for my 03 z06, help needed

 

Well that’s a very broad subject. What kind of ride you want/expect out of your vette? Do you want firmer? Softer? A little smoother? And how do you plan on using your vette? Weekender? Racer? Daily Driver? All of the above?

Without knowing what you want I would say this: If you want a firmer ride but something you can live with on long trips or daily driver but still a definite improvement over stock then go with Bilstein HD shocks (I have HD on my 01 z51 and love them). If you want firm to very firm (from what I have read) then go with Bilstein Sports or 04 Z06 or C6 Z06 shocks.

If price is an object then go with USED Bilsteins or new C6zo6 shocks.

What do you need for brakes? Is your current ones worn out or need repair? Do you need or want new rotors? Do you need or want new calipers? 6 piston calipers up front? Are you looking for cross drilled and slotted rotors with a quiet pad? Do you race or push it to the limits? Do you want low dust? Is price an object? Do you want to keep it all OME?

Without knowing what you want I would suggest staying with factory pads (and calipers) if you expect good stopping and quiet pads (but very dusty). Some say the factory z06 pad is very good PLUS has low dust. Some have used aftermarket pads with good and bad comments including noise or eats the rotors away or does not stop as well as factory pads.

Give us more info and we will try to help or at least give you honest options. Many choices and price ranges.
Good Luck.

 

I should have read your Bio first, you would want something much better that stock (supercharger and tons of mods!). Perhaps someone with a big brake conversion with adjustable shocks/coil conversion can help you more. I have the baer eradispeed 2 piece rotors and love them but you may tear up crossdrilled rotors if you race at all (from what I read on the CF) I enjoy the looks of the Baers. And Im sure firmer shocks are in order to help plant all that power to the pavement. Good luck man.

 

Greetings,

As mentioned in an earlier post, you're driving needs and or goals should be defined first for the best results.

Options are many, and once we understand your mission they we can accurately advise/ recommend...

It's like buying sneekers... you don't want a golf shoes when you're going jogging.. you don't need brakes for drag racing if you're going to do the 24 Hours of Daytona... There are differences.

Let us know,
PL @ Van Steel.

 

I have to agree you will need to tell us your driving style to get a better idea what you need.

the Z06 pads are pretty good, but chances are you will find the Hawk HPS pads a bit better. The stock calipers are fine and dont need to be changed (I use stock calipers with hawk DTC-70s on the track and I can outbrake many cars).

you will need to flush your brake fluid though. that is just as important as doing the rest.

As far as shocks the 04 C5 Z06 shocks and the C6 Z06 shocks work very well. They are probably good for just about everyone.

 

i'm not a track guy, the car spends half it's time on the highway.
i do dog it sometimes while respecting the power. i was told I should stay with the 03 z06 shocks because they are not as stiff as the 04's or c6 z06.

 

I like the feel of the C6 Z06 Shocks. I have a brand new extra set that is still in the box if your interested.

 

Tramminc,

Why do you think you need shocks and brakes? Are the pads thin? Bad ride? Some shop told you so?

Love to help out, but need some of the basics, first.

Have a good one,
Mike

 

Rear pads are thin.
Car is nearing 30,000 miles the shocks, can't have to many more miles left in them.

 

based on your driving stick with the OEM Z06 pads. They have plenty of stopping power and will not cost you a ton. Flushing the brake fluid is also needed.

you can also get new blank rotors from napa for about $25 each. Might be a good time to change them.

If your shocks are going you really dont have much of a choice outside of the 04 Z06 or the C6 Z06. Any other after market will cost more and will even be more harsh of a ride.

 

I replaced my shocks at 30K and installed the Bilstein HD (had z51 shocks before) and they made a big difference - slightly firmer but more control, less wheel hop and absorbs interstate overpasses much better. Feels safer at high speeds. I love them. Plus Bilstein have a life time warrenty. If you when with factory shocks (03/04 z06 or C6 z06) I think at 60K you may be looking for new shocks again were the Bilsteins should last much longer IMO.

 

Back again,
C5 Brakes:
The C5 brake system is very good. We have used the factory system for years with outstanding results. Because of the high torque the system can generate dealing with the heat and maintaining consitant clamping pressure with the caliper, reduces the need to up gradethe system. It's realy more of an appearence thing then an stopping gain. There is no doubt 4-6 piston calipers are bigger and and last longer but the tires become your limit in stopping, especially on the street.. Plus, the increased rotating weight of the big rotors will impact your speed performance. With all said, simple cost effective up grades to the pads, fluid, lines and rotors will produce improved stopping, durable, cost effective brakes. BUT the bigger brakes do look cool on the street.. but not realy needed.

Brake pads:
Hawk HPS pads are our choice for street, work well cold and will stand up to street play. if you do hard stops from triple digits repeatedly, then the HP Plus compound.

Rotors:
The least expensive, with no cosmetic gains are as mentioned earlier, NAPA OEM replacements.
The new DBA 4000 and 5000 series rotors are similar to the GM Thick Cheeks and will last longer and resist the spider cracking longer than anything we have seen. The cooling vane design and plus their thermal stability profiling (a reverse cryogentic process if you may) makes these are very good product. With respect to cross drilled and slotted, AC Delco Dura Stops are the best value. 2 piece rotors are nice but not all created equal. DBA also have a new line of their products with cross drilled, slotted and or performance rotors. Not the cheapest but technoloy a leader.

Stainless steel braided flex lines:
Any DOT certified hose kit.

Brake Fluid:
Motul, GM HD or Ford Hi-Performance fluids are mineral based and work well... just bleed you system with a higher degree of regularity.

let me know if we can help..
PL @ Van Steel

 

Based upon your driving style, I'd just go with some OE replacement rear pads, not even Z06 compound. Around $50-60 for the rears.

As far as shocks go, I replaced my Z51 shocks at 100K miles with new Z51s and the handling and ride didn't change at all (most of that 100K was on the hwy). So, I wouldn't change out the shocks based solely on mileage.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

Actually the shop tried to talk him out of shocks

Raymond is very,very picky.Just ask him how many times he's measured his suspension height since lowering it

The tighter 04 shocks would bother him. Doing pads is a good idea

He should be thinking-- Forged stroker motor instead

 

2 year ago,,when I bought my 03 Vette it was 33k, and now its 53k,so do I need to do anything with the shock.(its rides d same).please, give ma a advise.. thanks,

Tommy

 

Tommy, if you’re happy with the ride why change it? As long as it don’t continue to bounce after a large dip/hole in the road you should be fine. I find it hard to test the shocks like I use to on my other cars since I don’t have real bumpers to jump up and down on (and Im afraid to cause damage to the finish) but they say if you can push a car up and down a few times then release the car should go up and down once then settle down right away. Every year I always inspect my brakes and the under side and one of the things I look at it the shocks to make sure non are leaking or have any large dents in them from rocks or road trash.

 

Tommy,

Today's shocks are really pretty good, in spite of our "OE stuff is junk, I need to UPGRADE" mentality (not that *I* have that problem, no, never, uh uh ).

Bouncing a car to see what kind of damping a shock has can still work on a softly sprung and damped passenger car, like my family's Crown Vic. On just about any sports car (C5, F-body, Mustang, etc.), a car can pass the bounce test and still have worn out shocks.

So, JEEP's recommendation to look for oil leakage on your shocks and paying attention to the ride of your car is good advice for a car that's not raced.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

do you need to change - no. Just keep an eye on them and make sure no leaks.

Now of course if you want better handling then there is a boat load of things that you can do. Take my car - T1 Sways - LG Coilovers - this car sticks to the road like nothing else (racing tires help too), but of course I scarifice when on the street because I can feel every nook and cranny.

In the end it comes down to the driver. Most will never fully push the stock setup suspension to its limits so why change it. Others feel they want more of a racecar feel even if they will never push it so there are options for them too.

 

OK it's been about a year now since i lowered it, and yes i still measure the height. and every month measure the tread on the tires. it gets waxed every 8-10 weeks (which drives my wife crazy) and i leave the heat in the garage set for 55 degrees.

I'll be looking for a clutch soon. after a good run 2 weeks ago the clutch got hard to press until it cooled.

 

Thanks for a good advice.. Guys,
Do you Guys know how much, do I hve to spend to fix my 03Vette's BRAKE LIGHTS & SIGNAL LIGHTS, Its won't active,,,Thinking about to bring 'em to the shop to get its fix,( b'cause, I'm not good with Elec..)

Tommy