Shocks/Strut/Spring
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Ask 10 people and you'll get 11 different answers.
How do you use the car? How often do you drive it? Street only? Track only? Street/Track? What percentage of each?
How do you use the car? How often do you drive it? Street only? Track only? Street/Track? What percentage of each?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Why do you want to change all this suspension stuff... Be careful with this slippery slope.. Too many people change things for the sake of change.. If you do not have a specific need to change the suspension ( better is not a reason ) what is wrong with what you have? Remember, everything is a trade off.. GM designed a great car.. After market vendors do their best to hype up their products so they can put their kids through school. The C5 was built with a specific budget and targeted demographic. Much of the budget money went into the drive train. There are indeed better products at a much increased cost to the consumer then that which was allowed during the build.
Bill
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 226
From: Coast of San Mateo CA
I just did very similar. TPS Motorsports G1 sway bars US made hollow 35 mm front with 25 mm 3 position adjustable rear (set on soft for now)
comes with bushings and quality end-links, Bilstein B6 shocks (for stock ride height, non lowered), TPS thermal insulated tunnel plate.
$1060.00 for the package and only a slight premium vs Z51 bars,metal end-links, & C6 Z06 shocks if purchased new.
From reading in the forums the Bilstein shocks B6 & B8 (for lowered suspensions) have a wider dynamic range Vs C6Z06 shocks,
softer & firmer at both ends of their range, have not compared my self as I have coilovers on my C5 with C6 Z51 bars which I may
swap down the road with the TPS bars and links. The Bilstein shock tube diameter is significantly THICKER than the base C6 shock tube.
Huge Improvement over my base C6 suspension in my daily driver . Car feels absolutely Great ,
flat in turns without being harsh over bumps, (haven't driven the pot hole infested streets of SF yet)
so if you have decent roads a great upgrade.
Worth checking out the TPS Website, also did their Stage 2 Brake package & Powder coated calipers (first bling I have spent on either Vette lol)
Excellant Prices/Value IMO.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Everything is a Trade off... if you add stiffer shocks and sways, it will stiffen up the ride... people who feel adding stiffer suspension, does nothing to effect the ride are just in denial. or do not understand the physics of automotive technology. While stiffer suspension component will increase handling characteristics.it will be at the trade off of a stiffer ride.. If it was possible to add a better handling shock and still keep the comfort ride in a non magnetic non adjustable shock system, dont you think GM would have done that? Its the reason why they have different shocks.. One is for a street car with occasional spirited driving great shocks and sways in the Z51 package.. Its immediately obvious to the educated enthusiast, that adding stiffer shock stiffens the ride quality.. Its for those who care less about ride quality and more about handling characteristic in the corners.
You are going to get a harsher street ride if you add stiffer suspension components.
You are going to get a harsher street ride if you add stiffer suspension components.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I forgot to mention, you can follow the herd, follow the hype and those who want to defend their choices, or you can use a little logic, and alittle automotive engineering advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,390
Likes: 24,795
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
It would be nice to know what your plans are for use of the car - then some solid advice could be given.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Absolutely best bang for the buck hands down,. .... if purchased used.
I just did very similar. TPS Motorsports G1 sway bars US made hollow 35 mm front with 25 mm 3 position adjustable rear (set on soft for now)
comes with bushings and quality end-links, Bilstein B6 shocks (for stock ride height, non lowered), TPS thermal insulated tunnel plate.
$1060.00 for the package and only a slight premium vs Z51 bars,metal end-links, & C6 Z06 shocks if purchased new.
From reading in the forums the Bilstein shocks B6 & B8 (for lowered suspensions) have a wider dynamic range Vs C6Z06 shocks,
softer & firmer at both ends of their range, have not compared my self as I have coilovers on my C5 with C6 Z51 bars which I may
swap down the road with the TPS bars and links. The Bilstein shock tube diameter is significantly THICKER than the base C6 shock tube.
Huge Improvement over my base C6 suspension in my daily driver . Car feels absolutely Great ,
flat in turns without being harsh over bumps, (haven't driven the pot hole infested streets of SF yet)
so if you have decent roads a great upgrade.
Worth checking out the TPS Website, also did their Stage 2 Brake package & Powder coated calipers (first bling I have spent on either Vette lol)
Excellant Prices/Value IMO.
I just did very similar. TPS Motorsports G1 sway bars US made hollow 35 mm front with 25 mm 3 position adjustable rear (set on soft for now)
comes with bushings and quality end-links, Bilstein B6 shocks (for stock ride height, non lowered), TPS thermal insulated tunnel plate.
$1060.00 for the package and only a slight premium vs Z51 bars,metal end-links, & C6 Z06 shocks if purchased new.
From reading in the forums the Bilstein shocks B6 & B8 (for lowered suspensions) have a wider dynamic range Vs C6Z06 shocks,
softer & firmer at both ends of their range, have not compared my self as I have coilovers on my C5 with C6 Z51 bars which I may
swap down the road with the TPS bars and links. The Bilstein shock tube diameter is significantly THICKER than the base C6 shock tube.
Huge Improvement over my base C6 suspension in my daily driver . Car feels absolutely Great ,
flat in turns without being harsh over bumps, (haven't driven the pot hole infested streets of SF yet)
so if you have decent roads a great upgrade.
Worth checking out the TPS Website, also did their Stage 2 Brake package & Powder coated calipers (first bling I have spent on either Vette lol)
Excellant Prices/Value IMO.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 176
Likes: 32
From: Pennington NJ
I'm slightly hijacking this thread. I've got a track C5 Z06 ( street legal) with track set up. As long as the roads are smooth it's comfortable any slight imperfections & it's jarring. But am chiming in re: my C5 convertible, stock suspension. This is strictly a weekend driver. Each time I drive i wish it had a little less sway to it. It seems just a little too soft. But when I spot some crappy road before me I begin to brace my self for that jarring Z06 feel then as I drive across it, it's not jarring, it's not bad at all. As others here have said screwing with your suspension will screw with your ride quality. I don't want to end up with same ride as my Z06.
Here's my question, can I stiffen the ride slightly without getting the jarring stiff ride of my track car.
I don't want to screw with ride height, I don't need adjustability. All I'm looking to achieve is a slightly
less soft/swaying ride.
Brand wise I prefer to stay with a Bilstein or a Koni. Or will going with a stiffer sway bar give me what I'm looking for without giving me the harsher ride?
Here's my question, can I stiffen the ride slightly without getting the jarring stiff ride of my track car.
I don't want to screw with ride height, I don't need adjustability. All I'm looking to achieve is a slightly
less soft/swaying ride.
Brand wise I prefer to stay with a Bilstein or a Koni. Or will going with a stiffer sway bar give me what I'm looking for without giving me the harsher ride?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 364
From: Dardenne Prairie Missouri
What year is the convertible and which stock suspension does it have? Just from your statements I would say upgrading the sway bars would be what you are looking for which won’t upset the ride on rough roads.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 176
Likes: 32
From: Pennington NJ
shocks/struts
MonCal90
It’s an 02 convertible. It has whatever was the stock suspension for that model & year.
I’m thinking you are correct, replacing the sway bars may be the easiest least expensive way to start without screwing up the ride quality. Any suggestions what anti-sway bars to get? Do I go with Z06 or Z51 or some aftermarket version? If these don’t give me what I am looking for I can go on to plan B from there.
=moncal90;1600308054]What year is the convertible and which stock suspension does it have? Just from your statements I would say upgrading the sway bars would be what you are looking for which won’t upset the ride on rough roads.[/QUOTE]
It’s an 02 convertible. It has whatever was the stock suspension for that model & year.
I’m thinking you are correct, replacing the sway bars may be the easiest least expensive way to start without screwing up the ride quality. Any suggestions what anti-sway bars to get? Do I go with Z06 or Z51 or some aftermarket version? If these don’t give me what I am looking for I can go on to plan B from there.
=moncal90;1600308054]What year is the convertible and which stock suspension does it have? Just from your statements I would say upgrading the sway bars would be what you are looking for which won’t upset the ride on rough roads.[/QUOTE]
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 50
From: Bradenton, FL
I echo everyone's comments on no monkeying with the stock ride too much is it is an around the towner. I picked up some Alden coilovers for my vert. As long as the road is smooth, the handling is phenom. Taking the car anywhere is a teeth rattler though. For me, I wish I hadn't dropped the dough on the coil over and used that cash for a different mod. Now I'm in the process of throwing some Bilsteins on. Hoping to maybe sell the Aldens...
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 176
Likes: 32
From: Pennington NJ
shocks/struts
I echo everyone's comments on no monkeying with the stock ride too much is it is an around the towner. I picked up some Alden coilovers for my vert. As long as the road is smooth, the handling is phenom. Taking the car anywhere is a teeth rattler though. For me, I wish I hadn't dropped the dough on the coil over and used that cash for a different mod. Now I'm in the process of throwing some Bilsteins on. Hoping to maybe sell the Aldens...
For me, I do like the idea of hopefully solving my soft ride with doing only the sways. Found C6 Z51 sways for about $325 & Hotchkiss for around $100 more.
My new question is, is it worth spending the extra $100? The Hotchkiss are substantially thicker then the Z51. But does it really matter & will the ride quality/handling be worth the extra $100?
If these sways give me the ride I’m looking for I’ll do the same on the CTS.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 364
From: Dardenne Prairie Missouri
MonCal90
It’s an 02 convertible. It has whatever was the stock suspension for that model & year.
I’m thinking you are correct, replacing the sway bars may be the easiest least expensive way to start without screwing up the ride quality. Any suggestions what anti-sway bars to get? Do I go with Z06 or Z51 or some aftermarket version? If these don’t give me what I am looking for I can go on to plan B from there.
=moncal90;1600308054]What year is the convertible and which stock suspension does it have? Just from your statements I would say upgrading the sway bars would be what you are looking for which won’t upset the ride on rough roads.
It’s an 02 convertible. It has whatever was the stock suspension for that model & year.
I’m thinking you are correct, replacing the sway bars may be the easiest least expensive way to start without screwing up the ride quality. Any suggestions what anti-sway bars to get? Do I go with Z06 or Z51 or some aftermarket version? If these don’t give me what I am looking for I can go on to plan B from there.
=moncal90;1600308054]What year is the convertible and which stock suspension does it have? Just from your statements I would say upgrading the sway bars would be what you are looking for which won’t upset the ride on rough roads.
Well you have the possibility of having three different suspensions for that model year... the base suspension, the f45 multi mode suspension or the z51. I am assuming you have the base suspension. I would go with the Z51 sway bars and see how you like that in the corners.