Best Shocks ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 184
From: Ohio
Best Shocks ?
Going to upgrade from stock shocks to either Bilstein or C6Z shocks. I have already upgraded the sway bar and end links. Which is the best for handling and cost? I like a good firm ride and NO sway in corners.
Thanks,
The Big Dog
Thanks,
The Big Dog
Race Director
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From: The Sunshine State
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I looked at both of those type of shocks and eventually purchased a set of Koni FSDs after test riding them in another car. I also upgraded my sways to Z06 sways and added larger wheels/tires.
I love the ride.
I love the ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Bilstein all the way. Best shocks for the money. Actually, I believe that the new C7 will come with Bilstein shocks.
Something else to consider:
OEM = OEM time/mileage limited warranty, not rebuildable, performance will slowly fade
Bilstein = lifetime warranty, rebuildable, guaranteed not to fade
Something else to consider:
OEM = OEM time/mileage limited warranty, not rebuildable, performance will slowly fade
Bilstein = lifetime warranty, rebuildable, guaranteed not to fade
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But the Bilsteins are nice. I may upgrade the sway bars at some point
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
And as I normally state, the C6 Z06 shocks coupled with the C6 Z51 sway bars are really the best solution to the base C5 suspension issues for the best price.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 184
From: Ohio
Your message or what you're looking to do is confusing. Sway bars are more for taking care of sway in the corners. So this probably means your choice of sway bars did not fix your issue. We have plenty of people who have gone up to the C6 Z51 sway bars and have been extremely happy. If you have upgraded to those and still are not satisfied then you should go C6 Z06. Looking for a shock to really control sway in corners is not really best.
And as I normally state, the C6 Z06 shocks coupled with the C6 Z51 sway bars are really the best solution to the base C5 suspension issues for the best price.
And as I normally state, the C6 Z06 shocks coupled with the C6 Z51 sway bars are really the best solution to the base C5 suspension issues for the best price.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
I have the F45 suspension and even on the touring mode it feelds harsh to me. Do the Koni FSD's give a smoother ride over your typical bumpy roads?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 19
From: Reading Pennsylvania
I went with the C6 Z06 shocks and the C6 Z51 sway bars and metal ends from GM Parts House. I am very satisfied with the results for the money spent. Really transformed the car. Even the wife noticed the improvement !
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 97
I did Bilstein sports with hotchkis bars and have the Z51 spring rates. The Bilstein sports have been great for me, rather rough ride but very little bounce on concrete freeways. Feels very controllable on or off throttle with usable lift-off oversteer that doesn't end me up in the wrong direction. I have about 60k miles on the setup with no complaints.
The C6Z06 bars were way too grippy in the rear for me, just too fat compared to the fronts. Likely designed to help a less than experienced driver from spinning loops under power on on-ramps cause of it's 500+HP. I could not get the car to turn, was not what I was looking for.
The GM offerings do not come with adjustable links. With stock or fixed length GM links it's impossible to preload the bars correctly and most end up with a magical combination that varies depending on ride height and rim and tire choice. A crapshoot that isn't correct and won't ever have the correct preload.
The C6Z06 bars were way too grippy in the rear for me, just too fat compared to the fronts. Likely designed to help a less than experienced driver from spinning loops under power on on-ramps cause of it's 500+HP. I could not get the car to turn, was not what I was looking for.
The GM offerings do not come with adjustable links. With stock or fixed length GM links it's impossible to preload the bars correctly and most end up with a magical combination that varies depending on ride height and rim and tire choice. A crapshoot that isn't correct and won't ever have the correct preload.