Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

bilstein shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 04:37 PM
  #1  
cessna10's Avatar
cessna10
Thread Starter
cesssna10
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 47
From: Big Canoe Ga
Default bilstein shocks

Can anyone tell me the difference between bilstein HD and bilstein
sports?

Thanks
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 04:44 PM
  #2  
dbarrym's Avatar
dbarrym
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 259
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Default

Limited explanation on the DRM website...here:
DRM offers two different “off the shelf” models, the Heavy duty (HD) and the Sport models.

DRM suggested uses are as followed.

Base cars, Convertibles and those looking for a better ride, please choose the HD model.
Z51, Z06, and those looking for a Sporty ride, please choose the Sport model.
More details if you want to read through the "DRM Custom valved Bilsteins Group Buy" thread in the Racing/Autocross forum.

Barry
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 04:49 PM
  #3  
cessna10's Avatar
cessna10
Thread Starter
cesssna10
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 47
From: Big Canoe Ga
Default

Originally Posted by dbarrym
Limited explanation on the DRM website...here:
DRM offers two different “off the shelf” models, the Heavy duty (HD) and the Sport models.

DRM suggested uses are as followed.

Base cars, Convertibles and those looking for a better ride, please choose the HD model.
Z51, Z06, and those looking for a Sporty ride, please choose the Sport model.
More details if you want to read through the "DRM Custom valved Bilsteins Group Buy" thread in the Racing/Autocross forum.

Barry
Thanks Barry
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 05:51 PM
  #4  
dbarrym's Avatar
dbarrym
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 259
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Default

Originally Posted by cessna10
Thanks Barry
No problem...here is the Group Buy thread, with some good reviews/discussions that you may find interesting.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...it-s-back.html

Barry
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 06:31 AM
  #5  
Cybermind's Avatar
Cybermind
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Default

Originally Posted by dbarrym
Limited explanation on the DRM website...here:


Base cars, Convertibles and those looking for a better ride, please choose the HD model.
Z51, Z06, and those looking for a Sporty ride, please choose the Sport model.
Barry
I wish it were that simple, but it isn't. Most people that do not track their cars may find the Bilstein Sports too harsh for the street. Choose carefully and make sure you match your shocks to your springs. Here's some interesting reading regarding shocks, springs, handling, etc.

http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handling/handling_shocks
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 11:08 AM
  #6  
cessna10's Avatar
cessna10
Thread Starter
cesssna10
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 47
From: Big Canoe Ga
Default

Originally Posted by Cybermind
I wish it were that simple, but it isn't. Most people that do not track their cars may find the Bilstein Sports too harsh for the street. Choose carefully and make sure you match your shocks to your springs. Here's some interesting reading regarding shocks, springs, handling, etc.

http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handling/handling_shocks
What about the billstein HD's on a stock 2003?

Last edited by cessna10; Dec 20, 2014 at 11:11 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 11:29 AM
  #7  
Dcollins3208's Avatar
Dcollins3208
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by cessna10
What about the billstein HD's on a stock 2003?
Take this how you would like. I have the HDs and the ride is extremely smooth; however, I prefer a stiffer ride so I will be changing to the sports at some point. The HDs really are nice but are a little "looser" than I prefer. I don't race my car, street driven only but I push it hard when I can. Full bolt on H/C/I car
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 12:06 PM
  #8  
cessna10's Avatar
cessna10
Thread Starter
cesssna10
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 47
From: Big Canoe Ga
Default

Originally Posted by Dcollins3208
Take this how you would like. I have the HDs and the ride is extremely smooth; however, I prefer a stiffer ride so I will be changing to the sports at some point. The HDs really are nice but are a little "looser" than I prefer. I don't race my car, street driven only but I push it hard when I can. Full bolt on H/C/I car
Thanks for your insight
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 01:35 PM
  #9  
Dcollins3208's Avatar
Dcollins3208
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by cessna10
Thanks for your insight
Absolutely! With that said, if you're looking for a touring suspension the HDs are definitely the way to go.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 04:02 PM
  #10  
jackthelad's Avatar
jackthelad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by Cybermind
I wish it were that simple, but it isn't. Most people that do not track their cars may find the Bilstein Sports too harsh for the street. Choose carefully and make sure you match your shocks to your springs. Here's some interesting reading regarding shocks, springs, handling, etc.

http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handling/handling_shocks
As someone who used to do this stuff for a living, I thought that was a pretty good synopsis. The shocks and springs (and sway bars) should always be matched - chucking on a set of stiff shocks with soft springs will never be satisfactory.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 09:07 AM
  #11  
cessna10's Avatar
cessna10
Thread Starter
cesssna10
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 47
From: Big Canoe Ga
Default

Originally Posted by jackthelad
As someone who used to do this stuff for a living, I thought that was a pretty good synopsis. The shocks and springs (and sway bars) should always be matched - chucking on a set of stiff shocks with soft springs will never be satisfactory.
What are your thoughts on bilstein HD's with stock springs? Just looking for a little stiffer ride, but dont want to screw things up.

Last edited by cessna10; Dec 21, 2014 at 11:04 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 01:03 AM
  #12  
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Default

The DRM valved Bilsteins are truly perfect for my C5. The original 04Z06 shocks were reported as the new high standard for the C5. Although mine were at the end of their useful service life. I thought the overall plant, set and feedback was pretty darn good until the DRMs were driven for the first time.

First to note by my copilot was a smoother ride which was only the first plus. We set out for a section of twisties that I couldn't stay in the throttle. Not only did the rear stay planted, I could stay in the throttle and add more. The wife even commented that the car felt flatter.

Both ends are now planted. Steering inputs are met with instant response.

Looking forward to the warm weather when the NT05s can work their magic.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To bilstein shocks





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:40 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE