[Z06] Johnny O'Connell Shocks, Any Feedback?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 21
From: Olathe, Kansas
Johnny O'Connell Shocks, Any Feedback?
Looking at a set of Johnny O'Connell re-valved shocks.Looking for ride quality, handling, etc. Any feedback would be Appreciated!
Last edited by Bills03Coupe; Jun 27, 2025 at 07:57 PM. Reason: added note
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 213
From: Auburn Ohio
Been running a set last 6,000 miles or so
the Good:
Absolute boss Handling. ...Flattens the car more than I expected I have not tracked the car but they likely would enhance a HPDE day
the not the best:
Stiff initial action. You'll feel everything on a crummy. Road and expansion joints will be felt
My sons car has DRM Valved Bilsteins
They are a touch softer in initial "hit"
I prefer them for crummy backroads
It's all in where yod live and road condition
If you're thinking of HPDE
O'Connells for sure
Mostly Daily comfort? DRM's
If you're near me, PM. for a ride!
USA-1
Save The Wave
the Good:
Absolute boss Handling. ...Flattens the car more than I expected I have not tracked the car but they likely would enhance a HPDE day
the not the best:
Stiff initial action. You'll feel everything on a crummy. Road and expansion joints will be felt
My sons car has DRM Valved Bilsteins
They are a touch softer in initial "hit"
I prefer them for crummy backroads
It's all in where yod live and road condition
If you're thinking of HPDE
O'Connells for sure
Mostly Daily comfort? DRM's
If you're near me, PM. for a ride!
USA-1
Save The Wave
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
No offense, but it’s a corvette, only thing with a comfy ride will be mag ride shocks if you can find them, or adjustable coilovers on the softest setting. Anything else will be stiff, safest bet will be c6 Z06 shocks or bilstein B6, and I can say bilstein b6 hit about the same as C6 Z06, and you probably won’t like it. Get adjustable coilovers professionally installed. Anything will work on track, no point in going to Johnny shocks, you would need a 200TW tire or the tires would hold you back from cornering hard.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
I have them on my 04 Z06. They did stiffen it up a bit, the back squats less on low speed bumps too. It corners flatter as well, but I did JOC sways at the same time. I like them and wouldn't trade them for new stock shocks FWIW. I really didn't notice a degradation in ride quality, but then again that's not why I bought this car.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 20,393
Likes: 431
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
NCM Member '09
I had them on for a bit, and as mentioned, handling was pretty good, at the cost of a bit of comfort. Ended up going to a 2012 Grand Sport set, which I like better. (Still running the Pfadt/Johnny O sway bars, but with regular metal links)
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 7,398
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My car rides like an old couch. Honestly I wouldn't want it stiff riding at all. One of the primary things that sold me on the car was that it rode pretty nice compare to other "performance" cars I've owned or ridden in.
I have been considering the DRM Bilsteins.
Or QA1 adjustables.
I'm just gun shy because I do not want to ride in a lumberwagon myself. OP may be different.
