1996 LT4 shock replacement question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 24
From: Adairsville, Georgia
1996 LT4 shock replacement question
Hello everyone, my 1996 CE is LONG overdue for a shock replacement. I was wanting to make it a little stiffer. Does anyone know if the Z51 shocks(bilstein B8) will be any stiffer than the standard bilstein B6's? My car is a Non-Z51 car by the way
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
Supposedly - the B6 valving is equal to that of the B8 - the B8 is just designed for lowered vehicles.
You might want to give the folks at Bilstein a call - they may rebuild the shocks for free. You might also want to give Peter at DRM (Doug Rippie Motorsports) a call - he has some valving specs for C4's that are somewhat stiffer than stock ...
You might want to give the folks at Bilstein a call - they may rebuild the shocks for free. You might also want to give Peter at DRM (Doug Rippie Motorsports) a call - he has some valving specs for C4's that are somewhat stiffer than stock ...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
I replaced my stock Bilstein shocks with the Ridetech adjustable shocks on my GrandSport. It has the Z51 suspension.
The Ridetech shocks can be softer riding or much firmer than the Bilsteins depending on how you adjust them. I shave been pretty happy with them.
The Ridetech shocks can be softer riding or much firmer than the Bilsteins depending on how you adjust them. I shave been pretty happy with them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I went with the Z51 (B8) on both my '94 and then my '95. Both with standard suspension.
I love it. It is a little firmer with the B8, but still not harsh and jarring.
When I was looking at shocks for my '95 I found some info on the shocks. I called Bilstein and the customer service gave me the valving numbers even though I don't think they were supposed to give that out. (I talked to someone else later and they would not give the information again.
The valving is different. The damping is almost double on the B8 compared to the B6. The length is stated to be able to go lower ride height on the B8, but the dimensions are the same on the back and only go slightly lower (3/4") on the front (with the same max extension).
So the B8's will fit the non Z51 cars and work well (I like them better than the B6's).
I am putting a quote from a previous thread below that had the actual values included.
Good luck with your choice. And by the way, nice car. (I am partial since I also have a '96 CE.)
I love it. It is a little firmer with the B8, but still not harsh and jarring.
When I was looking at shocks for my '95 I found some info on the shocks. I called Bilstein and the customer service gave me the valving numbers even though I don't think they were supposed to give that out. (I talked to someone else later and they would not give the information again.
The valving is different. The damping is almost double on the B8 compared to the B6. The length is stated to be able to go lower ride height on the B8, but the dimensions are the same on the back and only go slightly lower (3/4") on the front (with the same max extension).
So the B8's will fit the non Z51 cars and work well (I like them better than the B6's).
I am putting a quote from a previous thread below that had the actual values included.
Good luck with your choice. And by the way, nice car. (I am partial since I also have a '96 CE.)
Short answer... Yes you can use them.
Longer answer...
I found some info on the Bilstein HD (non Z51) and SP (Z51) for comparison.
I searched for my '95 Corvette and found length and damping values by part number for these shocks.
**The only length difference between the HD or SP is the compressed length of the front shocks. The Z51 has more travel and can go slightly lower.
**The damping rates are quite different. The Z51 rates are about twice as firm in both jounce and rebound.
For me the choice is easy. I will go with the Z51 shocks on my '95. I liked them on my '94 and was investigating it to see the differences. I like a firmer ride.
HD (B6) Front (non Z51) 24-020534
Length Min/Max 10.18" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 106 Nm/ 76 Nm
SP (B8) Front (Z51) 24-184861
Length Min/Max 9.43" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 228 Nm/ 261 Nm
HD (B6) Rear (non Z51) 24-020541
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 134 Nm/ 114 Nm
SP (B8) Rear (Z51) 24-184878
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 222 Nm/ 222 Nm
Longer answer...
I found some info on the Bilstein HD (non Z51) and SP (Z51) for comparison.
I searched for my '95 Corvette and found length and damping values by part number for these shocks.
**The only length difference between the HD or SP is the compressed length of the front shocks. The Z51 has more travel and can go slightly lower.
**The damping rates are quite different. The Z51 rates are about twice as firm in both jounce and rebound.
For me the choice is easy. I will go with the Z51 shocks on my '95. I liked them on my '94 and was investigating it to see the differences. I like a firmer ride.
HD (B6) Front (non Z51) 24-020534
Length Min/Max 10.18" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 106 Nm/ 76 Nm
SP (B8) Front (Z51) 24-184861
Length Min/Max 9.43" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 228 Nm/ 261 Nm
HD (B6) Rear (non Z51) 24-020541
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 134 Nm/ 114 Nm
SP (B8) Rear (Z51) 24-184878
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 222 Nm/ 222 Nm
Last edited by QCVette; Feb 19, 2019 at 11:14 AM.
