Z51 worth it for everyday street driving?

[Bikerjulio]

I'd been thinking of it but after seeing the GM video I'm not so sure. It actually puts me off the idea.

Here's what's in it

Z51 Performance Package, includes (J55) Z51 performance brakes, (FE3) Z51 performance suspension, (NPP) performance exhaust, (GM7) performance rear axle ratio, (G96) Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), (T0A) Z51 rear spoiler, front splitter, (XFQ) 245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 rear, blackwall, high performance tires and (V08) heavy-duty cooling system

So, taking things one by one:

J55 brakes - not needed
FE3 suspension - not sure what the difference is.
NPP exhaust - I want and can get as an option.
GM7 ratio - would I notice?
G96 ELSD - ditto?
T0A - I like the spoiler and splitter but probably not enough to buy the Z51 package. Not available separately in the order guide.
XFQ - actually a negative for me living in Canada. The A/S would be more usable.
V08 - again probably not necessary. Our problem is usually just getting the car up to temperature.

I think I just talked myself out of it.

[frankb]

I would have liked the spoiler and gear ratio on the base model with 2LT. I can do without those two items not needing the Z51 package.

[bobbytinvab]

I dunno with the C8, but I really like my C7 Z51. With my experience I'm sticking with it for my new car

[JB]

Personally i prefer heavy duty cooling and suspension bits..

its not about racetrack speeds its about heavy duty service..l

i daily these corvettes so heavy duty cooling, suspension and brakes in my ridiculous mindset is all about higher capacity durability...

can I prove any of this? No..not at all...

the mrc shock technology is so cool...its like space age technology...keeping the tires in contact with the road...smooth ride..etc..

so MRC and z51 are my only requirements..

z51 includes the fancy rear diff, the slightly quicker acceleration, the npp exhaust..the above mentioned heavy duty equipment...its got the spoilers .. And all told .i believe its five grand

we each have different value systems and there is never a right or wrong answer..for all of us...

i dont know if Ill get the 2LT for what I figure is five grand so like I mentioned we each have different perspectives...(some guys think Im nuts...for even questioning the value of 2LT and its all about five grand)

i might do thae 2LT at five grand just to be able to buy that 1500 dollar 2 inch front end lift...although Im not sure...

i will mention the kids who buy preowned corvettes when they hear a preowned corvette has z51 ...their eyes light up...

i say its five grand well spent.. the added romantic envisions of sugar plums in potential owners heads ...makes resale real easy...

they dont for some reason dream of 2LT interiors the same way..both five grand...give or take a few bucks as it rolls from c7 to c8...

we are just shooting the breeze...so Im sure you dont mind me play8ng devils advocate...

im one of those guys that happens to think z51 fe4 is the MOST IMPORTANT option to get...not for racing ..but for durability..

i homestly believe part of the reason as Ive driven my corvettes just about a quarter of a million miles pretty much trouble free over the past 20 years...

the heavy duty cooling, suspension, gearing and brakes added to my seamless ownership experience..

could I be full of ****?

of course...

good luck deciding and of course just getting the standard stingray even with zero options is an awesome car...

its not a question of money per se...we all have the funds and if it were for our loved ones we wouldnt blink twice but for ourselves...thats when we get crazy...lol

its always a question of finding the proper balance of what we want, what we should give our selves and how ridiculous we are in treating ourselves to all the marketing hoopla..

my suggestion....if your wondering...do you need the z51 ? Of course not...

Have fun deciding...

[P-Tree]

They base car doesn't have an open diff does it? If so, you'll 100% notice it compared to the ELSD.

[ABorC]

is it worth it? For me yes. I have a bad habit of starting out minimally and then climbing the model tree. While Chevy/GM love customers like me, it puts a bigger dent in the wallet than just getting everything the first time. I went Stingray>GS>Z06. Should have just gone Z06 from the start.

That's just my .02, I could be wrong.

[Meldoon]

For me, it’s a matter of not wanting to give up features. My current car has heated seats( my lower back appreciates it) npp, and the magnetic shock deal. So basically,I want the Z51 fe4....2LT minimum....that should do it. Only other option is to wait for a GS, if it ever comes, or, sell my first born and get a Z06!............Gonna miss that kid.....😎

[TOMDOM69]

They base car doesn't have an open diff does it? If so, you'll 100% notice it compared to the ELSD.

it has a mechanical LSD

[meyerweb]

For me, on the C7, the Z51 wasn't worth it. I've done hot laps on a couple of different tracks (not racing, but definitely pushing hard) for 10 to 20 laps with no overheating problems, no oil heat problems, no brake fade. On the street, you'll never overtax the base setup. And given the lousy road quality in much of the country, I prefer the somewhat softer ride of the base suspension to the Z51. I did replace the stock front only sway bar with a pair of sway bars from a Z51 to cut down on body roll, and I consider the ride / handling balance perfect for a street car.

Of course, this is all based on the C7. We don't know what the C8 will be like, but I suspect the above will still be true.

The shorter gearing on the Z51, combined with the stickier tires, is responsible for that sub 3 second 0-60 time, but if the base model is a few tenths slower I'll never be able to tell, or make use of, the difference on the street. And the stickier tires probably get you a few feet, maybe as much as 10 feet, on the 60-0 braking test. That COULD be important, but it's not worth what I suspect will be $4,000 yo $5,000 dollars.

And if you really want a spoiler or splitter, the aftermarket will take care of you in a matter of months after the car is delivered.

To each his own, though. So those who think it's worth it to you, go for it.

The only reason I'd consider the Z51 is that I do enjoy doing hot laps on a race track once in a while, and the summer tires will handle that a lot better than A/S tires. But I could buy another set of tires, or even tires and rims, for a lot less than a Z51 package.

[C7Redneck]

I have a Z51 and track. So bear that in mind.

What I found was that owning a Z51 made buying tires and brakes more difficult. Not hard but you have to pay attention. For example if you go to online sites they often will not even show Z51 as an option. Others show Z51 as a drop down but the actual part comes up the same as a base model even though that can’t be because the wheels or brakes are bigger. Also unique sizes mean less availability / demand.

When I did the MRC update this year it did not include all the same tuning that the Z06 MRC had. GM said they did not have the resources to spend on the update for the Z51 and focused on the base and Z06 models. Still worth it though. It was probably the same as the base update.

As for the performance stuff you get those are worth it if you are tracking or really appreciate the nuances of handling. My Z51 is a bit more aggressive feeling than a base. How much of that is tires, wheels, eLSD, MRC? I don’t know? Probably mostly the tires and wheels.

BTW i plan to get a GS or Z06 this time. Bigger brakes and wider tires help a lot on the track.

[John]

In Tadge’s Friday reveal re-presentation, he added more content, including that due to this and that, starting with the mid engine configuration, they actually have created a slightly softer ride feel in a C8 Z51 compared to a C7 Z51.

[C7Redneck]

For me, on the C7, the Z51 wasn't worth it. I've done hot laps on a couple of different tracks (not racing, but definitely pushing hard) for 10 to 20 laps with no overheating problems, no oil heat problems, no brake fade. On the street, you'll never overtax the base setup. And given the lousy road quality in much of the country, I prefer the somewhat softer ride of the base suspension to the Z51. I did replace the stock front only sway bar with a pair of sway bars from a Z51 to cut down on body roll, and I consider the ride / handling balance perfect for a street car.

Of course, this is all based on the C7. We don't know what the C8 will be like, but I suspect the above will still be true.

The shorter gearing on the Z51, combined with the stickier tires, is responsible for that sub 3 second 0-60 time, but if the base model is a few tenths slower I'll never be able to tell, or make use of, the difference on the street. And the stickier tires probably get you a few feet, maybe as much as 10 feet, on the 60-0 braking test. That COULD be important, but it's not worth what I suspect will be $4,000 yo $5,000 dollars.

And if you really want a spoiler or splitter, the aftermarket will take care of you in a matter of months after the car is delivered.

To each his own, though. So those who think it's worth it to you, go for it.

The only reason I'd consider the Z51 is that I do enjoy doing hot laps on a race track once in a while, and the summer tires will handle that a lot better than A/S tires. But I could buy another set of tires, or even tires and rims, for a lot less than a Z51 package.

I agree. I live in Denver and find it rare that it is below 40deg and can’t take the C7 out.

[C7Redneck]

In Tadge’s Friday reveal re-presentation, he added more content, including that due to this and that, starting with the mid engine configuration, they actually have created a slightly softer ride feel in a C8 Z51 compared to a C7 Z51.

The MRC update made a significant improvement in my Z51 ride. I’m sure that will be the case in the C8 from the git go.

[JB]

For those on the fence...i would suggest usually the following generation base model outperforms the z51 of the previous generation..

i would suggest the differences are minimal between base and z51...

that said...Ill admit...ill only buy z51...

probably a silly thing but its what amkes me happy during the driving and ownership experience....

good,luck deciding.

[Strake]

For me, it's worth it. I only wish that I could get the All season tires with this package. I currently have a '17 GS and put the AS/-3 Michelins on last fall and love it !!!

Too many other features of the Z51 that I prefer for me to go that way.