[Z06] Shocks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 437
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From: King George Virginia
Shocks
Which are the better shocks for a Z lowered on stock bolts? Do the stock shocks still have enough travel in them or would a set of Bilstein sports do a better job? And by the way, i plan on getting longer bolts for the rear and possibly cutting part or all of the front bushings. Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
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I have read and heard enough to believe that lowering beyond the limit allowed by the stock bolts is harmful to the GM/Sachs shocks. I believe the Bilstein are shorter and will accommodate more lowering. I have also read what I believe to be reliable information about the C5 engineering team, indicating that they found lowering beyond the limits of the stock bolts results in deterioration in both handling quality and high speed stability. Some of that could be due to the specific shocks, and perhaps not applicable if using Bilsteins. Personally, I find it such a pain to drive a street car that low, I haven't looked into it further.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles, CA.... I know a guy who has a Lambo with Corvette doors
Originally Posted by NAVY8N
Which are the better shocks for a Z lowered on stock bolts? Do the stock shocks still have enough travel in them or would a set of Bilstein sports do a better job?
BTW, I just installed some Bilstein Sports last weekend. I haven't had a chance to test them very much, but so far they seem like a real improvement. My main compalint with the stockers was that the back was underdamped, which made it too bouncy. I'll report more after I have driven more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 3
From: Orange County California
Originally Posted by NAVY8N
Which are the better shocks for a Z lowered on stock bolts? Do the stock shocks still have enough travel in them or would a set of Bilstein sports do a better job? And by the way, i plan on getting longer bolts for the rear and possibly cutting part or all of the front bushings. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 2
From: Private
I posted this in the road race forum as well.
I spoke with Bilstein about this topic today and they said the sport shocks were NOT designed for stock springs, this includes Z51 and Z06, but required a heavier spring (T1) to work properly and would actually cause a stock sprung car to handle worse....what's up with this?
They recomended the heavy duty version even for track use??!?
I spoke with Bilstein about this topic today and they said the sport shocks were NOT designed for stock springs, this includes Z51 and Z06, but required a heavier spring (T1) to work properly and would actually cause a stock sprung car to handle worse....what's up with this?
They recomended the heavy duty version even for track use??!?
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
I am using the T1 shocks (along with the T1 sway bar & bushings) on a Z06 lowered on stock bolts. The ride is harsh but sticks like glue. I have been very pleased with these shocks (except for the price, $800.00). I looked at the Bilsteins but decided on the T1's due to their extra length and ability (design) to work with the other T1 components.Good Luck!