[Z06] 04 vs 01 shocks.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,408
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04 vs 01 shocks.
I've been hearing some onflicting stories. I've heard that the 01's are the stiffest shocks, they lightened them up for 02/03, then in 04 they just revised them a tad.
So which is stiffer? 01 or 04?
So which is stiffer? 01 or 04?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06
Originally Posted by l2vette
Stiffer = '01
Better = '04
The '04 Sachs shocks where tuned in Germany specifically for the Z06.
Better = '04
The '04 Sachs shocks where tuned in Germany specifically for the Z06.
The 04 shocks rock!
Shawn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 2
From: 07 black c6z
NOT SO FAST.
I've put the 04 shocks on my 03'.
TOOK THEM OFF and replaced them with the originals!!
Did NOT like the stiffness of the 04's. BEWARE.
Also be sure when replacing the shocks to do an ALL wheel alignment. (Very Important!!!)
Good luck. BUT I didn't like them.
-Bill.
I've put the 04 shocks on my 03'.
TOOK THEM OFF and replaced them with the originals!!
Did NOT like the stiffness of the 04's. BEWARE.
Also be sure when replacing the shocks to do an ALL wheel alignment. (Very Important!!!)
Good luck. BUT I didn't like them.
-Bill.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset (LI) NY
Originally Posted by Shylor
Since when? Many have said this wasn't necessary.
BTW - This 04 Z is my first Vette and I came from many F-Body cars and was quite surprized with the ride of the Z. I expected a much harsher ride. If the 02/03 was not as stiff I probably would not have liked the ride quite as much. To me, the performance and ride quality is excellent for a car that can do a full 1G on lateral acceleration and quite tolerable for daily driving.
Last edited by Andy64; Oct 23, 2004 at 06:51 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere MD
Originally Posted by Andy64
Different shocks can always change suspension geometry (2 different shocks could have different heights at rest, etc). I was told by several mechanics that alignment should be done after changing shocks. Best to at least have checked afterwards to be sure your still within specs.
I've driven my '04 Z06 back-to-back with a bone stock, low-mileage (2,000 miles) '02 Z06 and the '04 had a much more pleasant ride. The owner of the '02 agreed.
Perhaps the other minor tweaks to the '04 Z06 suspension working in conjuction with the shocks results in a better ride. It is pretty amazing that GM improved the handling and the ride simultaneously.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I too installed the newer/improved 04 scocks on my 03. At first I thought they were too stiff and was about to remove them. Then I checked my tire pressures. They were high in the 33 to 34 PSI range. I adjusted them back down to 30 PSI and took the car for an extended back road test. I love the feel of these shocks. The one BIG change between the 03 and 04 is greatly reduced axle hop. Seems the 04 shocks control that better than earlier shocks. And that I can feel when ever I get on from a dead stop.
I never heard of needing an alignment after changing shocks. I wonder were that came from?
Tom
I never heard of needing an alignment after changing shocks. I wonder were that came from?
Tom
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by Andy64
Different shocks can always change suspension geometry (2 different shocks could have different heights at rest, etc). I was told by several mechanics that alignment should be done after changing shocks.
This simply is not true for the C5 04 shocks. Maybe with other cars but not the Corvette 04 shocks.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset (LI) NY
Originally Posted by Shylor
This simply is not true for the C5 04 shocks. Maybe with other cars but not the Corvette 04 shocks.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Somewhere I Read That...
The '02-'03 shocks were judged to produce too "floaty" a ride at higher speeds.
Thus the '04 shocks were designed with greater rebound, but with the same compression. The idea was to make the car feel more planted, but not especially stiffer.
I have an '04 and have never driven an '02-03, so somebody who knows for sure please correct this if it's wrong.
Thus the '04 shocks were designed with greater rebound, but with the same compression. The idea was to make the car feel more planted, but not especially stiffer.
I have an '04 and have never driven an '02-03, so somebody who knows for sure please correct this if it's wrong.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 666
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City UT
I have about 1500 miles on the 04 shocks on our 01' Z06. The very first thing I noticed was how well they tuned out the small bumps and ripples in the road. The turn on the car is better and the tires feel like they are in contact with the road. The 04 shocks now feel broken in after a trip to Las Vegas and back. I hit 165mph on the tripo and the car felt the same as doing 75, rock solid. I would not go back to the 01 shocks. Hope this helps