Hey everyone, new to the Corvette world.

What's a decent brand for shock absorbers? I was on Rock Auto, and the KYB is the most popular one, but I wanted to know what you guys would recommend? Looking for a performance with not too harsh daily drivability.

Thanks

1997 c5 Auto(sadface)

 

C6 Z06-best bang for the buck!

 

Thats a good shock to put on the c5? Sounds good

 

I just put the Bilstein HD 08 shocks on and they are a tremendous improvement over the stock C5 FE3/Z51 shocks.

VAST improvement.

 

sounds like a plan thanks man

 

Not to take you or your thread down a rabbit hole, but this is what I did for the set-up on my 04 stick vert. Street and no tracking, in the selection of parts. Keep in mind that suspension geometry/ratios must be kept relatively proportionate to spec in order to prevent understeer/oversteer concerns.

I assembled the following for my car and it handles very well for a Vert:
C6 Z06 shocks (AC Delco)
C5 Z06 front sway bar
C6 Z51 rear sway bar
C6 Z51 front spring
C5 Z51 rear spring
Poly bushings
Metal end links (if not already equipped)

I sourced the sways used. The shocks and end links were new.

 

Thanks man , I really appreciate the help 🙏

 

along with C6 Z51 sway bars.
Also, since you have an earlier C5, you will want metal end links. Either later model stock or even better, Moog.

 

I got the aFe Johnny O’Connell stage 1 kit with the shocks/sway/end links to go on my 2000 coupe. I removed the F45 shocks and switched to C5 Z06 leafs.

 

Also: my stupid plastic end-link on the front swaybar had broken. I replaced all four with the Pro Forged units and the swaybar bushings with the correct size polyurethane units from Energy Suspension.

 

This^^^

 

I put C6 z06 shocks and C6 Z51 front and rear sway bars on my '04, and I am super happy with it. I know it's not really part of your original question, but I feel tires are worth mentioning. Suspension mods certainly help, but the biggest handling improvement will come from a good set of tires. I recommend Michelin Pilot Super Sports 245/45 ZR17 (front) and 275/40 ZR18 (rear) for the stock rims. Welcome to Corvette ownership, and welcome to the forum!

 

Bilstein HD for bang for the buck DD dont want "harsh" ride. Bilstein sport better handling but can be harsh on street & rear can get skittish on uneven pavement under throttle or cornering - best for good roads

Bilstein w/ DRM valving probably best compromise of the 2 above

Your leaf springs are probably fine, but you could always look into ripping everything out for coil overs....

 

How was the change? I’m considering similar.

 

drastic from the stock. Its like a car on rails running 275 fronts and 305 rears.

 

question out of curiosity as I literally have nearly every single part needed to completely rebuild the suspension & then some on my '03 Z06, except the leafs - simply because my understanding is they should be good for 100-150k miles really if not damaged & used normally on street etc. - I guess you probably upgraded for the improved handling, but in terms of wear how were the originals on your car? Still good/serviceable or what? My car has 47k on it now & I already swapped out end-links/tie rods/shocks/sway bars once already like 25k miles ago. I don't think the Bilstein sport shocks on the car now are worn out but wanted the DRM's for hopefully better traction on street....my rear outer tie rods definitely see some wear w/ 650whp

So if you wanna start "getting nuts" - heres what I'm doing
new outer tie rods front - moog
new rebuilt steering rack from Zip (comes w/ the inner tie rods attached)
Steering rack bushing kit from rockauto
new power steering pressure hose from rock auto
TPS AL tunnel plate w/ ceramic heat shield
new timken wheel bearings all around
dismantling 4 corners of suspension having spindles/A-arms bead blasted clear powder or cerakote then reinstalled w/ moog greasable ball joints
new GM rear inner toe links & "HD" outer tie rods from Ecklers
Swapping out Steinjager front sway bar for a C6 Z51 bar + new poly bushings & new metal fixed endlinks (running 3 piece adjustable heimlinks in front currently)
Replacing rear moog end links w/ a fresh set & also swapping out old poly bushings for some fresh ones
DRM valved bilstein shocks w/ poly shock mount bushings

And.....that's it....lol
I'm leaving the OEM injected molded rubber bushings that are in the mounting tabs/ears of the A-arms as they're still plenty supple & my understanding using poly or delrin there results in real rough ride + @ that point you can also look into just swapping out for some new A-arms like mevotech or whatever

My hope is the car will literally look/handle/ride better than new on the street & on the track & should last me 50k miles - or essentially the life of the car @ this point

 

I bought these leafs used. My old OE non Z06 leafs had 95k on them and looked fine. If these only last as long as you say Ill end up going to coil over but I dont see them failing yet. I have no idea how many miles were on them before.