Grand Sport replaces Z51.
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From: FL/MI
AFAIK the damper revalve idea came from a magazine article which stated the reviewer liked the "new" shocks in the rear for 2008... was not the case.
He apparently was talking through the seat of his pants...
Last edited by 1fastdog; May 1, 2009 at 01:42 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: FL/MI
I would imagine a whole hell of a lot to do with driver skill. I do know that even Magnussen said something to the effect that the fast Nurburgring lap in the old setup was a bit scary so you can imagine how intimidating it could be to drivers that are more towards the average range of the spectrum.
All in all it probably won't be a huge issue. They sell plenty of Z51 cars. And who knows what the shock valving changes will do anyway. A lot of the ride quality comes down to tires as well. If I was looking at Corvettes the Grand Sport would be very tempting. The only thing that would stop me is if it rode significantly harsher on crappy roads than my Formula with Konis and big bars. My point with the original comment I made was just that my ideal Corvette would be a wide-body with magnetic shocks that doesn't cost over $100,000
All in all it probably won't be a huge issue. They sell plenty of Z51 cars. And who knows what the shock valving changes will do anyway. A lot of the ride quality comes down to tires as well. If I was looking at Corvettes the Grand Sport would be very tempting. The only thing that would stop me is if it rode significantly harsher on crappy roads than my Formula with Konis and big bars. My point with the original comment I made was just that my ideal Corvette would be a wide-body with magnetic shocks that doesn't cost over $100,000
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: TX Med Ctr
The only revision done to Z06 dampers from original production was 2004. The C6 Z06 never had a shock change. Check the part numbers.
AFAIK the damper revalve idea came from a magazine article which stated the reviewer liked the "new" shocks in the rear for 2008... was not the case.
He apparently was talking through the seat of his pants...
AFAIK the damper revalve idea came from a magazine article which stated the reviewer liked the "new" shocks in the rear for 2008... was not the case.
He apparently was talking through the seat of his pants...
Sounds good. I would still prefer F55 though
From CF...
Originally Posted by normlunt
Based on previous threads I figured a screw was loose somewhere, so, I called Tadge Juechter, chief vehicle engineer for Corvette, and asked him about his comments to Car & Driver that appeared in the March issue regarding a change of shocks.
He actually returned my call (took me a long time to find him and get through the layers at GM) and he told me that they did their testing for the Z06 at VIR and other tracks that were smoother than at Grattan, where C&D did their tests. The Corvette suspension guys were happy with the 2006 shocks but after C&D complained about the way it handled at Grattan then in the summer of 2006 the engineers went to that track and determined that C&D was correct (at least for Grattan, a rougher track). So, considering everything, they decided to develop new rear shocks and they were installed on the cars that were given to the press fleet to test as 2007 Z06s. Tadge recalls that the shocks are not very different, but enough to make some difference at Grattan.
They fully INTENDED the new rear shocks to begin with the 2007 model year, however, Tadge said that the supplier had problems with shipping / containers / etc / and the new rear shocks have not actually been placed on the production line yet. Tadge said he thought (he's not absolutely positive just when) that the new shocks would begin to be installed in a couple of weeks on the production line. The new rear shocks will have a new part number.
Further, they decided a few months ago that Europe would get a different shock than either of the US rear shocks, because of the higher autobahn type speeds that they have over there. Europe has complained that the car was not buttoned down enough and US customers complain that the ride is too harsh. Hence, the 2 different rear shocks (I don't know if Europe is receiving their specific rear shocks yet).
The front shocks are all the same -- whether 2006, late 2007 or Europe (this is according to Tadge's best recollection).
I hope this helps clear up this Q. We Corvette owners can get pretty crazy when it comes to details on our cars ....... and in this particular case everyone was correct. C&D had the new shocks when they tested at Grattan and they were right (at least for the rougher track). Allanlaw was also correct that the part # was the same and that no change had occurred yet.
I really appreciate that a busy executive like Tadge returned my call. Very nice guy!!!
He actually returned my call (took me a long time to find him and get through the layers at GM) and he told me that they did their testing for the Z06 at VIR and other tracks that were smoother than at Grattan, where C&D did their tests. The Corvette suspension guys were happy with the 2006 shocks but after C&D complained about the way it handled at Grattan then in the summer of 2006 the engineers went to that track and determined that C&D was correct (at least for Grattan, a rougher track). So, considering everything, they decided to develop new rear shocks and they were installed on the cars that were given to the press fleet to test as 2007 Z06s. Tadge recalls that the shocks are not very different, but enough to make some difference at Grattan.
They fully INTENDED the new rear shocks to begin with the 2007 model year, however, Tadge said that the supplier had problems with shipping / containers / etc / and the new rear shocks have not actually been placed on the production line yet. Tadge said he thought (he's not absolutely positive just when) that the new shocks would begin to be installed in a couple of weeks on the production line. The new rear shocks will have a new part number.
Further, they decided a few months ago that Europe would get a different shock than either of the US rear shocks, because of the higher autobahn type speeds that they have over there. Europe has complained that the car was not buttoned down enough and US customers complain that the ride is too harsh. Hence, the 2 different rear shocks (I don't know if Europe is receiving their specific rear shocks yet).
The front shocks are all the same -- whether 2006, late 2007 or Europe (this is according to Tadge's best recollection).
I hope this helps clear up this Q. We Corvette owners can get pretty crazy when it comes to details on our cars ....... and in this particular case everyone was correct. C&D had the new shocks when they tested at Grattan and they were right (at least for the rougher track). Allanlaw was also correct that the part # was the same and that no change had occurred yet.
I really appreciate that a busy executive like Tadge returned my call. Very nice guy!!!
Last edited by HAZ-Matt; May 1, 2009 at 07:01 PM.
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From: FL/MI
I think it did. The change happened late in (April) MY2007 production. If you look up the part number for the rear shocks for any of the model years you will get the revised spec shock. The guys on CF in the Z06 section who have owned early and late Z06's, or swapped the revised shocks on their 06's or early 07's say that it is quite a significant difference.
Sounds good. I would still prefer F55 though
From CF...
Sounds good. I would still prefer F55 though
From CF...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
I like the uniqueness of some of it... overall I like the Grand SPort.
Somethings I'm not sure about....
I kind of wish they'd have offered a center stripe along with the hash stripes.
By being an add-on option package rather than a seperate model, like the 96, I think these will have less collectibility than the 96 GS's which have really taken off, and are probably the most collectible of the C4's...
Somethings I'm not sure about....
I kind of wish they'd have offered a center stripe along with the hash stripes.
By being an add-on option package rather than a seperate model, like the 96, I think these will have less collectibility than the 96 GS's which have really taken off, and are probably the most collectible of the C4's...
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Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 511
From: Mill Creek, WA
Lot's of talk about the gills on the Corvette Forum. I'd say most are leaning towards a nay vote but it's close.
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Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 511
From: Mill Creek, WA
I think it did. The change happened late in (April) MY2007 production. If you look up the part number for the rear shocks for any of the model years you will get the revised spec shock. The guys on CF in the Z06 section who have owned early and late Z06's, or swapped the revised shocks on their 06's or early 07's say that it is quite a significant difference.
From CF...
From CF...
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,030
From: Frankfort, KY U.S.A.
Some new real world pics. released
The new Grand Sport is looking pretty sweet and those wheels are awesome. If I was in the market for a new Vette, a Grand Sport Convertible is what I'd get.
The new Grand Sport is looking pretty sweet and those wheels are awesome. If I was in the market for a new Vette, a Grand Sport Convertible is what I'd get.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
I freakin' love this. Those new wheels kick serious ***.
However, I think you should still be able to order the Z51 package alone, without the bodywork. Not everyone will want to pony up an extra five grand, but an extra fifteen hundred isn't as bad. Plus, there may be some who'd like the better gearing and brakes / suspension but don't prefer the widebody look.
EDIT: Ooooh, I had forgotten that this gets you the Z06's brakes. So maybe it would push the price of the Z51 up just a bit (if they didn't want to have three different brakes available - base, original Z51, and the Z06 brakes).
Geez this car is so hot.
I too would take a Grand Sport convertible if I were buying a new Vette. That's a no brainer.
However, I think you should still be able to order the Z51 package alone, without the bodywork. Not everyone will want to pony up an extra five grand, but an extra fifteen hundred isn't as bad. Plus, there may be some who'd like the better gearing and brakes / suspension but don't prefer the widebody look.
EDIT: Ooooh, I had forgotten that this gets you the Z06's brakes. So maybe it would push the price of the Z51 up just a bit (if they didn't want to have three different brakes available - base, original Z51, and the Z06 brakes).
Geez this car is so hot.
I too would take a Grand Sport convertible if I were buying a new Vette. That's a no brainer.
Last edited by 96_Camaro_B4C; Jun 15, 2009 at 07:45 AM.
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This car is gorgeous. I had the pleasure of meeting the Corvette Chief Engineer a couple weeks ago with a group of other people and he gave us a 'walk around' of the two cars pictured above (blue removable hardtop and yellow convertible). They're very good looking...and they sound great too 
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From: Lake Hopatcong N.J
The bumper cover has the dip leading up to the opening and it appears to have the Z06 fog lights? What am I not seeing?I LOVE the wheels! But Not digging the dry sump oil system for the M6 cars
4+ extra quarts for the engine makes more work and I doubt the car needs it.
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Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Manual Grand Sport comes with the dry sump setup from the Z06, automatic Grand Sport does not.
For everyday driving, the dry sump is not needed, but the Grand Sport is designed in the spirit of road racing, therefore it gets the superior dry sump set up... at least with the manual.
I like it, and I feel it fits the spirit of the package.
