Studying4boards

Hello guys. I have a 2003 Z06 with 75k miles. I have read many shocks related threads and am confused. Could you guys recommend and educate me on shocks. I'm only interested in either 2004 C5Z shocks or the C6Z shocks. Nothing aftermarket. Could you tell me which are better and what the difference is between the 2. I don't track my car at all. Many thanks in advance.

Solofast

There isn't much damping difference, the 04 shocks will ride just a bit smoother since they are set up for a slightly softer spring. The C6 shocks are much less expensive. Either one is a good choice.

For the price of the 04 shocks you could probably go with Koni sports which are adjustable and are a very good shock. Koni's are warranted for life and don't wear out as quickly as the stock shocks do. OE shocks don't tend to last as long as really good quality shocks like Koni's.

There are lots of aftermarket shocks that are junk, but Bilsteins and Koni's are generally considered to be better quality parts than OE shocks.

That said, the 04Z shocks are made by Sach's and they are a step up compared to typical OE shocks as far as quality goes.

Studying4boards

Thank you..!

Trash

I recently installed new shocks on my 2002 Z06. Many said the C6Z shocks were cheaper (they are) but I felt that the 04Z shocks were valved and setup for the C5 platform and thus went that route.

Installation is straightforward.

The 04Z shocks appear to feel a little stiffer than the 02Z shocks and the rear end rebound damping seem slightly different.

I did not have the chance to to an A / B comparison between the shocks on a track.

Studying4boards

Thank you..!!

Solofast

The 04 Z shocks have digressive valving and this is the difference between them and the earlier shocks. They are not stiffer, in fact at higher speeds they are softer. If you look on line you can find the damping curves and see the difference.

If you look at the valving curves for the C5Z shocks and the Bilstien sport shocks in the front they are identical. In the back the C5Z shocks have a bit less damping at higher speeds but are close enough that you would have to be a ride and handling engineer to tell the difference. Both are excellent choices for a Z with stock springs.

Cybermind

I know you stated that you don't want aftermarket, but I can't even begin to tell you how good the Koni Sports are.

Studying4boards

Hi and thanks. I don't know about the Konis for Corvettes, I'm sure they are a great shock but I have had first hand experience with Koni and it was not very good (for me at least).
I put them on my E-Class Mercedes and was very happy with the ride quality. However, I had to replace rear shock 4 times because they always started leaking oil. I was never hard on them, it was a Mercedes sedan. I drive like a grandma. Even though they had lifetime warranty, having to replace them so often was a huge pain. Are they being manufactured overseas? My experience was not very good so I'm trying to stay away from them. Maybe they make a good shock for the Corvette. I'm afraid to try.

Geneseo Z06

I replaced the shocks on my low mile 03 due to the way the rear felt unsettled at times. I went with the C6 Z OEM shocks and could not be happier. The new shocks cured the cars weird feeling and have been on the car for over 3 trouble free years.

63Corvette

http://www.sportrider.com/technicali...amping?image=2

TurboLag26

Where are people buying the 04 shocks? I have looked on rock auto but there are a few options and they are AC-Delco. Have also read that they don't make 04 shocks anymore but people keep recommending them.

Can someone post some links to buy?

Are these correct? http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....423921&jsn=418
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....423921&jsn=419

Millennium FRC

Very happy with my C6 Z06 shocks.

TurboLag26

Anyone?

63Corvette

Forum vendor Cultrag: http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/c...position=right

TurboLag26

Thanks. Found another thread from Cultrag as you posted. Ordered his 2013 Z06 suspension package. Good enough, I just need some new shocks!

racebum

not correct, the 04z shocks are sold under the gm 8 digit and delco 6 digit

540-137 is one part number and for the rear, 540 146 i think is the front, gm numbers are

10339944 - Front Shocks
10339945 - Rear Shocks


very hard to find the fronts at a good deal now. i used these in 2013 when i replaced mine and that was around the end of the run. gm is famous for discontinuing a LOT of parts at 10 years of age meaning 2014. unless you can source a good deal on a set of 04z shocks around 450 i would go c6z just because they are new and available even though i would prefer the 04z shock

MY03C5Z

Are all years of c6z shocks the same? Looking to replace mine, wondering if there were any changes from 06-13.

JETninja

I'm looking at a very low mileage 02Z with Johnny O'Connell Shocks and Sways, I know nothing about them. My last Z was an '04 and the stock shocks were great.

Solofast

The Johnny O package was designed as an upgrade to stiffen the car a bit and it's matched and balanced so it should work just fine. I don't know what springs the tuned it for, but if it was done for the Z06 springs then it should be fine.

Also the Johnny O rear bar is adjustable, so you can fine tune it to get the car balanced.

Here's a link to the Pfadt sway bar chart..

http://www.pfadtracing.com/pdfs/Corv...omparison.jpeg

As you can see in the chart, the Johnny O bars are not quite as stiff at T1 bars, but T1 bars are considered to be pretty brutal on the street.

I don't know what springs the Johnny O bars were designed to use. On a Z06 with the stiffer springs that's going to be a pretty firm package. When used with the softer base car springs the probably wouldn't be bad at all.

Remember that springs and bars are only part of the equation, shocks are the most important part of ride quality.

My suggestion is to drive the car and see if it's too firm. If it isn't, fine, if it is, then you can go back to softer shocks or bars.

JETninja

Seller doesn't mention new springs so I imagine they are the stock springs......