Sway bar & links

[ebonyvette]

Hi Corvette Kotze,

Was thinking of changing over from the Z51 suspension to the Z06 suspension. I know the shocks, sway bar and links are different, but in what way? Thanks.


:chevy:

[vincec5]

Hey Mike, I was wondering also. I read something in the online Road & Track. This is what was said:

The Z51 car was actually quicker through the slalom (averaging 64.0 mph compared with 62.4 mph turned in by the Anniversary Vette), thanks in no small part to stiffer springing and larger anti-roll bars. The base FE1 suspension, to which the F55's magnetic shocks are fitted, has 23.0-mm-diameter front and 19.1-mm rear bars, while the Z51's FE3 suspension uses a 28.6-mm front and a 23.6-mm rear bar. Just for comparison, the Z06 model has 30.0-mm front and 23.6-mm rear bars. The FE1 uses 36-mm Sachs monotube shocks, the FE3 has 45-mm Sachs shocks, while the Delphi magnetic shocks are 46 mm in diameter.


Now a lot of guys are putting in the front and rear bars with the links. If the rear bar is 23.6 on the Z51 and the Z06, then all you would need to do is change the front. Is that correct? When I called a Chevy dealer and he looked up the part numbers, the part number for the 2002 rear sway bar on the Z06 is different than the Z51 part number on my Hardtop. Shouldn't they be the same, or is it because it's a different year. There's not that much difference in the front either. When I asked him if he knew about the thickness of the bar, he said there's no way to tell by the part number alone. Can you shed some light on this. I've seen a lot of guys buying the whole package, front and rear, when according to this article they wouldn't really need the rear. Is this true? Thanks.

[MKOTZE]

Originally posted by ebonyvette
Hi Corvette Kotze,

Was thinking of changing over from the Z51 suspension to the Z06 suspension. I know the shocks, sway bar and links are different, but in what way? Thanks.


:chevy: Hello ebonyvette, Sorry it's taken so long to respond but life was keeping me busy and away from the computer. Basically, the response vinceC5 gave is correct. I will be responding to his message next and you could check in there for more specific information. Thanks.:chevy: MKOTZE

[MKOTZE]

Originally posted by vincec5
Hey Mike, I was wondering also. I read something in the online Road & Track. This is what was said:

The Z51 car was actually quicker through the slalom (averaging 64.0 mph compared with 62.4 mph turned in by the Anniversary Vette), thanks in no small part to stiffer springing and larger anti-roll bars. The base FE1 suspension, to which the F55's magnetic shocks are fitted, has 23.0-mm-diameter front and 19.1-mm rear bars, while the Z51's FE3 suspension uses a 28.6-mm front and a 23.6-mm rear bar. Just for comparison, the Z06 model has 30.0-mm front and 23.6-mm rear bars. The FE1 uses 36-mm Sachs monotube shocks, the FE3 has 45-mm Sachs shocks, while the Delphi magnetic shocks are 46 mm in diameter.


Now a lot of guys are putting in the front and rear bars with the links. If the rear bar is 23.6 on the Z51 and the Z06, then all you would need to do is change the front. Is that correct? When I called a Chevy dealer and he looked up the part numbers, the part number for the 2002 rear sway bar on the Z06 is different than the Z51 part number on my Hardtop. Shouldn't they be the same, or is it because it's a different year. There's not that much difference in the front either. When I asked him if he knew about the thickness of the bar, he said there's no way to tell by the part number alone. Can you shed some light on this. I've seen a lot of guys buying the whole package, front and rear, when according to this article they wouldn't really need the rear. Is this true? Thanks. Hello VinceC5, The article you saw was a good article filled with accurate information. As for the GM parts system the same part can have a different part number due to a variety of reasons. Anything from a supplier change to a different year. It does not mean that the part has necessarily changed in any functional way. With the new computerized system it does not give any information as to diameter or sizes or applications. The parts system uses the VIN numbers off the car that is being serviced to identify the correct part. It is hard to use this system when you are trying to modify the original car. Now for the sway bars you are correct that the rear sway bar is the same for the Z51 and the Z06. So technically you would only need to change the front bar. The front bar is larger for the Z06 and is more desirable for handling. However, by changing only the sway bars you will not obtain the Z06 handling. In order to to get close to the Z06 handling you would need to utilize the wheels and tires that the Z06 uses. The wheels on the Z06 are 1" wider and the tires are not run flat tires but a better handling Goodyear tire. It also wouldn't hurt to change the shocks to the Z06 shocks. I hope this helps:chevy: MKOTZE

[ebonyvette]

Thanks Mike. On my '63 Split they give all the changes for the suspension up to 1967. For instance, dimensions for the sway bars, shocks, links, bushings and springs. Especially when they went from the 327 small block to the big block 396 and 427. They would give you the dimensions and size and specifications of each part. Not today. It's kind of confusing. If you get after market other than GM they may specify, but not all the time. You don't know what the heck your buying. I'm wondering if the shocks are any different. How do I get the specs for the shocks? I appreciate your help. I just feel bad for some of the guys that bought the rear sway bar.

[ebonyvette]

Hey Mike,

I picked up a set of factory Z06 rims and tires on ebay. Did pretty good and got them for $800. The tires had 8,000 miles on them and the rims had a couple of nicks, but it was a pretty good price.

I also, went to my local dealer to order the front sway bar and he said when we were talking that the rear was different and I should order it also with the springs and shocks. He said the springs were stiffer. He said if I had the Z51 suspension, I could get away without ordering the rear, but suggested that I should. I know you said it was the same suspension except for the front sway bar, so now I'm a little confused. How different is it? Significant enough to order the rear also?

[fatherlarry]

I got this one Mike.:nod: :smoke:

Ebonyvette, I'm sorry that we took so long to get more information, but Mike has been really busy. Also, Mike and I were surprised when I measured the stock rear swaybar on my '99 Hardtop that came standard with the Z51 suspension for that year, that it was smaller in diameter than the Z06 rear bar, which is the same in the 2000 Hardtop. Leave it to GM.

Coincidently, I am also doing the upgrade to my '99 and had the same questions. Here's the scoop on the sway bars, links, insulators and brackets.


First off the 2000 and newer bars are larger than the 1997-1999 bars. On the 1999 Hardtop that came standard with the Z51 suspension, the rear sway bar is smaller, and was upgraded in 2000 on the Z51 and is the same as the Z06. The 10419094 is the correct # for the Z06 front bar and goes with the 10419095 front insulators. The insulator brackets are the same from 1997-2003, and you can re use them. The 10435298 end links are correct, and use them on all four corners. The rear bar for the 2000 and newer Z51 and the Z06 is the same. They use the exact same bar, bushings and links in the rear. The rear bar is larger on the 2000 and newer Z51 vs the 1999 Z51. It is the same code,10424743, but the suspension was upgraded. You will need 2 of 10431951 rear busings for the new bar. Again the clamps are the same and can be reused. The springs are very expensive and in my book not worth the cost of the upgrade. The front Z06 spring is 22178729 and the rear spring is 22188038. And you will need a special spring unloader tool to change them. Use your own discretion with the springs.

A good rule of thumb is to order all new self locking nuts when doing the job. You could use the old ones. Turn by hand when reinstalling before using impact wrench so as not to strip the threads.

The sockets are 18mm (one regular, one deep) and the box/open end is also 18mm. You can use an adjustable or box wrench to hold the head of the bottom clamp bolts. The torx wrench is T40.

This operation can be done without removing the wheels -- but you pretty much have to have a lift to do the work.

Here are the torque specifications:

Fastener Torque to
Link nut 53 lb ft(*)
Lower clamp nut 70 lb ft
Upper clamp bolt 49 lb ft




Sorry for the delay.:chevy:
See link below from Corvette Museum for specs.

Suspension Comparisons (http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/specs.htm)

[ebonyvette]

Thank Father and Mike.:cheers: :cheers: