Mixing spring and shock systems?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Mixing spring and shock systems?
I have a set of z-51 and a set of zo6 springs.I also have a z-51 shock set and bilstein sports,non of which are installed yet.I also have the base fe1 suspension installed currently
I have upgraded to hotckis sways already which made a tremendous improvement in the handling.
Vehichle is currently lowered on stock equipment(+/- 1 inch)
The ride I have now..the rear will bottom out over good sized bumps...don't like that
So, is there really any technical issue in my case with running,let's say,z-51 shocks and just the rear z-51 spring?or zo6 springs and z-51 shocks?
I have so much to play with here,if I can mix them,(not considering mixing front and rear shocks,keep that the same) I may be able to get the"just right" ride...not too stiff...not too mushy...
And I'm not talking road racing here, just daily"spirited" driving.
Anyone ever try this or have feedback? I know ,it's kind of an off-the -wall question and most will advise to stick with one system(logical).
I just wanna know about tech issues..I guess.....I am concerned that the bilsteins and z06 springs might just be too harsh,and cause more interior"creaking" that I have already experienced with the sways I installed
Anyone have any constructive thoughts?
TIA
I have upgraded to hotckis sways already which made a tremendous improvement in the handling.
Vehichle is currently lowered on stock equipment(+/- 1 inch)
The ride I have now..the rear will bottom out over good sized bumps...don't like that
So, is there really any technical issue in my case with running,let's say,z-51 shocks and just the rear z-51 spring?or zo6 springs and z-51 shocks?
I have so much to play with here,if I can mix them,(not considering mixing front and rear shocks,keep that the same) I may be able to get the"just right" ride...not too stiff...not too mushy...
And I'm not talking road racing here, just daily"spirited" driving.
Anyone ever try this or have feedback? I know ,it's kind of an off-the -wall question and most will advise to stick with one system(logical).
I just wanna know about tech issues..I guess.....I am concerned that the bilsteins and z06 springs might just be too harsh,and cause more interior"creaking" that I have already experienced with the sways I installed
Anyone have any constructive thoughts?
TIA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
I had the base suspension, without the runflats. I installed Bilstein sports and the handling improved a significant amount. Much less bouncy and held the road much better.
A month later, I put on the Hotchkis bars and lowered it about an inch. The ride became quite harsh, but I got used to it as I enjoyed the minimal body roll. I drove around like this for several years.
About 6 months ago I put on the Z06 springs and tried to keep the ride height about the same. I noticed a significant improvement over the base springs. It was much more responsive and seemed to ride much better despite the stiffer spring rates.
A few weeks ago, I noticed the rear was sagging lower than the front, so I raised the rear up slightly higher than the front to give a slight rake. To my surprise, the ride became much much better with the extra inch or so added to the height. When I had it lower, it would tend to bounce a lot and be harsh. Raising it back up between the stock 4x4 look and lowered worked out to be the perfect compromise for me.
Not sure if I answered your questions, but this has been my experience with suspension mods.
A month later, I put on the Hotchkis bars and lowered it about an inch. The ride became quite harsh, but I got used to it as I enjoyed the minimal body roll. I drove around like this for several years.
About 6 months ago I put on the Z06 springs and tried to keep the ride height about the same. I noticed a significant improvement over the base springs. It was much more responsive and seemed to ride much better despite the stiffer spring rates.
A few weeks ago, I noticed the rear was sagging lower than the front, so I raised the rear up slightly higher than the front to give a slight rake. To my surprise, the ride became much much better with the extra inch or so added to the height. When I had it lower, it would tend to bounce a lot and be harsh. Raising it back up between the stock 4x4 look and lowered worked out to be the perfect compromise for me.
Not sure if I answered your questions, but this has been my experience with suspension mods.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
You can mix and match whatever. Z06 and Z51 share a front spring anyway.
If your car is lowered, and you are bottoming out stock shocks you will bottom out Z06 shocks just as easily. I would recommend going with the bilsteins regardless as they will be much more difficult to bottom.
I bottomed my stock rears a few times and completely trashed one of them. (noticed when I switched to Bilsteins).
If your car is lowered, and you are bottoming out stock shocks you will bottom out Z06 shocks just as easily. I would recommend going with the bilsteins regardless as they will be much more difficult to bottom.
I bottomed my stock rears a few times and completely trashed one of them. (noticed when I switched to Bilsteins).
