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C6 Z51 Shocks

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Old Mar 26, 2010 | 12:40 AM
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Default C6 Z51 Shocks

I found a good deal on these shocks and wanted to know if they can be used if my car is lowered. It still has the stock bolts and is lowered to the first setting not slammed. It seems that the c6 z06 is not recomended for a lowered car so just wondering if the z51 would work.
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Old Mar 26, 2010 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by JR01C5
I found a good deal on these shocks and wanted to know if they can be used if my car is lowered. It still has the stock bolts and is lowered to the first setting not slammed. It seems that the c6 z06 is not recomended for a lowered car so just wondering if the z51 would work.
Presonally I'd go bilsteins over C6 shocks, but curious to know the answer.
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Old Mar 26, 2010 | 08:20 AM
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Originally, the C6Z06 shocks were accompanied with a warning not to use on a lowered C5 as the shock body is longer than a C5's shock body, increasing the likelihood of bottoming out the shock when used with a lowered C5, thus shortening their effective lifespan. Now, there is no such disclaimer, perhaps because the concerns was unwarranted? Or because C5 guys have used them on lowered cars with no appreciable lifespan reduction?

Bilsteins have a shorter shock body than a stock C5 shock, making it more suitable for lowered C5's, and are really good shocks.
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Old Mar 26, 2010 | 12:59 PM
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Those shocks will fit. Buy them if you got a good deal. Just remember, a set of brand new C6Z06 shocks are about $240 plus shipping so guage the price accordingly.

To me, the concern about using C6Z06 shocks on a lowered car are completely off base. I compressed both the origional C5 shock and the C6Z06 shock side by side and the C6Z06 shock seemed to be actually a little shorter mounting pad to mounting pad. Definately not any longer compressed than the stock C5 shocks.

My car is lowered on the stock bolts and the C6Z06 shocks are fine. The bump stops are a yellow bushing in the shock cover. I cut them in half so it would give a little more travel and not bottom out as often. I'm guessing doing that gives about 1/2" extra wheel travel. The shock can actually travel more than the bump stop allows so don't worry about bottoming the shock out internally. The shock would not bottom internally even without the bump stop.

Now, both the C5 and C6 shocks will bottom on a slammed car, with cut bushings or removed bolts up front and longer bolts in the rear.

Peter
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Old Mar 26, 2010 | 05:22 PM
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Thanks for the info! I found the z51 shocks with only couple thousand miles for $80 so that's why I was interested in them.
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Old Mar 26, 2010 | 08:21 PM
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Good deal!! You will really feel a difference!

BC
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 10:11 PM
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With 115k miles I won't pucker up every time I'm about to hit a bump in the road!
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 10:17 PM
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Those shocks are not really harsh. They just provide more wheel control. Your car will have a LOT less unwanted wheel movement.

My ZO6 was not any rougher than my 98 coupe. It just handled a lot better.

With that many miles on your shocks, anything newer will make you feel like your driving a NEW CAR!

BC
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Old Mar 28, 2010 | 10:51 PM
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Can't wait to get them installed I'll give an update on how they ride.
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