Streetable suspension setup inquiry
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 15
From: N/A N/A
Streetable suspension setup inquiry
Hey guys,
I rarely ever track my 01z...I am looking for improved handling that will not sacrifice much in terms of ride quality.
Right now, I am considering lowering slightly on bolts (my Z sits relatively higher than other stockers) along with the JOC stage 1. I think coilovers would be overkill considering this is for the street and that I don't need adjustability.
I have heard mixed reviews about lowering on bolts, stock or extended. Would slightly lowering on bolts along with the JOC1 make my ride much rougher.
does anyone have this setup? If so, please share your experience.
I live in DC but it's not my daily. I just don't want to take cruises out to the rurals and find myself clinching my jaw over the minor stuff.
I rarely ever track my 01z...I am looking for improved handling that will not sacrifice much in terms of ride quality.
Right now, I am considering lowering slightly on bolts (my Z sits relatively higher than other stockers) along with the JOC stage 1. I think coilovers would be overkill considering this is for the street and that I don't need adjustability.
I have heard mixed reviews about lowering on bolts, stock or extended. Would slightly lowering on bolts along with the JOC1 make my ride much rougher.
does anyone have this setup? If so, please share your experience.
I live in DC but it's not my daily. I just don't want to take cruises out to the rurals and find myself clinching my jaw over the minor stuff.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
lowering a little should hurt the ride quality, you wont see a big difference unless its slammed all the way down on stock/aftermarkt bolts. the shocks will make it a little firmer depending on what you have in there now and how old/miles are on them. I know alot of members here have C6Z06 Shocks and C6Z51 sway bars and are very happy with the setup. the JOC STG1 should still be very streetable and give a little better performance then the C6Z/C6Z51 setup. From what i understand the 04 C5Z Sachs Shocks are stiffer then both of thoes and my car rides fine I think. If I were going to change my suspension out I would also run the JOC setup.
S
S
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 15
From: N/A N/A
Sounds good. Thanks for the advice. I've thought about some of the c6z upgrades as well. Just to confirm, lowering a bit on stockers *shouldn't negatively affect ride quality?
Anyone else with this setup?
My car only has 25k miles on it so the stock stuff is in really good shape.
Anyone else with this setup?
My car only has 25k miles on it so the stock stuff is in really good shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Keep in mind that any lowering of the ride height will have some effect on the ride quality. This is because you are reducing the shock absorbers's travel distance and changing the suspension geometry. You will also need a re-alignment after lowering and this can also affect the ride quality. Whether it will be significant or not will depend on you and how sensitive you are to your car's ride characteristics.
My setup is the following:
Stock height
Bilstein HD shocks
Eibach antisway bar kit with poly bushings
New endlinks
For me, this is the perfect compromise between handling and comfort. It may or may not be too tame for you. Probably Bilstein Sports would be more suitable for slightly lowered Z-cars.
My setup is the following:
Stock height
Bilstein HD shocks
Eibach antisway bar kit with poly bushings
New endlinks
For me, this is the perfect compromise between handling and comfort. It may or may not be too tame for you. Probably Bilstein Sports would be more suitable for slightly lowered Z-cars.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,321
Likes: 1,586
From: Western NY
I'd take a measurement from the center of the bolts at the inner pivot point of the a-arms to the ground (on a level surface), front and rear, and post those numbers here. It would give you, as well as the rest of us, a valid point of comparison.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,321
Likes: 1,586
From: Western NY
"Shorter" bolts will RAISE the ride height, and poly bushings will KILL the ride quality.....
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
Nice thing about the suspension is its relativly easy to adjust. so set it how you like it and give it a whirl, you could allways raise or lower it if you dont like it.
If you get a bar with poly pushings make sure they are greasable and alot of guys wrap the bar in teflon tape where the bushing rides to keep it from squeeking. A good rubber bushing will work great for the street or if you can find a "Delrin" bushing they are self lubericating so they are not supposed to squeek. I would still put a little dab of grease on the bar to keep it quiet with whatever bushings you get.
S
If you get a bar with poly pushings make sure they are greasable and alot of guys wrap the bar in teflon tape where the bushing rides to keep it from squeeking. A good rubber bushing will work great for the street or if you can find a "Delrin" bushing they are self lubericating so they are not supposed to squeek. I would still put a little dab of grease on the bar to keep it quiet with whatever bushings you get.
S
Last edited by RedZMonte; Feb 7, 2014 at 03:19 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
I can mostly relate- I have a base C5 but started out with z06 springs. I have it lowered all the way on the factory bolts WITHOUT cutting bushings or getting longer bolts. I felt that the car had too much body lean (granted, I had the stock sways, not the Z51 or Z06 sways). I went with Hotchkis swaybars and Koni FSD shocks, tunnel plate stiffener and had the alignment shop do a Z06 alignment. Really happy with the results :-) Didn't cost an arm and a leg, and still get even tire wear with awesome handling.
Also, if your car has alot of miles, consider replacing all of your ball joints and tie rod ends. I replaced mine with Moogs (at a different time than the bars, springs and shocks) and that too made a difference.
I had poly control arm bushings too but I got rid of those- too harsh.
Also, if your car has alot of miles, consider replacing all of your ball joints and tie rod ends. I replaced mine with Moogs (at a different time than the bars, springs and shocks) and that too made a difference.
I had poly control arm bushings too but I got rid of those- too harsh.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 64
From: Gulf Coast Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I was torn between the joc and the C6Z shocks but ended up going the C6Z route with the C6Z51 sways and lowered on stock bolts, that with a fresh alignment and the addition of 18/19 wheels with larger tires, made the car Handel 100 times better and to be completely honest I have never noticed a difference in ride quality. I'm not slammed by any means but I have to be diligent in how I approach various obstacles.
I think either way you go that you will be very happy
You can see from this pic I'm not a 4 wheel drive anymore but not slammed as they say either.
I think either way you go that you will be very happy
You can see from this pic I'm not a 4 wheel drive anymore but not slammed as they say either.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Here's a post with details on how to measure the ride height and what stock should be.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...de-height.html
That can help you gauge where you are now and how much you may want to lower below the stock ride height.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...de-height.html
That can help you gauge where you are now and how much you may want to lower below the stock ride height.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,757
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
I was torn between the joc and the C6Z shocks but ended up going the C6Z route with the C6Z51 sways and lowered on stock bolts, that with a fresh alignment and the addition of 18/19 wheels with larger tires, made the car Handel 100 times better and to be completely honest I have never noticed a difference in ride quality. I'm not slammed by any means but I have to be diligent in how I approach various obstacles.
I think either way you go that you will be very happy
I think either way you go that you will be very happy