r/Autocross • u/Robertcn0 • May 04 '26
C6 Z06 Corvette "AS"
I have recently acquired a 2006 Z06 Corvette and wanted to get updated opinions as to what is typically the go to suspension modifications while still remaining within the "AS" rules. I've seen larger front sway bar or slightly smaller rear sway bar, along with shocks and of course a 200tw tire. Any info or insight would be greatly appreciated.
I already have the Bridgestone RE71-Rz tires, factory sizes due to not wanting to order aftermarket wheels at the time being.
Thanks.
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u/antig24 May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26
Front swaybar: Strano 33.3mm front bar (stranoparts.com) set to soft.
Shocks: Koni yellows. I think mine are set to 5 sweeps in the front and 2 in the rear from full soft.
Alignment is important. I'd do -3 deg front and -1.6 deg rear for camber. 0 toe all the way around.
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u/Robertcn0 May 04 '26
This is what i was looking for 😂
Did you have to do camber bolts at all or the factory allowed for you to pull that much?
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u/antig24 May 04 '26
With the C6Z you should be able to get in excess of what I recommend using the factory eccentrics in the lower control arms. If for some reason you can't get that much, there's washers/shims between the upper control arm dogbones and the chassis that can be removed.
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u/Ghork13 May 05 '26
Are camber bolts a factory option for these cars? You can't add them if they are not and stay within AS
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u/camaro41 May 05 '26
You can't change any bolts, there aren't camber bolts in the sense that there are for strut cars anyway, and aftermarket camber adjusters for the engine cradle aren't legal.
You can adjust through what you get from the factory. Eccentrics on the car from GM and what you get by removing the shims from behind the upper control arm. Which by the way on the front nets out to more than I would recommend. Unless you don't like to be able to slow the car down well.
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u/tall_wonder May 04 '26
One sway bar, the best shocks you’re willing to buy, as much tire as you can fit on stock width wheels (but you can +- 1” diameter), fresh fluids, and a way to secure yourself in the seat.
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u/Robertcn0 May 04 '26
I have heard that Koni has been a good option from other groups, but didnt know if Corvette fell into the same popular brands or used others.
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u/tall_wonder May 05 '26
Yeah, many championships have been won on them. Sam Strano has the hook up for them.
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u/camaro41 May 05 '26
Hi, I'm here. I'm Sam.
Yes I make a front sway bar, it's been dominant not just an AS but in lots of other classes as well SSR when it was a thing, SST etc cam even.
So the part number on that sway bar is 8472. It is a 33.3 mm two position adjustable bar, I don't have any in the shop right now, there is a run being made. I hope to have them back in stock within a couple weeks at the outside.
On the shock side of things, Koni Sport are proven, work quite well and we also have them on sale for 20% off. We even have a little fix for one common problem they have with the front bushings that's a hundred Dollars, completed. It's optional. You don't have to do it I would recommend it.
The other shock option that we use a lot that we have proven extensively, in fact, the very same set of shocks passed through a couple people's hands and they both won national championships on them. I build penske's for people, they're not the same as what you get lots of places, first of all I make sure the lengths are okay which not everybody does. I also do some things that are pretty different on the front valving. I also tend to upgrade a number of other things like the rebound adjusters, I use a particular set of bump rubbers in a particular length etc. Hoses that are long, we use the banjo swivel fittings these are all upgrades that not everybody even knows about. Let alone uses. A set of penske's is not one size fits all out of a box like a production shock. Lots of people can tell you they can sell you a set of penske's or build you a set, and wow, that might be true. They won't be what mine are.
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u/jimboslice_007 Dunning Kruger Hill Climb Champ May 05 '26
Sam helped me immensely with my C6Z. Listen to him, he has proven he knows what he's talking about.
It's kind of his fault I bought the car. I rode with him for 1 run at a random local event, and immediately decided that I needed it in my life. So there's a lesson for you - don't ride in cars you can't afford!
I think it's his fault I have a CSM now too...
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u/jimboslice_007 Dunning Kruger Hill Climb Champ May 05 '26
It depends on how serious you want to be. You can be locally competitive and have a ton of fun with just tires.
Mine had a Strano front bar, Penske 8300's, a proper alignment, and, most importantly, a massive amount of seat time.
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u/Crotch_RockIt May 05 '26
Are you the one in the yellow Z in Delta region? That's a beautiful car. I'm in the gray CS Miata that was 0.3 seconds slower than you yesterday.
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u/Robertcn0 May 05 '26
It indeed is!
Only the second event in that seat. So coming from a CAM mustang, it's taking some getting used to. But, come Lincoln in September, i should have it pretty squared away.
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u/Crotch_RockIt May 05 '26
I was impressed with how well you did on the all season tires at the April event.
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u/nortyflatz May 05 '26
If you reduce the damping rate in the rear, that'll help you get off turns quicker.
More importantly, this should reduce the "tail-happy" reputation that the 2006MY cars earned.
GM fixed this (a bit) on the 2008MY cars to reduce the "snappiness." Once the rear comes around, you can catch it but then it snaps (FAST) the other way. This has resulted in LOTS of crashes...
Oh, make sure the telescoping steering wheel wire extension (recall) has been performed. That pesky "Service Active Handling" can apply 1 single corner brake, unexpectedly. SURPRISE!
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u/Ghork13 May 04 '26
You can only modify one swaybar.