C6 Z06 Shocks -- DRM vs VIKING DA
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
C6 Z06 Shocks -- DRM vs VIKING DA
Hey everyone. I'm fairly new to the c6 z06 community having just picked one up in April. I am coming out of a 2004 z06, which I sold in March. I thought that car was very well damped, and I'm not crazy about how my new 2009 z06 feels. Grips like hell, but feels floaty and a little unsettled at speed. My car is stock, with a fresh set of Potenza RE-11s. I only plan on getting an alignment and slightly lowering the ride height. I do not plan on tracking the car, but I want the car to respond and feel like a z06 should.
I have read outstanding things about the DRM Bilsteins and was Planning on ordering a set due to the rave reviews and Randy's recommendations. However, I also stumbled across Viking double adjustable shocks for a couple hundred more dollars. Are these worth the extra money? Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these shocks?
I used to race motorcycles and have had some experience tuning my own suspension on 2 wheels. But I don't want to be messing around with adjustment screws every time I drive the car. I would like to get it set and just drive. Any input is appreciated.
I have read outstanding things about the DRM Bilsteins and was Planning on ordering a set due to the rave reviews and Randy's recommendations. However, I also stumbled across Viking double adjustable shocks for a couple hundred more dollars. Are these worth the extra money? Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these shocks?
I used to race motorcycles and have had some experience tuning my own suspension on 2 wheels. But I don't want to be messing around with adjustment screws every time I drive the car. I would like to get it set and just drive. Any input is appreciated.
#2
Here'a bump for you on this one. I'm curious about the Viking products as well. I got to mess with them at a PRI show a couple of years ago and they seemed like quality pieces but feedback on them in the corvette world seems scarce.
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#4
Racer
Thread Starter
Good advice. Honestly that's why I'm fishing for some info. Apparently they have been around and are big in the mustang and muscle car community. They recently (2015?) came out with products for c5 and c6s. I'm 90% sure I'm going to get the DRMs, but I just figured I would vet all my options before I pull the trigger next week.
#5
Burning Brakes
I'd go with the DRM. Unless Viking can provide you with a few things. Are they rebuildable here in the US? Also, at what cost? Do they provide dyno sheets for the shocks your buying showing what the compression and rebound ***** do? My JRi's did. Do the ***** act independently or in conjunction with each other?
Realistically, if your not autocrossing, doing HPDE events or racing door to door you don't need double adjustable shocks. Chances are they will just confuse you and you'll end up with a worse ride than stock.
Realistically, if your not autocrossing, doing HPDE events or racing door to door you don't need double adjustable shocks. Chances are they will just confuse you and you'll end up with a worse ride than stock.
Last edited by chetly; 07-20-2016 at 12:47 PM.
#6
Drifting
Braun now has their shocks on his C5 Z06, which has done pretty well in SSR class SCCA autocross competition (just won the PittRace national tour this past weekend, and second at the three Pro Solos he's run, right there with Strano, Reeve, Peters, etc). To my knowledge, he's the only top tier Street/Stock category autocrosser running Vi-King shocks.
Last edited by acrace; 07-20-2016 at 01:15 PM.
#7
Drifting
I'd go with the DRM. Unless Viking can provide you with a few things. Are they rebuildable here in the US? Also, at what cost? Do they provide dyno sheets for the shocks your buying showing what the compression and rebound ***** do? My JRi's did. Do the ***** act independently or in conjunction with each other?
Realistically, if your not autocrossing, doing HPDE events or racing door to door you don't need double adjustable shocks. Chances are they will just confuse you and you'll end up with a worse ride than stock.
Realistically, if your not autocrossing, doing HPDE events or racing door to door you don't need double adjustable shocks. Chances are they will just confuse you and you'll end up with a worse ride than stock.
One thing I found interesting is that they do have rebound revalve instructions on their website.
But given what I have in my "inventory", I'd be more inclined to rebuild my well worn Penskes first.
BTW, agree with your comments about the "necessity" of double adjustable shocks for a purely street driven car.
Last edited by acrace; 07-20-2016 at 01:10 PM.
#8
Drifting
Hey everyone. I'm fairly new to the c6 z06 community having just picked one up in April. I am coming out of a 2004 z06, which I sold in March. I thought that car was very well damped, and I'm not crazy about how my new 2009 z06 feels. Grips like hell, but feels floaty and a little unsettled at speed. My car is stock, with a fresh set of Potenza RE-11s. I only plan on getting an alignment and slightly lowering the ride height. I do not plan on tracking the car, but I want the car to respond and feel like a z06 should.
I have read outstanding things about the DRM Bilsteins and was Planning on ordering a set due to the rave reviews and Randy's recommendations. However, I also stumbled across Viking double adjustable shocks for a couple hundred more dollars. Are these worth the extra money? Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these shocks?
I used to race motorcycles and have had some experience tuning my own suspension on 2 wheels. But I don't want to be messing around with adjustment screws every time I drive the car. I would like to get it set and just drive. Any input is appreciated.
I have read outstanding things about the DRM Bilsteins and was Planning on ordering a set due to the rave reviews and Randy's recommendations. However, I also stumbled across Viking double adjustable shocks for a couple hundred more dollars. Are these worth the extra money? Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these shocks?
I used to race motorcycles and have had some experience tuning my own suspension on 2 wheels. But I don't want to be messing around with adjustment screws every time I drive the car. I would like to get it set and just drive. Any input is appreciated.
I had the same complaint about the damping on my C6 Z06 (2009 MY). Particularly the rear felt unsettled, particularly over mild pavement undulations while cornering.
I do have a set of DRMs on my C6 Z06 now. Much more settled for that condition, and not as much "harshness" over potholes, etc.
Last edited by acrace; 07-20-2016 at 01:16 PM.
#9
I know what you are talking about, the C5Z is stiffer and I loved that. Especially lowered with some camber dialed in, damn it rode good.
The C6Z just doesn't have the same stiffness over bumps, but I never lowered it. The air dam seemed to scrape more at stock ride hight. I'd call DRM and tell them you want the same stiffness and ask what they suggest to address the problem instead of asking for a specific part.
The C6Z just doesn't have the same stiffness over bumps, but I never lowered it. The air dam seemed to scrape more at stock ride hight. I'd call DRM and tell them you want the same stiffness and ask what they suggest to address the problem instead of asking for a specific part.
#10
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
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DRM has been around for years
I got my latest springs from them.
Never heard of the other guys
Seen to many vendors come & go.
Go with the ones with a record
I got my latest springs from them.
Never heard of the other guys
Seen to many vendors come & go.
Go with the ones with a record
#11
Race Director
Braun now has their shocks on his C5 Z06, which has done pretty well in SSR class SCCA autocross competition (just won the PittRace national tour this past weekend, and second at the three Pro Solos he's run, right there with Strano, Reeve, Peters, etc). To my knowledge, he's the only top tier Street/Stock category autocrosser running Vi-King shocks.
So personally, I'm not swayed by that.
Now if the 50% of the trophy cars in a class at nat's are using the same piece of equipment, I pay attention.
#12
Drifting
My observation on when a "top driver" uses a particular brand of anything, is that these guys can drive a (insert the name of the worst handling car you have ever driven) to a top place finish.
So personally, I'm not swayed by that.
Now if the 50% of the trophy cars in a class at nat's are using the same piece of equipment, I pay attention.
So personally, I'm not swayed by that.
Now if the 50% of the trophy cars in a class at nat's are using the same piece of equipment, I pay attention.
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
From what I read the DRMs are pretty much optimized for the C6z. The question is, is it going to be enough of an upgrade over stock for me to be satisfied. And if not, will the Vikings have enough adjustability to allow me to find the right settings for my intended use (canyons, highway ramps, high speed fun). I doubt it will be seeing track time, but it doesn't mean it can't be set up for the track.
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
I guess what it comes down to is...can I replicate the DRM valving with the adjustability of the Vikings? If so, it's a done deal. Because I will have their optimized setup plus the ability to tailor to my butt feel. If not, then I will probably lean toward the professionally set up shocks, and leave it alone.
#15
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Lewisville TX
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
You will find a lot of 'new adjustable' shocks hitting the market every year and as time goes on they typically fade away as well.
If you want to keep a stock replacement style shock on the car then stick with a name brand. There is a reason guys like ourselves and DRM use Bilstein shocks (even the OEM) is their decades of experience both OEM and on the race track. Their floating pressure chamber and nitrogen charged mono tube shock design is unbeatable price per performance seen on track.
You have a number of choices from either a off the shelf HD or Sport shock to the DRM valved units if you want a OEM replacement set. You can go with something custom built like our Sport shocks which use a Motorsports Bilstein shock package as well and our own mounting kit or a coil over.
As for the adjustable part...if you are going to do an adjustable shock, then spend the money and get an adjustable shock. I would state these two things....1. Is it worth it to spend $5000+ on shocks only? 2. Do you know what you are doing when adjusting bump and rebound? If you can not wholeheartedly say yes to both of those questions then I wouldn't worry about it. Ohlins, Penske, and Bilstein all do a single, double, and triple adjustable shock but those are about the three names only I would use when picking one.
If you want to keep a stock replacement style shock on the car then stick with a name brand. There is a reason guys like ourselves and DRM use Bilstein shocks (even the OEM) is their decades of experience both OEM and on the race track. Their floating pressure chamber and nitrogen charged mono tube shock design is unbeatable price per performance seen on track.
You have a number of choices from either a off the shelf HD or Sport shock to the DRM valved units if you want a OEM replacement set. You can go with something custom built like our Sport shocks which use a Motorsports Bilstein shock package as well and our own mounting kit or a coil over.
As for the adjustable part...if you are going to do an adjustable shock, then spend the money and get an adjustable shock. I would state these two things....1. Is it worth it to spend $5000+ on shocks only? 2. Do you know what you are doing when adjusting bump and rebound? If you can not wholeheartedly say yes to both of those questions then I wouldn't worry about it. Ohlins, Penske, and Bilstein all do a single, double, and triple adjustable shock but those are about the three names only I would use when picking one.
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#16
Racer
Thread Starter
Hey Anthony thanks for the response. I didn't know LG makes a sport shock. I thought you guys only made the g2 coil overs. I would certainly be interested in speaking with you about different shock packages. I plan on retaining the stock leaf springs. I haven't found any quantitative data to prove coilovers are better than the stock leaf springs, so i just want to improve on the stock set up and not spend a ton of money and completely reengineer it. Again, im looking to make a corvette gt3.
#17
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Lewisville TX
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Hey Anthony thanks for the response. I didn't know LG makes a sport shock. I thought you guys only made the g2 coil overs. I would certainly be interested in speaking with you about different shock packages. I plan on retaining the stock leaf springs. I haven't found any quantitative data to prove coilovers are better than the stock leaf springs, so i just want to improve on the stock set up and not spend a ton of money and completely reengineer it. Again, im looking to make a corvette gt3.
Yes sir.
Last edited by Anthony @ LGMotorsports; 07-21-2016 at 11:02 AM.
#18
I had the Viking DA coilovers on my old 4th gen SS. Those shocks were great for drag racing, but when you stiffened them up for auto-X or road course they just didn't provide the ride that my DRM Bilsteins do on my C5. They gave me a very bumpy wagon like ride when they were stiffened on my Camaro.
The Corvette feels planted on the track and it still rides very comfortably on the streets with the DRM shocks. I love them.
Now, I know these are two very different cars, but in my opinion, I would go with the DRMs for your car if you're looking at autoX or track performance.
The Corvette feels planted on the track and it still rides very comfortably on the streets with the DRM shocks. I love them.
Now, I know these are two very different cars, but in my opinion, I would go with the DRMs for your car if you're looking at autoX or track performance.
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
I had the Viking DA coilovers on my old 4th gen SS. Those shocks were great for drag racing, but when you stiffened them up for auto-X or road course they just didn't provide the ride that my DRM Bilsteins do on my C5. They gave me a very bumpy wagon like ride when they were stiffened on my Camaro.
The Corvette feels planted on the track and it still rides very comfortably on the streets with the DRM shocks. I love them.
Now, I know these are two very different cars, but in my opinion, I would go with the DRMs for your car if you're looking at autoX or track performance.
The Corvette feels planted on the track and it still rides very comfortably on the streets with the DRM shocks. I love them.
Now, I know these are two very different cars, but in my opinion, I would go with the DRMs for your car if you're looking at autoX or track performance.
Last edited by Mig233; 07-22-2016 at 07:25 PM.
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