Shock Help
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 25
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From: Beaumont Texas
Shock Help
I have an 01 convertible with 75k miles on it. The original shocks are worn and the ride is rough (not sports car rough, but need new shocks rough). A mechanic fixing some other minor issue looked into new ones and was told they were 800 bucks each or something like that. Is there a parts store shock that will fit and do the job at a more reasonable price?
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
I highly recommend calling GM parts Warehouse and talking to Gene or Patrick. You can get C6Z shocks for $250, all 4, and C6 Z51 sways and end links also, I got a price for less than $600 shipped for everything and the ride is fantastic, you will love it!
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Best shocks around are Koni FSD's
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...fsdshocks.html
They are not cheap, but well worth it.
You can also look at the Johnny O'Connell Shocks which are a little
less harsh on the wallet
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellshocks.html
Peace
Chip
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...fsdshocks.html
They are not cheap, but well worth it.
You can also look at the Johnny O'Connell Shocks which are a little
less harsh on the wallet
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellshocks.html
Peace
Chip
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
There are plenty of shock choices available. You need to think about what you want to achieve before you purchase any shocks. Do you want a more performance feel? Are you satisfied with a stock feel?
Here are some possible choices:
Buildstein HD shocks (~$360/set) - These give you a better than stock feeling. They are more damped than stock shocks and are not harsh. These have a lifetime warrantee.
Buildstein Sport shocks (~360/set) - These are tuned for a performance feel. You will feel more harshness for normal driving but you will have a better handling car. They are about equivalent to C6Z06 shocks but will be more durable and will probably last longer (also have lifetime warrantee). As the poster stated above, you might want to install stiffer sway bars with these shock.
C6Z06 shocks (~$270/set) - Similar to Buildstein Sports above
Koni FSD (~$780/set) - These are expensive but offer the best for ride comfort and a better performance. They have duel valving. They also have a lifetime warrantee.
There are many other shocks available, some of which are adjustable and a lot more expensive.
Also note that a change of shocks may change your ground clearance height. Buildstein shocks and C6Z06 shocks are pressurized and may raise your height whereas Koni FSDs are not pressurized and may lower your height. If this happens you will have to get your ride height adjusted and possibly a new 4 wheel alignment.
Hope this helps.
Here are some possible choices:
Buildstein HD shocks (~$360/set) - These give you a better than stock feeling. They are more damped than stock shocks and are not harsh. These have a lifetime warrantee.
Buildstein Sport shocks (~360/set) - These are tuned for a performance feel. You will feel more harshness for normal driving but you will have a better handling car. They are about equivalent to C6Z06 shocks but will be more durable and will probably last longer (also have lifetime warrantee). As the poster stated above, you might want to install stiffer sway bars with these shock.
C6Z06 shocks (~$270/set) - Similar to Buildstein Sports above
Koni FSD (~$780/set) - These are expensive but offer the best for ride comfort and a better performance. They have duel valving. They also have a lifetime warrantee.
There are many other shocks available, some of which are adjustable and a lot more expensive.
Also note that a change of shocks may change your ground clearance height. Buildstein shocks and C6Z06 shocks are pressurized and may raise your height whereas Koni FSDs are not pressurized and may lower your height. If this happens you will have to get your ride height adjusted and possibly a new 4 wheel alignment.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by 01vetter; Nov 17, 2011 at 11:40 AM. Reason: Added comment about ride height
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
If you're looking to improve your handling at the same time you may want to take a look at our Johnny O'Connell shock package. After installation the car will have more sporty ride characteristics similar to that of a Z06, but with overall improved handling over the Factory and other Non Adjustable shock packages on the market.
We developed the Johnny O'Connell package with the daily driver corvette in mind. A shock comfortable enough to drive long distances or around town without being too harsh, but with a nice handling improvement over the stock shocks. As long as you need to purchase a replacement shock anyway it may be a good time to upgrade to one that's a little more sporty for more fun during spirited drives!
We've received great feedback so far from our Johnny O'Connell package users. Here is an email we received from Adrian who installed our entire Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 package which includes sway bars as well:
Let us know if we can help get your car back on the road! We have all parts in stock and ready to ship immediately. We can be reached at 1-888-972-2464 or info@pfadtracing.com
We developed the Johnny O'Connell package with the daily driver corvette in mind. A shock comfortable enough to drive long distances or around town without being too harsh, but with a nice handling improvement over the stock shocks. As long as you need to purchase a replacement shock anyway it may be a good time to upgrade to one that's a little more sporty for more fun during spirited drives!
We've received great feedback so far from our Johnny O'Connell package users. Here is an email we received from Adrian who installed our entire Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 package which includes sway bars as well:
Originally Posted by Adrian
Thanks for your response. I just wanted to let you know that I decided to try out the Johnny O'Connell package and am thoroughly enjoying it so far. While at the Carlisle show, I purchased the kit from GM Partshouse at a great price and installed it in the hotel parking lot later that evening! Having helped a few friends install competitors' products, I really appreciated Pfadt's detailed instructions, clear illustrations and the use of factory-style mounting hardware. Not having to swap the mounting plates over on the rear shocks was an added bonus.
With regards to performance on the street, my car now feels solidly planted and stable. The disgusting amounts of body roll and the odd hopping sensation while driving down a bumpy road that annoyed me with the stock suspension are gone. After a short drive in the rain, I notice that the car is much better balanced--when the rear end steps out, it's predictable and controllable. It finally feels like a sports car. While it's not something I do often, I can't wait to get the car onto a track.
Thanks for offering an awesome product at a more than reasonable price point.
With regards to performance on the street, my car now feels solidly planted and stable. The disgusting amounts of body roll and the odd hopping sensation while driving down a bumpy road that annoyed me with the stock suspension are gone. After a short drive in the rain, I notice that the car is much better balanced--when the rear end steps out, it's predictable and controllable. It finally feels like a sports car. While it's not something I do often, I can't wait to get the car onto a track.
Thanks for offering an awesome product at a more than reasonable price point.
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You must have the F45 suspension (Selective Real Time Damping) on your car, that's why the shocks are so high. If you want to stick with those, then you can try Gene at gmpartshouse.com or partstaxi.com for some better prices.
If you want to go with a set of regular shocks, then you need to do this (info posted by a forum member a while back):
Have it turned off by a tech using a Tech II programmer. Or:
Go to Radio Shack and get the following:
Wire wound Resistors
271-132
10 watt 10 ohm
(The resistor is a 2 inch X 1/4 inch ceramic block with a solid silver wire on each end. Two in a pack so buy two packs.)
Underneath the car at each shock location there is a black wire running from the shock to a blue connector. The wire does not unhook at the shock but if you trace the wire you will find the connector. Disconnect the blue connector from its mate and remove the shock.
Take a pair of wire cutters and cut the wire as close to the shock as possible. You will be left with the cut wire on one end and the blue connector at the other. Remove about three inches from the black insulation to expose the two wires (black & white) that it conceals. Strip both of them back about an inch.
Insert the resistor into a rubber hose (w/the wires protruding from each end) to protect it; solder the resistor between the two bare wires (black & white) that originally went to the factory shock to complete the circuit. I used some water proof silicone to seal the solder and wrapped everything in electrical tape. Reconnect the blue connector. Tuck the package out of the way and secure with zip ties. This will fool the computer into thinking the F45 Shocks are still there (as the computer looks for its resistance). Install the replacement shock.
Repeat for all four corners and you will be good to go.
If you want to go with a set of regular shocks, then you need to do this (info posted by a forum member a while back):
Have it turned off by a tech using a Tech II programmer. Or:
Go to Radio Shack and get the following:
Wire wound Resistors
271-132
10 watt 10 ohm
(The resistor is a 2 inch X 1/4 inch ceramic block with a solid silver wire on each end. Two in a pack so buy two packs.)
Underneath the car at each shock location there is a black wire running from the shock to a blue connector. The wire does not unhook at the shock but if you trace the wire you will find the connector. Disconnect the blue connector from its mate and remove the shock.
Take a pair of wire cutters and cut the wire as close to the shock as possible. You will be left with the cut wire on one end and the blue connector at the other. Remove about three inches from the black insulation to expose the two wires (black & white) that it conceals. Strip both of them back about an inch.
Insert the resistor into a rubber hose (w/the wires protruding from each end) to protect it; solder the resistor between the two bare wires (black & white) that originally went to the factory shock to complete the circuit. I used some water proof silicone to seal the solder and wrapped everything in electrical tape. Reconnect the blue connector. Tuck the package out of the way and secure with zip ties. This will fool the computer into thinking the F45 Shocks are still there (as the computer looks for its resistance). Install the replacement shock.
Repeat for all four corners and you will be good to go.
