I can tell you from personal experience putting a set of Bilstein Sport shocks on a friends car that they are significantly (probably an inch or more) than OE shocks.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

I have an 02 ZO6 and was thinking of putting 04 shocks just on the back because of wheel hop. I wonder if putting C6 ZO6 shocks would be better?

 

One last request for opinions...

I do not take my car to the track or otherwise race, but I would like better handling without sacrificing ride quality. I have already changed out my swaybars to Z06.
What shocks should I buy??
Thanks!!!

 

Tiger, I looked at your sig, 2000 coupe, is it a z51 package? If you have a base suspension package then you will think the HD are firmer than what you have but I think you will like them. If you have the Z51 then you may not notice much of a difference and may need to choose the Sports or 04 z06 shocks. I have a 2001 z51 coupe with only 30K miles and I went with the Bilstein HD because I wanted a shock that was a slightly stiffer but one with more control and I am very happy with the results. I also upgraded to the z06 sway bars a few months before the shocks. I only drive my vette on weekends and I do not race. It all depends on what you are looking for. I like to take long weekend trips with luggage and needed comfort. My shocks DO NOT SACRAFICE RIDE QUALITY, they only improved it. I find the interstate ride IMPROVED due to the Bilstein HD absorb the overpasses much better. Before when I hit a bridge or overpass my car would bound twice and then settle down, now she bounces once then settles. I also saw a slight improvement in cornering and the rough roads are absorbed much better. They also help with the occasional wheel hop from a standstill.

If you want firmer go with the Bilstein Sports (unless the 04 z06 shock price has come down to be less than sports) but some have complained about them being to stiff on the interstate.

Good luck.

 

I have a 02 ZO6. I installed the 07 C6 ZO6 shocks. I did notice that they were firmer but nothing objectionable.

Just like JEEP/C5 states:

"It all depends on what you are looking for. I like to take long weekend trips with luggage and needed comfort. My shocks DO NOT SACRIFICE RIDE QUALITY, they only improved it. I find the interstate ride IMPROVED due to the Bilstein HD absorb the overpasses much better. Before when I hit a bridge or overpass my car would bound twice and then settle down, now she bounces once then settles. I also saw a slight improvement in cornering and the rough roads are absorbed much better. They also help with the occasional wheel hop from a standstill. "

Exact description of the 07 Z shocks! The 07 ZO6 shocks can be had for right around $150 total. Hard to beat the price and quality!!


BC

 

I'm thinking the same thing for my spring mods. I'll stay with C5 parts, for the reason above.

 

What do you mean by "ride quality"? If you mean a smooth ride, going to a stiffer shock is *NOT* the way to go.

If you want better handling and not affect ride quality, the easiest way to do that is with a more aggressive alignment. Ride quality is usually not affected, but the drive stability will be affected (which is another way to say "my car's handling is more responsive.").

Stock C5 handling is superb without mods, as long as you 've got decent tires.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

If you have a z06 already going to a firmer shock will not be that bad since your shocks are firmer than base and z51 already. If your have a base shock now and need something in between soft and firm then look at a shock like the Bilstein HD. A firm shock will take away from on road confort (interstate expansion joint will drive you crazy) but will make your car handle better on the track.

 

Thanks everybody for your help. I re-read all of the posts this morning and decided that the Bilstein HD shocks are the ones for me. I have a base suspension in my C5, but recently upgraded to the z06 swaybars.
I was tempted by the price of the 07 C6 z06 shocks, but I think I would be in for a rough ride compared to what I have now. My definition of "ride quality" is preserving relative comfort, while improving handling. I hope the Bilstein's do the trick!!
Thank you all!!
Bob

 

Please post the results of your decision to purchase and install the Bilstein HDs. I am very interested in your comments following this installation because I just ordered the GM Z06 sway bar kit for my '00 Coupe, and am considering the purchase of new shocks, but like you, I don't want a rough or harsh ride as a result of the upgrade.

 

I installed the Z06 sway bars with aluminum end links and the Bilstein HD shocks last spring/summer (at different times so I could see what improvement each made). I have a 01 with z51 package and at the time I had 30K miles on the clock at stock ride height. I love the way she handles now. The bars improved the cornering some (i say some because with the z51 package I was doing pretty good already) but they DID NOT make it ride any different (just as smooth as before). The HD shocks improved handling on ALL road surfaces. Rough roads, interstate and curvy roads were all improved. The overall stiffness of the shock is very close to the z51 shock - just slightly firmer. But the way they handle and react to the road surfaces was improved. Most noticeable to me was the interstate overpasses - instead of bouncing twice after going over one it is now just once bounce then it settles down. I would have occasional wheel hop on certain roads on hard takeoffs but now it is much less or not at all. Rough roads are absorbed without being harsh.

As you can tell I am very happy with the results. As I stated before in a couple of treads it all depends on what you looking for in your ride quality. I don’t race and only drive on weekends and I like to take long trips once a month (mostly to car shows) and wanted a comfortable ride but with more control than what the z51 could provide.

For me it was the best shock - no complaints at all.

 

Well, you all are going to think I am , but I had a last minute change of heart and went with the 07 z06 shocks. Comments from Gene Culley and Bill Curlee convinced me to try them out. And, at $100 less than Bilstein's , what the hell.
I'll let you know how I like them after the snow leaves Buffalo...in June

 

"I'll let you know how I like them after the snow leaves Buffalo...in June"

You better revise that statement to something like July or August!

Drive it like you stole it!

BC

 

I just found this thread, which is now a month old. I'm trying to make a decision on shocks as some of you were doing. Hopefully by now you've installed what you chose and can report on the results?

I have a 2000 Torch Red Coupe, 6MN, base FE1 suspension, and 75,000 road miles. The Z06 sway bar kit is ready to be installed. I'll purchase either the '04 Z06 shocks, or the '06 Z06 shocks, but am not interested in the Bilstein's. I don't race, or autocross, just wanting to stiffen things up a bit without sacraficing road-trip comfort. The '06 Z06 shocks are quite a bit less in cost and therefor very attractive, but from what you've all said, stiffer than the '04 Z06 shocks.

So, I love to hear from those of you who did the upgrade and how it turned out. Hope you guys are still subscribed to this thread.

 

I am running the 06 Z06 shocks on my 99 base suspension coupe. First I upgraded to Z06 sway bars and the Elite Engineering tunnel plate. (very nice) Then a few months later I added the 06 Z06 shocks and I am very happy with the results. Not harsh in any way but also not soft in any way. Car control is vastly improved at all speeds and all driving conditions. They are exactly the ride I was looking for on the street.

 

Thanks Mark! I just checked pricing again. The '04 C5 Z06 shocks from GMPartsDirect (kit) are $391 with shipping, and the C6 Z06 shocks are $245 on eBay with shipping. Very tempting, and your input will help me make my decision.

 

I have read that the 07 ZO6 shocks offer improved handling with less harshness compared to 06 ZO6 shocks due to revised internal valving. Any comments ? I need to replace my 99 Z51 setup(19k miles) and ZO6 sway bars are a given, but the shocks are still undecided on. I'm leaning toward 04 ZO6 or Bilstein HD's, unless the 07 ZO6's are an obvious improvement over the 06 ZO6's. Your Comments Please

 

DITTO!!! I very glad I installed the 06 Z shocks! Very accurate handling and great price. Bang for the buck = 10/10

BC

 

i put on the 06 zo6 shocks a few months back, and am very happy with them. 99 cpe. these shocks make me love little dips in the road, just sucks it up. only a little rough on bad roads. improved cornering and stability.

 

Tagging this thread. This thread answered a ton of questions I had.