C6Z51 shocks vs. Z06 shocks

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Mar 9, 2011 | 02:14 PM

hardcore4sure

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Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2007

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From: San Francisco CA

C6Z51 shocks vs. Z06 shocks

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension on my C5 6spd coupe. I was planning on going with the C6 Z51 sway bars/ C6Z06 shocks from GM parts house. But I came across a great deal on some C6Z51 shocks and C5 Z06 sway bars at half the price. Any first hand experience as to an appreciable difference between the two. Any recommendations? This is mainly a street car and I live in the city. Will be getting H/C/I soon so I will see some road course and drag from time to time.
Thanks
Matt

Mar 9, 2011 | 03:03 PM

JEEP/C5

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Fayetteville AR

I guess it depends on how good of a deal your are getting. If both are half price or less then I would do it (don't forget to count the freight - I sent some bars last month and it cost me $30 to ship via ups). But IMO the z06z shock and c6z51 bars are a better upgrade. I guess it all depends on what you want for end results.

Mar 9, 2011 | 03:16 PM

oh1vette

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 4,754

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From: Youngsville North Carolina

Here's the sway bar sizes if that helps you:

Sway bar spring specs
Suspension Frontmm Rearmm
C5 base 23.0 19.1
C5Z51 (97-99) 25.4 21.7
C5Z51 (00-04) 28.6 23.6
C5Z06 30.0 23.6
C6 base 25.5 17.5
C6Z51 31.0 25.4
C6Z06 31.0 28.0

Mar 9, 2011 | 04:23 PM

00 Rooster

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Oilerville Edmonton

St. Jude Donor '08

in regards to the shocks, I got a smoking deal on the c6 z51s and bought them. I can't tell you the difference between them and the z06 but they have been a great upgrade over my base 2000 c5 shocks. I paid less than half including shipping to Canada. the deal was too good to pass up!

Mar 9, 2011 | 04:30 PM

1999_TRC

Instructor

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From: Rantoul IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00 Rooster

Did they bolt right in? No modifications, or anything to look out for, when buying used C6 shocks?

Mar 9, 2011 | 06:43 PM

hardcore4sure

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

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Posts: 829

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From: San Francisco CA

No freight there local. I know the bars are pretty close to the same. I'm curious mainly about the shocks compared to the C6Z06 shocks and lowering.

Mar 9, 2011 | 11:20 PM

00 Rooster

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 2,170

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From: Oilerville Edmonton

St. Jude Donor '08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999_TRC

Did they bolt right in? No modifications, or anything to look out for, when buying used C6 shocks?

I'd never read about any issues but I had to add a couple of large washers on each shock due to the extra length. they seem to be just fine though

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardcore4sure

No freight there local. I know the bars are pretty close to the same. I'm curious mainly about the shocks compared to the C6Z06 shocks and lowering.

I seem to be out of the ordinary with my review but I find the car rides quite a bit firmer now. it does handle better with the c6z51 shocks, c651 bars and lowered on the stock bolts.