How soft/hard is the suspension in Tour mode?

Porusski · 11-07-2019, 03:24 AM

I currently own a completely different car (BRZ) which is on coilovers, and while the ride isn't terribly stiff, I am interested in my next car to have a soft ride when I want it to. Is the ZL1 still very stiff in tour mode? (Anyone know how it compares to the Audi RS3 in comfort mode?)

I've driven my friends ZL1 and I remember riding in it, and it was pretty stiff. I just don't know what mode it was in at the time.

Thanks everyone!

VinnAY · 11-07-2019, 06:16 AM

It's stiff in Tour, it's not softer but relative to Sport and then Track, yes which more to the point is all relative to the individual. I equate Tour to stock or OE SS, etc etc

LT4Greg · 11-07-2019, 06:52 AM

Tour mode is not a harsh ride and I use that when taking long trips in my ZL1! I think and it seems to get a little better mpg in Tour mode instead of Sport mode. I keep mine in Sport mode 95% of time and every once in a while put Track mode on when the road gets twisty!

Chris357 · 11-07-2019, 06:54 AM

The springs are the springs, so the mode can't really change the stiffness, but in Tour the shocks are more forgiving...less firm on compression....Its not a huge difference but over rougher pavement it is noticeable and welcome. For a drive of any distance at all I just set to Tour and leave it (exhaust stays in Sport/Track ALL the time except for road trips).

LT4Greg · 11-07-2019, 06:59 AM

Yeah Chris, my exhaust is set to Track mode and the fuse pulled to keep the valves open!

Realist · 11-07-2019, 07:17 AM

I do mostly highway in tour mode in comfort. The car makes for a great daily driver or track beast, just choose a mode and press the go pedal.

crosive · 11-07-2019, 07:32 AM

It depends on the road. On certain stretches of highway, track mode isn't intolerable. on some of our back country roads, even tour mode will beat you to death.

SJFGTO · 11-07-2019, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crosive

It depends on the road. On certain stretches of highway, track mode isn't intolerable. on some of our back country roads, even tour mode will beat you to death.

Agreed^^^

harner · 11-07-2019, 07:48 AM

My car stays in sport mode 99.999% of the time. I honestly forgot about putting it in tour mode during a few long trips this year. When I first got the car and was trying out the modes, I did notice a SLIGHT "ride quality" improvement when driving on the junk ass PA roads.

I will say, even in sport mode, the car rides decent. Sure, you feel every pebble and if there's a groove in the road the car will pull into it with ease, but that isn't the car's fault rather the steamroller rubber band tires. After a 4 hour stroll to the beach, I wasn't stiff or sick of driving the car at all. The seats are quite comfortable and with the blind spot assist and whatnot, it's a great car. I'd drive it anywhere.

6spdhyperblue · 11-07-2019, 07:54 AM

While the ZL1 suspension is stiffer than the std ss magride, a lot of the harshness comes from the tire height. The non 1le SS has a taller front tire.

I did No other changes went down to a “ZL1” height front tire and the ride got much more harsh. This is on a magride SS car. Food for thought

Rodan · 11-07-2019, 08:03 AM

I find both Tour and Sport to be pretty comfortable for everyday driving. There is a noticeable difference in the different settings. I have owned a lot of cars, and the stock ZL1 suspension is among the best I've ever driven. Comfortable enough for interstate cruising and composed enough for track work on sticky tires.

Speaking of tires... a LOT of the harshness in the stock setup is the stock GY SC3 tires. I run Bridgstone A/S tires in the winter, and the softer sidewalls improve the ride a lot, at the expense of some handling, but at that point you're way beyond legal speeds anyway.

Gunkk · 11-07-2019, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

While the ZL1 suspension is stiffer than the std ss magride, a lot of the harshness comes from the tire height. The non 1le SS has a taller front tire.

I did No other changes went down to a “ZL1” height front tire and the ride got much more harsh. This is on a magride SS car. Food for thought

+1 this.

Relative to a 2SS, each "level" of ZL1 suspension setting is about 1 notch higher.

Camry = SS Tour (just kiddin'

)
ZL1 Tour = SS Sport
ZL1 Sport = SS Track
ZL1 Track = the road better be smooth
...20 more levels later...
ZL1-1LE = better make sure your fillings are tight.

ABQautoxer · 11-07-2019, 07:58 PM

Compared to an SSC twin, the ZL1 is WAY more comfy. It's still more comfy than most STX twins even on high end shocks. Depending what coilovers you have, you will likely find the ZL1 more comfortable, because I do and easily DD mine.

SouthFloridaGTO · 11-08-2019, 03:15 PM

I daily drive a 2005 GTO with coil overs. I think the GTO is a harsher ride than the zl1 on tour. I'm on the younger side though, so the roughness isn't bothersome and I bought the coil overs knowing it would be harsher than the other suspension options.

11-07-2019, 03:24 AM	#1
Porusski Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1	How soft/hard is the suspension in Tour mode? I currently own a completely different car (BRZ) which is on coilovers, and while the ride isn't terribly stiff, I am interested in my next car to have a soft ride when I want it to. Is the ZL1 still very stiff in tour mode? (Anyone know how it compares to the Audi RS3 in comfort mode?) I've driven my friends ZL1 and I remember riding in it, and it was pretty stiff. I just don't know what mode it was in at the time. Thanks everyone!

11-07-2019, 06:52 AM	#3
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,814	Tour mode is not a harsh ride and I use that when taking long trips in my ZL1! I think and it seems to get a little better mpg in Tour mode instead of Sport mode. I keep mine in Sport mode 95% of time and every once in a while put Track mode on when the road gets twisty! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

11-07-2019, 06:54 AM	#4
Chris357 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Garnet Red A10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 137 View My Garage	The springs are the springs, so the mode can't really change the stiffness, but in Tour the shocks are more forgiving...less firm on compression....Its not a huge difference but over rougher pavement it is noticeable and welcome. For a drive of any distance at all I just set to Tour and leave it (exhaust stays in Sport/Track ALL the time except for road trips). __________________ 2018 ZL1 Red Hot A10 (SOLD 1/21) 2001 Corvette Z06 Quicksilver Heads/Cam/Longtubes 443rwhp (SOLD 5/23) 2018 ZL1 Garnet Red A10 (BOUGHT 2/23)

11-07-2019, 06:59 AM	#5
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,814	Yeah Chris, my exhaust is set to Track mode and the fuse pulled to keep the valves open! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

11-07-2019, 07:48 AM	#9
harner Drives: 2018 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NEPA Posts: 450	My car stays in sport mode 99.999% of the time. I honestly forgot about putting it in tour mode during a few long trips this year. When I first got the car and was trying out the modes, I did notice a SLIGHT "ride quality" improvement when driving on the junk ass PA roads. I will say, even in sport mode, the car rides decent. Sure, you feel every pebble and if there's a groove in the road the car will pull into it with ease, but that isn't the car's fault rather the steamroller rubber band tires. After a 4 hour stroll to the beach, I wasn't stiff or sick of driving the car at all. The seats are quite comfortable and with the blind spot assist and whatnot, it's a great car. I'd drive it anywhere. __________________ SOLD! 9/1/2020 2018 ZL1 A10 Hyper Blue - Rotofab CAI, Gibson catback @SurefireDetail OEM ZLE tails/third brake light, Gen5DIY reverse LEDs, front Amber LEDs, SMG laser LED side markers, SMG smoked reflectors 1994 Trans Am LM7/CPT 4L60E/9" 1987 IROC 2006 Silverado

11-07-2019, 06:16 AM	#2
VinnAY Account Suspended Drives: 18 1SS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 939	It's stiff in Tour, it's not softer but relative to Sport and then Track, yes which more to the point is all relative to the individual. I equate Tour to stock or OE SS, etc etc

11-07-2019, 07:17 AM	#6
Realist Drives: No Camaro :( Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Chitown Burbs Posts: 1,136	I do mostly highway in tour mode in comfort. The car makes for a great daily driver or track beast, just choose a mode and press the go pedal.

11-07-2019, 07:32 AM	#7
crosive Drives: 18 zl1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: central alabama Posts: 935	It depends on the road. On certain stretches of highway, track mode isn't intolerable. on some of our back country roads, even tour mode will beat you to death.

11-07-2019, 07:54 AM	#10
6spdhyperblue Drives: 6th gen Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,691	While the ZL1 suspension is stiffer than the std ss magride, a lot of the harshness comes from the tire height. The non 1le SS has a taller front tire. I did No other changes went down to a “ZL1” height front tire and the ride got much more harsh. This is on a magride SS car. Food for thought

11-07-2019, 08:03 AM	#11
Rodan Drives: 2018 ZL1 coupe Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 589	I find both Tour and Sport to be pretty comfortable for everyday driving. There is a noticeable difference in the different settings. I have owned a lot of cars, and the stock ZL1 suspension is among the best I've ever driven. Comfortable enough for interstate cruising and composed enough for track work on sticky tires. Speaking of tires... a LOT of the harshness in the stock setup is the stock GY SC3 tires. I run Bridgstone A/S tires in the winter, and the softer sidewalls improve the ride a lot, at the expense of some handling, but at that point you're way beyond legal speeds anyway.

11-07-2019, 07:58 PM	#13
ABQautoxer Drives: 2019 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 81	Compared to an SSC twin, the ZL1 is WAY more comfy. It's still more comfy than most STX twins even on high end shocks. Depending what coilovers you have, you will likely find the ZL1 more comfortable, because I do and easily DD mine.

11-08-2019, 03:15 PM	#14
SouthFloridaGTO Drives: 2005 GTO, 2019 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 58	I daily drive a 2005 GTO with coil overs. I think the GTO is a harsher ride than the zl1 on tour. I'm on the younger side though, so the roughness isn't bothersome and I bought the coil overs knowing it would be harsher than the other suspension options.

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