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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 09:35 PM
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Default Shocks?

I have an '03 Z06. I don't like the body roll of the OEM shocks; I like a stiff ride. Would you go with Bilstein Sports or the '04 GM shocks? & why! Thanks.
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 10:37 PM
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I'd go with the C6 Z06 shocks. Give Gene at gmpartshouse.com a call - he can set you up with the shocks at a good price.
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 10:38 PM
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i just did c6 z06 shocks from greg @ gscreationsllc.com. competitive, but more comfortable ride... if that makes sense. Took the jarring feeling away from man-holes and bumps. definitely reduced body roll from the like-new z51's that were on there.

these things were cheap, too.
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Cruncher
I have an '03 Z06. I don't like the body roll of the OEM shocks; I like a stiff ride. Would you go with Bilstein Sports or the '04 GM shocks? & why! Thanks.
Bilsteins Sports all the way. But body roll is contolled by the sway bars , not so much by the shock.
I took a fellow vette owner for a ride after he took me for one in his. He was bragging about the Z06 shocks before the ride in mine . I was wondering what the big deal was riding in his. After a ride in mine , he said he was getting the Bilsteins.

Last edited by mighty mousd; Sep 19, 2012 at 10:51 PM.
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 10:53 PM
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it's the whole combo. body roll is mostly spring rate, some sway bar and lastly shocks.

if you're on a REALLY sticky tire you might want to look at revamping the suspension.

that said the Z has a really good street/track setup stock. it could be that your shocks are just worn and need replacement.
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
I'd go with the C6 Z06 shocks. Give Gene at gmpartshouse.com a call - he can set you up with the shocks at a good price.

Been running these from Gene for over a year now on my Z51 coupe! Very happy!
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 11:03 PM
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Bilsteins for track car....C6Z06 is perfectly fine for street/weekender auto. Just like others have said sways are the biggy. No need to feel inadequate just cause he bought C6 Z06 shocks, he just needs to complete the transformation and buy the Swaybars.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by sfc rick
Bilsteins for track car....C6Z06 is perfectly fine for street/weekender auto.
Why ? Do you have both ? Bilsteins are great for the street. For racing , you go coilovers. Ohlins , Koni , Pfdat (sp?) or perhaps QA1.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 02:26 AM
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Originally Posted by sfc rick
Bilsteins for track car....C6Z06 is perfectly fine for street/weekender auto. Just like others have said sways are the biggy. No need to feel inadequate just cause he bought C6 Z06 shocks, he just needs to complete the transformation and buy the Swaybars.
I did this and wow....it changed my world...call Gene
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 03:15 AM
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Bilstein shocks and sway-bars with poly bushings and metal end-links and your good to go. Very cheap upgrades that give a lot of gain.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by mighty mousd
Why ? Do you have both ? Bilsteins are great for the street. For racing , you go coilovers. Ohlins , Koni , Pfdat (sp?) or perhaps QA1.
You do know there are guys who are perfectly fine with upgrading to 2012 C6 Z06 suspension and don't intend to be competetive on a track and feel tossing double the money at the situation may not be even noticebly in performance gains to us?

If I bought Bilsteins, I'd swear on my Momma's grave they were the only answer too. They are great but not something you can't live without and still have a great car.

I mean...seriously....what was that lap time at Nubrugring the STOCK C6 Z06 set? So the Stock set-up is actually quite capable.

Last edited by sfc rick; Sep 20, 2012 at 06:32 AM.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 08:02 AM
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If you want a firmer ride, check out the JOC Shocks
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellshocks.html

For my money, I'd go with the JOC Stage 1 package
The sale is only on for 2 more days
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellstage1.html

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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by sfc rick
You do know there are guys who are perfectly fine with upgrading to 2012 C6 Z06 suspension and don't intend to be competetive on a track and feel tossing double the money at the situation may not be even noticebly in performance gains to us?

If I bought Bilsteins, I'd swear on my Momma's grave they were the only answer too. They are great but not something you can't live without and still have a great car.

I mean...seriously....what was that lap time at Nubrugring the STOCK C6 Z06 set? So the Stock set-up is actually quite capable.
First . Bilsteins are 10-15.00 per shock more , not double. 300 -320 a set vs 250 -280.
Second , I'm using someone else's experience as a guide. Third , where does it say I bought them Mine came on it when i bought it.? Where did I say Z06 shock were not any good ? I just stated an observation and what a fellow vette owner said/did. I also, stated my observation. Fourth ,your Nürburgring analogy doesn't take into consideration that Bilsteins last longer , have better parts and oil in them than OEM shocks. Fifth , where did I imply the vette isn't a great CAR. Sixth , the OP states he wants a stiff ride.
For the money , it's up to the OP to decide what he wants.
And frankly it sounds like you have Z06 shock and love them. Good for, you.


Also frankly , spell check is you friend

Last edited by mighty mousd; Sep 20, 2012 at 11:25 AM.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 11:16 AM
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ladies, ladies... there's enough shocks for everyone!




that doesn't make sense...
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by CCA Corvette Parts
If you want a firmer ride, check out the JOC Shocks
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellshocks.html

For my money, I'd go with the JOC Stage 1 package
The sale is only on for 2 more days
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellstage1.html

Peace
Chip
Great deal on the JOC Stage 1 package.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 01:20 PM
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are there any shock dynos of these choices posted online? would help with seeing the rebound curve
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 02:45 PM
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Ive seen them before but it was on another forum awhile ago. I'm guessing a vendor here has them also.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 02:57 PM
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Default Love the ride with the new T1's!!

'02 Coupe, C6-Z51 sways, OEM springs.
Just put GMPP T1's on mine. I got a screamin' deal and figured what the heck...!
I LOVE the ride!
OEM springs have a less harsh feel with the common bumps and undulations of the back-country roads and state highways I frequent.
C6-Z51 sways and metal end links all but eliminate body roll.
Now, with the T1's the car has a firmed up feel.
Did I mention I LOVE the ride?!?
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Old Sep 25, 2012 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by CCA Corvette Parts
If you want a firmer ride, check out the JOC Shocks
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellshocks.html

For my money, I'd go with the JOC Stage 1 package
The sale is only on for 2 more days
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellstage1.html

Peace
Chip
Definitely give our Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 package a hard look. It fits everything you're looking for... it retains your factory leaf springs, firms up the ride, increases performance all while making the car easier to drive than the Factory C6Z shocks do.

There isn't a reason not to go with the Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 package if you're looking at C6Z parts anyway.

Check out this video for more information on how we tuned this great plug and play suspension package:

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