I'm looking to replace the shocks on my 99 coupe. I have the 'base' suspension, stock ride height, and 90K miles on the car. I just replaced the run-flats with Khumo ASX's in the stock sizes, and had the car aligned. This is my everyday car, so I don't want to go overboard with too stiff a shock. However, I don't mind a 'firm' ride. ( I know - that's all subjective ) I will take it to the drag strip occasionally, and would like to attend an HPDE/autocross school in the near future.

Some of the options I'm considering are:

~ Buying a set of used low mileage take offs, preferably from the forum here or otherwise on ebay. In this case I'd like to find Z51 or Z06 shocks

~ New 'Goodwrench' or GM replacements from the dealer, or

~ Upgrade to Bilstiens, Edelbrocks, or another comparable performance shock.

I don't have any desire to change to coilovers.

I'm leaning toward buying a set of used Z51 shocks, hopfully with 15-20K miles or less. I was really hoping to get some of you guys' input before I pull the trigger. I won't go so far as to say "money's no object" but I wouldn't mind dropping $300 for a new set of Bilstiens if they're worth it. ( I know, subjectivity again )

Thanks in advance for any input on this. I'm hoping to hear from those of you who've upgraded so I can get kind of a 'before and after' point of view. And let me know if you have any of the shocks I mentioned for sale!

 

oddly enough.....thats just what im doing too........I've got the "99" Z51 stuff but they have 30 thousand on them.................I cant really afford $1000 for shocks(hedders ya) but not shocks, after a lot of checking arround I'm going for the Bilstiens the good ones..............@$75 ea.

 

Between the Bilsteins, Z51, and Z06 shocks, I'd go with the ones you can find the best price on, unless you're going to lower your car lower than the stock hardware will allow. In that case, go with the Bilsteins, the stock sized hardware can bottom out if you go outside the adjustments of the stock hardware.

You'll find the Bilsteins the stiffest of all, but only by a small amount.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

04 Z06 shocks.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'll start looking. I do plan on keeping the car at stock height, I scrape in and out of my drive everyday as it is now.

 

I'm running 04 ZO6 shock on mine & they are great.....

Oops, I'm sorry, my car is an 04 ZO6 Z16.....lol

 

From all the opinions I've read on many threads on this topic, if you are keeping the ride height stock, the consensus is to opt for the '04 Z06s too... There's enough of a market so that if they're too stiff, you can resell the Z06s and go to softer shocks... I don't know however, if you really need to mate the '04 Z06 springs to these shocks...

 

Last Saturday I installed new wheels - 18's all around w/ 265x35 and 295x35 tires. The ride was a bit rougher than the stock sizes. Monday I installed the Z06 bars and Bilstein Sports and a Z06 spec alignment. The car now feels as compliant as it did stock but much more controlled - if that makes sense. I'm extremely happy with the Bilsteins and bars.