Suspension
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
It depends on what you are looking for, and what you're planning to do. For a hard core track beast or a slammed car, I would go with coil overs. If you are using this as as a street car I HIGHLY recommend C6 Z06 shocks combined with C6 Z51 sway bars. This will provide you with a comfortable ride, but will significantly reduce body roll and make the car feel like it is on rails.
Last edited by MWWarlord; Dec 2, 2020 at 02:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Brighton MI
It depends on what you are looking for, and what you're planning to do. For a hard core track beast or a slammed car, I would go with coil overs. If you are using this as as a street car I HIGHLY recommend C6 Z06 shocks combined with C6 Z51 sway bars. This will provide you with a comfortable ride, but will significantly reduce body roll and make the car feel like it is on rails.
I upgraded my '97 base to C6 Z-06 shocks, C6 Z51 sway bars with metal end links. Corners absolutely flat, but the base springs still do a good job of absorbing the bumps on crappy MI roads.Great set-up for street.
Last edited by 4XLR8N; Dec 2, 2020 at 05:05 PM.
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Intermediate
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It depends on what you are looking for, and what you're planning to do. For a hard core track beast or a slammed car, I would go with coil overs. If you are using this as as a street car I HIGHLY recommend C6 Z06 shocks combined with C6 Z51 sway bars. This will provide you with a comfortable ride, but will significantly reduce body roll and make the car feel like it is on rails.
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I too would recommend C6 Z06 shocks and sway bars - you will notice the difference.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
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From: southern rural MI
I'm also looking to upgrade the stock shocks on my 2000 convertible. I'll install the C6ZO6 shocks as recommended but my build code lists Z51 (Performance Handling Package), so do I already have the larger diameter sway bars?
Thanks,
RPGR90s
Thanks,
RPGR90s
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: MA
If I were you I'd swap out the stock shocks for Bilstein HD's (the sports are quite firm - I've run them - might be too firm for a non-track/hardcore car) & if you have more than 75k miles maybe consider upgrading the leafs to C5Z or C5 Z51 (not sure if same?) or I guess C6 Z06/Z51 if they'll work - BUT leaf springs are $$$$ & the OEM's should really last quite a long *** time if not driving on rutted roads daily.
You can lower the car on stock bolts - full low setting probably too much for ANY street situation on a regular basis - I went down like a little over 1/2 an inch in front & in between 1/4 - 1/2" in rear to maintain some rake
You could throw some poly bushing mounts in as well
I would also recommend swapping our front/rear sway bars for C6 Z51, poly bushings, & new solid endlinks (moog/mevotech - something greaseable)
You can lower the car on stock bolts - full low setting probably too much for ANY street situation on a regular basis - I went down like a little over 1/2 an inch in front & in between 1/4 - 1/2" in rear to maintain some rake
You could throw some poly bushing mounts in as well
I would also recommend swapping our front/rear sway bars for C6 Z51, poly bushings, & new solid endlinks (moog/mevotech - something greaseable)
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
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Some reflections regarding leaf suspension on 99 base car.
Initial mod kept F1 base springs and added C6 Z51 sways, and Bilstein HD B6 shocks. Retained comfortable ride on poor roads. Flat in corners. Sometimes front end felt light on negative “off” camber turns at 75mph.
Second mod added F4 C5Z leafs. Much more stable with high speed turns. Sometimes feels choppy if concrete road is laid poorly. Otherwise, I like the firmer ride of the F4 springs better.
Initial mod kept F1 base springs and added C6 Z51 sways, and Bilstein HD B6 shocks. Retained comfortable ride on poor roads. Flat in corners. Sometimes front end felt light on negative “off” camber turns at 75mph.
Second mod added F4 C5Z leafs. Much more stable with high speed turns. Sometimes feels choppy if concrete road is laid poorly. Otherwise, I like the firmer ride of the F4 springs better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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You're sway bars are bigger than that of the non Z51 C5, but smaller than a C6 Z51.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
The C6 Z06 shocks certainly won't lower the car at all. However, you can easily get the car a little bit lower by lowering it on the stock bolts. The shocks and sway bars suggested will improve your handling a lot. I personally stuck with the stock leaf springs because that will keep the ride nice and comfortable on the street.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
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From: southern rural MI
