I want to change out the base shocks.

I have a base suspension 2004 Coupe with Z06 sway bars. So I currently have standard springs and shocks.

The car rides at stock height and I want to stay that way. I scrape enough as it is. Currently the car is a little too bouncy for me. I drive it around town, go on spirited gatherings, and do some high throttle mountain runs. But I wish to maintain a comfortable grand touring ride when on long trips.

I'm trying to make a decision on shocks. I know there is a huge number of threads on this subject but I did a search and can't find a specific answer to my questions.

Here goes:

Most people like Bilsteins, HD or Sports. But I hear they are better suited for lowered vettes due to their shorter length. I hear they will lower the ride height and I want to maintain my stock height. Then there are the C6 Z06 shock which I understand raise the height as much as an inch. Can this be corrected by lowering the car on the bolts? Without affecting the ride. The logically choice is to replace the shocks with C5 Z06 shocks. But they are much more expensive than C6 Z06 shocks or Bilsteins. Actually the cost for a set of c5 Z06 shocks begins to approach the cost of a set of Koni's.

Bilsteins; Good choice but are short and could lower the ride height.

C6 Z06; Good cost and ride but will raise the suspension height. Are they a correct match to my suspension?

C5 Z06; more expensive than above, then might as well go with Koni's

So I want a stiffer ride but not a teeth rattling one. I don't want to change my ride height from stock. Finally I want the best match for my cars suspension (currently with base springs). Which shocks would best application for my suspension?

 

The shocks do not determine the ride height on a C5. Ride height can be adjusted by turning the bolts on the ends of the leaf springs. Z06 shocks will give you what you are looking for, with the '04 Z06 shocks being the best of the bunch. There are alot of people on here who are running the Bilstiens, and most comments on them are favorable.
If you check the C5 parts for sale section regularly, you'll probably find a good used set of shocks for a bargain price.

Jimbo

 

I have a 01 z51 at stock height. I replaced my shocks (which only 30k miles on them) with the Bilstein HD shocks. The HD’s are SLIGHTLY firmer than stock z51 shocks but ride much better on all road surfaces at all speeds. It was one of the best mods I have done. It also reduced wheel hop from a stand still. It will take away that bounce you are talking about which I noticed right way on the interstate overpasses.

The Bilsteins (HD and Sports) are both one inch shorter that stock but work perfect with stock ride high (I know - mine is stock height). They say the Bilsteins work better for lower but nobody can say they don’t work fine for stock height. Bilstein sells them for the stock height vettes - not advertised for lowered vettes. I would by the HD - they would work perfect for your needs and don’t cost as much as the 04 z shocks.

I’m not sure if the C6z shocks raise the height or if it’s because the car is jacked up the springs sag down for a few hours so it take a few days to settle down. If they did change the height (since they are high pressure shocks) it would only be about 1mm which I bet most would not notice at all.

But then again maybe the stock shocks are worn out and the new shocks are just rising up to the correct height?

I spent 6 mo researching this subject a couple of years ago and I am very happy with my pick. HD = comfortable ride with great control. Big improvement over stock IMO.

 

C6 Z06

 

Best bang for the buck and it didn't change my ride height one bit.

 

C6ZO6 shocks best all around great ride control price cannot be beat very very happy with my choice many miles later

 

My 2000 MN6 Coupe has whats called soft ride suspension. I replaced the shocks with a set of C5 Z51 shocks. Much much better. The original shocks were pencil thin.

 

C6 ZO6, VERY happy with then and the price. Did NOT change my ride height! Very slight change in ride harshness but the wheel control increase over irregular surfaces is EXCELLENT!

Get the C6 ZO6 shocks. For the minor investment, if you don't like the (don't see why you wouldn't) you can remove then and sell then fore just about what you paid for them.

BC

 

C6 Z06 for me! My car sat high for few miles but eventually settled right back down to the original height. These shocks are perfect for my driving style which sounds similar to yours.

 

Stick with Bilsteins Sports..they are not just for lowered cars. firmer suspension which is what you want yet its not a harsh ride. now combined with Z06 sways.....you will love them!

 

C6Z06 shocks here, love the ride. They are a SOB to compress; had to used weedeater string to keep them compressed for install.

 

Without pre compressing the shock out side the car and tieing it up (that applies for any gas charged shock for that matter) it makes installing the shock a pain in the *****.

Once there compressed and inplace,,,,,cut the string and BAM, your done!

 

I have installed the late '07 C6 Z06 shocks on both my 2000 FRC and my '01 Z06 without having ride height change. I used the C5 mounting rubber, which is not as thick as the C6.

The ride is firm but doesn't jar my teeth loose, much better for sure than the stock OEM shocks that were on the cars. The price was a factor.

 

The 2004 C5Z06 Sachs shocks are great, not too stiff, but superfast react absorb shocks and resultant is another Corvette with a nearly perfect handling on all kinds of roads (bad side roads or highspeed on german autobahn).

I changed the shocks together with the GM metall endlinks and the C5Z06 stabis and I love the result.

I have no compare with the C6Z06 shocks.

 

What kind of speed do you cruise at on the Autobahn. Sound like you have a great set up for your roads. I would love to drive on your roads for a weekend.

Anything over 70 mph makes me jealous of you man.

 

Yeah, I'm deeply contented with the result in combination with other tires you can test the Vmax when the autobahn is clear .

Come on!! Let's go! The autobahn is waiting for you . .

 

I've had both 04 and 06 Z06 shocks. For the most part I could not tell the difference between the two. I just took off my 8100 Penske's last week and put on my old 06 Z06 shocks. My car never felt better. I'm having the Penske's redone and hope they come back better then the Z06 shocks. I'm not concerned about the ride, just performance for track days and Autocross. The Penske's were way to stiff and basically just took grip away. With the Z06 shocks I had much more grip.

Steve