Time to replace the shocks/struts 2001
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Time to replace the shocks/struts 2001
Looking for suggestions for shock/strut replacement. Michigan roads are terrible so nothing stiff. Just a nice replacement for touring use. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 356
From: Iowa
2013 C6Z06 from Gene Culley. Under $300 for the set. Direct replacement. Depending on how many miles are on your car I'd suggest checking your tie rod ends for wear too. I've got 88K and mine were all pretty well worn.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Thanks. Are they stiffer? Not looking to "firm" up the ride any...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 356
From: Iowa
Compared to the worn out ones, yes. Stiffness is subjective and it's really hard to say. Personally I don't feel the ride is that harsh. My dad had C3's and C4's and quite frankly I thought those rides were much harsher then my C5. I will let others chime in as they may have more sensitive behinds. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Compared to the worn out ones, yes. Stiffness is subjective and it's really hard to say. Personally I don't feel the ride is that harsh. My dad had C3's and C4's and quite frankly I thought those rides were much harsher then my C5. I will let others chime in as they may have more sensitive behinds.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
What suspension do you have? If you have the f45 you can delete them with a tech 2, get simulators or what I did and was free is just remove the sensor from the shock and zip tie them out of the way. if you have the f55 there is a different way but you will have to do a search on that but lots of threads on it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
ANY,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, New GAS shock will be STIFFER that the worn out crap you have on there now. SO,,, that a very difficult question to answer.
The C6 ZO6 shock is no stiffer than any other good new GM Shock.
The C6 shocks offer EXCELLENT wheel control on rough roads and you will enjoy the new found maneuverability of your C5.
Have you ever entered a high speed sweeping turn only to have the car STEP SIDE WAYS somewhere in the turn??
The C6 ZO6 shocks eliminated that on my 02 ZO6.
Bill
The C6 ZO6 shock is no stiffer than any other good new GM Shock.
The C6 shocks offer EXCELLENT wheel control on rough roads and you will enjoy the new found maneuverability of your C5.
Have you ever entered a high speed sweeping turn only to have the car STEP SIDE WAYS somewhere in the turn??
The C6 ZO6 shocks eliminated that on my 02 ZO6.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
you have a force/velocity dyno on this?
i mean, on the one hand you mention the increased rear stability from change in rebound, on the other, you did not mention why that was happening
while it's subjective on if someone would really notice that much of a difference from the z06 to base shock valving there is indeed a difference
usually you're very precise with your answers, kind of surprised to see this
i mean, on the one hand you mention the increased rear stability from change in rebound, on the other, you did not mention why that was happening
while it's subjective on if someone would really notice that much of a difference from the z06 to base shock valving there is indeed a difference
usually you're very precise with your answers, kind of surprised to see this
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
What suspension do you have? If you have the f45 you can delete them with a tech 2, get simulators or what I did and was free is just remove the sensor from the shock and zip tie them out of the way. if you have the f55 there is a different way but you will have to do a search on that but lots of threads on it.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: New Hope Pa
Check out koni's FSD line of shocks. I installed them in my base suspension coup last year and am pretty satisfied. The roads here in Pennsylvania are garbage too. They are a bit ppricey though
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,794
Likes: 2,256
From: Brighton MI
I put C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars with metal end links on my '97 Coupe and it made a WORLD of difference.
Corners absolutely flat now. Shocks are a stiffer, but I retained my base C5 springs so the ride isn't bad at all.
BTW - I live in MI as well and know exactly what you mean about the roads.
Corners absolutely flat now. Shocks are a stiffer, but I retained my base C5 springs so the ride isn't bad at all.
BTW - I live in MI as well and know exactly what you mean about the roads.
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Time for a C-5, I have a '98 vette with base suspension, and I replaced my stock shocks with Bilstein HD shocks. Bilstein also makes a Sport shock for lowered cars, but since my suspension is not lowered, I went with the HDs. With the HDs, the ride is still firm but much better than the old shocks. After replacing the shocks a few months ago and after reading all the great input on this forum, I caught the fever and upgraded the sway bars to C6 Z51 bars with metal end links to help out on the curves. Good luck on your shock hunt!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
I went with the base C6 shocks to stay with a compliant ride. Do not know what exactly is different between the C5/C6 base shocks, but they ride, and handle great, and cheaper that the C5 base shock. Stiff shocks are not faster on bumpy roads.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
I put C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars with metal end links on my '97 Coupe and it made a WORLD of difference.
Corners absolutely flat now. Shocks are a stiffer, but I retained my base C5 springs so the ride isn't bad at all.
BTW - I live in MI as well and know exactly what you mean about the roads.
Corners absolutely flat now. Shocks are a stiffer, but I retained my base C5 springs so the ride isn't bad at all.
BTW - I live in MI as well and know exactly what you mean about the roads.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Thanks. Nice idea. I was thinking about the Z06 shocks. I bet the base shocks are a little softer. I'm really seeking a comfy ride over performance.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
1. buy OEM shocks. rock auto has them since they are an ac delco shock
2. buy the koni FSD shocks
the fsd has more money in it and as such is likely a better shock. koni markets these as being a comfort shock but with control.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 870
Likes: 76
From: The Rainy Side of Washington State
I just replaced my worn out 89 thou mile (base susp) set on my 99 vert
with bilstein hd's. Very happy with them. I too was in your position but in the end i chose the bilsteins as i have them on both my benzes as well and knew how they performed so i guess a no brainer for me.
But i do see a c6 z51 bar swap sometime in my near future. lol
with bilstein hd's. Very happy with them. I too was in your position but in the end i chose the bilsteins as i have them on both my benzes as well and knew how they performed so i guess a no brainer for me.
But i do see a c6 z51 bar swap sometime in my near future. lol
Last edited by hron61; Jul 1, 2015 at 12:39 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
I went with the Konis last year and they have been great with my DD, no more losing contact with the ground and skipping around corners. For street use I would buy them again. My second choice was the bilstein hd, as I did not want too stiff a ride.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
If you want something comfortable, I would absolutely go base C6 shocks. I've got C6 Z06 shocks on my car, and with base springs it's not harsh, but it's certainly firmer than stock. I like it, but it might be too rough for someone that's looking for a smooth ride. AC Delco are the best bang for the buck shocks you can get for these cars and they're great quality.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 7
As for ride and everyday use, a World of Difference there if you choose right. No loss of handling or performance, and far cheaper (a win-win-win :-)