Shocks for street driving
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento California
Shocks for street driving
Pulling my Pfadt Featherlite coilovers out and putting the factory Z51 springs back in. In need of a set of shocks that are great for street driving. I run the C6 Z51 sways and have tried the C6 Z06 shocks before and didn't like the ride. But I was running 19/20 wheels at the time. I now run 18/19. Car is now a little heavier as well as I added a bunch of sound deadening for a stereo system I'm installing. Not sure if that matters. Maybe the C6 Z06 shocks would be ideal now, being the car is a little heavier. Thoughts? The roads here in Cali suck. Was lowered on bolts before, then was lowered on the coilovers. As time went on, I would raise the car until I was pretty much at reg ride height. Ride still sucked. Recently did all the ball joints, tie rods, and put in SKF race hubs. Noticed one of my rear coilovers was leaking so here I am. Not sure I want to rebuild them. Think I will just try the factory springs again with good shocks. I don't track the car, just spirited driving. But want some ride quality back. 97' car has 84K on it and will be getting ported heads, cam...... will be in the 430hp range. Will upgrade brakes when I can. But for now, just want to get the suspension dialed. Thoughts???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
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From: Atlanta GA
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
what abut the KYB gas adjust shocks in both the c6 and c5 sizes....from rock auto for all 4 something like $350 with $40 rebate
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 331
From: Ocala FL
I am going to be going from the C6 Z06 shocks to the Johnny O'Connell shocks. From what I understand they will be more firm but will provide better handling. IDK...I guess I'll find out once I get them on the car. I think that you are correct in your thinking about the different in 19/20 and now 18/19 making for a better ride. I feel that 19/20 is just too much wheel with not enough sidewall on the tire for comfort in most daily driving situations. IF you still have the C6 Z06 shocks you may want to try them again.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento California
I sold them when I had 1st installed the coilovers. I never thought I would be going backwards. I may still have the original Z51 shocks though. Only had 30K on them. May toss em on and see if they can get me by.
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Nothing wrong with the stock shocks or perhaps a comparable offering from Bilstein.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,470
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From: East Windsor NJ
I bought a set of lightly-used Bilstein B8's from a forum member - looking forward to getting them bolted on soon!
https://www.bilstein.com/int/en/product/bilstein-b8/
https://www.bilstein.com/int/en/product/bilstein-b8/
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
I believe they do as the inside seals start to get old and leak. i just dont know how long the shelf life is though.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento California
I do want to be lower than stock. Doesn't need to be slammed. Tried that already and loved the look, but tired of scraping everywhere and having all kinds of trash stuck under my car. lol I once ran over a Styrofoam coffee cup and it made its way into the wheel/rotor area and was screeching like a banshee! I thought my car was about to fall apart until I found it wedged in there!!! Now I am content to simply have a nice stance that looks better than stock, and have some ride quality to go with it. I guess I can look over my last alignment/corner weighting on my car. Determine the weight of my car and compare to the C6 Z51 and C6 Z06 weights. When I tried the C6 Z06 shocks, I was bottomed out on stock front bolts and aftermarket rear bolts with a 19/20 wheel setup. It was too rough and felt like I was riding on the bump stops. Car was lighter then too.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
You should look into using drop spindles. Maintains shock travel while lowering your car. Only coilovers can maintain travel when lowered without drop spindles.
Last edited by Tsumi; Apr 17, 2018 at 02:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Don't have any good suggestions for you then. All shocks for the leaf springs have the same travel length. If the Z06 shocks are bottoming out, you have to go to stiffer shocks, which will also negatively impact ride quality. All shocks for the leaf spring setup will have the same travel length, so the only way to prevent bottoming out is to go to stiffer shocks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: DFW, TX
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento California
Don't have any good suggestions for you then. All shocks for the leaf springs have the same travel length. If the Z06 shocks are bottoming out, you have to go to stiffer shocks, which will also negatively impact ride quality. All shocks for the leaf spring setup will have the same travel length, so the only way to prevent bottoming out is to go to stiffer shocks.