stevensa

I know this has been covered a bunch, but every thread I read seems to slightly contradict the other.

Basically which shocks would you recommend for the following.

02 z06, Kumho XS, stock springs, stock sway now possibly upgrading to a Pfadt bar in the near future.

Koni, New 04z, Bilstein, Pfadt, Other?

Personal experiences?

TS Motorsport

I have 2010 Z06 shocks and they work really well. Some argue they're not as good as the 04's because of the gas shock shaft length between the two vehicles.

sperkins

Depends on what you want in the long run. Plan ahead now for whatever series/class you might compete in someday.
I like the '04Z shocks personally, but if I had to buy a set it would be from Penske - no doubt about it.

SouthernSon

Just put on a set of koni 3013's inverted adjustable. These are not rebuildable and they are a little shorter than OEM. My car door now rubs on the trailer tires. I like them so far.

travisnd

Running TTA like sperkins I run the 2004 Z06 shocks because they are a 0-points mod and do the job. I don't really have much to compare to other than running Bilstein Sports on an older Z06 and then Koni FSDs on the street.

Here's me chasing brkntrxn last weekend at VIR... notice how "uncomposed" his car is wallowing around etc.... mine doesn't do that. He's on 2003s and stock bushings vs. me on 2004s and Pfadt polys.



PS - This isn't a critique of Kevin's driving, just seems to illustrate the differences quite well.

GeorgeZNJ

I've been running the 04's since 06, and still like them.

autoxer6

I raced with the '04 shocks, Koni 3013, and custom Penskes.

Bang for the buck, its hard to beat the Koni 3013. You aren't giving up much to the high dollar shocks either. They are stock length. (Southern Son's ride height may have changed because the gas pressure may be different from what he had before.)

You may also consider installing hardbars spherical bushings on any of the shocks you mentioned.

sothpaw2

[QUOTE=travisnd;1577207754]Running TTA like sperkins I run the 2004 Z06 shocks because they are a 0-points mod and do the job. I don't really have much to compare to other than running Bilstein Sports on an older Z06 and then Koni FSDs on the street.





Curious how you felt the '04 compared to the Bilstein Sports? I've heard the front pair is identical and the rears pretty similar w/the sports maybe a little softer in the rear.

From talking to folks here there are basically 2 camps: Koni 3013 vs. Bilstein. It seems the Koni is a great shock and seems more prevalent for auto-x then for HPDE. Some folks are not as impressed w/it though and it may be a bit of work to adjust it. The Bilstein Sports seem like a very common HPDE upgrade. DRM also makes a special valving (tested on the C6Z) which is firmer than the Sport. Folks like the DRM. Not a huge number of C5s have them yet though.

I think when it comes to Koni vs Bilstein for HPDE, besides cost, the most basic question is how comfortable are you with making tweeks to the rebound between sessions to get them dialed in. The Bilsteins offer no adjustment.

SouthernSon

That is probably what it is. Thanks for the clarification. That reminds me, I need to go get a treated board to bolt onto my trailer before loading this afternoon.

Zenak

did you read the sticky in this section:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...e-learned.html

stevensa

I have and because it you have coilovers burning in the back of my head still!!!

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. Right now I think I am leaning toward the Bilstein sports as they sounds like a decent shock for a great price. The stock 04's are a close second. Pretty much anything is going to be a huge upgrade over my stock 40k 02 shocks.

Another quick questions that is related but slightly off topic. How big of a difference do coilovers REALLY make? Im sure there is a significant difference in overall feel and confidence, but how about lap time wise, is it worth the money? Obviously driver has a HUGE impact on performance and I would consider myself an average driver, but it seems that there is rarely a coilover car on track that I am not within a second or two of or most of the time faster than. is it really worth the money?

stevensa

Also, does anyone know much about the Johnny O shocks and sway combo?

sothpaw2

I ordered the sways so I'll be doing a review

The sways to me look similar to the hotchkis but with a bigger ft bar (35mm) plus poly bushings and adjust. end links. Hoping they are almost as good as t1 bars.

The combo was mostly track tested using a c6z.

Gering

Sir, I have these and like them a lot. If you want to go to full coil over later, then you are half way there. http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=2071

vetdude

From everything I've read, the '04Z shocks are good for track days; not so much daily street use (too stiff).

travisnd

That's not the case at all... the springs really determine how stiff the car is and the shock just controls the spring movement. My father had a bone stock 2004 Z16 Z06 for a few years and it rode/drove just like any other Z06. They just work better when you start to push the car.

ipuig

On the contrary in my case, the ride harshness was reduced when I replaced my 72K mile 01Z shocks with the 04Z shocks I have now.

RaleighSS

I have been running the Koni FSD with Poly bushings everywhere for a couple years now .. Never really had any complaints next plan is to upgrade stock sways .. then revisit the shocks

Z06Tracker

I agree with Sperkins. You can't begin to answer the question without knowing what your want to do with the car. There are many great alternatives, but the best choice depends on many variables including application, personal preference, and budget.

vetdude

It's really quite simple - we want my wife's '98 C5 convertible with the base FE1 suspension to ride/handle like a Corvette, not a Malibu. My C6Z rides/handles like a Corvette should.