Can we venture into spring discussion aswell??

Base vs. Z51 vs. Z06 ...any difference in ride height, or handling or harshness?

 

Lowered on stock bolts; don't care about street ride; want to reduce float on track.

Either 04Z shocks or Bilstein Sports. As I read, they're firmer than Bilstein HD... is this correct?
Are they shorter than 04Z shocks?
Which are "best fit" for my car and use?
Where to buy 04Z shocks (and where did Gene from Fred Bean go?)
Where to buy Bilstein Shocks?

TIA ... I need to buy and install by mid-June. VIR in July.

 

What about the C6 Z51 shocks? I replaced my 99 FE1 equipped coupe shocks with these last week. They are more expensive than the C6 ZO6 shocks and they feel very good so far............they have caused my car to raise up about .75-1 inch though. LOL

Cajun

 

Prolly fine for some ... I just want a shock that is compatible with the spring rates of the C5Z.

 

Yes.

Meaning the Bilsteins, Yes.

IMO the 04 Z06 shocks and the Bilstein Sports are about the same

Gene can be found at www.gmpartshouse.com

Try a forum supporter; they are pretty competitive on price.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

thinking about this to

 

 

Well, today, I finally installed my 2004 C5-Z06 shocks on my 2004 CE Coupe. I previously did the Z06 swaybars and an elite abs of steel tunnel plate. I also shifted to the Goodyear GS-D3's last month.
Wow, with the new shocks, the car feels much more attached to the road, and with the non-runflats the car now handles like it is on rails.
I used these instructions for the shock install...exactly spot on with details/photos.
http://fuzzydiceracing.com/test.htm

The C6 shocks are less expensive...so it's a tough call on which to go with. I am very happy with the C5 parts.

 

I too have finished installing the C5-Z06 sway bars on my 2000 FE1 Coupe and have been driving it for about two weeks now. I'm extremely impressed with how much better it handles in the corners, without degrading road-trip comfort.

I am, or was (?) considering changing out the shocks, probably to the C6-Z06 shocks due to price, but I'm having second thoughts. It was my understand that the procedure required removing the coolent reservoir on one side, and the washer fluid reservoir on the other side? This means access to the engine compartment, as well are under the car, is needed at the same time? However, the installation procedure you reference doesn't say anything about removing the reservoirs? Was this something you did, or was it unnecessary?

I have access to a lift, the (Eagle) type you drive on then raise. From what I see here, the car needs to be on jack stands with the wheels removed. Such would preclude the use of a lift unless I'm missing something? Any thoughts as to how I might be able to use a lift?

Lastly, I'm so pleased with the improvement in handling after installing the new swaybars, I'm wondering if I really should do the shocks? I don't want to end up with a suspension that rattles the fillings in my teeth . I think you said you did the swaybars first, then the shocks. Did you find a big difference in road-trip comfort after doing the shocks?

Thanks for any input,

 

You don't even have to open the hood to change the shocks...which means you don't have to remove the washer reservoir...All work can be done from the wheel well. On the top part of the front shocks, all you need is a very small wrench to hold the shaft from spinning and a wrench to unscrew the nut.

Hammer

 

OK, that's good news! Now what about the lift? I'm thinking the suspension needs to be "hanging" to do the shocks, rather than compressed as would be on a lift.

 

Hanging would be best as it gives you much more room to R&R the shock. I did it in my driveway by jacking enough to pull the wheel.

Hammer

 

We used 4"x6"s spanning across with wood blocks up to the cross members on my dad's 4 post. Kinda tough to explain and I can't find any pics now. You start with the lift lowered and jack from the floor to get the car up onto the blocks until the wheels hang. Needless to say, be careful if you're gonna attempt it.

 

Your Info is NOT correct! The C6 ZO6 shocks are DIRECT bolt in just like the 04 or your oem shocks. No need to remove any under the hood stuff. You can remove all that stuff but you do NOT need to! It only took me a couple of hours to change out all four of mine. Very easy!!!!!

BC

 

Yes, that's what Hammer said. I'm much relieved to hear that!

 

Thanks, Mike ... found Gene, pulled the trigger on a set of 04Z shocks.
Prolly use McRat's installation guide ... should gitR'dun with less than a six-pack of Corona's

 

Hi,
As noted in the subsequent posts, you do not need to remove any reservoir to change the shocks. You do not need a lift either. I jacked up one corner at a time...just about 2-3 inches, pulled the tire, did the shock change, torqued it all up, put the tire back on, and dropped it down. Moved on to the next corner. I used a jacking puck and my jack to lift. No need for jackstands.
With just the Z06 swaybars, I liked the improvement.
When I added the Elite tunnel plate, it was even more steady over uneven road/potholes/manhole covers.
When I did the 2004 Z06 shocks, the improvement was significant. Not harsh at all, yet much more planted feel. The car is steadier and feels smoother. I was worried about harshness, but I only feel improvement in the car's feel.
It seems from multiple posts, that the C5 2004 Z06 shocks are very comparable to the C6 Z06 shocks. So, it seems most people are happy either way, but the C6 shocks are cheaper. It seems to me, that most posts seem to think the C6 shocks are a bit more stiff than the 2004 shocks...but must be fairly close.
It was an easy mod technically, even for a noob like me.

 

I just completed some high speed very spirited driving with the 06 ZO6 shocks over some very rough interstate roads here in CT
WOW did the shocks plant the wheels on the road!!! No more side stepping and jumping around!

After tonight,,,Im very pleased!! I picked the correct shocks for my driving style!!! There fantastic! Cant beat the prices too.

BC

 

I have been following this thread very closely along with another as I too am planning to upgrade my 99 Z51 setup(19,256 miles). I spoke to Shawn, owner of Orange County Corvettes for some expert advice as he is a well acknowledged "Suspension Guru". First, he said regarding the factory ZO6 shocks that the best factory performers for the C5's are the 04 ZO6 models that were manufactured by a well known manufacturer(at least in the oem suspension world), although I cannot remember their name. Second, he said that C6 ZO6 shocks will increase ride height. Third, and a good point, when using the 04 ZO6 shocks that they will perform better when using the 04 ZO6 springs due to valving calibration. His answers were based on my needs of having a car that will handle the twisties extremely well, yet deliver good ride quality with Michelin Pilot Sports. BTW, this is with ZO6 sway bars, factory bushings, 04 ZO6 end links. Shawn was extremely helpful in explaining the engineering and setup of a properly setup suspension. Many of us will never push our cars to their limits, but like most of you I am looking to upgrade. We also discussed corner-weighting the car and the proper "rake angle" for high speed stability. As for what I will do, I am thinking Pfadt coilovers and Hotchkis sway bars with 04 ZO6 end links. This in Shawn's opinion, is a versatile and strong performing combination, yet very cost effective when compared to other setups costing considerably more to achieve the same level of performance. Different strokes for different folks I hope this post did not offend anybodies choices of components, I am merely stating the information relative to me and my desired results which may be similar to some of you

 

I just did the C6Z shocks, too, and love it. Amazing difference.