C6Z shocks installed but,,
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 553
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From: Jeddah
C6Z shocks installed but,,
I have replaced the useless F45 shocks of my 99 coupe with C6Z,, installation was straight forward,, no codes,,
but the car sat way higher than before,, is that expected?
should i lower it on the bolts or wait for a couple of days before i do?
but the car sat way higher than before,, is that expected?
should i lower it on the bolts or wait for a couple of days before i do?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You do have to drive the car some distance to get the suspension to go back to ride height after the car has been lifted. This happens with any car with a-arms. The a-arms hang at an angle. When lowered to the ground, the tires stick on the ground and the a-arms wedge between the tire and frame at an angle holding the car higher than normal. On some cars, you can actually hear the tires slide in towards the middle of the car as it's lifted.
The F45 shocks have no gas pressure in them. The C6Z06 shocks must take at least 100lbs each to compress the gas charge. I put one end on the floor and leaned on them quite heavily to compress them and tie them down before installing them. Will the car will show a noticable ride height change if the shocks are holding up 400lbs instead of the springs? I'm not sure but I think it might be noticable but it should not be "way higher".
Peter
The F45 shocks have no gas pressure in them. The C6Z06 shocks must take at least 100lbs each to compress the gas charge. I put one end on the floor and leaned on them quite heavily to compress them and tie them down before installing them. Will the car will show a noticable ride height change if the shocks are holding up 400lbs instead of the springs? I'm not sure but I think it might be noticable but it should not be "way higher".
Peter
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
There are two parts to the story. First, they do take about 500 miles or so to settle down. Also, you'll have to consider that even if you replaced your shocks with the stock shocks on your vehicle, it would sit higher simply because they're new, so you'll have to drive it for a little bit and then make adjustments.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Since we are on the topic, can I replace the shocks on my 2000 with c6z shocks? Car has 126k on the clock so they probably need to be replaced. To be honost I am not sure what suspension my car has, I believe it is the magnetic suspension. Thanks for any help.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
A 2000 is not going to have the magnetic suspension (RPO F55). That RPO did not come out until 2003 for the C5.
On the center console do you have a switch (circular) that allow you to select the ride? If so then you have the legendary F45 Selective Real Time Damping option. The RPO number F45 should also be on the list of RPO's on the inside of the glove box door.
If you have the F45 RPO, then you will need to either install resistors or the "simulator Kit" (which is nothing more than packeged resistors) in order to fool the computer before installing shocks that are NOT real time damping. The RTD replacement shocks are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive that the C6Z06 shocks. If you install non-RTD shocks without the resistors/simulators to fool the computer your speed will be limited to something like 85MPH. Do a search on the forum and you will find plenty of reading about the resistors you need to buy and/or the simulator kits available.
On the center console do you have a switch (circular) that allow you to select the ride? If so then you have the legendary F45 Selective Real Time Damping option. The RPO number F45 should also be on the list of RPO's on the inside of the glove box door.
If you have the F45 RPO, then you will need to either install resistors or the "simulator Kit" (which is nothing more than packeged resistors) in order to fool the computer before installing shocks that are NOT real time damping. The RTD replacement shocks are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive that the C6Z06 shocks. If you install non-RTD shocks without the resistors/simulators to fool the computer your speed will be limited to something like 85MPH. Do a search on the forum and you will find plenty of reading about the resistors you need to buy and/or the simulator kits available.
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From: joplin mo
john
Last edited by redazz; Jan 16, 2011 at 10:07 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
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Personal note, my car sits a full inch higher with the Z shocks, been 10K since changing them so no doubt I'll need to lower at this point
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 553
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From: Jeddah
it a day and night difference,, one of the best mods i have done to my C5,,
what i have done is that i pulled the control valves from F45 shocks and kept them connected and zip-tied to body frame,,
what i have done is that i pulled the control valves from F45 shocks and kept them connected and zip-tied to body frame,,
