C5 handling upgrade?

[yellowshark454]

Upgrading to the Z06 shocks and sways seems a popular move in the States. Any here done it? One post I saw referred to getting poly bushes and metal sway bar end plates too - necessary?

Does this have any impact on the computers - eg active handling, or is it a pure mechanical upgrade?

Anyone here sell the bits?

[anonymous-user]

I reckon you should be OK with the computers so long as you don't have F45 switchable ride. Please change the sway bars first and report back on progress! I have to keep my F45 (to avoid constant DIC error messages) so want to know the difference made by upgrading the sway bars makes alone....

[owenemyr]

What about going one step further and using in addition coil-overs instead of the cart springs, as many in the US and Geiger in Germany have done.It will certainly make the ride considerably harder, but will it alter "the hop", and will it improve overall handling.

[te51cle]

Its a purely mechanical upgrade so no need to worry about the eletrickery stuff. I'm still umming and ahhing about going to the Hotchkiss anti-roll bars as I've got the '02 Z51 suspension and the rear anti-roll bar on that is the same as the Z06. I think the Hotchkiss bars are hollow while the other options are for solid bars so the Hotchkiss should be lighter. I've heard the GM T1 anti-roll bars are the stiffest of the lot and will effectively limit suspension travel so aren't really suitable for a daily driver.

There are Bilstein Sport shock absorbers as another off the shelf option too (this can't be done on the F45 or F55 equipped models without tampering with the electronics at the same time). I'm planning on upgrading once the stock ones on mine are worn, but that doesn't look like its going to happen soon unfortunately !

This is interesting

Also interesting

Edited by te51cle on Sunday 5th November 13:36

[yellowshark454]

owenemyr said:

What about going one step further and using in addition coil-overs instead of the cart springs, as many in the US and Geiger in Germany have done.It will certainly make the ride considerably harder, but will it alter "the hop", and will it improve overall handling.

I'm not really loooking for a harder ride. I have the base suspension and quite like the way the C5 drives, on the road. What I really wanted to dial out was the hop and I read that the Z06 stuff would do this. When I oredered the car I thought I could always upgrade easliy enough to Z51 (but forgot about it)and I guess this is basicaly what the Z06 stuff is although I think the sway bar is marginally fatter that the Z51.

[yellowshark454]

te51cle said:

I'm planning on upgrading once the stock ones on mine are worn, but that doesn't look like its going to happen soon unfortunately !

This is interesting

Also interesting

Edited by te51cle on Sunday 5th November 13:36

Well I figured after 80K mine must have deteriorated, it must creep up you unnoticed methinks.

[franv8]

te51cle said:

Its a purely mechanical upgrade so no need to worry about the eletrickery stuff. I'm still umming and ahhing about going to the Hotchkiss anti-roll bars as I've got the '02 Z51 suspension and the rear anti-roll bar on that is the same as the Z06. I think the Hotchkiss bars are hollow while the other options are for solid bars so the Hotchkiss should be lighter. I've heard the GM T1 anti-roll bars are the stiffest of the lot and will effectively limit suspension travel so aren't really suitable for a daily driver.

There are Bilstein Sport shock absorbers as another off the shelf option too (this can't be done on the F45 or F55 equipped models without tampering with the electronics at the same time). I'm planning on upgrading once the stock ones on mine are worn, but that doesn't look like its going to happen soon unfortunately !

This is interesting

Also interesting

Edited by te51cle on Sunday 5th November 13:36

Wasn't Senator Hotchkiss the owner of a red C5 convertible that got 'used' at the beginning of XXX...

(Please do not reply with comments on my taste in films...)

[fletch360]

I knew i recognized the name somewhere lol

[Buttmonkey Racer]

I'm checking out coilovers for mine. I'm waiting on the prices from KW on their variant II system. Will post it up when I get confirmation back. Far too much 'hopping' for my liking.

Also the bigger diameter front & rear 'sway' bars look a good move.

[Corsette]

I'm confused with KW's product line. They seem to have two versions. The first one below allows height adjustment and removal of leaf spring (which seems sensible). The second one does not. The first is about twice the price of the second.

KW 35261011 Chevrolet Corvette C5/C6 Coilover Variant 3. This system is height-adjustable on the front & rear axles (threaded strut housings) and is not for vehicles with electronic damper adjustment. The factory leaf spring must be dismantled. (As advertised in the USA)

KW 35261001. Footnotes: Lowering can be achieved if required by adjusting the standard leaf springs. (As advertised on their German web site)

If you find out the difference I'd be grateful to know.

[Buttmonkey Racer]

I'll post up the specs and prices. Should have something back (hopefully) this afternoon. I flippin well need it. I tried to keep up with a Noble (I know I know) over the Peak this morning and whilst I don't expect to hold it together against a Nob, the C5 was a writhin' hoppin'mess....

[vetteheadracer]

I got my coilovers on my C5 Z06 from

www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=272

cost $2,295

and a set of GM T1 swaybars from my friendly (not so) neighbourhood Chevy dealer in Tampa.

www.autoway.com/index.cfm?action=contact&subaction=dealerdetail&franchiseid=2274

Ask for Ash Vyas in parts. Tell him you want the trade discount and it should cost you less than $1,000 for the swaybars.

If you need to borrow my car as a reference for toe, camber, castor then please let me know as mine is set up just right

You can buy a set of GM T1 A-Arms but these give a very agressive track biased setup whereas I am using the standard A-arms for a more road focused setup.

Edited by vetteheadracer on Monday 6th November 17:53

[yellowshark454]

Jeeze I just wanted to fit some beefier sway bars, do I have to start mucking around with alignment as a result? Coil overs too expensive for me, mind you I haven't checked out the price of a new set of shocks, maybe I am in for a surprise

[VetteG]

I know this is a C5 post but thought you guys might be interested that my winter project on my 70 is to fit coil overs to that. I already have taken delivery of the fronts, much lighter racing shocks adjustable for bump and rebound and progressive coil overs. As well as reducing the unsprung weight I'm also able to change the ride height which will help the high speed issues I have. The rear coil overs for C3's are still in development but should be on sale early next year, as soon as they are available I will grab a set and slap them on. Should make next year interesting, I'm planning a few track days for the fine tuning.

G

[ecossestang]

Yellowshark

I have Z06 shocks and hotchkiss sway bars fitted to my C5, they were fitted when I bought it, but have compared the way my car handles to that of a standard vette and it is an improvement, probably nothing quite like the addition of coil overs but worthwhile for the £££s mine also sits about 1.5" lower than a std vette. I love the way it handles and is still "reasonably" comfortable.

[yellowshark454]

Where did th the 1.5" come from; sounds a bit more than I remember the built in adjustment gives you. That would scare me, I guess you have to replace the front skirt every few months

[yellowshark454]

Forgive the ignorance guys, are all the C5 Z06 shocks the same? Or do you have to choose a year that matches your C5 MY?

[ecossestang]

yellowshark454 said:

Where did th the 1.5" come from; sounds a bit more than I remember the built in adjustment gives you. That would scare me, I guess you have to replace the front skirt every few months

Yeah, have to admit did fit the jockey wheels to stop it scuffing all the time. Not sure if there has been other fettling to lower the car, unfortunately the work was done by Geiger in Germany and dont have all the details of the work undertaken

[Corsette]

Difference in K&W offering explained:

The 35261001 part number is the Adjustable damper kit only. This kit
reuses your stock leaf springs, while allowing you to adjust the
compression and rebound forces of the dampers.

The 35261011 is the coilover kit. This not only allows for the damper
adjustments, but also for height adjustment, replacing your leaf springs
with coils in the front and rear.

Hopefully this explanation helps!


Tom Edge
KW Automotive North America
www.kwautomotive.com