Guys,

Here's yet another “which” shock question……I'm upgrading the FE1 suspension on my on my ’00 Vert because it just felt too soft and Cadillac like, skitters in corners etc.

o Step 1, stock, NOT lowered FE1 suspension with runflats, ride quality 3 on a scale of 10.

o Step 2, I added the C6Z51 sway bars, poly bushings and metal end links. The sways were a big improvement and added a couple of points to the ride and giving me a 5 / 6 ride out of 10.
I could have left it alone here but felt that upgrading shocks would round it out, see step 3.

o Step 3, I've read the posts on the virtues of C6Z06 shocks but I had picked up a set of 2004, C5Z06 shocks from a forum member and figured I'd opt for the best (not). In actuality, while great in certain areas, these are way too stiff for my overall liking. They are Great on the highway and wonderful in curves but on my country roads, not good at all, I don't want a buckboard…. This probably put the ride quality to 15 on a 10 scale and I've got to back off….

o What are the collective thoughts on what I should do? Obviously, I can put the stock FE1 shocks back in but I would like to make it better (if i can). What do you think i should try, Bilstein HD or C6Z06?? Unfortunately, coilovers, Pfads or Konis etc are not in the budget

 

04 C5 ZO6. less stiff than the 06 shocks. Then next on the scale is the Z51. less stiff than C5 Z

 

Bill,
I've understood that the 2004, C5Z06 shock was the stiffest out there as they were suposedly optimized for the track. The C5Z's are over $400 for 4 vs the C6Z06's from Gene at $240 x4, i understood the C6Zo6 to be the less stiff shock. I got a good deal on them which is why I opted for these first.

Are you telling me that the C6Z06 shocks are stiffer than the 2004, C5Z06 shocks.

 

I installed QA1 adjustable shocks. They are great. I can adjust them soft for cruising and stiffen them up for the track.

 

Gene Culley has always said the C5Z and C6Z has little difference, so I don't think you'd be happy with the C6Z. Don't know what year your car is or mileage, but just replacing the shocks with C5 or C6 base may give you back what you were missing as the old shocks might've just been worn.

I can tell you Bilstein sports are a pretty middle ground shock as it seems to absorb the ruts pretty good on our crummy freeways (once I raised the car back up a bit). No personal experience with the C5/C6Z's for me to compare.

 

OK,
the cars a 2000 with 28k on it, FE1 original shocks are fine, they can go back on if needed.
If the FE1 stock shock is a scale rating of 1 and the the 04, C5Z06 and the C6Zo6 shocks are about the same rated at 10, where would the C6Z51 shock fall.
On the Bilstein, which shock is stiffer, Sport or HD (i understand the sport to be the stiffer) and which would be the closest to the c6Z51?
I'll get pricing on the Z51's from Gene