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Bilstein HD shock ?

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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 10:43 AM
  #1  
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Default Bilstein HD shock ?

I lowered my '99 as far as the stock bolts would allow in the front & installed the longer bolts in the rear. I love the look but the ride is a little rough, particularly in the rear. Would the Bilstein HD shocks return the "normal" ride quality? Thanks for any input.
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 02:30 PM
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Default Bistein Representative

When I contacted Bilstein, I told the rep that I have a lowered on stock bolts Vette and HE recommended that I use Bilstein HD stocks.

VETSTYL
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 02:44 PM
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either 04 z06 shocks or Bilsteins sports will work great.

Im lowered on stock bolts with 19s. I chose Bilstein Sports because of the shorter shock assembly shipping out next week!
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 07:13 PM
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Thanks guys for the response. Think I'll order a set.
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 08:33 PM
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Default Shocks

Go with the Bilstein Sport shocks, ride is firm but the shocks are about 1 inch shorter to compensate for the lowered car. I love mine and the ride is MUCH better than my zo6 shocks with a lowered car.

Don
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 09:13 PM
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My Coupe isn't lowered, but I have ZO6 sway bars and had the Bilstein Sport shocks. The ride was firm, but rough on dips and pot holes. So I went to the Bilstein HD as recommended by Bilstein (said to be 22% less harsh) and the car is still firm but not rough. Takes tight turns like on a rail absolutely no lean. My $.02
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 11:08 PM
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I also have the Bilstein HD and love them. They are also an inch shorter than stock z51 shocks. They are slightly firmer that z51 shocks but have much better control. Great improvement over stock. Work great with my z06 bars.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 01:26 AM
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HD's and lowered on the stock bolts yesterday . I settled the suspension in about 100 yards by yanking the wheel hard both ways and I was surprised by how little of a whipping feel the car had afterward . When I had screwed around like that before the car was still trying to recover from the previous turn and would try to whip around from the suspension unloading . Its not like it is on rails by any means but that is what sway bars are for . I know that I need an alighnment but it does feel like I have understeer now .
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 04:00 AM
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
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Originally Posted by JEEP/C5
I also have the Bilstein HD and love them. They are also an inch shorter than stock z51 shocks. They are slightly firmer that z51 shocks but have much better control. Great improvement over stock. Work great with my z06 bars.
Are you lowered?
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by SleeperC5
Are you lowered?
No, stock height. I scrap too many entrances ways already.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 03:01 PM
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I have the bilstein sports and they ride great, I don't think I would want them any softer. Alot of the harshness comments I read about may be attributed to using poly bushings with them as well. The aftermarket shock poly bushings are HARD as hell. I used the rubber bushings that came with the shocks.

Z06 Sways/Bilstein Sports is a smooth ride for me. California has some crappy roads too. If you want something softer, get a Cadillac!
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 12:39 AM
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
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Originally Posted by JEEP/C5
No, stock height. I scrap too many entrances ways already.
I'm glad to hear that and to know at stock hight the ride for me is better than the Bil Sports.

Last edited by SLPRC5; Apr 3, 2007 at 12:48 AM.
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 12:43 AM
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
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Originally Posted by DefenderC5
I have the bilstein sports and they ride great, I don't think I would want them any softer. Alot of the harshness comments I read about may be attributed to using poly bushings with them as well. The aftermarket shock poly bushings are HARD as hell. I used the rubber bushings that came with the shocks.

Z06 Sways/Bilstein Sports is a smooth ride for me. California has some crappy roads too. If you want something softer, get a Cadillac!
I didn't mind the ride with the Sports, but it was too harsh for the wife because of her back problem. The HDs were the answer for that problem.
The car rides better than stock shocks with the ZO6 sway bars.
But to each their own...
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