best shocks for 2004 base coupe
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
best shocks for 2004 base coupe
Hello: i just bought a 2004 base coupe. this car is about to shake me to death and the ride is very harsh. i thought replacing shocks might help. i found most suggest bilstein. but i found a shock by edelbrock called a performer IAS that will fit my car. since i am an older guy, i want a softer ride. what should i do? or is this just the nature of the beast. i need advice before spending 500 on new shocks. this car has 7000 miles on it and has ac delco gas shocks on the car. help. olderguy
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Menands (Albany) NY
Hmmmmm.
Most of what you will find out is many change 'em out for Z-06 shocks..(Which I did also) They are a firmer ride.
I've not heard of a "soft" ride other than stock shocks..Are they original or aftermarket?
I've not heard of a "soft" ride other than stock shocks..Are they original or aftermarket?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 738
Likes: 2
From: Richmond VA
Worn shocks will not make the ride "harsh". In fact, the ride will feel "floaty". I think you have a different problem. What shocks are currently on the car? Are they stock? Somebody chime in about the shock spacers/blocks/travel blocks, whatever they're called, since this may be his problem.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 97
From: Castro Valley State of Insanity
Originally Posted by MJD
Before you swap shocks you may want to take a ride with someone who has gotten rid of their runflats. The ride was not nearly as harsh after I replaced my rubber.
Just replaced my RF's with Goodyear F1 GS-D3's. What a major improvment in the overall ride. Quiet, smooth, and sticks like crazy. Stero sounds better than ever, and I love the slight gear whine going through the gears that I never heard before.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: richmond va
might want to check the tire pressures....i have read here that 27-30lbs COLD......i have done that along with michelin zp tires and what a differance it makes.....with just 7000 miles the shocks should not be a problem....there is a lot of good advice here.......
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by olderguy
or is this just the nature of the beast. i need advice before spending 500 on new shocks. this car has 7000 miles on it and has ac delco gas shocks on the car. help. olderguy
you dont want to take away the "already deprived" handling just to get a softer comfy ride. going non-run flat tires is a better option.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by rcoopers
might want to check the tire pressures....i have read here that 27-30lbs COLD......i have done that along with michelin zp tires and what a differance it makes.....with just 7000 miles the shocks should not be a problem....there is a lot of good advice here.......
Check this first. Do not exceed 30psi.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Has the car been lowered from stock? This can have some effect on firmness. Just curious, what car were you driving before you got the Vette?
Clayton from Las Vegas
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
thank you guys for the input. you are right that it should not be the shocks. i had never driven a corvette before this car, but when you it a low spot in the road the back end seems to drop down with a hard thump. surely that is not normal. i have friend with a c6 and maybe i should drive his and compare the ride. my former car was a nissan maxima and my wife drives a srx. i check the tire pressure twice a week and keep it at 29 to 30. the car has not be modified at all. i hate to buy new tires but if it makes that much difference, i may be forced to try. olderguy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula la.
Before I got into my 04 car for the first time I realized that the tires can run with no air for 200 miles with no damage. I expected it to ride worse than it did. I'm 58 and will change to non runflats when my originals wear out.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Jonesboro Ga
Also check to see that the bushings , springs, sways have not been changed to a more agressive setup , That is a very popular mod. I have the bilsten shocks with the agressive T1 suspension setup, and it is VERY VERY firm.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Menands (Albany) NY
Originally Posted by olderguy
what do you ask for to get a "zo6" shock. go to chevy house? what is a zo6 shock? what aftermarket manufacturing should i look for? olderguy
It's a GM shock..you can get 'em here hardly used for 150.00 or so..Or you can get 'em new from a Supporting Vender here like Fitchner for 300 give or take... I went used and they are firm but not harsh. You wouldn't be dissapointed with used Z06 shocks. I figure if I didn't like them I could resell em anyways. I like 'em though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 1,879
From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by olderguy
... the car has not be modified at all..
If you don't have the F55 option, then the next thing to check is the ride height. Many people have lowered the car using the stock height adjusters, and it's possible to have the car lowered enough to cause the shocks to bottom out when hitting a bump, again leading to a harsh ride.
Finally, as mentioned above, the run flat tires are pretty stiff springs in their own regard, so make sure you run right around 28-30 psi cold in the tires.
But, you'll never get the ride as soft as a normal passenger car. Nor should you expect it to. Low profile tires, sports car suspension (even the base version) equal a "sporty" ride feel. It's part of the package.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
There are two things to check. First, if your car has the magnetic shock option (F55), then have someone make sure the shock packing inserts have been removed. Many C5s with F55 have been delivered with the inserts still in place. This will cause the shock to bind up after a short amount of throw, causing a very harsh ride.
the first thing I thought of when he mentioned "the ride is very harsh."
