Need help softening ride-too harsh
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Smith Maryland
Need help softening ride-too harsh
Hi all! Happy New years to everyone. I have been procrastinating for about two years now. I changed my suspension system several years back. This is what I did.
Z06 sway bars
Z06 springs
Bilsteing sport shocks
Micheline Sport Tires
Lowered vehicle all the way (slammed)
Love the look-HATE the ride!
I realize that I should have taken things slowly, but I was doing a whole bunch of mods at the same time.
My question is this. I want to soften up the ride without changing everything out. I thought about raising the car, but am uncertain how high I can go back up with the Bistein Sports. Should I try this first, and if so, how high can I go, stock Height? Should I just change the shocks and raise the car? Should I go back to stock on everything . I would like to hear everyone's opinion on this!
Z06 sway bars
Z06 springs
Bilsteing sport shocks
Micheline Sport Tires
Lowered vehicle all the way (slammed)
Love the look-HATE the ride!
I realize that I should have taken things slowly, but I was doing a whole bunch of mods at the same time.
My question is this. I want to soften up the ride without changing everything out. I thought about raising the car, but am uncertain how high I can go back up with the Bistein Sports. Should I try this first, and if so, how high can I go, stock Height? Should I just change the shocks and raise the car? Should I go back to stock on everything . I would like to hear everyone's opinion on this!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Hi all! Happy New years to everyone. I have been procrastinating for about two years now. I changed my suspension system several years back. This is what I did.
Z06 sway bars
Z06 springs
Bilsteing sport shocks
Micheline Sport Tires
Lowered vehicle all the way (slammed)
Love the look-HATE the ride!
I realize that I should have taken things slowly, but I was doing a whole bunch of mods at the same time.
My question is this. I want to soften up the ride without changing everything out. I thought about raising the car, but am uncertain how high I can go back up with the Bistein Sports. Should I try this first, and if so, how high can I go, stock Height? Should I just change the shocks and raise the car? Should I go back to stock on everything . I would like to hear everyone's opinion on this!
Z06 sway bars
Z06 springs
Bilsteing sport shocks
Micheline Sport Tires
Lowered vehicle all the way (slammed)
Love the look-HATE the ride!
I realize that I should have taken things slowly, but I was doing a whole bunch of mods at the same time.
My question is this. I want to soften up the ride without changing everything out. I thought about raising the car, but am uncertain how high I can go back up with the Bistein Sports. Should I try this first, and if so, how high can I go, stock Height? Should I just change the shocks and raise the car? Should I go back to stock on everything . I would like to hear everyone's opinion on this!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
I did mine a component at a time.
Changed out the stock shocks for Bilstein Sports. Noticed a much improved ride, definately not harsher, but less floaty.
Two weeks later I did the sway bars. I went with the Hotchkis and they made the ride much harsher, but I was willing to deal with it for the improved handling and lack of body roll.
A month or so later, I lowered it about an inch. Seemed to add some harshness to the ride.
Two years later I put on Z06 springs and raised it back to about stock height. Ride seemed to get better.
Changed out the stock shocks for Bilstein Sports. Noticed a much improved ride, definately not harsher, but less floaty.
Two weeks later I did the sway bars. I went with the Hotchkis and they made the ride much harsher, but I was willing to deal with it for the improved handling and lack of body roll.
A month or so later, I lowered it about an inch. Seemed to add some harshness to the ride.
Two years later I put on Z06 springs and raised it back to about stock height. Ride seemed to get better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
I would raise it up a little since that mod is free. Then I would go with the Bilstein HD. I have the HD on my 01 z51 with z06 swaybars and love them. The HD are a little firmer than z51 but handle the rough stuff better and are way better on the interstate overpasses (not as floaty - if that is a word). Im very happy with the HD.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I have the ZO6 SBs and Bilstein Sport shocks and I agree the ride is "harsh", so I'm going to the Bilstein HD shocks. I was told by Bilstein that the HD shocks are 20% softer. Other members said the HD and ZO6 SBs are a good combo with a less firmer ride than the sport Bilsteins'.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Smith Maryland
Old 55: I will let you know what I end up doing.
For those who keep suggesting getting rid of the runflats, that was one of the firsts things I did. I ended up getting the Michelline pilot sports.
For those who keep suggesting getting rid of the runflats, that was one of the firsts things I did. I ended up getting the Michelline pilot sports.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 143
From: Goodyear Az
Try something simple first... drop the air pressure in your tires by a few pounds at each corner and see how it feels. Just a few pound of pressure can often make a significant difference in ride harshness. I personally wouldn't go much below 30 psig, but even high 20s should be O.K.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Smith Maryland
Thanks Nuke61, I usually keep my pressure at 25-30 psi. I do not notice any significant changes when the pressure is lower. I live in the suburbs of D.C., which I think is the main problem. I am going to try to raise the car this weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
You think this might the corrolation??
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
The springs will have a big affect on ride. You went with the stiffest OEM C5 springs short of the T1 racing setup, and then slammed it so there is a lot less suspension travel. What did you expect?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
I suspect that the slammed look is costing you big in the ride dept. Raise it up and see if the ride improves. If it does but you still want the slammed look, I'd suggest getting Coilovers like Pfadts. My Stock suspension and height - Z06 doesn't ride harsh at all.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Smith Maryland
AU N EGL and FDX Pilot. I posted this request looking for assistance, not comments that have, "you dumb ***" undertones. Thank you though for taking the time to reply to my post; your comments have not fallen on deaf ears. Besides, isn't moding about learning? Prior to doing my mods, I did plenty of research and came across many that loved the ride and many that hated it. There was only one way for me to figure it out. Now I know what I don't like and will work on fine-tuning my ride. I don't regret the mod, as I had never owned a wrench and now know how to replace a complete suspension; I have also made many friends along the way.
Now, to continue this discussion, dagon138 has peaked my interest. If I did the Pfadt coilovers, do I need to purchase different swaybars, or would the Z06 swaybars work?
Again, thanks to all of you who have offered opinions of substance.
Now, to continue this discussion, dagon138 has peaked my interest. If I did the Pfadt coilovers, do I need to purchase different swaybars, or would the Z06 swaybars work?
Again, thanks to all of you who have offered opinions of substance.
Last edited by RoadVette1999; Feb 17, 2007 at 09:04 PM. Reason: Grammatical errors
