see what owners say about the tires you're interested in. It's worth noting that our stock runflats are rated 24th out of 25 tires in their category , with ride quality being singled-out as AWEFUL.

SteveTurner

DP Dave

Florida2000

shocks are Z51 specific

M1Cruiser

Thanks for all of your input. You are correct, I do not own a C6 but I'm looking. Have owned a 65 and a 73. After reading a lot of posts on the forums I decided that I like all of the heavy duty items that come with the Z51 package but don't want a super harsh ride. I became concerned when some owners stated that the Z51 is harsh and was wondering if there was any way to soften it up if I wasn't happy. Anyway I think the best plan is to try and drive both, then make a decision.

BlueSpeed

very easily done without a harsher ride, bilstein sports, urathane sway bushings, tunnel plate, overall much much better handling without ride sacrifice