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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 02:29 PM
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i am here also with a bit of porpoising and some rough ness - just got car 2001 c5 convertible with 52k , i changed tires now i feel i need to do shocks, any imput guys
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by corvjim1
i am here also with a bit of porpoising and some rough ness - just got car 2001 c5 convertible with 52k , i changed tires now i feel i need to do shocks, any imput guys
Why? Your vette is low miles.
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 04:08 PM
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just seems to need shocks other wise why porpoising ?
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 04:10 PM
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C6Z shocks seems to be THE shock for budget minded owners as a "upgrade replacement". I don't use them so I can't speak to their feel.

Last edited by smitty2919; Jul 20, 2020 at 04:10 PM.
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 04:11 PM
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You probably don't need them but if you want to make it more firm you could do the C6 Z06 upgrade... A want perhaps, but probably not a need....

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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by corvjim1
i am here also with a bit of porpoising and some rough ness - just got car 2001 c5 convertible with 52k , i changed tires now i feel i need to do shocks, any imput guys
I would have the front end checked out. Yes it could be shocks
or broken spring. At 52k miles, you should be driving smoothly.
Good luck
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Old Jul 20, 2020 | 07:11 PM
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C6 Z06 shocks work very well on the C5.
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Old Jul 21, 2020 | 07:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
C6 Z06 shocks work very well on the C5.
I put them on my 02 along with the C6 Z51 sway bars.
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Old Jul 21, 2020 | 11:15 PM
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I would advise starting with just the Z06 C6 shocks.. It is quite a bit firmer of a ride. If you still want more, go with the sway bars too. Just my 2 Cents.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 12:47 AM
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I used Bilsteins.

Low price, firm shocks very little body roll.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 08:57 AM
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Sway bars don't make the ride any firmer in a car. Shocks do. Sway bars prevent body roll.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 09:06 AM
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When it comes to shocks, some considerations: Boulevard cruising, exit ramps, etc....C6 Z06 shocks work well and are inexpensive Canyon runs, windy roads, excitement.....Bilsteins, Autocross/HPDE Bilstein DRM valved, 2004 Z06, Johnny O'Connell Highly competitive Autocross Penske, and other adjustable. High level HPDE, race Penske and other reserve cylinder double adjustable. Your cost will go from $250-6000, depending on your needs.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by smitty2919
Sway bars don't make the ride any firmer in a car. Shocks do. Sway bars prevent body roll.
Sway bars do make the car stiffer. This is especially true on uneven road surfaces. On a smooth road the car will ride as before. Once you hit some bumps or uneven pavement with only one wheel you will notice the difference. You may also notice more cabin thumps from the thicker sway bars when you hit pot holes and bumps.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
C6 Z06 shocks work very well on the C5.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 10:02 AM
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I run Bilstein B8 - but they are firm - designed for lowered cars...
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by smitty2919
C6Z shocks seems to be THE shock for budget minded owners as a "upgrade replacement". I don't use them so I can't speak to their feel.
Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
C6 Z06 shocks work very well on the C5.
Originally Posted by Toys4Life C5
I would advise starting with just the Z06 C6 shocks.. It is quite a bit firmer of a ride. If you still want more, go with the sway bars too. Just my 2 Cents.
Originally Posted by ~Josh
I used Bilsteins.

Low price, firm shocks very little body roll.
I'm considering swapping my shocks out as well for a firmer ride and per the threads I've read, the C6Z and Bilsteins always seem to be the most recommended. Can anyone advise as to the difference between the two? My C5 is a 2004 convertible that is mostly a cruiser. I've already swapped out the sway bars to C5 Z06 sway bars and I'm running aftermarket CCW 19" wheels and larger, Baer Eradispeed brakes.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 11:04 AM
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I love the Bilstein shocks on my C5. I would add that my car is lowered.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by C5MSG2004Vert
Sway bars do make the car stiffer. This is especially true on uneven road surfaces. On a smooth road the car will ride as before. Once you hit some bumps or uneven pavement with only one wheel you will notice the difference. You may also notice more cabin thumps from the thicker sway bars when you hit pot holes and bumps.
I suppose TECHNICALLY speaking they will slightly. However 90% of the ride "feel" is from shocks.

Have you ever went from stock shocks to a good shock back to stock shocks then to a better shock? Do that let me know if you feel the same way lol. I went from 50K mi 03Z shocks to Koni shocks, back to stock then to Ridetech HQ coilovers (with similar spring rates as stock Z leafs). Amongst all that shock switching I played with stock Z bars and C6 ZR1 bars. Stock Z shocks felt like the car was just floating around and floppy.

Shocks are a dampener and is what you feel from a "stiff/harsh" ride or not which is from the shock compression setting and quickly after the rebound setting. I can make my car feel like it has 1200lb rate springs in it by jacking up the shock settings without a change to springs or bars.
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