I had a buddy who recently purchased a 2007 C6. I told him to skip on any cars with the selectable ride feature and go with the Z51 - no big bills in the long run. 
Replacing shocks on a 97
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Replacing shocks on a 97
I have a 97 with the F45 (tour, sport, perf) suspension it has 76,000 on it and I'm thinking the shocks need to be replaced at some point. My question is; can you replace the shocks with ones that aren't compatible with the F45 suspension. I can't image what F45 compatible ones would cost and I've heard you get better ride with standard shocks. I'm not a rich man (If I were I'd be driving a C6!). Any thoughts or has anyone had experience changing over these shocks?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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You have done well to get that many miles. When you get them off you will be surprized how used up they are. I switched my F45 to C6zo6 shocks for $250 all four GMPARTSHOUSE. I upgraded the sway bar to C5Z06 with metal end links while at it. A fantastic improvement in ride and handling for not much money. The F45 shocks are $800 each to replace. For $50 I got a service technician with a Tech2 to delete the F45 gone no issues no regrets. Post up when you get ready if you need directions. It is a great improvement to the great C5
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
You have done well to get that many miles. When you get them off you will be surprized how used up they are. I switched my F45 to C6zo6 shocks for $250 all four GMPARTSHOUSE. I upgraded the sway bar to C5Z06 with metal end links while at it. A fantastic improvement in ride and handling for not much money. The F45 shocks are $800 each to replace. For $50 I got a service technician with a Tech2 to delete the F45 gone no issues no regrets. Post up when you get ready if you need directions. It is a great improvement to the great C5
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Harbinger North Carolina
I too have a 97 with same mileage. Did the same mod...replaced with Bilstein Sports shocks, Ribach sway bars and metal endlinks. Chevy dealership could no longer delete F45 system with Tech 2. Service manager tried but system would not let him, said GM had cracked down on what was considered safety issues...changing systems considered reliable with the car..so went with simulators..no issues so far. Remarkable difference in handling...
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Can't blame you for not wanting to pay the price for the F45 shocks. Damn, they are expensive.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
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From: Reading PA
Yes, many just buy the C6 Z06 shocks and take care of eliminating it in the computer.
||--Genuine GM 2008 C6 Z06 Shocks--||
10313647 – Z06 Front Shocks
25819268 – Z06 Rear Shocks
Both sets of front and rear shocks (4) 243.70 total.
For the shocks on our website, use part number c6z06shocks under Chevrolet make.
The C6 Z06 shocks will work on C5’s without modification.
||--Genuine GM 2008 C6 Z06 Shocks--||
10313647 – Z06 Front Shocks
25819268 – Z06 Rear Shocks
Both sets of front and rear shocks (4) 243.70 total.
For the shocks on our website, use part number c6z06shocks under Chevrolet make.
The C6 Z06 shocks will work on C5’s without modification.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Yes, many just buy the C6 Z06 shocks and take care of eliminating it in the computer.
||--Genuine GM 2008 C6 Z06 Shocks--||
10313647 – Z06 Front Shocks
25819268 – Z06 Rear Shocks
Both sets of front and rear shocks (4) 243.70 total.
For the shocks on our website, use part number c6z06shocks under Chevrolet make.
The C6 Z06 shocks will work on C5’s without modification.
||--Genuine GM 2008 C6 Z06 Shocks--||
10313647 – Z06 Front Shocks
25819268 – Z06 Rear Shocks
Both sets of front and rear shocks (4) 243.70 total.
For the shocks on our website, use part number c6z06shocks under Chevrolet make.
The C6 Z06 shocks will work on C5’s without modification.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
Actually, the choice lately seems to be the C6Z06 shocks and the C6Z51 sway bars. I sell a ton of those setups.
||--Genuine GM C6Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||
10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 (2) – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 (2) – Rear stabilizer insulators
Complete kit front and rear is 199.24
Use part number c6z51bars on our website under Chevrolet make.
These sway bars do fit any C5 without any modifications.
This kit does not come with metal end links. If you want to add metal end links use part number 25932329 for $25.71 each.
GM has now updated all C5-C6 end links to the 2009 version.
