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Z51 Package - What is it???
01-12-2009, 03:13 PM
#21
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Feb 2006
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09
It makes your car as fast as a Z06 and almost as fast as a ZR1 for a fraction of the cost. For proof of this you will have to read the statements and claims of actual Z51 owners.
Some of us hold the opinion that it's nice for the money but since it costs relatively little as an option it's unlikely performance is increased much.
From reading thousands of posts on the subject I can tell you that many report that the tires that come with the option are great for hot dry tracks but dangerous in cold/wet conditions. Also, they wear out very rapidly due to softness.
The best thing that comes with the option, in fact the single thing that seems to REALLY increase performance, is the rear sway bar which is thicker than the base car's.
This part costs less than $200 and is easy to install and that's what some people do. Then again, some people now are skipping the Z51 option sway and using a Z06 part.
And, as one post said, you will learn from detailed reading and research that those rotor holes are for show.
Also, don't be alarmed if your brakes are very noisy. That comes with the package no charge.
Enjoy your car. It's performance is very slightly better than the base model at best, maybe a percent or two.
But Please, don't start calling your car " My Z51". It's a Corvette.
Some of us hold the opinion that it's nice for the money but since it costs relatively little as an option it's unlikely performance is increased much.
From reading thousands of posts on the subject I can tell you that many report that the tires that come with the option are great for hot dry tracks but dangerous in cold/wet conditions. Also, they wear out very rapidly due to softness.
The best thing that comes with the option, in fact the single thing that seems to REALLY increase performance, is the rear sway bar which is thicker than the base car's.
This part costs less than $200 and is easy to install and that's what some people do. Then again, some people now are skipping the Z51 option sway and using a Z06 part.
And, as one post said, you will learn from detailed reading and research that those rotor holes are for show.
Also, don't be alarmed if your brakes are very noisy. That comes with the package no charge.
Enjoy your car. It's performance is very slightly better than the base model at best, maybe a percent or two.
But Please, don't start calling your car " My Z51". It's a Corvette.
01-12-2009, 05:45 PM
#23
Race Director
It makes your car as fast as a Z06 and almost as fast as a ZR1 for a fraction of the cost. For proof of this you will have to read the statements and claims of actual Z51 owners.
Some of us hold the opinion that it's nice for the money but since it costs relatively little as an option it's unlikely performance is increased much.
From reading thousands of posts on the subject I can tell you that many report that the tires that come with the option are great for hot dry tracks but dangerous in cold/wet conditions. Also, they wear out very rapidly due to softness.
The best thing that comes with the option, in fact the single thing that seems to REALLY increase performance, is the rear sway bar which is thicker than the base car's.
This part costs less than $200 and is easy to install and that's what some people do. Then again, some people now are skipping the Z51 option sway and using a Z06 part.
And, as one post said, you will learn from detailed reading and research that those rotor holes are for show.
Also, don't be alarmed if your brakes are very noisy. That comes with the package no charge.
Enjoy your car. It's performance is very slightly better than the base model at best, maybe a percent or two.
But Please, don't start calling your car " My Z51". It's a Corvette.
Some of us hold the opinion that it's nice for the money but since it costs relatively little as an option it's unlikely performance is increased much.
From reading thousands of posts on the subject I can tell you that many report that the tires that come with the option are great for hot dry tracks but dangerous in cold/wet conditions. Also, they wear out very rapidly due to softness.
The best thing that comes with the option, in fact the single thing that seems to REALLY increase performance, is the rear sway bar which is thicker than the base car's.
This part costs less than $200 and is easy to install and that's what some people do. Then again, some people now are skipping the Z51 option sway and using a Z06 part.
And, as one post said, you will learn from detailed reading and research that those rotor holes are for show.
Also, don't be alarmed if your brakes are very noisy. That comes with the package no charge.
Enjoy your car. It's performance is very slightly better than the base model at best, maybe a percent or two.
But Please, don't start calling your car " My Z51". It's a Corvette.
BTW, I think you are the first one to say "My Z51."
Last edited by RadarP3C; 01-12-2009 at 05:51 PM.
01-12-2009, 06:16 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Paducah Kentucky
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Here's what you get with the z51.
Z51 Performance Package,
performance-oriented package for
the Gymkhana/Autocross
enthusiast; includes extra cooling,
stiffer springs and stabilizer bars,
specific shock absorbers, larger
brakes with cross-drilled rotors,
specific tires and Z51-specific
6-speed manual when ordered with
6-speed manual transmission or
(GU2) performance axle ratio with
6-speed paddle shift automatic
Z51 Performance Package,
performance-oriented package for
the Gymkhana/Autocross
enthusiast; includes extra cooling,
stiffer springs and stabilizer bars,
specific shock absorbers, larger
brakes with cross-drilled rotors,
specific tires and Z51-specific
6-speed manual when ordered with
6-speed manual transmission or
(GU2) performance axle ratio with
6-speed paddle shift automatic
01-12-2009, 08:32 PM
#28
Team Owner
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: Redondo Beach, California
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I was happy to get the N55 (dual-damping ratio shocks) and the "performance" rear end. What is it...something like 2.74:1.
That the Z51 had a stiffer suspension was enough to discourage me. In retrospect I should have driven one. Anyhow I have a bone shaking stiff suspension in my 68 so I sort of got my fill with stiff rides with it.
Someone noted a larger rear sway bar. As I understand it, increasing sway bar size moves handling towards the oversteer condition. For just freeway driving, where my most challening turning maneuvers will be freeway offramps and lane changes I think increasing oversteer is not for me. In particular what I want to avoid is throttle off oversteer. This is where your behind a slow vehicle on the freeway, you push the throttle down to change lanes and pass, and then you swerve back into the original lane and let off the gas. Agressive use of the throttle and steering wheel can cause an oversteer. Apparently there's a video somewhere of Jay Leno spinning out a Porsche due to throttle off oversteer.
That the Z51 had a stiffer suspension was enough to discourage me. In retrospect I should have driven one. Anyhow I have a bone shaking stiff suspension in my 68 so I sort of got my fill with stiff rides with it.
Someone noted a larger rear sway bar. As I understand it, increasing sway bar size moves handling towards the oversteer condition. For just freeway driving, where my most challening turning maneuvers will be freeway offramps and lane changes I think increasing oversteer is not for me. In particular what I want to avoid is throttle off oversteer. This is where your behind a slow vehicle on the freeway, you push the throttle down to change lanes and pass, and then you swerve back into the original lane and let off the gas. Agressive use of the throttle and steering wheel can cause an oversteer. Apparently there's a video somewhere of Jay Leno spinning out a Porsche due to throttle off oversteer.
01-13-2009, 02:03 AM
#29
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Feb 2008
Location: S.F. Bay Area CA.
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Avizandum pretty much says it all.
"Any C6 is BadA$$. It's whatcha do with whatcha got.
2008 Z51, mods: vinyl numbers.
2008 Detroit Region SCCA Super Stock Champion"
"Any C6 is BadA$$. It's whatcha do with whatcha got.
2008 Z51, mods: vinyl numbers.
2008 Detroit Region SCCA Super Stock Champion"
01-13-2009, 08:01 AM
#30
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2006
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Z51 gearing
On my 2001 Coupe the Z51 package only gave the car stiffer suspension. I added it on my 07 Vert for the lower gearing. On the base model and my 01, 1st gear went to 60MPH. 2nd Gear was a little too high for my taste. With the Z51 package 2nd gear is perfect for a downshift into a turn.
01-13-2009, 09:37 AM
#31
Advanced
Thread Starter
Thanks for the Information
I can truly say that my questioned was answered, thanks. I must apologize to several members of this forum, for being a complete moron for buying a car without complete knowledge and understanding of said purchase. Sometimes in life, you just don’t know what you don’t know, thanks to forums like this…..now I know.
Major C
Major C
The following users liked this post:
bubber (02-06-2021)
01-13-2009, 10:09 AM
#32
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Are you kidding? You have nothing to apologize for. You asked what I consider to be a legitimate question, albeit after buying the car already. No harm in doing that. We all do it sometimes. (I'm still learning all the "features" of my phone....
)
Glad you got your answers, along with the necessary ribbing. Enjoy your car and post up when you can. If we haven't already seen them, post up some pics of the car!!!!
)Glad you got your answers, along with the necessary ribbing. Enjoy your car and post up when you can. If we haven't already seen them, post up some pics of the car!!!!
01-13-2009, 10:22 AM
#34
ArmyGuy,
Enjoy your new Vette!!! That's the whole thing about these cars, enjoying them. That's whether you track/autocross them, do car shows, show and shines, taking the girlfriend/wife out to dinner, or a spirited drive down a back road (though in Kansas, I cannot imagine anything other than flat roads).
People on here squabble, just think of a family. Brothers (and sisters) give each other a bunch of $hit, but they stick together and help each other out.
I own a Z51 car, a 2008 Victory Red, with Z51, MZ6, NPP, 1LT. And I smile every time I drive it, wash it, or wax it. When running through the gears hard, I have a smile from ear to ear. My wife was pissed that I bought it, until she drove it a couple of months later. Now if I mention that I need her truck to pick up something (like 100 pounds of dog food), the key fob is gone and she is off like a rocket with a $hit eating grin on her face.
So, welcome to the Corvette Ownership club, and the Z51 groupies. It's all good.
Enjoy your new Vette!!! That's the whole thing about these cars, enjoying them. That's whether you track/autocross them, do car shows, show and shines, taking the girlfriend/wife out to dinner, or a spirited drive down a back road (though in Kansas, I cannot imagine anything other than flat roads).
People on here squabble, just think of a family. Brothers (and sisters) give each other a bunch of $hit, but they stick together and help each other out.
I own a Z51 car, a 2008 Victory Red, with Z51, MZ6, NPP, 1LT. And I smile every time I drive it, wash it, or wax it. When running through the gears hard, I have a smile from ear to ear. My wife was pissed that I bought it, until she drove it a couple of months later. Now if I mention that I need her truck to pick up something (like 100 pounds of dog food), the key fob is gone and she is off like a rocket with a $hit eating grin on her face.
So, welcome to the Corvette Ownership club, and the Z51 groupies. It's all good.
01-13-2009, 10:46 AM
#35
Drifting
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Well it's obviously some kind of model................isn't it? It must be way better than the Z06 because you get 45 more!!!!!
Here is the proof......simple math really
Z51 - Z06 = 45 more Zs than the Z06!!
Here is the proof......simple math really
Z51 - Z06 = 45 more Zs than the Z06!!
Last edited by chsmith112; 01-13-2009 at 10:58 AM.
01-13-2009, 11:29 AM
#37
Melting Slicks
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. You can never truly read into what is being said. I think most of it is good hearted fun. What else is there to do when you can't drive your Vette in this weather (CA residents N/A).
01-13-2009, 12:26 PM
#38
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
01-13-2009, 12:47 PM
#39
Burning Brakes
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I can truly say that my questioned was answered, thanks. I must apologize to several members of this forum, for being a complete moron for buying a car without complete knowledge and understanding of said purchase. Sometimes in life, you just don’t know what you don’t know, thanks to forums like this…..now I know.
Major C
Major C
Plus it is winter, and some of them are going a little stir crazy and going through withdrawal since their Corvettes are put away. I on the other hand drove mine to work today, in a balmy 24 degrees. Who says heated seats are useless in a Corvette!
01-13-2009, 12:53 PM
#40
Melting Slicks
You all know that the Z51 was the first Z with the C6-the Z06 was just an after thought to see just how much us old fart corvette owners would spend before they produced the Zr1
Say, you do know the father of the C6, Dave Hill, then the Corvette Chief Engineer, chose the Z51 for his very own ride-now what more you people want