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Ride extremely bouncy

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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 06:31 PM
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Default Ride extremely bouncy

I lowered my car on the ZIP bolts. The front ride is ok but on the back it is horrible. Theres points where im about to hit my head on the roof because of so much bounce going on. Any recommendations? Maybe new shocks? Leaf spring? Sway bar? Or just raise it up....
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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Charlie.g
I lowered my car on the ZIP bolts. The front ride is ok but on the back it is horrible. Theres points where im about to hit my head on the roof because of so much bounce going on. Any recommendations? Maybe new shocks? Leaf spring? Sway bar? Or just raise it up....
If raising it back up to stock height cures the problem, that sure would be the cheapest solution.
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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 09:09 PM
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Im willing to get parts so it could help the ride but not to point of coilovers yet
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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 09:42 PM
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Shocks control the up and down... Might be time for a new set.

However, I have no idea what the lowering does to how the shocks act, but it shouldn't be that much of a difference.
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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 09:52 PM
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Go in steps. Change more than one thing and you don't know what fixed it. I'd try raising back up and see what you think. Still don't like it? Then try something else.

You have zero information in your profile so assuming you're running a C5 coupe or vert then my next step would be to put a set of C06 Z06 shocks on and see what that does for ya. I just put a set on my '03 coupe and they definitely helped the ride. I still want more cornering so I'm going to put a set of Z51 sway bars on it later this year, but that's just me.

I guess the point is, don't change everything at once.
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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 10:02 PM
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springs control height, shocks control movement speed. If you have uncontrolled movement you probably need shocks.
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Old Apr 21, 2015 | 08:32 AM
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I see this time and time again. People lower their suspensions and are then surprised at the horrible ride they get. Here are a few things to remember:

1) Stock shocks are designed to work at stock (close to stock) height. You change that and the shocks basically stop working as designed because they are compressed beyond working range.
2) If you significantly lower the car you need to get new shocks designed to work at a lowered suspension height. Bilstein SP comes to mind. You also need to get a complete re-alignment.
3) Springs are responsible for ride quality, ride height, and are basically what keeps your suspension from hitting the bump stops and bottoming out.
4) Shocks are dampeners. Their job is to dampen the bounce that springs create. This is why it is extremely important to match shocks to the springs or else, one element will overpower the other and they will no longer work in harmony (as designed).

Just my two cents.
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Old Apr 21, 2015 | 08:36 AM
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When you get low enough to hit the bump stops, your spring rate goes sky high. Can't get a shock stiff enough to control that. Like having no suspension at that point.
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Old Apr 22, 2015 | 02:04 PM
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Could be shocks - as lowering shortens the stroke and could be making
shocks that are on the way out respond even worse.

Here is a great deal on shocks and you will have no issues with the
shorter stroke.

http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ellshocks.html

Regards
Chip
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