Shocks
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Shocks
waht type of shocks are people running. I have T1 Sways and Z06 shocks, but I am thinking of changing the shocks to something different.
Wondering what my choices are and teh advantages to those choices over Z06 shocks.
Wondering what my choices are and teh advantages to those choices over Z06 shocks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 2
From: Private
I run Blistein sports, had stock Z06 shocks before (2001). I hear the 04 Z shocks made a noticable difference, but they are expensive. I noticed a big difference going from 01 Z shocks to Bilstein sports. My car is lowered and I have always heard the sports work well with lowered cars vs the Z06 shocks.
At the very minimum for the $$$$, the sports are a nice upgrade. You can get them for $299 a set vs the 04's which are around $400 (I think). If you ever run plan on running T1 springs, you may want to consider using the Sachs T1 shocks. They are valved to work properly with the T1 spring rates.
My advice (before you get to mod crazy), think about where you would like to be in a year or two and plan your mods accordingly. Don't go through many of our mistakes,and buy the same mods 2 or 3 times over. Once you get use to the 04's or Bilsteins, you will want something else. If I could go back, I would do the full T1 kit FIRST. But the $5k installed was hard to swallow for HPDE, but in retrospect...would have saved money!!!
At the very minimum for the $$$$, the sports are a nice upgrade. You can get them for $299 a set vs the 04's which are around $400 (I think). If you ever run plan on running T1 springs, you may want to consider using the Sachs T1 shocks. They are valved to work properly with the T1 spring rates.
My advice (before you get to mod crazy), think about where you would like to be in a year or two and plan your mods accordingly. Don't go through many of our mistakes,and buy the same mods 2 or 3 times over. Once you get use to the 04's or Bilsteins, you will want something else. If I could go back, I would do the full T1 kit FIRST. But the $5k installed was hard to swallow for HPDE, but in retrospect...would have saved money!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Originally Posted by 95jersey
My advice (before you get to mod crazy), think about where you would like to be in a year or two and plan your mods accordingly. Don't go through many of our mistakes,and buy the same mods 2 or 3 times over. Once you get use to the 04's or Bilsteins, you will want something else. If I could go back, I would do the full T1 kit FIRST. But the $5k installed was hard to swallow for HPDE, but in retrospect...would have saved money!!!
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
I also run the Bilstein's. I think that the SACHS and the Bilsteins are pretty close. I don't think you would notice a big difference until you get up to the Penske's or other really good shocks. I have not had any problems with the Bilsteins and will run them until the blow out, or I get a sponsor that wants me to run Penske's.....Hint Hint....anyone out there?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,464
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From: Private
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
The T1s are now $137 each, but can they be used wihtout T1 Springs? I have T1 sways, but not sure if/when I am going to move to T1 Springs.
For example, the Bilstein sport shocks are valved for Z51/Z06 springs rates, the T1's are valved for the T1 springs. Beyond that you are in custom territorry or an adjustable shock. As many have said the T1 kit while not as good as coil overs, is ready to run very well out of the box as a complete system.
So, you can always get the sports, because they work well and are cheap. This might hold you over for a year or two and then you can do the T1 kit someday? If you were going to buy some $2000 custom shocks, I would do the T1 kit instead. $2000 shocks on a stock corvette suspension may be overkill.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by 95jersey
It's not the swaybar that dictates what type of shocks you should run, it's the springs. The valving in the shock needs to match the spring rate to propertly dampen the car. This is why many send their shocks to Bilstein for custom valving. I think John runs some heavy springs (maybe heavier than T1) and I beleive he had Bilstein do the custom valving to match the spring rates.
For example, the Bilstein sport shocks are valved for Z51/Z06 springs rates, the T1's are valved for the T1 springs. Beyond that you are in custom territorry or an adjustable shock. As many have said the T1 kit while not as good as coil overs, is ready to run very well out of the box as a complete system.
So, you can always get the sports, because they work well and are cheap. This might hold you over for a year or two and then you can do the T1 kit someday? If you were going to buy some $2000 custom shocks, I would do the T1 kit instead. $2000 shocks on a stock corvette suspension may be overkill.
For example, the Bilstein sport shocks are valved for Z51/Z06 springs rates, the T1's are valved for the T1 springs. Beyond that you are in custom territorry or an adjustable shock. As many have said the T1 kit while not as good as coil overs, is ready to run very well out of the box as a complete system.
So, you can always get the sports, because they work well and are cheap. This might hold you over for a year or two and then you can do the T1 kit someday? If you were going to buy some $2000 custom shocks, I would do the T1 kit instead. $2000 shocks on a stock corvette suspension may be overkill.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 2
From: Private
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
Sounds like I will wait until winter then and change over to the T1 springs. The Z06 shocks I have now are pretty new so I can live with them for the rest of this year.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Hillsborough New Jersey
I installed a set of '04 shocks
Hey, Weasel.
I installed a set of '04 ZO6 shocks in my '02. I noticed quite a bit of differnece on the track. I got them cheap and once I added the T1 sway bars, the car handled much better.
GB
I installed a set of '04 ZO6 shocks in my '02. I noticed quite a bit of differnece on the track. I got them cheap and once I added the T1 sway bars, the car handled much better.
GB
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by GB'sZo6
Hey, Weasel.
I installed a set of '04 ZO6 shocks in my '02. I noticed quite a bit of differnece on the track. I got them cheap and once I added the T1 sway bars, the car handled much better.
GB
I installed a set of '04 ZO6 shocks in my '02. I noticed quite a bit of differnece on the track. I got them cheap and once I added the T1 sway bars, the car handled much better.
GB
I agree. I have the C6 Z06 shocks on the car with T1 bars, but I was looking for the next step. I think the winter I will go with springs and then figure out what shocks match those springs.I never knew that shocks had to match springs
. Forum is a big help....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,541
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From: Arlington TX
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
I never knew that shocks had to match springs . Forum is a big help....
. Forum is a big help....If you have soft springs and hard shocks the suspension will take too long to return to normal ride height due to the springs fighting the stiff shocks but will not overshoot after a bump.
If you have hard springs and soft shocks the strong springs will overshoot past normal ride height because the shocks will not be strong enough to dampen the strong springs.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Bob,
I'm running DRM shortened and revalved coilovers with T1 sways. Love the setup - zero understeer (everyone predicted I would have). Car feels solid and sticks like velcro in the twisties.
I just need new wheels/tyres now
Stephen
I'm running DRM shortened and revalved coilovers with T1 sways. Love the setup - zero understeer (everyone predicted I would have). Car feels solid and sticks like velcro in the twisties.
I just need new wheels/tyres now
Stephen
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 2
From: Private
OH BTW, I have a set of Bilsteins that are about 1.5 years old (3000 miles) on them. They are in very good shape if not almost perfect. I am willing to let them go cheap and you can send them to Bilstein for a customer rebuild/revalve to match Z06 or T1 suspension. I think Bilstein charges something like $25 bucks a shock (not sure). This way you can have them revalved and not have your car up on stands for 2 weeks. They are $299 new on the web. I am willing to part for $100 shipped!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,855
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From: Grovetown GA
Originally Posted by 95jersey
OH BTW, I have a set of Bilsteins that are about 1.5 years old (3000 miles) on them. They are in very good shape if not almost perfect. I am willing to let them go cheap and you can send them to Bilstein for a customer rebuild/revalve to match Z06 or T1 suspension. I think Bilstein charges something like $25 bucks a shock (not sure). This way you can have them revalved and not have your car up on stands for 2 weeks. They are $299 new on the web. I am willing to part for $100 shipped!
$65 a piece to rebuild Bilsteins - I am sending a set soon for "spares" to be revalved...
