c5z06 shocks vs c6z06 shocks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: LaGrange Ga
So really opinion based on experience is only relevant to making decisions based on your setup and your driving habits.
I encourage each forum member to take my opinions / experience and the opinions / experience of others with a grain of salt.
Your mileage may vary.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
gm spent a lot of time developing this shock for the c5. Its the best tuned shock you can get for a z06 spring rate. if you are on base or z51 springs, the c6z06 shocks may be a better option. The c6z06 shocks are softer, and you will get better ride quality, but if performance is your main concern, get some z06 springs and 04 z06 shocks. there really isnt a better option other than t1 springs with matching shocks - which will actually be worse on street driving because it is too stiff. T1 suspension will only do you good on a smooth race track. Another option is coilovers. i hear they give better ride quality, but whether or not they actually improve handling over the leaf spring setup is debateable except on a race course because they can be tuned for the specific track.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The C6Z uses different wheel and tire sizes and therefore has different tire stiffness / spring rate. Also notice that the C5 and C6 suspensions all have slightly different spring rates. This yields overall differences in wheel rates. So dampers tuned for a C6Z will surely have a different effect when installed on a C5Z. I don't have any experience to tell you if that is good or bad. But I can tell you the following from experience.
To sum it up: Engineers spend countless hours tuning spring and damper setups to be the "best" compromise for the "average" driver of a given vehicle. When you adjust / change components out you could likely gain an advantage on the track but you will pay for it in another aspect of ride and or handling. There is no sivler bullet that is better at everything.
My personal decision would be to put 04Z shocks on your 01-04Z and leave the C6Z stuff alone. This is based on the premise that I will spend 95% of my driving time on the street and only 5% of my driving time at HPDE's or auto-X.
To sum it up: Engineers spend countless hours tuning spring and damper setups to be the "best" compromise for the "average" driver of a given vehicle. When you adjust / change components out you could likely gain an advantage on the track but you will pay for it in another aspect of ride and or handling. There is no sivler bullet that is better at everything.
My personal decision would be to put 04Z shocks on your 01-04Z and leave the C6Z stuff alone. This is based on the premise that I will spend 95% of my driving time on the street and only 5% of my driving time at HPDE's or auto-X.
I think most people know that when you change from OEM the feel and other factors will change. It is their choice to determine if it is right for them.
Personally, I think changing things is part of the fun of these cars.
Last edited by Eric D; Sep 2, 2010 at 11:46 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,476
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
All joking aside. The simple reality is, 2004 Z06 shocks are $477.16, and 2008 Z06 shocks are $246.16(prices from GMPartshouse). So for the average guy, that spends 99.99% of his driving on the street, these shocks are a no brainer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I would be interested in knowing what criteria and method you used to determine "the best".
For me it's not a matter of finding "the best". I'm sure given enough money any setup can be bettered. For me it's about improving on the stock setup. When I changed from base suspension components on my '98 coupe to the C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars there was a HUGE improvement in both handling and ride quality. Given the relatively inexpensive price tag, I think it's a great bang for your buck.
For me it's not a matter of finding "the best". I'm sure given enough money any setup can be bettered. For me it's about improving on the stock setup. When I changed from base suspension components on my '98 coupe to the C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars there was a HUGE improvement in both handling and ride quality. Given the relatively inexpensive price tag, I think it's a great bang for your buck.
Last edited by Mark C5; Sep 2, 2010 at 12:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
I would be interested in knowing what criteria and method you used to determine "the best".
For me it's not a matter of finding "the best". I'm sure given enough money any setup can be bettered. For me it's about improving on the stock setup. When I changed from base suspension components on my '98 coupe to the C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars there was a HUGE improvement in both handling and ride quality. Given the relatively inexpensive price tag, I think it's a great bang for your buck.
For me it's not a matter of finding "the best". I'm sure given enough money any setup can be bettered. For me it's about improving on the stock setup. When I changed from base suspension components on my '98 coupe to the C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars there was a HUGE improvement in both handling and ride quality. Given the relatively inexpensive price tag, I think it's a great bang for your buck.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
I have a 98 Z51 with Z06 wheels and swaybars. I bought the C6Z06 shocks when they first came out and have done a bunch of high speed auto-x and HPDE on them.
They are a big improvement over stock Z51's. I also have some 02 Z06 shocks I haven't tried yet. I bought them due to the fact that they were half the price of the 04 Z06 shock. You have so many variables out there that its going to make the perfect shock choice impossible.
They are a big improvement over stock Z51's. I also have some 02 Z06 shocks I haven't tried yet. I bought them due to the fact that they were half the price of the 04 Z06 shock. You have so many variables out there that its going to make the perfect shock choice impossible.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Mark and Lucky summed it up the best! The price is EXCELLENT, performance over base set up works extremely well, and 90 percent of C5 drivers couldn’t tell the difference between C5ZO6 and c6 ZO6 shocks if you paid them to tell you.
An experienced driver on a track scenario may be able to see some differences between the two but most of us just want the car to drive and perform well on the street and the C6 Z shocks allow that for a good cost. (BANG FOR THE BUCK factor is outstanding)
An experienced driver on a track scenario may be able to see some differences between the two but most of us just want the car to drive and perform well on the street and the C6 Z shocks allow that for a good cost. (BANG FOR THE BUCK factor is outstanding)
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: LaGrange Ga
I will be lowering my car a bit and changing tires when the time comes. I too enjoy these adventures. I also intend to read here to learn from those who bravely went before me, since I don't have good objective data to base my decisions on. 
To me the no brainer would be to replace like for like. I don't know how the 01-03 Z06 stack up in price vs. the 2004 Z06 units, I would imagine the 04's would command a higher price than the older units, but that is purely speculation on my part. I should check into that...
I think the average driver who spends 99.99% of his / her driving time on the street won't truely be able to tell the difference between 01-03 Z06 dampers vs 04 Z06 vs 06+ Z06 dampers.
In Mark's case (98 base model) I think there would be a large improvement (track performance) in going from the stock dampers to any Z06 based suspension.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,476
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
.....and that's why the 04 Z06 shocks left in stock, will rot on the shelves.....provided C6 shocks continue to be a bolt in item, and available at damn near half the price.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,476
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
