I have a 98 coupe with ride control option (touring/sport/performance).

I lowered the car some time back and want to improve the street ride some. I was thinking of getting the BillStein (HD/sport) shocks but do not know the ins/outs with the ride control issue. Any experienced help/suggestions appreciated.

 

TTT

 

LF97C5Vette just did this, you can shoot him a PM - he may even have pics.

If I remember right he replaced the stock shocks with Z06 shocks, replaced the sways with Z06 sways and end links, and then had the factory ride control tuned out with a Tech II.

 

Installed QA1 12 point adjustable shocks. Fit right in. 1 through 12 is soft through stiff - I mean stiff!!
I drive with them on 3 and the ride is good. For road racing I go to 9-definitely not a road setting but good fro the track.

 

My shop was kind enough to remove the option with a Tech2 when I installed new tires. Here's the instructions.
http://www.stopforce.com/RPO.html

 

What kind of ride are you looking for? Is your vette a daily driver, weekend crusier or a weekend racer? Were you happy over all with the past performance of your shocks? Do you plan on upgrading the sway bars or springs in the future?

If you just looking for a little stiffer than stock then I would go with the Bilstein HD (thats what I have on my 01 z51 with z06 bars/aluminum endlinks and LOVE them). The HD are slightly firmer than the z51 shocks but have much better control, less wheel hop and dont float at high speeds like the z51 shocks did (only had 30 k on factory shocks too).

If you need firmer ride or weekend racer - many member recommend the Bilstein Sport or the C6 z06 shocks (which are cheaper). Over all ride is still great but some find it too firm for a weekend cruiser.

Several other shocks available but the Bilstein and C5/C6 z06 shocks seem to be the most popular here on the forum.

Adjustable shocks are nice but very expensive.

Good luck.

 

Thanks to all for the information. My car is a mostly a weekender (not daily driver). I'm looking for improved ride. After lowering (see below), going over small dips and rough areas in roads is really felt much more in the car. I don't want or expect a Lexus ride but thought I could improve over the stock F45 shocks. I plan on replacing the sway bars too

 

I need to have my F45 Ride Control Disabled with Tech 2 where can I get it done????

 

I would suggest you go with the Bilstein HD if you want a firmer ride with more control. The next step up in firmness would be the Bilstein Sports or the C5/C6 z06 shocks (most like the c6 z06 due to the price). All of these shocks would be a great choice - you just have to decide on how firm you need and what how you plan on using your vette.

If you have a significant other and you take long weekend trips like I do then HD may be more of what you need. They work great with my z51 springs and z06 sway bars. Much improved ride over stock (and I only had 30k on the factory shocks).

Do some research on these shocks - they have been discussed heavy on the forum.

 

I just dumped my f45 for c6zo6 shocks and am very happy. The C6zo6 are not recommended for cars lowered on stock bolts and they cause the car to sit a little higher with more upward force. They ride great though the way a corvette was meant to ride imho

 

Any dealer and many tuners have the device. It wouldn't be a bad idea to print out the instructions, however, as not all of them know how it's done. Depending on the shop, they may charge a nominal fee for the job.

Don't forget to have them disconnect the ride control computer before even plugging in the Tech2. I not, it'll automatically add itself back into the system.

 

I'll put my 2c for the Bilstein HD's. My car is lowered on the stock bolts and the shocks were bottoming out. HD's on now and ride is great! No bottoming out.

 

Yes, the significant other figures into the equation as a passenger. She has complained that the ride is rougher since I lowered it...
Most likely the Bilstein Heavy Duty would be my best choice. Thanks again for the info.

 

No problem StingR. I agree, the HD's are the ideal anti-nag shock.

 

Yup, by the way, I also have a Jeep (GC)!!!

 

Per your statement, does that mean that if you lowered your car with aftermarket bolts(and have the c6z06 shocks) it will be ok? I jumped the gun and just purchased the c6z06 shocks but would like to lower it as well.

 

i just put bilstein sports with zo6 sways and now it corners well but i feel the lack of spring performance more with a floaty felling on the highway. i guess springs are next.

 

"Do some research on these shocks - they have been discussed heavy on the forum"

The search feature is a powerful tool!

 

What I'm gathering from the posts above is that the Bilstein HDs are not as stiff as the Sport Bilsteins? I thought it was going to be the other way around .
I'll be replacing the shocks on my daily driver Vette soon and didn't know whether to go with the HDs or the Sports. Which shocks are closer to the the original C5 z51 shocks, is it the HDs, Sports, or C6 z06 shocks?

 

I would consider the C6Z shocks if you're just a weekend driver. They ride fine for me and I don't consider them harsh at all. They should be way better than the ride control shocks because I bet you're actually bottoming out on some bigger dips and bumps. Those ride control shocks don't seem to be able to hold the car from bottoming when it's lowered.

Read the comments below addressing the lowering.


You will be fine. I put the C6? or WCC lowering bolts in the front of my car and turned them right down with the C6Z shocks. It seems to me I needed to go the extra the new bolts gave to get about the same lowering as with the original shocks (which were worn out garbage) and original bolts lowered all the way.

I don't know where the rumour started that the C6Z shocks can't be used on a lowered car. Bottomed out they are around 1/2 shorter than the base C5 shocks so they have that advantage. They also ride fine on a lowered car. I like the ride A LOT with these new shocks compared to the worn out junk that was on it. I've never bottomed or though the ride was harsh.

The only thing is that the C6Z shocks do seem to hold the car up more compared to the stock shocks. I believe if you go to Koni or PFADT shocks they don't have the gas charge and will not hold the car up. Hopefully someone else can comment on this. The Koni's get good reviews but are > 2x the price of C6Z shocks.

To get some idea of where I'm at, my car is 26-1/8" at the front fenders and 27-3/4" at the rear fenders. I'd like to go down a little more in the rear (maybe to ~27") but the front is pretty good. I already trimmed almost 1" off the air dams so they don't drag so much.

Actually, when I look at pictures from last year, I think I may be down slightly more in the front now and the back may be about the same as before. I never measured it before and it's hard to tell from the pictures. I put the car up on stands in the fall and tore it all apart so when I found the bad shocks there was no way I could do a before/after compare of the ride height to see if the C6Z pushed the height up. At any rate, you may need to adjust the bolts more to get the lowered ride height back. If the stock fronts aren't enough the lowering bolts are easy to put in.

Peter