hi Geoff!
OK so I think I can help out; I've driven a C5 Z06, a C6 Z06, and a C7 Z06/Z07 all on tracks. plus a ZL1 1LE (not mine, it was a coaching client's).
by far, the stiffest from the factory is the ZLE. when they say that the suspension is calibrated and sprung and damped for racing, they mean it. it's stiff stiff stiff. a stock C6 Z06 is WAY more compliant and comfy on a Northeast road than the ZLE. when I drove mine back from NJ last saturday, I was trying my best to avoid all the potholes and frost heaves as best I could but couldn't miss them all, and it does make an impact when you hit one. train tracks are rough too (I had to cross a set) as are asphalt to concrete transitions (like on a smaller bridge on a secondary road, which we have where I live).
that being said - the suspension movements are very well controlled (the dampers are awesome and control the spring rates really well). this is a hard core car, and it is clearly aimed at racetrack use. If I were going to use it often for street driving, I think I'd have gotten the standard ZL1 with mag ride instead. but for the minimal street driving I'll be doing with it, I really wanted to go for the much more 'special' 1LE experience.
so, suspension-wise, I'd say for track use, it's 'way better' than a stock C6 Z06. for street use, I'd say it's 'worse' for driving on the street than a C6 Z06. I personally wouldn't daily this car especially not here in the northeast where our roads are shit compared to say the southern states.
hope that helps!
Todd
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jofu
Hello d15b7,
Congrats on the purchase, looking very good! Funny thing, I was actually eyeing that very same car on AutoTrader for a few weeks  That green is awesome and works very well with the whole Zl1 1LE package. Good to see it's gone to a good home, to someone who will be using it to the fullest of its intent!
Say, since you're instructing road racing, maybe you can answer a question of mine about the ZL1 1LE suspension. I know I know... How harsh its suspension is for regular roads and daily driving has been a highly debated topic, and I'm not looking at re-covering all arguments here, but I was hoping you could let me know how it compares specifically to a stock non-magnetic-ride C6 Z06 suspension, which I hope you've had many opportunities to drive. I used to have a 2009 Z06 myself, which I daily drove for about 5 years (and a C5 Z06 for 3 years before that).
If you can comment on that specifically, would you say it is way better, better, same, worse, or way worse than the C6 Z06 suspension?
Thank you, much appreciated!
Beyond that, I understand I may need to experience a ride in one in person, but I was hoping to at least find out about that first.
All the best,
Geoff |