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Old May 15, 2009 | 05:21 PM
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Default C5 SHOCK Therapy

What would be the best replacement shocks for a '98 C5 w/ 40k mi.?

Somebody told me Koni FSDs.
Has anyone put those on their C5 --and if so, did it cure the hard banging over the slightest road imperfections went doing 75mph on long road trips.

Someone told me change the tires! And said Michelin Sport PS2's smoothed the ride & were quieter. But they are $1700 for a set in run-flats and $1500 in non run-flats.

The shocks would be cheaper fix than new tires.

Thanks
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Old May 15, 2009 | 08:20 PM
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I put FSD's on my 02 Z, LOVE them.
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Old May 15, 2009 | 08:41 PM
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Check out the NUMEROUS post on C6 ZO6 shocks. They are THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!!!!!!! 100% OEM bolt right in and there ONLY $240 brand new from Gene Culley ( www.gmpartshouse.com )

I have them on my 02 ZO6 and love them. You will be amazed at how they perform.

BC
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Old May 15, 2009 | 10:06 PM
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What tires are on your car and what pressure are you running them at? If you really want to do the shock thing, I agree with Bill on the OEM C6 ZO6 units.
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Old May 15, 2009 | 10:42 PM
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I'm happy with my bilstein sports
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Old May 16, 2009 | 12:32 AM
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Tires currently on the car are Firestone Firehawk SZ's. I usually run about 30psi in them for short trips around town... but more like 28 when doing a road trip of hours of continious driving.
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Old May 16, 2009 | 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Check out the NUMEROUS post on C6 ZO6 shocks. They are THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!!!!!!! 100% OEM bolt right in and there ONLY $240 brand new from Gene Culley ( www.gmpartshouse.com )

I have them on my 02 ZO6 and love them. You will be amazed at how they perform.

BC
I'll be doing this as well on my 03 C5Z...it sounds like the way to go.
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Old May 16, 2009 | 03:58 AM
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Originally Posted by blue63cpe
I put FSD's on my 02 Z, LOVE them.
LUV MY FSD'S ALSO AND YES BANG GOES AWAY!
SO DOES THE REAR END HOP WHEN YOU HIT SMALL BUMPS IN THE TURNS!
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Old May 16, 2009 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike94ZLT1
I'm happy with my bilstein sports
Installed mine a week ago and hugh difference
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Old May 16, 2009 | 09:03 AM
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I had the Firehawk SZ's and replaced them with Falken FK452's (I don't race) and have found them to be very good. They are quieter, and seem to be softer as well. Really like these tires. i put Bilstein sports on my vette and like them a lot.
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Old May 16, 2009 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by blue63cpe
I put FSD's on my 02 Z, LOVE them.
Installed these about two weeks ago, and I'm starting to really appreciate them now.
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Old May 16, 2009 | 06:33 PM
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are those better than 2004's from the c5z?
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Old May 16, 2009 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by highlanderc
are those better than 2004's from the c5z?
The FSD's are probably better in the aspect of bump absorption. I doubt they are better for actual performance based events such as Autocross and doing HPDEs.
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Old May 16, 2009 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by thehammer69
The FSD's are probably better in the aspect of bump absorption. I doubt they are better for actual performance based events such as Autocross and doing HPDEs.
Probably depends on the roughness of the track surface. The FSD improve control, but really help absorb impacts. I couldn't tell you if that would be helpful in a racing situation.
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Old May 17, 2009 | 12:26 AM
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I'm with some of the above guys in saying that I love my Bilstein Sports.. and my buddy and I just put a set on his FRC today, and he likes them so far compared to his Z51 shocks.

However, if you're looking for a smooth ride, I definitely wouldn't recommend them.. they definitely firm things up a bit over my 120k mile base shocks, and I feel more of the small bumps that I didn't beforehand... and big bumps are just that---big. Handling and rebound control is vastly improved though.

Bilstein HD's would be another idea to consider (I'm unaware of how these compare price-wise to the Koni FSD's)... I absolutely loved what the Bilstein HD's did to the ride quality and handling on my truck, but of course that's a truck. I also loved my Koni Yellow SA's on my Camaro, but I felt they were a bit pricey compared to other options that probably would've been 90% as good.
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