C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

bilstein with or without z51?

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Old Jul 4, 2011 | 01:31 AM
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Default bilstein with or without z51?

Ok i need shocks for my 93 corvette and Ecklers has a set with and without Z51. They are the same price and i can get a 10 percent discount on the set with Z51. I looked at my codes and i do have FE1 on my console door. So can i get the Z51 or am i better off to get the ones without?
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Old Jul 4, 2011 | 08:47 AM
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Your suspension is set up to run the regular HD Bilstiens. You can run the Z51's but unless you track the car I wouldn't.
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Old Jul 4, 2011 | 09:53 AM
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The 93 model year did not have a Z51 suspension option. The choices were the FE1 base suspension, base suspension with FX3, or the Z07 HD Adjustable suspension. Z07 got HD springs, bigger sway bars, and FX3 and was a coupe only option.

There is a Bilstein HD shock that is as stiff as the earlier Z51-equipped cars (pre-91) and that is probably what the Eckler's catalog is showing as their "Z51 shock".

BADDUCK is right about the stiffer shocks; they will make the car ride pretty stiff on the street. But for autocross or track days, the Z51 Bilsteins are a very good value for a performance shock. It would be a good idea to use polyurethane bushing in the front and rear sway bars with these shocks which would further improve handling.

So for street driving and comfort, go with the standard shocks.
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Old Jul 4, 2011 | 01:31 PM
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Ok thats what i will order. I am also going to get new sway bar bushings. I have a clump behind the drivers wheel when i go over bumps.
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Old Jul 4, 2011 | 05:25 PM
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I went with the Z51 Bilsteins (Sport) on my FE1 '95, and I really like the combination on the street. The ride is not significantly different, but the response is better, and the wild gyrations it used to do when hitting uneven road creases (like an angled bridge transition) are completely gone.

Steven
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Old Jul 5, 2011 | 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by OldCorvetteFan
I went with the Z51 Bilsteins (Sport) on my FE1 '95, and I really like the combination on the street. The ride is not significantly different, but the response is better, and the wild gyrations it used to do when hitting uneven road creases (like an angled bridge transition) are completely gone.

Steven


I have the Z51 Bilsteins on my base suspension 94. I like the way it rides. I have put about 50k miles on this combination in the last 2.5 years and still like it.

I have an 85 Z51 and the 94 with the Z51 Bilsteins feels softer.
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Old Jul 5, 2011 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
Your suspension is set up to run the regular HD Bilstiens. You can run the Z51's but unless you track the car I wouldn't.
Not! That there is just BS.

Go with the Z51's and enjoy.
The valving difference has nothing to do with the track.

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Old Jul 5, 2011 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Not! That there is just BS.

Go with the Z51's and enjoy.
The valving difference has nothing to do with the track.

As usual you don't know what you are talking about. He has FE1 suspension. The 93 didn't even have a Z51 option. Go back and play with the "WAXERS" .
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Old Jul 5, 2011 | 11:46 PM
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"Your suspension is set up to run the regular HD Bilstiens. You can run the Z51's but unless you track the car I wouldn't."
I guess you didn't understand the meaning of your own answer.......


Interesting how easy it is to hook you into a reply.
Don't even need real bait.....

Owned!






Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Jul 5, 2011 at 11:52 PM.
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Old Jul 6, 2011 | 08:54 AM
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[QUOTE=JrRifleCoach;1578058719]"Your suspension is set up to run the regular HD Bilstiens. You can run the Z51's but unless you track the car I wouldn't."
I guess you didn't understand the meaning of your own answer.......


Ok, please enlighten me oh great one. Since I don't understand my answer, please grace me with your wisdom and explain to me what I meant.
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