Pick one. Shock or Sway bars
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
Pick one. Shock or Sway bars
If you could only pick one (for now at least), which would it be.
Bilstein or c6z06 shocks to replace f45 suspension that is lowered on.
OR
Front and rear c6 sway bars.
I will be upgrading to metal endlinks regardless as mine are shot.
Bilstein or c6z06 shocks to replace f45 suspension that is lowered on.
OR
Front and rear c6 sway bars.
I will be upgrading to metal endlinks regardless as mine are shot.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
It's not really an either/or question for me because it depends on what is needed most. I swapped out my stock swaybars for Z06 sway bars to improve cornering and reduce body sway after moving to larger wheels/tires. My OEM shocks are still good.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
thats why i indicated I have the f45 that is lowered on. since generally that doesnt last too long.
I have bigger and wider wheels. but will be doing a trackday next year and trying to figure out which I should do. I would think MAYBE the shocks are better to do first.
I have bigger and wider wheels. but will be doing a trackday next year and trying to figure out which I should do. I would think MAYBE the shocks are better to do first.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I would have to go with the Bilsteins, I have a set for my Coupe. I have the Z51 sways which work well for my needs.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: Liverpool NY
I assume you have your original sway bars and end links. If the shocks are not leaking and you do not have a lot of miles on them I would change the sway bars and end links first. On the track even on the street you will see a noticeable handling difference with the new sway bars and end links. I did on my 98 when I installed the C6-Z51 bars and end links. If you have the $$$ do both your looking at a less than $500 upgrade if you provide your own labor.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
I dont care how bumpy my car. Im young, It doesnt bother me. lol.
While sways would obviously help performance, I would think the stocks work okay for now.
whereas replacing worn out crappy shocks would make just as big of an impact. in both ride quality, and "performance"
While sways would obviously help performance, I would think the stocks work okay for now.
whereas replacing worn out crappy shocks would make just as big of an impact. in both ride quality, and "performance"
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 903
From: Republic of Texas
IN your case, I would suggest the C5Z sway bars first (make sure you get metal end links if you don't already have them)
On my lowered 97, I had Bilstein Sport then switched to C6Z06 shocks. The C6Z shocks performed just as well as the Blistein but had a smoother ride IMO.
On my lowered 97, I had Bilstein Sport then switched to C6Z06 shocks. The C6Z shocks performed just as well as the Blistein but had a smoother ride IMO.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
I dont care how bumpy my car. Im young, It doesnt bother me. lol.
While sways would obviously help performance, I would think the stocks work okay for now.
whereas replacing worn out crappy shocks would make just as big of an impact. in both ride quality, and "performance"
While sways would obviously help performance, I would think the stocks work okay for now.
whereas replacing worn out crappy shocks would make just as big of an impact. in both ride quality, and "performance"
tracer1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
You said your doing a track day NEXT YEAR so that gives you more then enough time to do them both. If you post a WTB add in the C6 part sale section you easily find both for a decent price. I picked up a set of C6Z sways with metal end links for a great price, and love them!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
Yeah, except I also need:
helmet
seats
brake pads
Rotors
harnesses
harness bar
Along with paying for the trackday itself
and now I just found a bunch of rotting wood on my house...might have to tear off a backsection. i dont even want to know what thats going to cost.
helmet
seats
brake pads
Rotors
harnesses
harness bar
Along with paying for the trackday itself
and now I just found a bunch of rotting wood on my house...might have to tear off a backsection. i dont even want to know what thats going to cost.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
Stock rotors are good for track use.(drilled can crack easier)
Pads- Hawk or Carbotech
Seats- to save money. Just buy one FX1 Pro(19lbs) and remove your pass. Seat when tracking
Harness bar isn't as important,but should be around $300+
Harness belts- ~$80ea. At jets/summit (geforce)
Not too expensive honestly.
Pads- Hawk or Carbotech
Seats- to save money. Just buy one FX1 Pro(19lbs) and remove your pass. Seat when tracking
Harness bar isn't as important,but should be around $300+
Harness belts- ~$80ea. At jets/summit (geforce)
Not too expensive honestly.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
I dont have stock rotors
rotors - 200
Helmet -500
Bar - 300
Harness-160 (im doing passenger too, wife wants to go)
seats -380 for the ones i want
mounts for seats - at least 300
Pads - 240
trackday -at least 250
if that isnt expensive to you, ill gladly take some of your money.
rotors - 200
Helmet -500
Bar - 300
Harness-160 (im doing passenger too, wife wants to go)
seats -380 for the ones i want
mounts for seats - at least 300
Pads - 240
trackday -at least 250
if that isnt expensive to you, ill gladly take some of your money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,598
Likes: 960
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Everyone is saying swaybars and not shocks. I disagree and this is why. First you say you have 150,000 miles on a set of F45 shocks. That is most likely beyond there real life with it lowered even without it being lowered.
You say you are young and don't mind the bumpy ride. Well is the bumpy ride just simply because you lowered the car and the F45 ( I have the F45) is not reading the the ride properly or is it because the shocks are simply not working. If your shocks are bad, the last thing you want to do is take it to the track. Shocks are one of the most important parts in your suspension. Your stock swaybars will be fine with simply changing the end links if your money is tight but if the shocks are worn you will have a real handful on the track.
You say you are young and don't mind the bumpy ride. Well is the bumpy ride just simply because you lowered the car and the F45 ( I have the F45) is not reading the the ride properly or is it because the shocks are simply not working. If your shocks are bad, the last thing you want to do is take it to the track. Shocks are one of the most important parts in your suspension. Your stock swaybars will be fine with simply changing the end links if your money is tight but if the shocks are worn you will have a real handful on the track.