Stock Suspension upgrade?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
If I remember correctly, the magnetic ride cars have the same leaf springs as the base soft ride suspension. So the stiffer sport shocks might be acceptable.
But I think they're way too harsh with the Z51 springs. Whenever I had the targa stowed in the back, I couldn't drive over a penny without the roof bouncing and hitting the spring loaded pegs. Going back to stock shocks on the rear solved that issue. but even with just the front bilstein sports, the ride is harsh. I gained lots of new interior rattles and buzzing that wasn't there before. It's fine on smooth freeway pavement, but sucks on any road that isn't smooth as glass. I think they have way too much rebound damping. They don't allow the spring to absorb any bumps.
But I think they're way too harsh with the Z51 springs. Whenever I had the targa stowed in the back, I couldn't drive over a penny without the roof bouncing and hitting the spring loaded pegs. Going back to stock shocks on the rear solved that issue. but even with just the front bilstein sports, the ride is harsh. I gained lots of new interior rattles and buzzing that wasn't there before. It's fine on smooth freeway pavement, but sucks on any road that isn't smooth as glass. I think they have way too much rebound damping. They don't allow the spring to absorb any bumps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
I really like my Bilstein Shocks.. I did the HD version, not the sport version.
As I wanted a "better" ride and handling w/o being too stiff.
I have also tried just the Monroe OE stock replacement shocks, which I
found even "softer" than the OEM shocks..
As I wanted a "better" ride and handling w/o being too stiff.
I have also tried just the Monroe OE stock replacement shocks, which I
found even "softer" than the OEM shocks..
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 58
I never recommend lowering the car especially if he still have the 17 / 18 wheel size ... I see that you have bigger wheels ? This is what it makes every case different, what may have work for you doesn't work for others.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
BTW - I went with the Bilstein's and I love them, but the Z06 shocks I'm sure are just as good (or better). I definitely notice the difference - worth the money for sure
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Also, I’m looking for less body lean. I do at least one AutoX per year but don’t want my car to be AutoX dedicated. I like the ride I have now, don’t want increase harshness.
Last edited by chasboy; Nov 19, 2017 at 06:41 PM.
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Last edited by Yello95; Nov 19, 2017 at 10:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 696
From: Avon Lake OH
Here is listing of the C5 & C6 sway bars sizes
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1587674362
These two combo's are the most recommended for street use and occasional track day events.
C5 Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear / 4.5mm/3.5mm thickness
C6 Z51: 31 mm-front / 25.4 mm (1")-rear
You can mix and match to your hearts content or to best tune your setup or taste, but just watch straying too far from the factory pairings as understeer and oversteer are lurking in the weeds.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1587674362
These two combo's are the most recommended for street use and occasional track day events.
C5 Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear / 4.5mm/3.5mm thickness
C6 Z51: 31 mm-front / 25.4 mm (1")-rear
You can mix and match to your hearts content or to best tune your setup or taste, but just watch straying too far from the factory pairings as understeer and oversteer are lurking in the weeds.
Last edited by JHrinsin; Nov 20, 2017 at 08:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Here is listing of the C5 & C6 sway bars sizes
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1587674362
These two combo's are the most recommended for street use and occasional track day events.
C5 Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear / 4.5mm/3.5mm thickness
C6 Z51: 31 mm-front / 25.4 mm (1")-rear
You can mix and match to your hearts content or to best tune your setup or taste, but just watch straying too far from the factory pairings as understeer and oversteer are lurking in the weeds.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1587674362
These two combo's are the most recommended for street use and occasional track day events.
C5 Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear / 4.5mm/3.5mm thickness
C6 Z51: 31 mm-front / 25.4 mm (1")-rear
You can mix and match to your hearts content or to best tune your setup or taste, but just watch straying too far from the factory pairings as understeer and oversteer are lurking in the weeds.
I sure agree with your last paragraph.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
My upgrades that may provide you with some insight:
Started with the FE1 base soft like butter suspension...and now:
C6Z shocks
C6Z sway bars with metal end links
C5Z springs
Lowered on stock bolts
Great combo on a budget and does well for HPDE events.
Started with the FE1 base soft like butter suspension...and now:
C6Z shocks
C6Z sway bars with metal end links
C5Z springs
Lowered on stock bolts
Great combo on a budget and does well for HPDE events.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
My set up is C6 Z06 everything that will bolt up including brakes and wheels.
C5 Z51 rear spring.
Poly bushings.
I don't think I would change a thing. The streets in my area are very flat and in good condition.
If the roads were bumpy I would probably opt for a softer suspension.
Tires matter to in the under-steer/ over-steer equation.
C5 Z51 rear spring.
Poly bushings.
I don't think I would change a thing. The streets in my area are very flat and in good condition.
If the roads were bumpy I would probably opt for a softer suspension.
Tires matter to in the under-steer/ over-steer equation.
Last edited by Rob 02; Nov 20, 2017 at 03:05 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
On the C5 Corvette the weight distribution is near 50/50.
Stiffening parts of the suspension actually causes a loss of traction.
You actually want a suspension to be as soft as you can get away with. Not the opposite.
The softer the more traction you get.
You have to stay planted on all four wheels.
Stiffening parts of the suspension actually causes a loss of traction.
You actually want a suspension to be as soft as you can get away with. Not the opposite.
The softer the more traction you get.
You have to stay planted on all four wheels.
Last edited by Rob 02; Nov 21, 2017 at 01:15 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
On the C5 Corvette the weight distribution is near 50/50.
Stiffening parts of the suspension actually causes a loss of traction.
You actually want a suspension to be as soft as you can get away with. Not the opposite.
The softer the more traction you get.
You have to stay planted on all four wheels.
Stiffening parts of the suspension actually causes a loss of traction.
You actually want a suspension to be as soft as you can get away with. Not the opposite.
The softer the more traction you get.
You have to stay planted on all four wheels.