Which Shocks
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
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Which Shocks
I have a 2001 C5 A4 Coupe. It is lowered 1.5 inches with after market rear bolts, front lowering bolt are adjusted to the max, pads removed, and has Z06 sway bars front and rear. Which Shocks will fit and which should I buy on a LIMITED BUDGET, Bilstiens, C5 Z06, C6 or C6 Z06, if different from the regular C6? Any other recommendations? I like the car with good highway manners and able to be driven aggressively in the turns occasionally. It is currently a bit harsh on the sharp bumps. I hope the shocks will help. It has 60K and may be on the original shocks. I bought the car used so I do not know if they have been replaced.
Thread Starter
Racer
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Drm
Regards,
Jim
Last edited by gunnerrun; Apr 1, 2008 at 01:47 PM. Reason: grammar
Melting Slicks
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From: I have to return some videotapes
Thread Starter
Racer
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Melting Slicks
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From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
well I wish there was a clear answer. I have read quite a few threads on shocks and have got NO WHERE.... 
I thought the 04 Z shocks would be the best choose to improve my spirited driving on the street... My 01 Z feels light as air going around long fast bends in the road!! Even straight line I get the FLOATING feeling. I want that gone!!
I am never going to seriously track my Z, its my DD and I just want it to feel right, almost solid to the ground, I hate going around that long bend and feeling the rear coming around!!
I am between the Bilstien Sports and the 04 Z shocks at the moment!!
I thought the 04 Z shocks would be the best choose to improve my spirited driving on the street... My 01 Z feels light as air going around long fast bends in the road!! Even straight line I get the FLOATING feeling. I want that gone!!
I am never going to seriously track my Z, its my DD and I just want it to feel right, almost solid to the ground, I hate going around that long bend and feeling the rear coming around!!
I am between the Bilstien Sports and the 04 Z shocks at the moment!!
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Rafael CA
well I wish there was a clear answer. I have read quite a few threads on shocks and have got NO WHERE....
I thought the 04 Z shocks would be the best choose to improve my spirited driving on the street... My 01 Z feels light as air going around long fast bends in the road!! Even straight line I get the FLOATING feeling. I want that gone!!
I am never going to seriously track my Z, its my DD and I just want it to feel right, almost solid to the ground, I hate going around that long bend and feeling the rear coming around!!
I am between the Bilstien Sports and the 04 Z shocks at the moment!!
I thought the 04 Z shocks would be the best choose to improve my spirited driving on the street... My 01 Z feels light as air going around long fast bends in the road!! Even straight line I get the FLOATING feeling. I want that gone!!
I am never going to seriously track my Z, its my DD and I just want it to feel right, almost solid to the ground, I hate going around that long bend and feeling the rear coming around!!
I am between the Bilstien Sports and the 04 Z shocks at the moment!!
The 04 Z06 shocks were tuned specifically for the C5 Corvette. GM engineers spent an enormous amount of time testing these shocks on the bench, at the Milford Proving Ground, aand even sessions at the Nubergring in Germany.
And GM knows a thing or two about suspension systems ..... the Magnetic system (F55) has been licensed by Ferrari, Audi, and even Honda from GM/Delphi .....
And Bilstein has done what to "tune" their shocks for the Corvette ?????
Thread Starter
Racer
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Handling
The lowering very greatly improved handling. I also had the alignment changed to one more appropriate for the track, not that I put the car on the track but I think a corvette should handle like a sports car in the turns. Chris Harwood at Xtrememortor sports in Blountstown did the alignment. What is changed is that some of the lightness at speed is reduced and there is less roll in the turns. It's fair to say compared to stock, it now pancakes the turns. FUN!!
What I don't like about the lowering is some of the sharp bumps are felt much more. I've been told the shocks are probably worn out and the cause of this.
Certainly am hoping I'll get yet another improvement with the shocks. I will post my opinion for better or worse in about a week if the shipper keeps his word and get the order here on time.
What I don't like about the lowering is some of the sharp bumps are felt much more. I've been told the shocks are probably worn out and the cause of this.
Certainly am hoping I'll get yet another improvement with the shocks. I will post my opinion for better or worse in about a week if the shipper keeps his word and get the order here on time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
The 04 Z06 shocks were tuned specifically for the C5 Corvette. GM engineers spent an enormous amount of time testing these shocks on the bench, at the Milford Proving Ground, aand even sessions at the Nubergring in Germany.
And GM knows a thing or two about suspension systems ..... the Magnetic system (F55) has been licensed by Ferrari, Audi, and even Honda from GM/Delphi .....
And Bilstein has done what to "tune" their shocks for the Corvette ?????
And GM knows a thing or two about suspension systems ..... the Magnetic system (F55) has been licensed by Ferrari, Audi, and even Honda from GM/Delphi .....
And Bilstein has done what to "tune" their shocks for the Corvette ?????
Thanks I think I will go with the 04 Z shocks and see if it clears up the issue!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
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From: I have to return some videotapes
well I wish there was a clear answer. I have read quite a few threads on shocks and have got NO WHERE....
I thought the 04 Z shocks would be the best choose to improve my spirited driving on the street... My 01 Z feels light as air going around long fast bends in the road!! Even straight line I get the FLOATING feeling. I want that gone!!
I am never going to seriously track my Z, its my DD and I just want it to feel right, almost solid to the ground, I hate going around that long bend and feeling the rear coming around!!
I am between the Bilstien Sports and the 04 Z shocks at the moment!!
I thought the 04 Z shocks would be the best choose to improve my spirited driving on the street... My 01 Z feels light as air going around long fast bends in the road!! Even straight line I get the FLOATING feeling. I want that gone!!
I am never going to seriously track my Z, its my DD and I just want it to feel right, almost solid to the ground, I hate going around that long bend and feeling the rear coming around!!
I am between the Bilstien Sports and the 04 Z shocks at the moment!!
I agree with BlackZ06 to some extent; it's nice to use part developed specifically for the car. However, there is quite extensive empirical evidence of success by people who run the Sports on road course/AutoX, myself included. I can't say they're better or worse than the '04Z shocks because I haven't tried them, but I've been happy with my choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
I suggested the Sports based on the parameters provided by the OP: lowered car, price is an issue. AFAIK, the '04Z shocks have the same body length as the other C5 factory shocks, which would mean the same bottoming out issues I had been having with my Z51 shock since I lowered. And the '04Z shocks are significantly more $$$.
I agree with BlackZ06 to some extent; it's nice to use part developed specifically for the car. However, there is quite extensive empirical evidence of success by people who run the Sports on road course/AutoX, myself included. I can't say they're better or worse than the '04Z shocks because I haven't tried them, but I've been happy with my choice.
I agree with BlackZ06 to some extent; it's nice to use part developed specifically for the car. However, there is quite extensive empirical evidence of success by people who run the Sports on road course/AutoX, myself included. I can't say they're better or worse than the '04Z shocks because I haven't tried them, but I've been happy with my choice.
I haven't really checked into the pricing of the Sports yet. I am still a bit unsure. I had Bilstein HD's on my camaro and they did a really good job, and they weren't even the Sports. I guess I need to check into that..
Advanced
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From: Germany, Europe
I went from FE1 to the 2004 C5z06 Sachs shocks and they are great in combination with the C5z06 Stabis and Endlinks
. Thanks to Bob - Fichtner Chevrolet . When I'm cruising these shocks absorb the whams on bad routes perfekt but they are stiff and safe by highspeed on german autobahns. And all in combination with a very quick response characteristic .
Tom
Burning Brakes
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From: Salt Lake City UT
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In terms of shocks, the 04 Z06 shocks are made by Bilstein. Attached is a graph showing the Bilstein Sport, the 04 Z and the 06 Z shock.
The interesting thing is that the Bilsetin Sport has about 1/2 the compression damping of the Z shocks. The only place it has more damping is the high speed rebound, which is a zone where you will never operate.
You really want to get into a shock that has some adjustable damping and a shortened body. This discussion has talked a lot about lowering, and as you lower you car, you just eat up available shock travel. If you run a shortened unit (like our Pfadt Shocks) the 1/2" shorter body gives you about another 3/4" of available wheel travel. That keeps the suspension working that much further. You can't go too short or the wheel will hit into the fenderwell.
Here is the new shock we are offering. It is a nice unit. Keep it in mind. Inverted for minimal unsprung mass, 16 way adjustable, spherical bearing mount in the front.
-Aaron
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From: San Rafael CA
If you change the ride height of the car, you need to do an alignment. Period. Both camber and toe change with ride height.
In terms of shocks, the 04 Z06 shocks are made by Bilstein. Attached is a graph showing the Bilstein Sport, the 04 Z and the 06 Z shock.
The interesting thing is that the Bilsetin Sport has about 1/2 the compression damping of the Z shocks. The only place it has more damping is the high speed rebound, which is a zone where you will never operate.
You really want to get into a shock that has some adjustable damping and a shortened body. This discussion has talked a lot about lowering, and as you lower you car, you just eat up available shock travel. If you run a shortened unit (like our Pfadt Shocks) the 1/2" shorter body gives you about another 3/4" of available wheel travel. That keeps the suspension working that much further. You can't go too short or the wheel will hit into the fenderwell.
Here is the new shock we are offering. It is a nice unit. Keep it in mind. Inverted for minimal unsprung mass, 16 way adjustable, spherical bearing mount in the front.
-Aaron
In terms of shocks, the 04 Z06 shocks are made by Bilstein. Attached is a graph showing the Bilstein Sport, the 04 Z and the 06 Z shock.
The interesting thing is that the Bilsetin Sport has about 1/2 the compression damping of the Z shocks. The only place it has more damping is the high speed rebound, which is a zone where you will never operate.
You really want to get into a shock that has some adjustable damping and a shortened body. This discussion has talked a lot about lowering, and as you lower you car, you just eat up available shock travel. If you run a shortened unit (like our Pfadt Shocks) the 1/2" shorter body gives you about another 3/4" of available wheel travel. That keeps the suspension working that much further. You can't go too short or the wheel will hit into the fenderwell.
Here is the new shock we are offering. It is a nice unit. Keep it in mind. Inverted for minimal unsprung mass, 16 way adjustable, spherical bearing mount in the front.
-Aaron
Here's a quote from the actual engineer who worked on these shocks at GM ..... Mike Neal ......
"For most of C5," Neal said, "all I had to play with was disc thicknesss, diameters and the number of discs in each stack. There was a fixed pre-load for all those discs. The disc center is lower than the disc seat so the discs already have some bend to them. The amount of bend was fixed for most of C5. Then Sachs came out with an adjustable preload so I could shim that center up or down and put a different curve in those discs. I was able to take some preload out and make up for it by doing more things with disc thicknesses and so forth. Adjustable preload gives me more flexibility."
"That became available for '02. We made a rear shock valving change that year because I had gained that flexibitiiy where I'd been frustrated without it before. It was a quick improvment because I didn't really have a lot of time after it became available just before the '02 release. Since then, I've worked it more and came out with the '04 valving."
"The new shock valving results in less body movement and what movement still occurs is more poised and controlled. You want the body poised and the suspension doing the moving. Sometimes that means you need more damping, but sometimes it means you want less. In this case, we needed more in one area, less in another and more in a third."
"If you look at the shock's force/velocity curve, we went into the middle velocity range and took a little damping out, added a little bit more on either side of that, in the low-speed and at higher speed."
"Low-speed is body control, high-speed is wheel control and somewhere in between is everything else. If you think of body heave motions-goin' through swells-that's the lowest body speed you have to deal with. Next up, is roll motion, like you'd have in quick transients or crossing surfaces that differ side-to-side-like when you get 'head toss.' Roll velocities are higher than heave velocities because, in addition to spring stiffness, you have stabilizer bar stiffness, so your roll stiffness is higher. It's roll velocity on which we reduced damping. I had too much in that range. We lowered it, there, but overall, we didn't want to lose body control, so we made that back up in the low speed, body heave area and, also, just above the body roll velocity range."
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...roadtest2.html
Burning Brakes
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From: Salt Lake City UT
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Thanks for the correction. I just went out an looked though my stack of those units and I can not refute that. I swore those shocks all had the little Bilstein stamp in them.
-Aaron
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From: San Jose CA
Just thought I would mention that I recently bought the pfadt inverted sport shocks and I am very happy with them. The ride is much better coming from a stock set up. I currently run with all four corners set at 9.
I would also mention that I was very impressed with the customer service over at pfadt. There was a mistake with some pieces of my sway bar missing when it arrived but they handled the situation very quickly. Thanks for the extra help and for taking the time to discuss corvettes with a new member of the corvette world.
I would also mention that I was very impressed with the customer service over at pfadt. There was a mistake with some pieces of my sway bar missing when it arrived but they handled the situation very quickly. Thanks for the extra help and for taking the time to discuss corvettes with a new member of the corvette world.
