I bought a 2004 Vert a few weeks ago with 57k miles on it *points at Avitar*. It now has 61k. It's an awesome machine....

Anyway, I have been going through the car and these forums gleaning as much info as possible.

I bought the car from a retired couple. I believe they drove the car well but did not take the time to properly care for the car. I'm sure I blew 7 years of crap outta the radiator and condensor with my air nozzle and water wand.

Anyway, next on my list of changing out all the fluids. I'm also going to replace the rotors and brakes while changing out the brake fluid.

While I'm doing that I was wondering if I should go ahead and replace the shocks? I have a friend who has a set of C5 Z06 shocks with very low miles on them. He will sell them to me for 100 bucks. What I have read on the forums is the stock shocks degrade over time and do not last very long. How would the Z06 stock shocks be any different? They are stock off a Z06, right. I know they are better then the reg stock Shocks but do they have the same life span as reg shocks?

I'm sure there are going to be a few people to suggest to get the C6 Z06 or Blistens but I have a budget to consider. I can't really drop 250 on shocks. Would it be worth it to go with the C5 Z06 shocks for 100 bucks or hold off until I can afford C6 Z06 or Blistens?

Also, I drive my Vert very carefully. I don't red line it or drive it hard at all. I plan on having this car forever and keeping it in prime shape.

Sorry so long n thanks

 

I just bought my 99 at Chistmas time with 53K on it and almost have 63K on it now. I did C6Z06 shocks that my best friend renoved from his car and it was a nice improvement. If you're just putting around and not driving it, it may not be worth it to you yet. Either way, I'd wait till you can get what you want and just do the install once.

 

bump!

 

Since you have the stock C5 shocks and do not "drive the car hard", I could not recomend installing C5 Z06 shocks. The Z06 shocks may stiffen the ride a little too much. Shocks should match the springs and swaybars. I did remove my stock C5 Z06 shocks and installed a set of C6 Z06 shocks last week. It's a big improvement in ride quality and the performance did not seem to suffer at all. Only paid $140 for the newer "used" C6 shocks.

 

Just replaced my stock shocks, SB and plastic EL with C5 Z06 shocks, C5 Z51 sway bars, and aluminium end links. Ditched the GY EMTs years ago with Michelin PS2 A/S ZPs. Ride is much stiffer now but not harsh.
Look around. You might be able to do the whole package for $120 like me. Go to Parts for sale and see whats there.

 

If you're gonna take the time to change the shocks, I recommend that you save your money and buy new ones. There is no way to know for sure how much life is left in used shocks. My recommendation would be to go with Bilstein HD's which are fairly cheap, very comparable in stiffness to the Z06 shocks, and give you a lifetime guarantee which you don't get with OEM GM components. Furthermore, the Bilsteins are rebuildable. I installed the Bilsteins on my stock C5 Coupe with base suspension and all I can say is .......WOW. It is like driving a brand new car with a kick *** suspension setup.

 

mcm, that's a great pic of your car.

 

Do you have the F55 option, Selective ride? If so changing to aftermarket or non EM shocks will take some knowledge and a Tech II.

If not C6Z06 shocks are cheap.