Apocolipse

So here I am all pumped about my spring find for the C5. It had the Z51 shocks and all the fun stuff.

Get home, look at the part number, seems to be a base C5 spring.

1-4 22146483


So now I need a new game plan. I was going to run my "z51" springs with C6 Z06 sways (which I do not have yet nor have I ordered them).

I drive the car on the street 80% of the time, 20% of the time is HPDE track days or when my local forum rents out Mosport.

I am running 275 on all 4 corners. Square setup.

If you were me, looking in the classifieds, what would you look for?

Would I be best looking for T1? Z51? Z06? Hypercoil?

And then couple that with which sways would you run?

I am not looking to spend a fortune, just want it to handle better than stockers especially after going square 275. That will be enough in the front to stop it from understeering so now it will oversteer. Need to stiffen up both ends.

Looking at spring rates it seems the C5 Z51/Z06 fronts are the exactly the same. This then leads to changing the rear. So if I go with a Z06 rear as well thats an increase over the Z51 which WOULD tend to cause more oversteer with the same size tire (z51 vs z06)

Now make the front wider and that would cause even MORE oversteer...correct?

So then I should put a stiffer front bar to compensate and run it balanced. C6 Z06 front + C6 Base rear?

That would make the front sway 1mm larger diameter than the C5 Z51 bar and could possibly make it a bit more balanced...With the rear bar still being larger than what I have (22mm vs 19mm).

What would you / have you run?

Dunno my brain hurts now

jcsperson

I'm no expert, but I'd go with factory Z06 stuff all around or a "track package" from a reputable place that specializes in Corvettes. You've got to figure Chevrolet or those Corvette specialists did their homework.

Trying to mix and match or guess is, well, guesswork.

brkntrxn

I have a set of C5 Z06 springs for sale. Shipping might kill you though.

1BDRSK

Where in Ontario are you located? I know a few places you could contact.

Apocolipse

I'm just west of Toronto but I have a place in New York where I go over and shop all my stuff to.

As for staying with stock stuff, yes gm did their homework on the suspension but they based it around under steering and smaller front tires than the rear which is why I feel the mix match is needed.

Supercharged111

I'm not the only one with a Z06 and a square tire setup. I love the way the car drives. I'd describe it as more neutral than before rather than more oversteery than before.

1BDRSK

CBI? That's what I use. I'm in Kitchener.
Check out the Canadian Events section, Canadian vendors there and lots of local guys selling stuff. If you're looking for some stock Z06 shocks and springs, there are a few places around Toronto that have them used. Shoot me a pm if you're interested

Apocolipse

That is good to know for sure.. first hand is always better than looking at graphs of spring rates and wheel rates lol

You running stock z06 everything?

Supercharged111

Yup. Just brake pads/ducts and 295/35/18 NT05s for "go fast" mods if you can call them that. I noticed the car was slightly more wiggly on heavy braking, which was likely due to the ST43s being stronger than XP10s, but on long sweepers where you might need to throttle steer lifting off the throttle actually makes the car turn. In fact, throttle steering as a whole is a lot more effective with the bigger fronts. Didn't notice a huge change in peak cornering force, just a slight shift of balance. The car isn't squirrely or unstable at all, still easy to drive. Do remember my '04 has '04 shocks which are said to make the car easier to drive than the 01-03 shocks.

1986C4Z51

I'm just going off the top of my head, but I'm pretty sure somebody makes a variable rate spring that bolts in. That, and Pfadt Racing makes adjustable sway bars. I would go with those things, plus adjustable shocks to try to give yourself as many chances of hitting the right combination. Aaron Pfadt races his own products and will give advice, if you ask for it.

Apocolipse

I'd love to do z06 springs and c6 z51 sways. Should lead it to a sexy balance as you have all stated.

I have the upgraded shocks now but I may change to some bilstein or something.