C6Z vs C5Z handling

[novetteyet]

When driving my C5Z today it occurred to me that what I really want from the C6Z is better handling. Not that what I've got is not good, and not that the extra power in the C6Z isn't nice, but the real goal for me is improved handling. Hell, I'd even gladly trade all the extra power in the C6Z for handling improvements if I had to.

I'm sure the C6Z has a bit higher static cornering limits, but there's one aspect in particular I'm curious about. There might be some technical name for this, but I don't know it, so will have to describe it the best I can. Consider hard cornering, maybe in the 0.8-9G range. If you have the luxury of "easing into" the straight afterword, everything is fine, and the car transitions smoothly between the hard cornering and the straight. But if for whatever reason you have to straighten out suddenly, in the C5Z you tend to get some body "bounce" or oscillations, for perhaps 0.5 to 1 sec, which can be a little disconcerting.

It's hard to describe the phenomenon exactly, but maybe y'all know what I'm talking about. The C5Z does fairly well, compared to most cars, but I want better. Is this aspect improved in the C6Z?

[wrecked'em]

great post.
looking forward to the replies.
also what can be done to the c5 to correct this

[novetteyet]

Originally Posted by wrecked'em

also what can be done to the c5 to correct this

IMHO, the C5Z is already pretty darned good - probably among the best in the price class. Although I haven't driven one to directly compare, I suspect the Lotus Elise does better on this front. I hope Chevy moves in that direction...

[wh921]

I think the phenomenon you described is common in C5's and C6's. I think Car & Driver discovered it as well and as a result was terrified of the C6Z's handling in this article:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...vette-z06.html

[RC45]

Hmmm.. I am able to generate 1G+ cornering loads with my car and just thought the behaviour you describe, which is a slightly tail happy raunchy oversteer on demand, is the way it is.

I kind of like it.

[GTB/ZR-1]

I see that you have an '02 as well.
Do you feel your car 'float' or 'hover'? Is that what you're experiencing when transitioning?

If so, there an easy, relatively inexpensive fix--'04 OEM Sachs shocks.
They're the real deal in squelching that behavior

[novetteyet]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

I see that you have an '02 as well.
Do you feel your car 'float' or 'hover'? Is that what you're experiencing when transitioning?

If so, there an easy, relatively inexpensive fix--'04 OEM Sachs shocks.
They're the real deal in squelching that behavior

Hmm, yeah, I suppose you could describe it as "float". The body seems to move around a bit with respect to the wheels. It damps out pretty fast, but it's annoying and makes quick transitions less predictable. I'm after more "scalpel-like" handling

Thanks for the tip on the 04 shocks! I shall investigate this... Doesn't sound too expensive... Does it require an alignment afterwords?

[GTB/ZR-1]

Originally Posted by novetteyet

Hmm, yeah, I suppose you could describe it as "float". The body seems to move around a bit with respect to the wheels. It damps out pretty fast, but it's annoying and makes quick transitions less predictable. I'm after more "scalpel-like" handling

Thanks for the tip on the 04 shocks! I shall investigate this... Doesn't sound too expensive... Does it require an alignment afterwords?

No realignment needed. You'll be very pleased w/ how the shocks excorcise the disconnected floaty feeling when transitioning.
There's a small course we run & one particular corner would upset the car w/ the stock shocks.


After I replaced the shocks, then back @ the same corner--problem solved
Abt $320 for the set--$$ well spent...

[novetteyet]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

After I replaced the shocks, then back @ the same corner--problem solved
Abt $320 for the set--$$ well spent...

Awesome - sounds like just what I want. thanks!