[Z06] C5 base z06 shock upgrade
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Joined: Nov 2012
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C5 base z06 shock upgrade
I have a 2004 base that I'd like to upgrade the shocks to the Z06 model, should I stick with the C5 stock Z06 or the C6 Z06 shocks? Street driving only sometimes high speed sometimes in the mountains. Not Intrested in bilsteins or anything other than OEM because the price is right for this set And have been told by multiple sources that the 2004 Z06 shocks are the best upgrade for that body style.
Last edited by sfixxy; Jun 19, 2019 at 10:57 PM. Reason: Incorrect spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Me too. Sways as well. Actually the C6Z06 shocks are the best upgrade. The C5 versions are more expensive. At least that was the word when I decided to do mine.
Last edited by chasboy; Jun 20, 2019 at 07:30 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
You will be more than fine with either as they will both make the ride firmer, just be aware of that. If you want further transitional stability you can also go with Z51 sway bars and metal end links.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,827
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From: Brighton MI
I went with C6Z06 shocks, C6Z51 sways and metal end links. I kept the base suspension springs. Ride is firmer than stock, but not so much so that it beats you up on crappy MI roads. Biggest difference is in cornering, which is now absolutely flat. 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 369
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From: North Georgia
If you lower your car on stock bolts, I would go with the Bilstein Sport Shocks. From what I've read, the Sport Shocks are a little stiffer than the C6 Shocks. If you keep your car at stock height, I would go with Bilstein Heavy Duty Shocks. I have Bilsteins, both Sport and Heavy Duty, on all of my vehicles and really like them.
Good luck.
Spaggs
Good luck.
Spaggs
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
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From: Northville, MI
The 04Z shocks are the best for handling but pricey, most opt for the C6Z as they offer an improvement over the standard shocks. Also the C6 Z51 sway bar for the front and C5Z rear bar will keep the back end more planted to the ground around higher speed curves or Canyon Runs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Silver Spring MD
Thats just what I did about 10 years ago - much better handling
Put C5Z06 shocks, Z51 sway bars front and rear, and metal end links on both sway bars. Car handled much better although the ride was a little stiffer on the bumps. My 98 had plastic end links which flexed. Not so with the metal end links. I also used teflon plumbers tape under the sway bar bushings. Several layers and then the bushings. No squeaking several years later.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Rockland County NY
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12, '14
I've run the C6 Z06 shocks and the Bilstein Sport Shocks and I can honestly say the C6 Z06 shocks had a much better ride quality
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
Put C5Z06 shocks, Z51 sway bars front and rear, and metal end links on both sway bars. Car handled much better although the ride was a little stiffer on the bumps. My 98 had plastic end links which flexed. Not so with the metal end links. I also used teflon plumbers tape under the sway bar bushings. Several layers and then the bushings. No squeaking several years later.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,428
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
How wide are they, and what size are your wheels? I’d love to go to a 305 or 315 but they all seem to be track tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
On the street I'm running 325/30/19 on 19x12 wheels, and for the track I run 315/705/19 Pirelli slicks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Seems like the key to wider rears is to move to 19” wheels. I have 18x10.5’s now, they’re TSW Nurburgrings, a little over a year old and I really like them. I’ll just have to deal with what I have.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
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C6z shocks Johnny O/Pfadt (at the time) sways, though I pulled the heim-links back off, and went with the regular 02-04 links....the heim's were too noisy for the small benefit they provided.
Great balance of handling and decent ride.
Great balance of handling and decent ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
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From: Garland TX
I just had to move to a new set of wheels because my CCW's won't clear C6Z brakes. I was running a 19/20 setup and loved the stance. I just purchased some 18" ACE slick wheels and wanted to use the G2's again. Unfortunately, NITTO only offers the 315 G2's for 18" wheels in a 40 aspect ratio which would put the tire at almost 28". So I opted for the 555R's in the rear in 305's to keep the overall diameter a little larger than stock, but still close to it. To closely match the tread I was pleasantly surprised to know that G2's are offered in 285's that still fit the criteria I need for the fronts.