After completing the performance aspect of my car, I want to tackle down some suspension. This car is a daily driver so I don't like to go too crazy with stuff (my cars only full bolt on w/ dyno&street tune). The car is not lowered at all nor will it be lowered after I just moved to Arkansas, the roads here will not allow it, now will my driveway lol. Here's my idea so far. My plastic sway bar end links are SHOT as well as all my tie rod ends. I want to go with c6 z51 sway bars, poly sway bar bushings, and metal end links. For shocks either c6z or Bilstein Sports (I would enjoy a little more firmness, rough ride won't bother me). After researching I'll be going with Moog tie rod ends as well. I'm probably going to through in a DRM steering rack bushing in as well. I thought about poly control arm bushings but after I heard they made nothing but noise I want to steer clear of them, even though they're REALLY tempting. After all this is completed I'll be going in for a 4 wheel alignment and tire balance. Is there anything else you guys would do different? The car's a 99 FRC so it already has the z51, minus what's worn out lol

 

C5Z06 rear spring.

 

Is the car strictly street or will it see some track or drag strip? Shocks and the sway bars/end-links are all a street car really needs to wake it up. Personally Id leave the leaf springs alone for comfort. And if the car is to see the drag strip, the base model springs are the best because they allow the rear to squat more on launch. For circle track, upgrading the springs is a good idea.

 

C5Z06 rear spring is fine for the street. I went to it from a Z51 rear this past Saturday. No change in ride quality in terms of harshness. But yea, if it's for drag, base is best to allow the rear to plant itself.

 

If its the same comfort wise, then go for it, but any reason why the rear only? I havent heard of doing just the rear.

 

OP's car is a FRC like mine. Z51 and Z06 front springs are same rate and P/N. Only the rear was different.

 

Good info!

 

Thanks guys! The car is a street car and so far it hasn't seen any kind of track yet. I drive the car to my college classes 10 miles away but I live in the Ozark Mountains so it sees quite a bit of turns now (just moved here from Amarillo lol). I'll read up on the rear z06 spring, I knew they were different but wasn't even thinking about it when I was trying to come up with how I wanted to build the suspension.

 

I just did the C6Z51 sway bars, new metal end links, C6Z06 shocks, and C5Z06 rear spring along with a new 3/8" tunnel plate from Elite Engineering. I went with the stock rubber sway bar bushings because I didn't want to run the risk of having squeaks for the time being. The C6Z06 shocks are great but next time I might try the Bilsteins and poly bushings to compare. Mainly wanted to use factory parts this go round. The whole car is definitely much flatter in the corners. You're going to enjoy it once you're done.

 

'04 z06 sachs shocks. Not worth the cost if you buy new, but if you can find some low mileage used ones, I'd jump on em. I got a great price on some used ones with only 11k on them. These are the best shocks you can get for a c5. Billstein sports are a close second though! Also you will need to readjust your rear ride height with the new z06 spring.

 

Alright, a little update. Yesterday I lowered it as far as it would go on stock bolts WITHOUT cutting or taking out spacers, bump stops, etc so I still have some gap between my tire and fender, this also feels like it tightened up the car a bit around curves. This is as low as it's going to go, I think it's a great compromise between looks/performance. I'm also installing an 02 rear z06 leaf I picked up. My question now is which shocks will perform the best now? Of course ride comfort is important, but I'm willing to give up some comfort to have even less body roll, I'm thinking the Bilstein Sports now since I'm lowered, is there any shock you guys would recommend over that one around the same $400 price range? Here's the pic of how low it sits, it has settled just a tad bit more since this pic was taken today but nothing too noticeable.

 

Maybe the Johnny O'Connell (JOC) shocks from Pfadt racing.

 

I drove a c6 yesterday lowered with Johnny O'Connel sways and shocks, it felt AMAZING! Aren't those shocks around the $900 price range though? I'm about to check
*edit* just checked, $550!!!!! I believe I've made my decision on shocks!!!!