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Old May 21, 2008 | 01:40 AM
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Default New shocks

Im looking at buying some new shocks but was wondering if they really do make a big difference over stock. I was looking at the 299.99 bilstein shocks. How will the car ride if i get the sport version?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 02:51 AM
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Originally Posted by vettegator005
Im looking at buying some new shocks but was wondering if they really do make a big difference over stock. I was looking at the 299.99 bilstein shocks. How will the car ride if i get the sport version?
Had some put on my C5 last week and the car feels and rides much better, especially with respect to nasty bumps on sweeping turns that would normally want to make my car change lanes. We have a lot of those in CA. from the interlocking joints on the freeway overpasses. Some of them aren't bad but some of them wanted to make my car eat the wall if I was going over 65-70. World of difference after putting on the Bilsteins.

In the interest of full disclosure though, I still had my stock shocks on with about 92K mi. on them. They weren't leaking or anything and aside from the mileage there was nothing wrong with them, but who knows how much they had degraded from when they were new. Anyway, from me on the Bilsteins.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 05:08 AM
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Koni FSD's are also another good shock. Rather expensive but they can be had for around $550 - $600. for the set. Just make sure that if you change your own, (pretty easy job), that you cable tie the top to the bottom of the shock together while in the compressed state before removal of the old or installation of the new!
You'll run into probs if you don't!
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Old May 21, 2008 | 05:15 AM
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The sport shocks ride stiffer than the HD shocks. I lowered my vette and then bought the HD's. What a difference in the ride and control. If you like a stiff riding car then go with the sports. If you like a smoother riding car then go with the HD's.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 07:15 AM
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Many are opting for the C6 Z06 shocks...
Gene at www.gmparthouse.com can set you up for around $250 ( last year)

they are a direct bolt in replacement.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 07:37 AM
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call gene and get the z06..i upgraded on my old vette to z06 shocks and swaybars....night and day....amazing difference...
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Old May 21, 2008 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by craig9132
The sport shocks ride stiffer than the HD shocks. I lowered my vette and then bought the HD's. What a difference in the ride and control. If you like a stiff riding car then go with the sports. If you like a smoother riding car then go with the HD's.
Stiff is objective. I have Bilstein Sports and I would not want the car to ride any softer. I'm glad I did not listen to the forum and buy the HDs. Also, if you plan on lowering the car at all, the sports have a shorter valve body to accomidate cars lowered up to 1". I highly recommend doing Z06 sway bars at the same time. Night and day difference over stock FE1 and inexpensive considerring what you get out of them.

I had the sports on before I lowered and they were awesome. Then I lowered and they are still awesome. It is a firm, sports car ride. Stock was far too soft, even at 65k miles the stock shocks were done.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by vetter79
Koni FSD's are also another good shock. Rather expensive but they can be had for around $550 - $600. for the set. Just make sure that if you change your own, (pretty easy job), that you cable tie the top to the bottom of the shock together while in the compressed state before removal of the old or installation of the new!
You'll run into probs if you don't!
I have had mine on for well over a year and they are a very good shock, just cost double the sports, do the Z06 Sways at the same time and you really will notice a difference
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Old May 21, 2008 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 9secondflat
call gene and get the z06..i upgraded on my old vette to z06 shocks and swaybars....night and day....amazing difference...
I AGREE. DID THE C6 Z06 SHOCKS AND C5 SWAY BARS 2 MONTHS AGO. A LITTLE STIFFER RIDE, BUT NO SWAY, YAW, AND CORNERS LIKE YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE. ALL FOR UNDER 600. AGAIN, CALL GENE
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Old May 21, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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I put bilstiens on my 99 coupe, the thing I noticed more then ride improvement was the new stability in hard cornering,very little dip to one side or the other.way better then the stock delcos.Big difference.enjoy the new ride.....
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Old May 21, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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sorry iforgot to tellyou they were bilstien sport h.d. shocks
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Old May 21, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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so what would be better c6 z06 shocks or bilstein? and does the c6 z06 sway bar fit on the c5 or do i get the c5 z06 sway bar?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 04:27 PM
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i put on the konis a couple months ago. made a huge difference. smoother ride and handles great, well worth the extra $
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Old May 21, 2008 | 04:53 PM
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From everyone that i have heard from, the HDs will be an improvement in performance while maintaining a "comfort" ride. The Sports are a big improvement in performance and gives you a crisp and sporty ride. For the money, are the bilsteins the best bet? Many say so. My only personal concern has been, will aftermarket shocks affect the active handling function?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by vettegator005
so what would be better c6 z06 shocks or bilstein? and does the c6 z06 sway bar fit on the c5 or do i get the c5 z06 sway bar?
The C6Z rear sway bar will fit as Chriswtx has it on his 04 and he noticed a difference over the C5Z bar and get the bilsteins over the Zs
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Old May 21, 2008 | 05:01 PM
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This is timely for me. I want to get new shocks, rotors and wheels. Great info!
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Old May 21, 2008 | 06:50 PM
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the bilsteins are 299.99. where can i find c6 z06 front and rear sways?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by vettegator005
where can i find c6 z06 front and rear sways?
Ask Gene Culley. He has the best prices, and the service is great...
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Old May 21, 2008 | 10:53 PM
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Here you go:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2014971
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Old May 22, 2008 | 03:56 AM
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Originally Posted by peter pan
The C6Z rear sway bar will fit as Chriswtx has it on his 04 and he noticed a difference over the C5Z bar and get the bilsteins over the Zs
I have the Z51 package and I am curious if this C6Z06 sway bar will make any difference? I thought that with the Z51 package the sway bar is upgraded. Is this not true?
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