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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 11:47 AM
  #1  
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Default Need help about suspensions

Hi,

I have the opportunity to buy second hand shocks absorbers and springs from a 2002 C5 Z06.
I already have a ZO6 sway bars on my 99 C5 Cabriolet and would be interested in also swaping the shocks and springs to get an even better cornering and handling of the car.

Questions:
- will I be able to keep the 3-mode option (tour/race/perf)?
- is it fully compatible with my car?
- I also could get Pfadt shocks for the same budget (not coilovers : inverted sport shocks) : is it a better choice?

Many thanks.

Last edited by BossV8; Apr 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM.
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 01:01 PM
  #2  
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Not sure about the shocks, but I switched out my base FE1 springs to z06 springs and hardly noticed any difference at all.

The sway bars...holy crap what a difference!!!
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 01:20 PM
  #3  
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Your three mode operation will be disabled using the Z shocks. And you will have to buy simulators for the shock sensors or you will be throwing codes. I don't think the electronic shock circuit can be tuned out, but it's worth checking on.

The C5Z shock will fit your car as well as the C6Z shocks. A couple of good choices are the C6Z and the Bilstein Sport shocks.
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 03:58 PM
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I had and and would never recommend the inverted sport shocks from phadt.

With your setup they might be a problem anyway.

I would look for better options.
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 05:52 PM
  #5  
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Thank you for those advices.

So z06 shocks and spring don't seem to be a good solution: I would just loose the versatility of the 3 modes and not gain much.

Pfadt inverted sport shocks don't seem to be good either.

Well ... Coilovers look like the way to go.
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 01:00 AM
  #6  
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Install Pdaft ,Inverted shocks with ajustable settings 1- 16 clicks of the ****, 6 clicks,
front -- 10 clicks on the back, go and enjoy the ride, never buy used shocks
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 02:45 AM
  #7  
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Deleting the adjustable suspension and going to GOOD aftermarket shocks will be an excellent improvement over the ride of your stock suspension. You can either have the 3-way function deleted by someone with a Tech 2 or you can buy simulators to replace the shock's electrical connections. Then you can install some good shocks, such as Bilsteins. Change your shocks and add Z06 sway bars and you will make a drastic change in the ride and handling, all for the better.
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 06:10 AM
  #8  
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Any advice for after market shocks or coilovers?
Budget: let's say usd 500-800
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 04:37 AM
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No advice on that? Thanks.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 11:58 AM
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coilovers are out of the question at that price.

I would and did go with bilstein. I see you had one person vote for inverted. I had them, for about a month, and will never again.

If you are keeping your car at stock height they might be ok, but won't work with a well lowered car.

You can get new bilstein's for a lot less then used inverted also.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 03:49 PM
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Pardon my lack of knowledge, but what is very unclear to me is: how can one change shocks and not springs? I thought they were related to one other. Meaning: with this shocks, I should get that spring.
I am afraid that changing the shocks and NOT the spring would ruin the car balance?
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by BossV8
Pardon my lack of knowledge, but what is very unclear to me is: how can one change shocks and not springs? I thought they were related to one other. Meaning: with this shocks, I should get that spring.
I am afraid that changing the shocks and NOT the spring would ruin the car balance?
I originally installed Bilstien sports and Z06 sways on my coupe
( also lowered and added a 3/8" tunnel plate at the time) and the car handled and cornered much better... l then added used Z06 springs and it was even better than before!! I have currently upgraded to Pfadt sway bars and the car corners unbelievably well!!! I may not even bother to upgrade to coil overs in the future...
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