[Z06] 2004 vs. 2008 shocks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
I dont think it would be a great idea.. GM R&D spends a significant amount of time matching the springs, anti-rollbars, shocks and the vehicles characteristics to get everything working in tandem. Its a pretty involved process which is why GM fine tunes the shocks and springs during the four year run of the C5Z06. 2008 shocks were set up for a whole different model which included different spring weights, corner weights, suspension geometry (wider car and shorter car) and wider tires..
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I dont think it would be a great idea.. GM R&D spends a significant amount of time matching the springs, anti-rollbars, shocks and the vehicles characteristics to get everything working in tandem. Its a pretty involved process which is why GM fine tunes the shocks and springs during the four year run of the C5Z06. 2008 shocks were set up for a whole different model which included different spring weights, corner weights, suspension geometry (wider car and shorter car) and wider tires..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I dont think it would be a great idea.. GM R&D spends a significant amount of time matching the springs, anti-rollbars, shocks and the vehicles characteristics to get everything working in tandem. Its a pretty involved process which is why GM fine tunes the shocks and springs during the four year run of the C5Z06. 2008 shocks were set up for a whole different model which included different spring weights, corner weights, suspension geometry (wider car and shorter car) and wider tires..
My thoughts exactly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Some of the racers have been using the newer C6Z shocks to good effect. The cars aren't that different in weight or spring rates and the C6 shocks are benefitting from an additonal four years of development.
The tuning is a bit different, but if you aren't racing the car on the track or autocross course you aren't likely to notice much difference between the two.
Not sure what the price difference is between the two, but that may be the deciding factor.
The tuning is a bit different, but if you aren't racing the car on the track or autocross course you aren't likely to notice much difference between the two.
Not sure what the price difference is between the two, but that may be the deciding factor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
The 2004 shocks are completely different than 01-03 shocks. So weight, geometry, etc should not play too much of a factor. Obviously the 04 shocks were made by sach(I think) and then then the 08s were made by bilstein. The 04s are stiffer because the springs are and rolls are softer, the 08 had slightly softer shocks because the car was revamped from the 06 model year to have a slightly softer ride by stiffening up the springs and sways, while softening the shocks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 442
Likes: 15
From: FL
As to expain myself a bit: I have the FE1 set up which is a PITA at high speed. This is why I wanted to go to 04 Z06 shocks (yes, Sachs, quality made in Germany 
) and sway bars.
Now, I heard somewhere that 08 shocks were similiar to the 04s, and since they´re only half the price, I really consider this alternative. However, I rate ride improvement higher than a coupla bucks so it would be great if somebody who had both setups in his car knows some answers.
) and sway bars.Now, I heard somewhere that 08 shocks were similiar to the 04s, and since they´re only half the price, I really consider this alternative. However, I rate ride improvement higher than a coupla bucks so it would be great if somebody who had both setups in his car knows some answers.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Braselton GA
The 2004 shocks are completely different than 01-03 shocks. So weight, geometry, etc should not play too much of a factor. Obviously the 04 shocks were made by sach(I think) and then then the 08s were made by bilstein. The 04s are stiffer because the springs are and rolls are softer, the 08 had slightly softer shocks because the car was revamped from the 06 model year to have a slightly softer ride by stiffening up the springs and sways, while softening the shocks.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Are you trying to say 04 Z06's had stiffer springs and less stiff roll bars compared to 01-03 Z06's? Because, if so, that is not true. They have the same rate springs and sway bars. It's the control arm bushings that are stiffer on them...basically a higher durometer rubber. Also, the way the 04 shocks are dampened can make the car feel more stiffly sprung.
