Softer ride?
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Softer ride?
I've been considering trying to "soften" the ride of my C5 lately. We were beat pretty bad this winter in the northeast and not that the roads were ever sports car friendly, but they're definitely not now. A friend of mine raised his Porsche and changed his tires with higher side walled ones. Currently I have c6 ZO6 shocks, 18/19's, 35 and 30 sidewall. I need them to accommodate the brakes. As far as the springs.... they may be original. I'm not sure. Also the car has been lowered. The car has almost 100k on it. I know the tires and shocks are very new. This is a very dumb question , but how long do our springs last? I think those and a new set of shocks really might be my only options to improve ride quality. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Joined: Dec 2013
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I mean don't get me wrong.... it's a corvette and that's how they ride. It's an amazing car and I love it to no end but.... I'm getting a little worried around town nowadays and I want this thing to last and not break in half if I can help it. These changes would only be temporary... at least until the roads get a little better. I'm not sure you people know what its like around here. It's really bad.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
Taller softer tires and better shocks (preferably coilovers but people like the DRM Bilsteins for a cheaper alternative) are what you want primarily.
The springs don't have much impact on ride quality IMO aside from the fact that they are leaf springs and not completely independent from side to side.
Which brakes do you have that need 19" wheels in the back?
The springs don't have much impact on ride quality IMO aside from the fact that they are leaf springs and not completely independent from side to side.
Which brakes do you have that need 19" wheels in the back?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Moon, VA
Z51 is a hard riding suspension. Before you start throwing money why don't you ride in some other C5s and see if the ride is more tolerable to you. I had herniated discs in my neck a few years ago and even an old Cadillac Fleetwood wasn't soft enough.
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Definitely considering dumping the zo6 shocks. Also, I've never heard of a chassis dyno. Not even sure of where to get started. I've ridden in a few c5's and none of them seem to be as rough as mine. Its way stiffer than I need. I wouldn't mind and actually the car is wonderful when the roads are kind. Like I said before. Its just very hard where I live with the condition of the local roads. If I lived south of the Mason Dixon I wouldn't change a thing. May be its time to relocate! I think im going to start with the shocks and ride height. I have the c6 zo6 brake setup. It seems only a little better than my stock brakes but looks a hell of a lot cooler. Another concern is how to tell if my shocks have had it. Steel leaf springs are usually good until they break. Whats the recommended lifespans for ours?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
Likes: 2
From: western springs illinois
I've been considering trying to "soften" the ride of my C5 lately. We were beat pretty bad this winter in the northeast and not that the roads were ever sports car friendly, but they're definitely not now. A friend of mine raised his Porsche and changed his tires with higher side walled ones. Currently I have c6 ZO6 shocks, 18/19's, 35 and 30 sidewall. I need them to accommodate the brakes. As far as the springs.... they may be original. I'm not sure. Also the car has been lowered. The car has almost 100k on it. I know the tires and shocks are very new. This is a very dumb question , but how long do our springs last? I think those and a new set of shocks really might be my only options to improve ride quality. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 63
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Hahaha ok maybe you got me. Bad roads are everywhere. Id love to get out to texas and see for myself at one point. I spent a week or so wandering around north carolina. Best place ever and the roads were very friendly. Along with the people for that matter. Maybe im just tired of new york too. Thats not helping either. I still cant get over how bad the roads have become around me. Everyone I talk to says the same thing. Hell... riding around in my ranger is tough. Now thats bad. The other day a friend was telling me that its so bad this year the local municipalities are refusing to repair some of the roads at all. They just cant afford it. Im in orange county. Dreadful place! Hahaha keep begging my boss to fire me so I can get out be here... but he just laughs. Jobs way to good and ***** are way to small to up and leave.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Sounds like you have done just about everything you can do to make it ride like a truck... lowered, oversize wheels w/low-profile sidewalls, etc.
Put it back to the ride-height the suspension and body panels were designed for (turning it into an over-sized go-cart that looks like the shocks are broken - especially on the street - just make driving "work").
I have Bilstien HD Shocks, Michelin A/S ZP tires (stock size wheels) C6 Z-51 Sways and mine rides like a dream.
Put it back to the ride-height the suspension and body panels were designed for (turning it into an over-sized go-cart that looks like the shocks are broken - especially on the street - just make driving "work").
I have Bilstien HD Shocks, Michelin A/S ZP tires (stock size wheels) C6 Z-51 Sways and mine rides like a dream.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 72
From: Seminole, FL
Boston here. I just installed GMPARTSHOUSE suspension parts.
Z06 shocks and Stabilizer bars and links.
Daily driver, Highway and city.
I LOVE THE RIDE.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Buy a Cadillac or Lincoln.... (maybe a mustang?) if you want 'scooshy' ride.
LOL just kidding.
Z06 shocks and Stabilizer bars and links.
Daily driver, Highway and city.
I LOVE THE RIDE.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Buy a Cadillac or Lincoln.... (maybe a mustang?) if you want 'scooshy' ride.
LOL just kidding.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 181
From: Pueblo, CO
Switching to Sport mode stiffens the ride quite a bit. I've never ridden in a C5 with Z51 suspension nor have I ridden in a Z06, so I have no point of comparison.