Are you going to work on this weekend? Would love to know your results with the 06 z06 shocks, that will be my next mod if I find out they are not too harsh for all the interstate driving I do. With my z06 bars on now our setup is the same (except FRC). Looking forward to your results.

Let us know ASAP, so I can call Gene with my next order!

Thanks.

Keep the good comments coming on the new Z06 shock, several members have told me they are looking into this mod too but are apprehensive right now.

 

Not going to be able to get it done this weekend....just not working out. I'll let you know ASAP. I seen your post on finding out you actually have a Z51 suspension....go figure huh? Regardless, this upgrade we have been talking about should have some real impact on an already great platform.

 

Ok, Thanks.

What has really motivated me lately on improving my suspension is we bought a 06 BMW 330i 6sp manual with “sport package” and it handles a little better than the vette in the curves (much smoother, easier, never out of control). I was shocked and wrote it off as “well it has the sport package and I don’t” (well I do, just didn’t know it). The Beemer much quieter than I would ever expect any vette to be (even after the frost king mod with some dynomatt Extreme to boot). So now I have to up the anti. Although with the new z06 bars I would say it’s very close now, all I need are the shocks to say it’s the same or hopefully better.

 

I have not installed the new Z06 shocks on my C5. But, that being said, I have driven one with the 06 Z06 (about 100 miles) and one with the Bilsteins (about 250 miles). On the highway, the Z06's were much harsher than the Bilsteins, maybe even harsher than my C5's stock (lowered) setup. In the corners, I felt more confident with the Bilsteins.

I have my Bilsteins on order. They were all around MUCH better.

Hope this helps....

 

Halfway - were those Bilstin SPORTS?. That is the other shock I have been looking closely at.

 

I had my OEM (Base suspension) ones for about 2.75 years. I put the 06 Z shocks on around November '05 and I definitely think that if you're not worried about handling when you corner and so forth, stay with the OEM ones.

The ride def. changes, but even on the freeway, when I change lanes, I can feel the greater stability of the car now... along with the stiffer feel of the ride. One a smooth paved roadway, going straight and so forth, there is no real difference... they are comparably similar IMHO. It's when you turn I turn my steering wheel, is when I really notice the "feel" change.

I looked at it this way, shocks do more than keep the body of the car above the wheels... they keep the wheels on the road as well (especially when/if you have to make evasive movements )... I'd rather sacrifice a little comfort for security, but that's just me.

Dave Q.

 

Thanks for the comment MYVETTEDREAM (cool name).

Well having a vette I am concerned with the handling, Its at the top of my list. But I don’t need a firm shock, just something firmer than the z51 shock. Looking for more control, esp. on curvy-rough roads without being too choppy on the interstates. I know I will have to trade off a little comfort unless I get one of those adjustable shocks, but I don’t need a firm shock since I do travel interstates a lot and no racing.

Thanks for you comment, I think after reading all of the comments over the last 3 mo or so I may go with the Blistin Sports, sounds like they are firmer that z51 but softer that 06 z06 and right about the same as the old z06 shock but cheaper $.

 

ttt

 

UPDATE 03/20/06
I promised an update....here it is.
I replaced my Z51 front sway bar with the Z06 sway bar, replaced the Z51 OEM shocks with C6 Z06 shocks, replaced the bushings and installed metal end links in lieu of the OEM Z51 end links.

I made a 200 mile road trip last weekend. The trip was on asphalt roads in good to above average condition (no gravel roads), with a considerable portion of the trip on interstate. Sunny, dry, temperatures in the upper 40's. For the most part speed fell into the 60-80 range. No stunts, straight up normal driving. Running OEM stock wheels.

Traveling on the highway, going straight, you really don't notice a change. I would say that the "ride" under these conditions is 10% stiffer. When passing, you do notice the change, especially if you hit a bump during the process. Prior to the change out, when passing, I noticed a mushy sway in the rear of the car, with wheel hop if I hit a bump during the pass. The upgrade all but eliminated that sensation, although I feel my stock runflats probably contribute to whats left of the sloppy feeling.

The most noticeable change is cornering and handling. Its unreal. The car behaved like a slot car. I was on Interstate 65. There is a spot in that particular road that has a gradual left hand curve that is posted at 40 MPH. The reason it's posted so low, is because while you are in the curve, the pavement transitions from asphalt to concrete to asphalt in a couple different spots. Prior to the upgrade, I would need to downshift during the curve to maintain stability, traction, and control, usually dropping my speed to about 45 MPH. Prior to taking the trip, I knew that spot would provide me with an objective result of the upgrade. When the moment of truth arrived, I took the curve at 70 MPH.....the car squatted down and hugged the road as never before. I was very impressed. A better driver could have handled more.

Summary. If you are considering the upgrade for the ride you are probably wasting money. If you want to turn your Z51 ride into a performance handling machine, the investment is worth every penny. Upgrading to non-runflats would probably be icing on the cake.

Sorry for being so long winded! Hope the info helps.

 

Great review.

I'm still getting acquainted with my 01 Z06, and really like it. It handles very well, but it has a few things I don't like.

1) Wheel hops really bad when it spins under hard acceleration.

2) When cornerring, the rearend becomes very unsettled over small bumps. This is not confidence inspiring.

It sounds like the upgrades you've mentioned help a lot. I've been thinking of getting a set of QA1's to solve these issues. This could be a less expensive option.