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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 12:02 PM
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Default Suspension?'s

I have the base suspension on my c5 right now and with 1o7 on the clock its time for some new suspension parts. I was looking at getting c6 z51 bars and c6 z06 shocks. I was hoping to get c6 z06 springs too but it looks like they wont bolt up so I guess my best bet would be c5 z06 springs then or should I change up my parts list?
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 06:39 PM
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 08:23 PM
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I put the Pfadt Johnny O'Connell sway bars, endlinks, and shocks on my C5 coupe about 2 months ago. I LOVE the swaybars and endliks. The shocks made the ride a little rougher. You can feel the bumps a little more, but it handles the big bumps much much better.

If I would do it again, I would stick with the swaybars and endlinks, but maybe put a different shock on it. Or just go with coilovers and completely eliminate the springs and the guessing game of which shocks you want.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by johnsos30
I put the Pfadt Johnny O'Connell sway bars, endlinks, and shocks on my C5 coupe about 2 months ago. I LOVE the swaybars and endliks. The shocks made the ride a little rougher. You can feel the bumps a little more, but it handles the big bumps much much better.

If I would do it again, I would stick with the swaybars and endlinks, but maybe put a different shock on it. Or just go with coilovers and completely eliminate the springs and the guessing game of which shocks you want.
I was originally planning on getting coilovers but for under 1000 I can get new sway bars, shocks and springs. It just doesnt seem smart for meat this point to spend 2500 plus to get coilovers and sway bars.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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I can set you up with coilovers, sways, and adjustable end links for less than what you estimated

If you're set on spending less I think you have a good selection. I had the C6Z shocks. They were ok. A little too firm for me. I switched them out for Gt2 coilovers and love how I can adjust them. For me soft is best.

I've heard nothing but good things about the C6Z51 sway bars. I don't know much about the C5 Z06 springs.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by JW@JWMotoring.com
I can set you up with coilovers, sways, and adjustable end links for less than what you estimated

If you're set on spending less I think you have a good selection. I had the C6Z shocks. They were ok. A little too firm for me. I switched them out for Gt2 coilovers and love how I can adjust them. For me soft is best.

I've heard nothing but good things about the C6Z51 sway bars. I don't know much about the C5 Z06 springs.


I have a Z51 C5, now with metal end links and C6Z06 shocks! Very happy with the setup.


JW will hook you up with good stuff!
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by JW@JWMotoring.com
I can set you up with coilovers, sways, and adjustable end links for less than what you estimated

If you're set on spending less I think you have a good selection. I had the C6Z shocks. They were ok. A little too firm for me. I switched them out for Gt2 coilovers and love how I can adjust them. For me soft is best.

I've heard nothing but good things about the C6Z51 sway bars. I don't know much about the C5 Z06 springs.
Well if I go with the c6z51 bars, c6 z06 shocks and z06 springs I could probably get that to less than 800 which is a large portion less than I can get coilovers. Also right now my car is pretty bumpy as the shocks are worn out, not that it rides bad but compared to my dads which has 12k on it, its pretty bumpy.
Do you carry any of the factory parts or is it just aftermarket?
And just in case can you send me an email on your best price for coilovers and bars, mattbhill@hotmail.com.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverbullet00
I have a Z51 C5, now with metal end links and C6Z06 shocks! Very happy with the setup.


JW will hook you up with good stuff!
Yes I know, I got my lg pros from him. Best price around
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 11:14 PM
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Bro get a set of coilovers for the car...
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 11:45 PM
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If you are only worried about the wear after 107k then all you need to change out are the shocks. The springs and sways themselves are lifetime parts, the bushings/endlinks may have to be replaced eventually. I do suggest the C6 Z51 sway bars though, they made a great difference in cornering with no consequence of a more harsh ride.

I have 94k miles and spent a total of under $100 for both a set of C6 Z51 sways (about 25k miles ago) and recently a set of base C5 shocks with 14k on them. Look around for some deals and you will come in WAAAAAAY under your $1k budget.
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by m6 c5
Well if I go with the c6z51 bars, c6 z06 shocks and z06 springs I could probably get that to less than 800 which is a large portion less than I can get coilovers. Also right now my car is pretty bumpy as the shocks are worn out, not that it rides bad but compared to my dads which has 12k on it, its pretty bumpy.
Do you carry any of the factory parts or is it just aftermarket?
And just in case can you send me an email on your best price for coilovers and bars, mattbhill@hotmail.com.
Sorry I only carry the aftermarket stuff.

Not a problem. Just thought I would throw the option out there for you.
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbopower87
If you are only worried about the wear after 107k then all you need to change out are the shocks. The springs and sways themselves are lifetime parts, the bushings/endlinks may have to be replaced eventually. I do suggest the C6 Z51 sway bars though, they made a great difference in cornering with no consequence of a more harsh ride.

I have 94k miles and spent a total of under $100 for both a set of C6 Z51 sways (about 25k miles ago) and recently a set of base C5 shocks with 14k on them. Look around for some deals and you will come in WAAAAAAY under your $1k budget.
Well see the problem with the front spring is it has a small crack and needs to be replaced and I want the car to handle better/flatter around the curves. I would like it if I could find sways for under 100 but the lowest I found them was 175+ shipping which at that point it would almost be better to get new ones that come with poly bushings for an extra 20$ or so.
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by m6 c5
Well see the problem with the front spring is it has a small crack and needs to be replaced and I want the car to handle better/flatter around the curves. I would like it if I could find sways for under 100 but the lowest I found them was 175+ shipping which at that point it would almost be better to get new ones that come with poly bushings for an extra 20$ or so.
Sent you PM.
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 06:45 PM
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do u track the car at all? if u just drive ur c5 around on the street just get some 04' z06 shocks or c6z06 shocks and call it a day. replace endlinks/bushings if need be. but id just do the shocks thats it. you will love the 04' z06 shocks c6z06 shocks trust me. they can be bought as cheap as 150-200 shipped all day long with low miles on them. i picked up a set of 04' z06 shocks that had 3k miles on them for 150 shipped and what a huge difference over the 02' z06 shocks i had. i threw the shocks on and lowered my car on the factory bolts and its great and perfect for the street.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by NSTKR
Sent you PM.
Sent you an email
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by fatlt1
do u track the car at all? if u just drive ur c5 around on the street just get some 04' z06 shocks or c6z06 shocks and call it a day. replace endlinks/bushings if need be. but id just do the shocks thats it. you will love the 04' z06 shocks c6z06 shocks trust me. they can be bought as cheap as 150-200 shipped all day long with low miles on them. i picked up a set of 04' z06 shocks that had 3k miles on them for 150 shipped and what a huge difference over the 02' z06 shocks i had. i threw the shocks on and lowered my car on the factory bolts and its great and perfect for the street.
I have not had a chance to take it to the track yet but I am planning on doing so this coming year. Also my front leaf spring has a small crack on the right hand side and I want to replace it before it gets any worse and I dont really want to replace it with another base spring.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 12:39 PM
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I replaced my worn out F55 setup on my Coupe with Pfadt coilovers, ZO6 sways (f/r) with poly bushings. I'm very happy with this setup. It corners flat and handles great on the track.
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Old Dec 7, 2011 | 06:37 PM
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Thanks for the great reviews guys. You don't have to go with a full blown coilover setup if you're looking to improve the performance of your C5. Our Johnny O'Connell kit was designed for daily drivers specifically in mind. It's a performance modification and you will feel small road irregularities a little more, but because of the way we've valved the Johnny O'Connell shocks the cars tend to crash over large road irregularities quite a bit less than the stock shocks do.

Overall, it's a great package if you're looking to update quite a few different wear and tear items at the same time. The entire package replaces the Shocks, Sway bars, Sway bar bushings and comes with metal endlinks as well... all at a very approachable price point.

Of course we also have coilover products available as well, but if you're looking to improve performance without breaking the bank the Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 upgrade is a great kit!
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Old Dec 7, 2011 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Pfadt Racing
Thanks for the great reviews guys. You don't have to go with a full blown coilover setup if you're looking to improve the performance of your C5. Our Johnny O'Connell kit was designed for daily drivers specifically in mind. It's a performance modification and you will feel small road irregularities a little more, but because of the way we've valved the Johnny O'Connell shocks the cars tend to crash over large road irregularities quite a bit less than the stock shocks do.

Overall, it's a great package if you're looking to update quite a few different wear and tear items at the same time. The entire package replaces the Shocks, Sway bars, Sway bar bushings and comes with metal endlinks as well... all at a very approachable price point.

Of course we also have coilover products available as well, but if you're looking to improve performance without breaking the bank the Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 upgrade is a great kit!
Well unfortuantly right now even the Johnny O'Connell package is more than I wanted to spend. I will however probably be getting some poly bushings in the future to go along with the trans brace that I installed earlier this year.
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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 07:24 AM
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I put C6Z51 sway bars on mine and it does handle a lot better...next thing to do for me is C6Z06 shocks...Got good prices and service from Gene Culley here on the forum
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