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Installation info for these on my C5, difficulty factor, special tools?
Just had my F55 shocks removed, deprogrammed and unfortunately though I requested Corvette Performance here in Denver CO to quote/sell me the 'good' shocks, he sold me on some Monroe 'OEM' version. (Discovered by the way that my 90K mile car still had those shipping pucks on the shocks!). So at least now I have working shocks but they feel mushy, it leans like a '63 Caddy in corners now.
How much would these sway bars and end links improve that handling, I know it's hard to say but it sounds like a great improvement to exactly my problem.
How difficult is install? A few hours total front and back? I have the tools and knowledge for such a fix, I think. Any special tools required? I'll only be able to get it up as high as basic floor jacks get, will that be a nightmare?
I just had C6 Z06 shocks put on my 2000 base Corvette. I immediately noticed an increase in ride height. It looks like almost an inch. Is this normal? Maybe my old stock shocks were sagging? The car handles way better and I have not put on the bars yet.
Thanks,
Mark
Last edited by Hardcore GM #2; 11-02-2017 at 11:22 PM.
He's just great to deal with and a very nice person. Couldn't ask for someone nicer to deal with and to recommend our company when someone needs parts.
My '04 has:
245/40 ZR18 front
285/35 ZR19 rear
Your Z51/Z06 kit should work on my car. Someone before me put on Bilstein shocks, but I don't know when (I have owned the car 5-1/2 years).
I don't have the tools or skill level to install these pieces. Since you're not Tire Rack, you probably don't have a national network of recommended installers, so I'm on my own there.
1. The shocks on my 04 base model were upgraded to Bilsteins by a previous owner, but the swaybars look like the thin stock ones. Therefore, I am looking to add the C5 Z51 bars and bushings. The end links appear to be fine, so I would prefer not to spend another $100 on new ones.
2. If I attempt this myself, it appears that I should not need to remove the wheels, but just get the car up on ramps. Is this correct?
3. Assuming that I can get the bolts loose and remove/replace the bars myself, what are the torque settings for the bolts?
1. If your links are the plastic ones you will not get the full effect of the new sway bars, your decision to replace or not, I did mine with the new c6 z51 bars (really nice improvement in cornering)
2. No need to remove wheels, driving car up on ramps should work fine, I did mine on jack stands w/o removing wheels front or rear.
3. front suspension; stabilizer shaft link nuts 53 lb ft, stabilizer shaft insulator clamp bolts 43 lb ft
rear suspension; stabilizer shaft link nuts 53 lb ft, stabilizer shaft insulator (lower) clamp nut 70lb ft, stabilizer shaft insulator (upper) clamp bolt 49 lb ft (Info from my 2001 FSM)
good luck!
PM me the lowest price on a complete kit for a 97 front and rear shocks and bars. Getting ready to tear the rear end out to send the trans off, so I will just replace the stock stuff while its out. I'm running MT ET Street R radial 305/45/18 in the rear and Nitto NT 05 40R R17 in the front.
Thx
I just picked up 97 C5 Base last year in november. PM me best price they quoted you for the shocks and sway bar kit?
Did you install the upgraded shocks 7 sway bar kit? If so How much of difference does it make?
1. If your links are the plastic ones you will not get the full effect of the new sway bars, your decision to replace or not, I did mine with the new c6 z51 bars (really nice improvement in cornering)
2. No need to remove wheels, driving car up on ramps should work fine, I did mine on jack stands w/o removing wheels front or rear.
3. front suspension; stabilizer shaft link nuts 53 lb ft, stabilizer shaft insulator clamp bolts 43 lb ft
rear suspension; stabilizer shaft link nuts 53 lb ft, stabilizer shaft insulator (lower) clamp nut 70lb ft, stabilizer shaft insulator (upper) clamp bolt 49 lb ft (Info from my 2001 FSM)
good luck!
Tom, thanks for this very useful information. I think the end links are metal; I tapped one with a prybar and it made a metallic sound. I haven't put the car on the ramps yet because it's still chilly here in NE Illinois. I will call Cultrag to discuss, but I think your suggestion of the C6 Z51 bars is right. If I do this, I'll spray the hardware with PB Blaster before I try to remove them (probably more than once). Did you have trouble getting them loose; I have an electric impact wrench, but not air tools.
I welcome other comments and suggestions on this from others who have done it.
Order placed today for C6Z51 bars and bushings. Already have Bilstein sport shocks and metal end links.
New bars received in five days. I did the rear myself but a friend helped me with the front because it's longer and heavier. With these plus the Bilsteins that a previous owner installed, the car now corners flat with no body roll. No issues with the installation; there's an excellent step-by-step installation guide in the post titled "sway bar install?". I used the existing bolts and did not use Loctite. I plan to re-torque the bolts soon.
Buyer beware, I have a problem with my shocks I ordered and Gene is zero help. When I brought up the "what if I got a bad shock" question he got very defensive and basically told me there is no way and it must be an installation error. When I questioned that further his attitude went south very quickly, guess it's my fault for trusting that a forum sponsor would be a little more helpful and willing to stand behind his product.
06-25-2017, 01:03 AM
teamwork!
