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

C5 Z06 Shock options

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2019 | 02:57 PM
  #1  
79stickshift's Avatar
79stickshift
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco California
Default C5 Z06 Shock options

I cant seem to find a thread where it discusses a C5 Z06, but maybe someone can help me out and redirect me or just answer it here. It is a 2002 Z06 that has about 49k miles on it and, to the best of my knowledge, the original shocks. I head to track days about 4 times a year on R Comp tires (about 12 times total, and switched to R Comps 6 events or so ago), and I tracked a G8 on coilovers previously. I don't daily drive the car but will take it to work occasionally and drive it in the canyons on the weekend. I want to swap them out. Car is lowered on stock bolts. I'm considering...

C6 Z06 $300
Bilstein Sport $400
DRM Bilsteins $475

I guess the question is, for that application, are the C6 Z06 shocks a considerable upgrade or am I better off with one of the Bilstein options. I'm not going to sweat the $175 difference, but don't want to do it if I'm going to completely ruin the ride quality or something like that. Thanks guys!
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2019 | 06:14 PM
  #2  
scorpiofox69's Avatar
scorpiofox69
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 760
Likes: 242
From: All Over The Place
Default

The C6 Z06 are a huge upgrade and the best bang for the buck-period in the way of shocks. Given the limited amount of tracking you are planning and doing more canyon carving and spirited driving on the weekends, take the left over $175 and get some other goodies!

That's my play on it....
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2019 | 06:23 PM
  #3  
knewblewkorvette's Avatar
knewblewkorvette
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Default

Originally Posted by scorpiofox69
The C6 Z06 are a huge upgrade and the best bang for the buck-period in the way of shocks. Given the limited amount of tracking you are planning and doing more canyon carving and spirited driving on the weekends, take the left over $175 and get some other goodies!

That's my play on it....
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2019 | 08:15 PM
  #4  
USAZR1's Avatar
USAZR1
Race Director
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,384
Likes: 3,389
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Rock Auto had the C6 Z06 shocks for less than $225/set, last time I looked.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2019 | 10:25 PM
  #5  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,542
Likes: 24,834
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

I agree, for the money and your intended use, the C6 Z06 shocks are the way to go.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2019 | 10:56 PM
  #6  
roelkers's Avatar
roelkers
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 307
Likes: 173
From: Kansas
Default

I put the C6 Z06 shocks along with the C6 Z51 sway bars on with the moog end links and I couldn’t be happier. It’s like a rocket ship on rails now. Bought mine from cultrag
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2019 | 01:42 PM
  #7  
79stickshift's Avatar
79stickshift
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco California
Default

I went ahead and ordered the C6 Z06 shocks, should have them later this week. Thanks for the advice!
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2019 | 09:19 AM
  #8  
Gordy M's Avatar
Gordy M
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Default

For the track the Bilstein DRM and 2004 Z06 shocks are superior to the C6Z shocks, for the average cruiser the C6Z shocks are economical and on par with the regular Z shocks with a softer ride.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 23, 2019 | 03:20 PM
  #9  
smitty2919's Avatar
smitty2919
Le Mans Master
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,457
Likes: 4,017
From: Cincinnati, OH
Default

Koni Yellow Single Adjustbale
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2019 | 11:00 PM
  #10  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by roelkers
I put the C6 Z06 shocks along with the C6 Z51 sway bars on with the moog end links and I couldn’t be happier. It’s like a rocket ship on rails now. Bought mine from cultrag
Yours a Z06? If so how are the Z51 bars compared to stock? I put c6 z06 shocks on my 03Z and I’m happy with them but I’m on the fence about getting c6 z51 sway bars
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2019 | 09:48 AM
  #11  
GeorgeZNJ's Avatar
GeorgeZNJ
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Default

Originally Posted by Gordy M
For the track the Bilstein DRM and 2004 Z06 shocks are superior to the C6Z shocks, for the average cruiser the C6Z shocks are economical and on par with the regular Z shocks with a softer ride.
I installed the 04Z shocks on my 02Z almost 15yrs ago and have been very happy with them. If I remember correctly the 04's were designed for road course driving, I haven't noticed any body roll at all at the track, the shocks handle gatorbacks very well and street driving is smooth. I researched the Billstein and the 06Z shocks but I felt the 04Z shocks were the best option.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 Z06 Shock options





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:41 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE